Wm. Thomas (Tom) Summerfelt, PhD
About Wm. Thomas (Tom) Summerfelt, PhD
Wm. Thomas (Tom) Summerfelt, PhD, serves as the Vice President of Research at Feeding America, where he has been instrumental in developing a strategic research agenda to address hunger in the United States. His extensive background includes leadership roles in research and innovation at various organizations, as well as academic positions at multiple universities.
Current Role at Feeding America
Wm. Thomas (Tom) Summerfelt serves as the Vice President of Research at Feeding America, a position he has held since 2020. In this role, he leads the development of a strategic research agenda aimed at enhancing the understanding of hunger in America. He collaborates with the Member Engagement team to translate research findings into best practices for supporting network food banks. Additionally, he partners with external research experts to conduct comprehensive studies on food insecurity, which inform strategies for addressing domestic hunger.
Previous Experience in Research Leadership
Prior to his current role, Summerfelt held several significant positions in research leadership. He served as the Vice President of Research & Innovation at Advocate Health Care from 2008 to 2017, where he managed over 700 research projects and achieved notable improvements in revenue and customer engagement. He was also President of North America at Convergence CT from 2017 to 2020, where he transitioned the company’s core business to a cloud-based global data network and developed a successful go-to-market strategy.
Educational Background
Summerfelt earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with High Distinction in Psychology and Secondary Education from Kalamazoo College from 1983 to 1987. He later obtained a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Eastern Michigan University from 1990 to 1992. He completed his Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Social Psychology, Program Evaluation, and Health Services Research at Vanderbilt University from 1992 to 1995. His academic background supports his extensive work in research and innovation.
Academic and Teaching Roles
Throughout his career, Summerfelt has held various academic positions. He was an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University from 1999 to 2003 and an Executive Director/Assistant Professor at the University of Chicago from 2006 to 2009. He also served as an Adjunct Professor at Tennessee State University from 1996 to 1999. His teaching roles have contributed to his expertise in research methodologies and program evaluation.
Publications and Speaking Engagements
Summerfelt has authored over 45 publications and has secured more than $20 million in grants throughout his career. He is recognized as a speaker and moderator, leading webinars on topics related to research and hunger. His contributions to the field are evident through his extensive body of work and his active engagement in knowledge dissemination.