About Dr. Paul A. Lepley, Ph.D.
Dr. Paul Lepley brings more than two decades of military and federal experience, along with a decade of applied social science research and program evaluation to organizations working to strengthen human performance, readiness, and community well-being. His background spans public health based primary prevention, organizational climate assessment, and policy development at the highest levels of the Department of Defense.
As one of the earliest Level 5 Department of Defense Credentialed Program for Prevention Personnel (D-CPPP) and a recognized expert in integrated primary prevention, Dr. Lepley has helped shape prevention strategy and practice across the Department of Defense, Department of the Army, Department of the Air Force, and the National Guard Bureau (NGB). His work includes strategic planning, research design, policy authorship, workforce development, and the translation of scientific evidence into approaches leaders can put into practice.
Prevention Knowledge for Leaders: Risk & Protective Factors
Prevention Knowledge for Leaders: Primary Prevention
Prevention Knowledge for Leaders: Engaged Leadership
Selected Consulting Contributions
Prevention & Federal Policy Development
- Lead author and architect of congressionally mandated programing.
- Contributor to Federal policy and planning groups focused on prevention.
- Developer of SMART-aligned goals and outcomes, logic models, and implementation frameworks that help large, geographically dispersed orginizations operationalize efforts.
Strategic Research & Program Evaluation
Dr. Lepley serves as Research Staff for the Institute for Defense Analyses, where his focus is on Service member quality of life, pre/postvention, reviews defense research and advises on methodological rigor, feasibility, and applicability across the military.
His evaluation work includes:
- Publications on relationship education and family resilience among Reserve Component couples
- Researcher on multi-method studies examining organizational climate, prevention capability, and family well-being across diverse military settings.
- Large scale evaluation of Service member programing to enhance readiness.
- Experienced in quantitative and qualitative methods, including longitudinal and predictive modeling, focus group facilitation, thematic analysis, and mixed-methods trial design.
- Reviewed, and advised research funded by Congessionally allocated research dollars.
Artificial Intelligence & Analytics
- Served as a subject matter expert supporting the development and testing of artificial intelligence–enabled tools to analyze large-scale qualitative survey data.
- Provided expert review of qualitative coding frameworks and analysis protocols to ensure alignment with scientifically sound research standards.
- Supported the application of advanced analytics to improve the interpretation of open-ended feedback and inform organizational decision-making.
Training, Technical Assistance & Workforce Development
- Frequent instructor for orginzations delivering training on:
- community needs assessments
- Service member and Family mental health
- statistical and qualitative analysis
- evaluation planning
- evidence-informed practice
- Led the development of workforce position descriptions and implementation guidance to support consistent hiring and onboarding practices across geographically distributed organizations.
- Developed and delivered curricula for mental health providers, military leaders, clergy, and community organizations.
Leadership & Fiscal Stewardship
- Oversaw large-scale program budgets and conducted long-range financial analysis and planning to support the implementation of a nationally funded programs, ensuring alignment with federal financial guidance.
- Led multidisciplinary teams of analysts, contractors, researchers, and operational staff to produce accurate and actionable products.
Grand writing and support
- Functioned as a grant reviewer for Congressionally allocated funding.
- Wrote and received support for over half a million dollars in grant funding.
- Experienced with foundation and federal grant mechanisms.
Additional Capabilities
Beyond federal and military consulting, Dr. Lepley offers:
- market research for emerging products and businesses
- Reviewed coding manuals and human-coder protocols to ensure the AI model aligned with scientifically sound qualitative analysis standards.
- educational consultation for music programs and performing arts organizations
- professional musical services in jazz, classical, brass, and polka settings
Featured Presentations
Dr. Lepley has presented nationally for organizations such as:
- DoD SAPRTEC
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- SAMHSA Governors Challenge
- National Council on Family Relations (NCFR)
- Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
- Uniformed Services University (USUHS)
Topics include prevention capacity building, evaluation strategies, military family resilience, program effectiveness, and needs assessment methodology.
Service & Professional Leadership
Dr. Lepley contributes to community and professional boards, including:
- Capital City Brass Band (Vice President)
- Meridian Community Band (Board Member)
- Prior service on boards focused on veteran reintegration, chapel stewardship, and national faith-leader training initiatives
Let’s Work Together
Dr. Lepley partners with government agencies, research institutions, nonprofits, and private organizations seeking clear insight, rigorous methodology, and practical solutions in prevention, public health, organizational climate, and military human development.
