Sylvia K. Fisher

Sylvia K. Fisher, Ph.D. (Educational Measurement and Evaluation) is a senior leader in the fields of behavioral health, evaluation, and survey methodology, with over 32 years of experience across education, government, clinical settings, and both the private and public sectors. Her distinguished career includes more than 28 years of federal service in the U.S. Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services, where she held several leadership and advisory positions.

Dr. Fisher most recently served as Deputy Director and Senior Advisor at the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). There, she oversaw national strategies and initiatives related to behavioral health data, suicide prevention, and populations such as children, LGBTQ+ individuals, and Tribal communities. As Director of Evaluation in SAMHSA’s Child, Adolescent and Family Branch (2004–2010), she led the national evaluation of the Federal Children’s Mental Health “Systems of Care” program and managed the agency’s first national workgroup for LGBTQ+ youth and their families.

At the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), Dr. Fisher served as Senior Social Science Analyst in the Center for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety, enhancing the measurement and application of the CAHPS® and SOPS® programs to better reflect the needs of diverse populations and patient experiences.

As Director of the Office of Research and Evaluation at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), she led a team of researchers and evaluators for over a decade, advancing studies and performance assessments across HRSA programs, including workforce development, maternal and child health, rural health, and behavioral health. Earlier in her career, Dr. Fisher was a research psychologist at the Bureau of Labor Statistics, specializing in survey methodology and cognitive testing, and contributed foundational work to reduce non-sampling error, increase survey response and improve data quality in large federal household and establishment surveys.

Dr. Fisher is a nationally recognized expert on the measurement of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) in federal data systems. She co-chaired the OMB-sponsored Federal Interagency Research Workgroup on SOGI measurement for three years and contributed to several federal data and equity initiatives in this domain. A contributor to the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, she has served on numerous interagency workgroups focused on advancing suicide prevention policy, evaluation, and implementation.

Fluent in Spanish, Dr. Fisher has also served as a counselor and psychological evaluator for diverse populations. She has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in measurement, systems change, and psychological assessment at numerous colleges and universities.

A prolific speaker and author, she has delivered over 90 academic and professional presentations, published 40 briefs and peer-reviewed articles, 11 book chapters, and served as lead editor of Improving Emotional and Behavioral Outcomes for LGBT Youth: A Guide for Professionals. Dr. Fisher is widely respected for her leadership, client-centered approach, and unwavering commitment to data-driven change in service of equity, health, and well-being.