Michelle Kruse named Associate Vice President of Governance

CHICAGO, August 21, 2024 — The American Dental Association (ADA) is pleased to announce Ms. Michelle Kruse’s promotion to Associate Vice President of Governance. In her new role, Kruse will oversee all governance activities that support the House of Delegates, Board of Trustees, Councils, Committees, and Commissions within the ADA structure. Her leadership will ensure effective governance processes and support the smooth functioning of the ADA’s key governance bodies, fostering a well-organized and efficient framework for decision-making and oversight.

“The governance of the ADA is what makes our Association so unique and representative of the many voices that drive dentistry forward,” said Raymond Cohlmia, D.D.S., Executive Director of the ADA. “Michelle’s leadership is outstanding, and I look forward to her impact in this new role.”

In her previous ADA role as Director of Administrative Services, Kruse oversaw the ADA House of Delegates, Board of Trustees, Executive Director, and ADA Officers. She strategically planned and executed the House of Delegates’ business portfolio, oversaw the ADA Governance-related online presence, and managed a multi-million-dollar divisional budget. Kruse has been with the ADA since 2005.

“I am highly motivated by the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead,” said Kruse. “It’s an exciting time to step into this role and assist the ADA as it moves forward.”

Prior to her career with the ADA, Kruse was the Government Affairs Director at the Northwest Marine Trade Association where she managed PAC fundraising, tracked legislation, and coordinated lobbying efforts. She also served on the Washington State Boating Safety Council.

Kruse earned her Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Seattle University and a certificate from the ADA/Kellogg Executive Management Program at Northwestern University.

About the American Dental Association
The not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing 159,000 dentist members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance has long been a valuable and respected guide to consumer dental care products. The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA), published monthly, is the ADA's flagship publication and the best-read scientific journal in dentistry. For more information about the ADA, visit ADA.org. For more information on oral health, including prevention, care and treatment of dental disease, visit the ADA's consumer website MouthHealthy.org.

The ADA Forsyth Institute was founded in 1910 as the Forsyth Dental Infirmary for Children (later, the Forsyth Institute), to provide dental care to the disadvantaged children of Boston. While continuing to serve children in need, yet recognizing the ultimate goal is to prevent dental disease, the Institute in 1915 began to focus on scientific research and is today the world’s leader in oral health research. In October of 2023, the Institute joined with the American Dental Association to form the ADA Forsyth Institute, a 501(c)(3) entity dedicated to improving people’s oral and overall health and powering the profession of dentistry through cutting-edge basic research, creative translational science, innovative clinical technologies, and global public health outreach. Consistent with the Institute’s founding mission, the ADA ForsythKids mobile dental program continues to serve children in need.