John Colbert, Esq.

John became Executive Director of ASAHP in 2012 after the retirement of long time Executive Director Thomas W. Elwood, who stills serves as Editor in Chief of our Journal of Allied Health. Prior to becoming Executive Director, John was a consultant to ASAHP for many years and has nearly two decades of experience in both workforce and higher education issues, serving in the Executive branch, as well as working with Congress.

As a senior official in the Clinton Administration, he served both as an agency Chief of Staff and legislative liaison with Congress. He has been instrumental in helping ASAHP expand the scope of allied health programming, activities, and loan forgiveness as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as well as the array of funding activities for which ASAHP members are eligible at the federal level.

A co-founder of the consulting and advocacy firm Capitol Hill Partners, John previously acted as an advisor to the former Deputy Prime Minister of Ireland, focusing on fostering the Irish peace process. He also was a legal advisor on “Mr. Justice Brennan,” an award-winning documentary on former Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan. He is a graduate of Holy Cross College, received the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick full tuition scholarship for a Master’s degree in Political Science from the Catholic University of America, and holds a law degree from Georgetown University.

Thomas W. Elwood, Dr. P.H.

Thomas W. Elwood served as Executive Director of ASAHP from 1993-2012 and remains as Editor in Chief of the Journal of Allied Health. His earlier positions include serving as a Deputy Director at the Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Cancer Center, Director of Scientific Programs at the American Public Health Association, and chief health lobbyist while on the staff at AARP.

He has been a World Health Organization Fellow and was selected to study the health systems of England, Denmark, and Sweden. He has served as a consultant to various governmental agencies including the National Cancer Institute, Veterans Health Administration, Health Resources and Services Administration, Administration on Aging, and private sector organizations, including the National Council for International Health.

He was one of three persons awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in 2000. A Past President of the Federation of Associations of Schools of the Health Professions (FASHP), he has served on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors as Treasurer of the National Health Council. As of 2023, for 20 years was an adjunct professor in a master’s degree in health management program at Rutgers University.

The author of more than 75 professional papers in peer review journals and book chapters, he became Editor of the Journal of Allied Health in July 2008. Also, he is the author of four books, “A View From Washington: Federal Policy in Relation to Allied Health over Two Decades” (2009), “An Overview of Health Care and the Health Professions – Changing Demographics and Health Reform” (2012), “Three Legs In The Evening: Health Care Of The Aged” (2019), and “From Fish To Philosopher: Journal of Allied Health Editorials” 2008-2020 in 2020. He hosts a podcast interview series for the Rusk Rehabilitation Institute at NYU Langone Health.

Kristen Truong, M.P.A.

Kristen Truong is ASAHP's Deputy Executive Director, where she manages communications, plans the Annual Conference, and monitors issues on Capitol Hill and in the federal government. She previously worked on a federal budget process reform project and on a NASA research project about emerging spaceflight companies. 

She received her Bachelor's in International Relations from the University of South Florida, and her Master's in Public Administration with a concentration in Public Financial Management from American University. 

Kelli C. Baxter, M.S.

Kelli C. Baxter, M.S., serves as Vice President for Finance and Administration for the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP), a national association dedicated to advancing health professions education and supporting the institutions, academic leaders, and educators responsible for preparing the nation's healthcare workforce.

Baxter brings more than 18 years of executive leadership experience in national and international associations, with extensive expertise in financial management, organizational administration, strategic planning, governance, and membership engagement. Throughout her career, she has helped mission-driven organizations strengthen their financial sustainability, modernize operations, and enhance their capacity to serve members and advance institutional priorities.

Prior to joining ASAHP, Baxter served as Executive Director of the American Translators Association (ATA), where she led initiatives to strengthen financial performance, modernize organizational infrastructure, improve governance, and expand member services. Her accomplishments included implementing the association's first comprehensive association management system, increasing conference participation by more than 20 percent, and expanding non-dues revenue through enhanced programming and strategic partnerships.

Baxter is also the Founder and Managing Partner of KG1 Consulting Group, an association management and consulting firm specializing in executive leadership, financial oversight, governance, and organizational transformation. Through this work, she has advised and supported associations navigating leadership transitions, operational challenges, and strategic growth. Her experience includes overseeing organizational budgets, improving financial reporting and accountability, strengthening membership retention, and identifying opportunities for operational efficiencies and revenue diversification.

Earlier in her career, Baxter held senior executive positions with the Licensing Executives Society, USA & Canada, and the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials. She also served as Executive Director of the National Utility Contractors Association of Metro DC, where she oversaw the organization's affiliated foundation and its scholarship and grant initiatives supporting workforce development.

In addition to her professional responsibilities, Baxter is a founding member and Vice President of Black Association Executives and serves on the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Executive Management Advisory Council. Her leadership reflects a longstanding commitment to effective association governance, collaborative management, and the advancement of mission-driven organizations.

Baxter holds a Master of Science in Management Information Systems from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Arts in Law & Society from Purdue University.

In her role at ASAHP, Baxter will help strengthen the association's financial and administrative operations and support its long-term organizational sustainability. Her extensive association management experience will support ASAHP's continued efforts to strengthen health professions education, foster collaboration among academic institutions, and contribute to the development of a highly skilled healthcare workforce.