Anvarizadeh begins term as president of the American Occupational Therapy Association
July 1, 2025

Today, Arameh Anvarizadeh officially begins her term as president of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), following her election to the volunteer leadership position in early 2024. The three-year presidential term runs until June 30, 2028.

“My presidential campaign slogan, “Empowering Our Profession, Ensuring Our Longevity,” reflects a timely and urgent call to action,” Anvarizadeh said. “Now more than ever, occupational therapy must boldly demonstrate its impact, elevate its visibility and expand public understanding of our scope and value.”

In a recent Q&A (log-in required), Anvarizadeh outlined several strategies to achieve those objectives, including strengthening collaborations with state associations, supporting practitioners who work in innovative and entrepreneurial settings, and advancing occupational therapy education.

Anvarizadeh is the first Black and Iranian person to lead AOTA, an especially significant milestone for a predominantly white profession (more than 80 percent of the U.S. occupational therapy workforce is white). She has previously served AOTA in various roles including vice president, chair of the Credential Review and Accountability Committee, Representative Assembly Leadership Committee member, governance task force member and as a member of the special task force on entry-level education.

She is the fifth USC-affiliated president, following Wilma West MA ’48 (AOTA President from 1961-64), Florence Cromwell MA ’52 (1967-73), Mary Foto ’66 (1995-98) and Professor Emeritus Florence Clark (2010-13).

“My presidency represents more than a leadership transition — it is a reimagining of what is possible,” Anvarizadeh said. “With AOTA’s Board of Directors, I am committed to cultivating a shared vision and building a high-impact team that will amplify the voice of occupational therapy on a global scale, promote equitable access to care and strengthen our workforce.”

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