About​

Dr. David Ballard is an organizational consultant with more than 15 years of prior experience as a non-profit executive. His emphasis is on promoting employee well-being and organizational performance through the integration of psychology and business. Dr. Ballard’s work focuses on organizational effectiveness, occupational health promotion, workplace mental health, program design and evaluation, and systems-level workplace interventions. He has provided research, consultation, and training services to government agencies, industry groups, corporations, private equity firms, medical schools, and universities.

During his time at the American Psychological Association, Dr. Ballard led APA’s Office of Applied Psychology, Center for Organizational Excellence, and Psychologically Healthy Workplace Program. His most recent work has focused on the effects of the pandemic and how employers can support workers during the current crisis and beyond.

Dr. Ballard serves on the boards of directors for the C. Everett Koop National Health Awards and Sound Mind, chairs the Society for Occupational Health Psychology’s Practitioner Committee, co-chairs the Advisory Committee for The Carolyn C. Mattingly Award for Mental Health in the Workplace, and is a member of NIOSH’s Cross-Sector Council on Healthy Work Design and Well-being.

Dr. Ballard is the co-editor of the book, The Psychologically Healthy Workplace: Building a Win-Win Environment for Organizations and Employees (2016). He received his doctorate in psychology and his MBA in health services administration from Widener University.

In music, ghost notes are the subtle beats that sit in the spaces of a groove. Played with a light touch, they are more felt than heard, filling in the gaps and adding depth, momentum and drive.

Ghost notes are a hallmark of funk and soul drumming and are indicated by parentheses around the note heads on music charts.