David Axlyn McLeod, PhD

My mission is to develop leaders, drive systemic change, and bridge research with real-world impact through strategic evaluation, policy innovation, and leadership development. Over time, my mission has expanded from a focus on violence reduction to preparing new changemakers to lead in a world that urgently needs them. With nearly 30 years of experience, I have trained and mentored emerging and established leaders across sectors, equipping them with the tools to navigate complexity, implement data-driven decision-making, and create sustainable change. As Interim Director of the Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work, President of the National Organization of Forensic Social Work, and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Forensic Social Work, I have led efforts to strengthen organizations, shape policy, and build interdisciplinary collaborations. My leadership philosophy emphasizes evidence-based practice, behavioral prediction, and applied systems thinking, ensuring that leaders can anticipate challenges and adapt strategies to maximize impact. I integrate multimodal learning, coaching, and experiential training to develop professionals who are not only effective in their roles but also capable of mentoring the next generation of changemakers. By combining my expertise in forensic psychopathology, evaluation science, and organizational strategy, I remain committed to empowering leaders and organizations to turn data into action and vision into reality.