Dr. Martha Lappin spent the first 15 years of her career as a research psychologist for the U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI). During this time she developed, administered and analyzed numerous data collection instruments, wrote technical reports, and briefed her findings at the highest levels of the Army. During her last 5 years at ARI, Dr. Lappin supervised a research team, managed a five-year research program to improve the assessment, selection, and development of Special Forces (SF) soldiers, and was honored with a Superior Civilian Performance Award from the U.S. Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel.
In 1997, Dr. Lappin left the government to direct a series of foundation and NIH funded clinical trials. She also founded Action Research and Technical Solutions, where she continued to design, conduct, and direct projects aimed at improving organizational climate, performance, and retention. One of the larger efforts she directed was the Army's large-scale and highly visible triennial assessment of the human relations climate in the Army. Most recently Dr. Lappin has been involved in leader development and team performance initiatives, training leaders and managers across a variety of public and private organizations, and using action learning practices and principles to coach problem solving teams in the federal government (e.g., U.S. Department of Justice, Naval Sea Systems Command) and the private sector (e.g., Microsoft, HumRRO). She has also supported international exchange programs through the National Council for International Visitors, Arlington Sister Cities Association and the State Department's Legislative Fellows Program, and was recently selected to participate in a three-day professional development forum for public sector employees in Ukraine.