Inspiring Leaders offers insights on the career and leadership paths of members of the Board of Directors and other volunteer leaders.
Eileen Esposito, DNP, RN, AMB-BC, CPHQ
November 2021 - Eileen Esposito, DNP, RN, AMB-BC, CPHQ, is a bright light in the nursing world. She bats around ideas and generates waves of energy during meetings with her fellow directors on the AAACN Board, often raising her arms and lifting up slightly from her seat to emphasize a point, like an athlete poised to serve the ball.
Read the article: This is What it Looks Like to ‘Love All, Serve All’
Commander Sana Savage, PhD, DNP, FNP-BC, RN-BC
November 2021 - Sana Savage is a soft-spoken woman. She doesn’t need to speak loudly because the sheer volume of her life’s work echoes and reverberates throughout the many communities she has served. Dr. Savage’s community service list is as broad and long as her military and nursing contributions, including volunteer work for such organizations as Habitat for Humanity, Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Red Cross, and many more.
Read the article: Caring for Those Who Make the Ultimate Sacrifice
Deena Gilland, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN
September 2021 - The impact she’s had on ambulatory care nursing is enormous, yet Deena Gilland’s top priority has always been laser-focused on improving the lives of nurses and patients. She is poised to assume the top spot on AAACN’s Board of Directors next year. To help you get to know her better, we chatted recently with Deena Gilland, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, AAACN’s 2021-22 president-elect, to learn more about her leadership achievements, her passion for service, and how she’s navigated the challenges brought by the pandemic.
Read the article: Deena Gilland - Leading With a Steady Hand
CAPT Andrea Petrovanie-Green, MSN, RN, AMB-BC
July 2021 - The U.S. Naval Administration has awarded CAPT Andrea Petrovanie-Green, MSN, RN, AMB-BC, a director on the AAACN Board of Directors, with a 2021 Captain Joy Bright Hancock and Master Chief Ann Dervatanian Leadership Award in the Senior Officer category.
Read the article: CAPT Andrea Petrovanie-Green Receives Inspirational Leadership Award from U.S. Navy
Kathleen Martinez, MSN, RN, CPN
June 2021 - Kathleen Martinez, MSN, RN, CPN, began her term as AAACN’s 2021-2022 president at the AAACN Annual Virtual Conference in April 2021. As president, she will help the AAACN Board of Directors fulfill AAACN’s mission, vision, and strategic plan, advocate for members, and build collaborations with other organizations in the nursing, health care, and broader community.”
Read the article: Welcoming AAACN’s New President, Kathleen Martinez, MSN, RN, CPN
Anne T. Jessie, DNP, RN
October 2020 - She may not have realized it, but the career path of AAACN’s new president, Anne Jessie, was grooming her to lead during one of the most chaotic times in world history. “During this challenging year, I’ve learned the importance of demonstrating to health care systems, health care and community leaders, and policymakers that innovation can’t wait. We need to remain flexible and nimble to address the needs of those we serve and not allow personal agendas or resistance to change stand in the way of doing what is right.”
Read the article: Anne Jessie - Ready to Lead in a Changed World
George D. Velianoff, PhD, RN, FACHE, ANEF
September 2020 - Meet one of AAACN’s dedicated volunteers who worked behind the scenes to give his colleagues the best education program possible.The inspiring thing about people who volunteer is that they often do so without the need for thanks or admiration. They just put their heads down and work. George D. Velianoff, PhD, RN, FACHE, ANEF, is one of those people.
Read the article: George D. Velianoff - Dedicated Leader
Assanatu (Sana) Savage, PhD, DNP, FNP-BC, RN-BC
April 2020 - Nurse leaders are essential to bringing the nursing industry forward, especially during tumultuous times like the present. With a global pandemic disrupting life as we know it, nurse leaders are needed to advocate for the safety and health of nurses and those they care for. Sana Savage recently shared her thoughts on the importance of nurse leadership to the profession as a whole, as well as patients, the health care industry, and our communities.
Read the article: Why Leadership Matters for Nurses
Kristene Grayem, MSN, CNS, PPCNP-BC, RN-BC
June 2019 - There aren’t many people who would interview for one job, then ask during the interview for a second job. And then get both. But Kris Grayem did. She made the request in 2011 when she was interviewing for a quality job at Children’s Hospital Medical Center of Akron. She wanted the second position – an ambulatory care director role – not for her own advancement, but because she knew the ambulatory care nurses there needed a voice and a leader who understood their needs.
Read the article: Meet Kris Grayem, AAACN’s 2019-20 President
Liz Greenberg, PhD, RN-BC, C-TNP, CNE
April 2019 - If you meet Liz Greenberg in the lady's room, she'll make you laugh. You'll also notice how tall she is. But she's more than height and humor. She has that quality that makes you feel happier and more energized than you were 5 minutes ago, before you washed your hands next to her and shared a spontaneous silly joke...
Read the article: The Line that Connects Us
Kathy Mertens, DNP, MPH, RN
November 2018 - "As I sat with the patient, I thought, 'Please don't die while I'm here.' I knew what hospital nurses do, but being in the patient’s home was different. It was more about listening and understanding how this patient dealt with her illness.”
Read the article: Driven by Curiosity, Fueled by Courage
CAPT (Ret) Wanda Richards, PhD, MPA, MSM, BSN
February 2018 - Wanda Richards is one of AAACN's most admired and respected leaders. From serving in Kuwait and Iraq to mentoring new military nurses, CAPT Richards has had a long and storied career, influencing many and inspiring more.
Read the article: Nursing Without Limits