Leadership Team:

Jessica Murfin, MA, MS, Director

Jessica Murfin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre and Dance from Chapman University and a Post-Baccalaureate degree in Psychology from Western Oregon University. She received a Master of Arts in Psychology with an emphasis in Positive Organizational Psychology and Evaluation from Claremont Graduate University and a Master of Science in Creativity and Change Leadership from Buffalo State College, State University of New York. She also recently completed a Graduate Certificate in College Teaching through the Preparing Future Faculty program at Claremont Graduate University. She is the Manager of the Creativity Research Lab and Founding Director of the Center for Leadership and Creativity at Western Oregon University and is passionate about creativity and innovation, leadership, positive psychology, and organizational psychology. Her previous work experience includes Guest Relations and Guest Talent Programs at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California and American Girl Seattle where she worked as a personal shopper. 

David Foster, PhD, Executive Director

David Foster received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida State University and a second bachelor’s degree in Cardiopulmonary Science from the University of South Alabama. He earned his Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from The George Washington University. Currently, he is a full professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences, Director of the Creativity Research Lab, Program Coordinator for the Organizational Leadership program, and Executive Director of the Center for Leadership and Creativity at Western Oregon University. His areas of academic specialization include leadership, teamwork, creativity, and group decision making. His current research focuses on developing measures of creative behavior. His work experience includes facilitating organizational development for various Federal Government agencies as an internal consultant with the Office of Personnel Management, serving as a survey researcher for the Army Research Institute, and working as a neonatal respiratory therapist at several large, metropolitan hospitals.