Center for BrainHealth Appoints Dr. Sexton to Lead Global Brain Health Initiatives

The Center for BrainHealth at The University of Texas at Dallas has announced a significant partnership with Dr. Krystal Sexton, PhD, who has joined as senior advisor for Workplace Initiatives. Dr. Sexton, a globally recognized leader in brain capital and workforce well-being, brings over 20 years of expertise across healthcare, academia, and industry to expand the center’s focus on applying neuroscience to optimize organizational performance and employee resilience.

Dr. Sexton’s appointment aligns with the center’s growing emphasis on translating rigorous brain science into practical strategies for the workplace. Her role involves shaping scalable, data-driven programs that integrate brain health metrics into workforce wellness models. This innovative approach goes beyond traditional mental health paradigms, aiming to enhance cognitive function and adaptive capacity amidst today’s complex and fluid professional environments.

Central to the center’s vision is the upcoming Workplace Summit slated for February 2027, part of the annual BrainHealth Week. This summit will provide a groundbreaking forum for leaders and practitioners to explore how neuroscience-based interventions can revolutionize employee engagement, innovation, and long-term productivity. Dr. Sexton’s involvement will be pivotal in developing the summit’s agenda and translating cutting-edge research into actionable insights for businesses worldwide.

Dr. Sexton’s distinguished career includes founding the Cognitive Capital Group and driving programmatic innovation at Shell plc, where she integrated brain health analytics across global operations. Her academic credentials are equally impressive, with a PhD in epidemiology and an MS in biostatistics from The University of Texas School of Public Health, complemented by faculty experience at Baylor College of Medicine and postdoctoral training at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Stephen White, JD, COO of Center for BrainHealth, emphasizes the urgency of embedding brain health in organizational leadership strategies. “Supporting individual and collective brain function is critical to navigating today’s rapid technological and societal shifts,” he notes. The center’s nearly three decades of research have culminated in tools like the BrainHealth Index, a proprietary measure tracking cognitive trajectories, and SMART™ training, which applies cognitive strategies to real-world challenges.

Dr. Sexton recognizes brain health as a key performance driver, stating, “It’s not merely a soft skill but a strategic lens directly tied to measurable business outcomes.” Her global perspective, shaped by speaking engagements at international platforms including the United Nations and the World Economic Forum, underscores her commitment to advancing brain-based methodologies at scale.

The Center for BrainHealth continues to pioneer translational neuroscience, coupling functional neuroimaging with longitudinal studies like the BrainHealth Project. This initiative investigates the complex interplay between lifestyle, biology, brain training, and cognition, forging science-to-solution pathways that enhance quality of life and workplace function alike.

Dr. Sexton’s advisory role promises to catalyze a new era where neuroscience is integral to organizational culture and strategy. By equipping companies with empirically grounded tools, the center aims to unlock human potential and foster resilient, innovative workforces prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.