Florida State University has named Angi Yoder-Maina as the inaugural director of the Trauma and Resilience Collaborative.  

The collaborative was founded in 2022 to identify, harness and promote the university’s expertise in trauma and resilience and further position FSU as a leader in the field. 

“Dr. Yoder Maina’s distinguished career and research in trauma psychology make her an exceptional choice to lead the Trauma and Resilience Collaborative,” said Jim Clark, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “With a deep understanding of the impact of trauma on individuals and organizations, she has been at the forefront of advancing evidence-based practices in the field.  

Clark added: “Her expertise will guide the collaborative’s mission of promoting trauma awareness and resilience across many sectors and will help FSU advance its status as an international leader in trauma and resilience education.” 

Yoder-Maina has worked for a number of non-governmental organizations in sub-Saharan Africa including most recently serving as the executive director of the Green String Network in Kenya where her work focused on trauma as a cause of violence. She has held numerous positions with USAID in Somalia, Liberia and South Sudan. 

“I am extremely excited to be a part of the innovative Trauma and Resilience Collaborative at FSU,” she said. “Drawing upon my decades of experience, I am eager to bolster our central mission: empowering organizations by elevating the awareness and expertise of their personnel, thus enabling them to become more informed and responsive.” 

“I am eager to bolster our central mission: empowering organizations by elevating the awareness and expertise of their personnel, thus enabling them to become more informed and responsive.”

— Angi Yoder-Maina, inaugural director of the Trauma and Resilience Collaborative

A priority of the Trauma and Resilience Collaborative is addressing the growing need for trauma awareness and resilience training within organizations.  

The collaborative established an Organizational Certification in Trauma and Resilience to equip individuals and organizations with the necessary skills to navigate trauma and elevate performance through the power of resilience. Organizations that complete this training earn an FSU certification in trauma and resilience. 

Lead health organizations such as Simply Healthcare and Sunshine Health Florida have already been certified by FSU as trauma aware and resilience focused organizations.  

“Her exceptional leadership and expertise will be instrumental in advancing our state, national and international efforts to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge they need to navigate trauma and grow resilience,” said Mimi Graham, director of the Center for Prevention and Intervention Studies. 

“The collaborative will build a sturdier workforce right here in Florida and very far beyond,” said Karen Oehme, director of the Institute for Family Violence Studies.  

To learn more, visit provost.fsu.edu/trc. 

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