Anita Underwood

Dr. Underwood is the founding director of Nyack’s Master of Science in Organizational Leadership program offered on both the Rockland County and Manhattan campuses.

An organizational psychologist, she has extensive global experience in the areas of strategic planning, change-management, leadership development and talent management. In addition to her corporate experience in senior and executive roles, she has worked as a management consultant for CEOs and executive teams to improve organizational effectiveness and competitive advantage. Her corporate success made her an invaluable resource for leaders of churches and educational institutions in the areas of strategy formulation, leadership development and accreditation.

Dr. Underwood’s career began at UNISYS Corporation as manager of international education and continued in executive roles at corporations including Equitable Life Insurance and PepsiCo. At Dun and Bradstreet, she was vice president of organizational management.

During her tenure in the corporate world, she also maintained a commitment to institutions of higher education. She served as an adjunct professor at Rutgers University Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology and held directorships on the Board of Overseers for the Graduate School of Business at the University of Connecticut; the Advisory Board for the Minority Summer Institute at the University of Michigan and the Board of Directors for American Assembly Collegiate Schools of Business.

Dr. Underwood has been featured in several international publications and is profiled in Who’s Who Among Global Business Leaders. Recognized by many organizations for her impressive civic and community contributions, she has received business achievement awards from groups such the African American Chamber of Commerce, The National Alumnae Association of Spelman College - New York Chapter, the Harlem YMCA and the Corporate Women’s Network. Her professional affiliations include memberships in the American Psychological Association and the Academy of Management.

Dr. Underwood earned a Ph.D. in community psychology from the University of Michigan; an MA in clinical psychology from Fisk University in a joint program with Meharry Medical College; and a BA from Spelman College.