Committees & Panels
Academy of Nursing Education Review Panel
The Academy of Nursing Education is a program to foster excellence in nursing education by recognizing and capitalizing on the wisdom of outstanding individuals. The review panel meets once a year to review candidate applications and make admission recommendations to the NLN Board of Governors.
- Elizabeth Gazza, PhD, RN, LCCE, ANEF, Chair
Tommy Dickinson, PhD, RN, FEANS, ANEF, FAAN
Joan Frey, EdD, MSN, BS, ANEF
- Marsha Howell Adams, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN
- Crystal Murillo, PhD, RN, CHSE-A, ANEF, FAAN
- Demetrius Porsche, DNS, PhD, ANEF, FACHE, FAANP, FAAN
- Elizabeth Riley, DNP, PED-BCTM, RNC-NIC, CNE
- Mark Hand, PhD, RN, CNE, Board Liaison
Contact: membership@nln.org
Audit & Compliance Committee
The Audit Committee oversees the annual audit process and outcomes, as well as corporate compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and the independent auditor’s qualifications, consistent with NLN policies.
- Majeda El-Banna, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF Chair
- Jane Dus, DNP, RN, NE-BC
- Anne Fink, PhD, RN, CNE
- Kim Kellie-Cortez, PhD, MSEd, MBA, RN, CNE, NPD-BC
- Catherine Mohammed, MPhil, MN, RN
- Michael Newsome, CRA, Foundation Treasurer
- Mark C. Hand, PhD, RN, CNE, Ex-Officio
- Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN, Ex-Officio
Contact: tvu@nln.org
Awards Committee
The Awards Committee reviews nominations and selects individuals for the annual NLN Awards that recognize and honor individuals for their outstanding contributions to nursing education and the broader space of global health care.
- W. Jason Dunne, DNP, MN, BN, RN, CNE, Chair
- Kelly Dyar, EdD, RN, CNN, CNE
- Jeannine Haberman, DNP, MBA, CNE
- Amy Nichols, EdD, RN, CNS, CHSE, ANEF
- Tammy Spencer, RN, DNP, CNE, ACNS-BC, CCNS
- Patty Roe, PhD, MSN, RN
- L. Alexia Williams, PhD, RN
- Lisa Woodley, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE, CHPN
- Rebecca Hill, PhD, DNP, FNP-C, CNE, FAAN, Board Liaison
Contact: opceo@nln.org
Bylaws Committee
The Bylaws Committee initiates and reviews proposals for amendments to the NLN bylaws.
- Yolanda VanRiel, PhD, RN, MEDSURG-BC, OCN, CNE, ACUE, ANEF, Chair
- Lorna Kendrick, PhD, APRN, PMHCNS-BC
- Amber Kool, DNP, RN
- Mary Kathryn Sanders, DNP, RN, CNE
- Amy Yarbrough, EdD, RN, RNC-MNN, CNE
- Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN, Ex-Officio
Contact: opceo@nln.org
Centers of Excellence (COE) Review Panel
The COE Program is designed to recognize schools of nursing and health care organizations that have achieved a demonstrated level of excellence. The review panel meets once a year to review candidate applications and make admission recommendations to the NLN Board of Governors.
- John Lundeen, EdD, RN, CNE, ANEF, Chair
- Ricketta Clark, DNP, APRN-BC
- Sharon Decker, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN
Pamela Edwards EdD, MSN, RN-BC, CNE, CENP
DeAnna Gapp, PhD, RN
- Lisa Hopp, PhD, RN, FAAN
- Betsy Kennedy, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF, FAWHONN
- Linda Kmetz, PhD, RN
- Maria LoGrippo, PhD, RN, MSN, NE-BC
- Barbara Yoost, MS, RN, CNE, ANEF
- Tedra Smith, DNP, APRN, CPNP, Board Liaison
Contact: membership@nln.org
Certification Board of Commissioners
Brenda Morris, EdD, RN, CNE, Chair
- Frank Hicks, PhD, RN, CNE, Vice Chair
- Christopher Blackwell, PhD, ARNP, ANP-BC, CNE
- Benjamin Brebonaria, DNP, RN, CNE
- Mark Everett, DBA, DHCA, Public Member
- Pam Fifer, EdD, RN, CNE
- Erin Killingsworth, PhD, RN, CNE
- Vanessa Lyons, PhD, RN, CNE
- Roseminda Santee, DNP, RN, NEA, CNE, ANEF
- Anne M. Fink, PhD, RN, CNE, Board Liaison
Contact: certification@nln.org
Certification Test Development Committee
The Certification Test Development Committee is responsible for oversight and development of the Certification Program examinations.
- Christopher Blackwell, PhD, RN, CNE
- Erin Killingsworth, PhD, RN, CNE
- Carmella Mikol, PhD, RN, CPNP, CNE
- Brenda Morris, EdD, RN, CNE
- Debbie Rickeard, MSN, DNP, RN, CCRN, CNE
- Sharron Schlosser, PhD, RN, CNE
- Larry Slater, PhD, RN, CNE
- John Ucijch, MSN, RN, CNE
Contact: certification@nln.org
Certification Test Item Writing Committee
The Test Item Writing Committee meets virtually once per year. Items are generated by its members for the Certification examinations of CNE, CNEcl, and CNEn. Committee members are assigned a competency area and the number of test items to write by the Test Item Writing Committee Chair.
CNE Item Writers:
- Mindi Anderson, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF
- Heraldine Flores, MSN, RN, CPN, CNE
- Susan Joseph, PhD, RN, CNE
- Maria Marconi, PhD, RN, CNE
- Christine Salvucci, DNP, RN, CNE
- Melanie Schock, DNP, RN, CNE
CNEcl Item Writers:
- Elsie Alabi-Gonzalez, MSN, RN, CNE, CNEcl
- Christopher Blackwell, PhD, APRN, CNE
- Gabrielle Davis, DNP, APRN, CNE
- Heather Hawk, DNP, RN, CNE
- Amy Jausch, DNP, RN, CNE
- Susan Kelly, EdD, RN, CMSRN, CNE
- Darlene Mathis, DNP, RN, CNE
- Melissa Owen, PhD, RN, CNE, FHFSA
- Doreen Rogers, DNS, RN, CNE
- Elizabeth Saska, MSN, RN, CEN, CNE
- Aaron Sebach, PhD, DNP, NP, CNE, CNEcl
- John Ujcich, MSN, RN, CNE
- Lisa Ann Wehner, PhD, RN, CNE
CNEn Item Writers:
- Andrea Archer, DNP, RN, CNE
- Amanda Barron, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE
- Jennifer Coleman, PhD, RN, CNE
- Ryan Crawford, PhD, RN, CNE
- Mary McKay, DNP, APRN, CNE, FAAN
- April Rowe Neal, PhD, RN, CNE
- Disha Patel, MSN, RN, CNE
- Dottie Roberts, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE
- Roseminda Santee, DNP, RN, NEA, CNE, ANEF
- Lora Shelton, DNP, NP, COI, CNE
- Adrian Stamps, PhD, RN, CNE
- Patricia Thomas, PhD, APRN, CNE
- Mary Wunnenberg, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE
- Elizabeth Zwilling, DNP, RN, CNE
Contact: certification@nln.org
Constituent League Leadership Committee
The NLN has 25 affiliated constituent leagues that support the mission of the NLN at the state level. The Leadership Committee meets once a year to review each league's annual report and make status recommendations to the NLN Board of Governors.
- Linda Kmetz, PhD, RN, Chair
- Maude McGill, PhD, MSN, RN-BC, CNE
- Jason Sasser, DNP, APRN, FNP, CCRN
- Amy Sweeney, EDD, MSN, RN, CNE, CHSE
- Rachel Risner, PhD, DNP, APRN, C-FNP, CNE, Board Liaison
Contact: membership@nln.org
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee provides financial oversight for the NLN by assuring adequate financial resources, advising on short and long term investments, and reviewing other financial-related activities such as fund-raising. The committee shall recommend to the NLN Board of Governors yearly budgets and long term financial plans for the NLN.
- Mark C. Hand, PhD, RN, CNE, Chair
- Angela Amar, PhD, RN, FAAN
- Suzy Cain, MS
- Linda Kmetz, PhD, RN
- Mark A. Vogt, CPA
- Don Shuck, Investment Advisor
- Patricia Sharpnack, DNP, RN, CNE, NEA-BC, FAAN, ANEF, Ex-Officio
- Yolanda M. VanRiel, PhD, RN, MEDSURG-BC, OCN, CNE, ACUE, ANEF, Ex-Officio
- Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN, Ex-Officio
Contact: tvu@nln.org or handm17@ecu.edu
Nominations Committee
The Nominations Committee solicits nominations from individuals having knowledge of board operations and an understanding of the competencies required, as part of the NLN Nominations Process.
- Cheryl L. Hoying, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAONL, FACHE, FAAN, Chair
- Kechi Iheduru-Anderson, DNP, RN, CNE, CWCN
- Jacqueline McMillian-Bohler, PhD, MSN, RN, CNM
- Jessica Ochs, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, FNAP, CNE
- Sonique Sailsman, PhD, RN, CNE
- Barbara Sinacori, PhD, RN, CNE
- Todd Tartavoulle, DNS, APRN, CNS-BC
- Delene Volkert, PhD, RN, CNE
Yolanda M. VanRiel, PhD, RN, MEDSURG-BC, OCN, CNE, ACUE, ANEF, Board Liaison
Contact: opceo@nln.org
NLN Nursing EDge Editorial Advisory Board
The NLN Nursing EDge Editorial Advisory Board provides leadership in identification of new podcast episode topics and recruitment of guests.
- Ashley Graham-Perel, EdD, NPD-BC, MEDSURG-BC, CNE, RN
- Donna Guerra, EdD, MSN, RN
- Jasline Moreno, MSN, RN, CHSE
- Steven J. Palazzo, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF
- Elizabeth Speakman, EdD, RN, FNAP, ANEF, FAAN
- Amber Young-Brice, PhD, RN, RN, CNE
Contact: aces@nln.org
Nursing Education Perspectives
Editors & Editorial Board
The Nursing Education Perspectives Editorial Board serves as a guide for the editors, providing expert advice on content, encouraging submissions, and attracting new authors.
- Audrey Beauvais DNP, MSN, MBA, RN
- Sandra Davis, PhD, DPM, ACNP-BC, FAANP
- Jennie De Gagne, PhD, DNP, NPD-BC, CNE, FAAN, ANEF
- Kristina Thomas Dreifuerst, PhD, RN, CNE, FAAN, ANEF
- Karen H. Frith, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, CNE
- Mark C. Hand, PhD, RN, CNE
- Linda M. Hollinger-Smith, PhD, RN, FAAN, ANEF
- Lynne Lewallen, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF
- Jenny O’Rourke, PhD, RN
- Steven J. Palazzo, PhD, RN, CNE, ANWF
- Aaron M. Sebach, PhD, DNP, CRNP, CNE, CNEcl, FNAP, FAANP
- Teresa Shellenbarger, PhD, RN, CNE, CNEcl, ANEF
- Barbara J. Patterson, PhD, RN, FAAN, ANEF, Editor
- Bette Mariani, PhD, RN, FAAN, ANEF, Research Brief Editor
- Donna Badowski, DNP, RN, CNE, CHSE, Innovation Center Editor
- Matthew Byrne, PhD, RN, CNE, Emerging Technologies Editor
- Leslie Block, Managing Editor
Contact: bpatterson@nln.org
Public Policy Committee
The Public Policy Committee monitors and addresses governmental trends, legislative, and congressional issues related to nursing workforce and health care. The committee develops the NLN Public Policy Agenda.
- Kathleen A. Ennen, PhD, RN, CNE, Chair
- Maxine Adegbola, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE, ANEF
- Audria Denker, DNP, RN, FAADN, ANEF
- K. Kelly Hancock, DNP, RN, NE-BC, FAAN
- Jacqueline M. Loversidge, PhD, RNC-AWHC
- Carolyn Montoya, PhD, RN, PNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN
- Courtney J. Pitts, DNP, MPH, FNP-BC, FAANP
- Margie Sipe, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
- Lisa J. Sundean, PhD, MHA, RN
- Dave Mason, Mason Consulting, LLC
- Mark A. Vogt, CPA, Board Liaison
Contact: sdavis@nln.org
NLN Scientific Research Review Board
The NLN's Nursing Education Research Grants Program provides support for rigorous, high-quality studies that contribute to advancing the science of nursing education. The NLN Scientific Research Review Board meets once a year each spring to select grant recipients who are recognized annually at the NLN Summit.
- Michael Gates, PhD, RN Chair
Angela Docherty, NursD, MPH, RN
- Kyle Johnson, PhD, RN, CHSE, ANEF
- Susan Luparell, PhD, ACNS-BC, CNE, ANEF
- Crystal Murillo, PhD, RN, CHSE-A, FAAN, ANEF
- Larry Slater, PhD, RN-BC, CNE, FAAN
- Marivic Torregosa, PhD, RN, FNP-BC
- Amber Young-Brice, PhD, RN, CNE
- Majeda El-Banna, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF, Board Liaison
Contact: research@nln.org
Strategic Steering Committee
The Strategic Steering Committee monitors key national issues and trends related to health care, nursing, and nursing education that may require action by the NLN, and provides feedback to the NLN about strategic initiatives.
- Patricia A. Sharpnack, DNP, RN, CNE, NEA-BC, ANEF, FAAN, NLN Chair
Yolanda M. VanRiel, PhD, RN, MEDSURG-BC, OCN, CNE, ANEF, NLN Chair-Elect
- Angela Frederick Amar, PhD, RN, FAAN
- Leah Binder, MA, MGA
- Linda Everett, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN
- Angela McBride, PhD, RN, FAAN, FNAP, ANEF
- Marilyn Oermann, PhD, RN, FAAN, ANEF
George E. Thibault, MD
- Beverly Malone, PHD, RN, FAAN, Ex-Officio