WASHINGTON—The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) announced that Ann Mond Johnson will retire as chief executive officer, effective Dec. 10, 2025. ATA’s board of directors said it unanimously selected Kyle Zebley, who currently serves as senior vice president, public policy at the ATA and executive director of ATA Action, to succeed Johnson. Zebley will continue to serve as executive director of ATA Action following his appointment as CEO. The organization said this leadership change is part of a strategic succession plan designed to ensure continuity and the ongoing success of the organization.
“Ann Mond Johnson is a driven and energetic advocate for using digital health technologies to increase health care access, especially among those who most desperately need quality care, establishing telehealth as an essential modality of delivering care where and when it’s needed. Her legacy at the ATA will continue to guide our work to help modernize health care delivery,” said Nathaniel Lacktman, chair, telemedicine and digital health industry team at Foley & Lardner LLP, and chair of the ATA board of directors. “We are grateful for Ann’s vision, leadership and unwavering commitment to our members.”
Johnson joined the ATA as CEO in 2018, bringing with her experience as both an entrepreneur and executive leader. During her tenure, Johnson led the ATA and the wider industry through the challenges of a global pandemic. Her efforts were recognized when she was named one of Modern Healthcare’s 100 Most Influential People in 2020 and 2024.
“It has been a remarkable journey and privilege to guide the work of the ATA through this transformative period," said Johnson. "I am proud of our incredible accomplishments, especially our work creating actionable tools to help organizations improve access to needed care, and the talented, dedicated team behind our success. Kyle Zebley and I have worked closely together for over five years, and I have utmost confidence in his leadership. I am thrilled the ATA board of directors selected him as the next generation to lead this important work.”
Kyle Zebley joined the ATA in July 2020 and in 2022, together with Johnson, he launched ATA Action, the ATA’s advocacy arm, leading industry support for both state and federal telehealth policy.
“It’s been an extraordinary privilege to work alongside Ann Mond Johnson, whose leadership transformed the ATA and established telehealth as a permanent, indispensable part of American health care," said Zebley. "I’m deeply grateful for her mentorship, partnership and friendship. As we look to the future, I’m energized by the opportunity to build on that strong foundation and continue advancing the ATA and ATA Action’s mission, driving innovation, strengthening collaboration across the health care ecosystem, and ensuring that every American has access to safe, high-quality, technology-enabled care.”
Before joining the ATA, Zebley served at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as chief of staff for the Office of Global Affairs. In that role, Zebley represented the United States in global health diplomacy across five continents, leading engagement in major forums such as the G7, G20, the World Health Organization and the United Nations on pandemic preparedness, pharmaceutical policy and digital health standards, and negotiating international initiatives on antimicrobial resistance, health system strengthening and chronic disease prevention.