2025 Elections: Member-at-Large
An APNA Member-at-Large serves a three-year term on the board. View Full Member-at-Large Position Description & Qualifications
- Duties Include: ensuring effective and accountable governance, providing responsible oversight of the association, demonstrating competent and accountable leadership, and ensuring leadership continuity.
- Qualifications Include: Previous APNA volunteer leadership and service, knowledge about global trends and APNA programs, participative leadership style, willingness to commit time and skills necessary to serve.
Candidates
Brittany Evans, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, NEA-BC
Present Position
Assistant Vice President, Patient Services, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Education
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Eastern KY University
Master of Science, Nursing (PMHNP), University of Louisville
Bachelor of Science, Nursing, University of Louisville
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, University of Louisville
APNA Contributions
- Janssen Scholar – 2009
- CPI Planning Committee- since 2018 (present)
- JAPNA Editor-in-Chief search committee (2021)
- Nominating Committee (2020)
- Administrative Council – Advisory Panel
- Child and Adolescent Council – Advisory Panel
- Eduction Council – Advisory Panel / Graduate Branch
- Council for Mental Health Advocacy – Advisory Panel
- Personality Disorder Cluster B Task Force – Advisory Panel
- APNA Conference Poster Presenter – Best Research Poster (2010)
- APNA National Conference (2022): “Cost and Quality Impact of a Stepped Care Approach to Depression Treatment in a Child/Adolescent Psychiatric Outpatient Setting”– Podium Presentation
- APNA National Conference (2021): “Making the Case for Dedicated Precepting Time” – Podium Presentation
Other Experience
- Kentucky Association of Nursing Students – President, Past Presidential Consultant (2008-2010)
- American Organization for Nurse Leadership – Nurse Director Fellowship Program (2025)
APNA members should vote for me to serve as Member-at-Large because I bring a strong combination of executive leadership, clinical expertise, and a long-standing commitment to advancing psychiatric-mental health nursing. As Assistant Vice President of Patient Services in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, I lead large, interprofessional teams and manage complex systems of care—always with a focus on quality, equity, and workforce development.
My involvement with APNA spans over a decade and includes serving as the APNA Kentucky Chapter President, contributing to national committees, and being selected as a Board of Directors Scholar in 2009—a recognition of my early leadership potential. Since then, I’ve continued to grow as a leader, championing initiatives that support culturally responsive care, team member well-being, and professional development.
As a board member, I would bring a collaborative, forward-thinking perspective grounded in both frontline experience (as both an RN and APRN) and strategic vision. I’m passionate about helping APNA sustain its impact as a charitable, educational, and scientific organization—and ensuring that we continue to elevate the role of PMH nurses nationwide.
I can help fulfill APNA’s purpose as a scientific and education organization by: As a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner and executive nurse leader, my sustained involvement with APNA has exemplified its core mission to promote psychiatric-mental health nursing, enhance mental health care for diverse populations, and support the advancement of charitable, educational, and scientific initiatives in the field. Through national-level service roles—such as serving on the APNA Nominating Committee and the Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute Planning Committee, as well as presenting some of my work at the annual conferences, I have contributed to APNA’s educational and scientific aims by shaping high-quality, evidence-based learning opportunities for psychiatric-mental health nurses nationwide.
Additionally, my commitment to workforce development, competency-based education, and interprofessional collaboration have supported APNA’s charitable and educational purposes by advancing the infrastructure necessary to train and sustain a skilled, compassionate, and culturally competent psychiatric-mental health nursing workforce that meets today’s demands/needs.
Vonda Keels-Lowe, MSN, PMHNP-BC, CN
Present Position
Nationwide Children’s Hospital, PMHNP Child & Adolescent Inpatient Units
Director of the Barabara Trueman Child & Adolescent PMHNP Postgraduate Fellowship Program
Education
Post-Master’s, The Ohio State University, 2019
MSN, Wright State University, 2014
BSN, Capital University, 1992
APNA Contributions
- APNA Member 12 years. I have attended 10 APNA Conferences and all local chapter conferences.
- APNA Nominating Committee 2022-2023
- Neuromodulation Task Force – Advisory Panel
- Child & Adolescent Council – Advisory Panel
- Youth Suicide Prevention Position Workgroup – Steering Committee 2024
- Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Workgroup 2025
- Advanced Practice Council
- APNA Foundation Donor
Other Experience
- APNA Ohio Chapter Board 2018-2023
- Secretary for 2 years
- President for 2 years.
- Served as Chair of the Annual Conference Committee for 2-3 years.
- Ohio Society of Pediatric Nurses:
- Immediate Past President of the Ohio Chapter from 2011-20165 (2.5 consecutive terms)
- Board Member of Ohio Chapter (2007-2011)
- Secretary of Ohio Chapter (2005-2007)
- National Chapter Development Committee Member (2007;2008)
- National Chapter Education and Programming Committee (2011-2012)
APNA members should vote for me to serve as Member-at-Large because I have a passion and dedication to serve the mental health community those who provide compassionate care to this population. I want to assist in being a guiding force for our national organization and its members. I hope members will trust me to continue to work hard for our profession to increase positive outcomes for those we serve, thru education and advocacy. I am truly excited to be a representative for the organization, its members, and those we serve.
I can help fulfill APNA’s purpose as a scientific and education organization by: bringing a positive and productive mindset and contribute to the goals/bylaws set by the Board, including continued support for not only our own members, but for other non-profit/charitable organizations that we can assist in the promotion of research, education, and continued advocacy. I have had the honor of serving on 2 national steering committees this year to find and share what is known about youth suicide prevention and found that there is still much work to do at all age groups, ethnicities, and levels of care. The scientific and education purpose of our organization is a vital step for those we serve and those around us
Brenda Marshall, EdD, APRN, PMHNP-BC, MAC-BC, NE-BC. ANEF, FAANP
Present Position
Psychiatric Nurse Liaison, Holy Name Medical Center, Teaneck NJ
Professor, Montclair State University School of Nursing, Montclair NJ
Psychotherapist /Psychiatric NP Learn 2 Choose Inc., Wayne NJ
Education
Cochran School of Nursing, Yonkers NY RN, BA Eisenhower College, Seneca Falls NY
MSN – Advanced Management for Clinicians, New York University, NY
MS, Health Education, Teacher’s College (TC), Columbia University NY
EdD Behavioral Science TC. Columbia University, NY
MSN/Psychiatric NP UMDNJ/Rutgers University, Newark, NJ
APNA Contributions
- Secretary and President APNA New Jersey
- Speaker for the APNA New Jersey and APNA New York Chapter conferences
- Served on Graduate Education Committee
- Served to review research for APNA conferences
- Speaker/lecturer for APNA Annual Conferences
Other Experience
- Certified Mental Health First Aid Trainer (Adult, Youth and Teen)
- Certified Stress First Aid Trainer, Sensorimotor Psychotherapist, levels 1-3.
- Received AANP advocate state award 2023
- Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP)
- Fulbright Scholar Specialist – Mental Health
- APNA Excellence in Research award recipient
- APNA Excellence in Education award recipient
- Serves on CNEA credentialing board (NLN) and other board experiences for NLN, ISPN, and ANA
APNA members should vote for me to serve as Member-at-Large because I believe in our specialty, our unique perspectives, and our clinical competence to support our patients to recovery. I think I bring a powerful blend of clinical insight and academic leadership to the role of Member-at-Large. As a practicing psychiatric nurse practitioner and dedicated professor, I understand the real-world challenges and triumphs faced by psychiatric-mental health nurses every day. My career reflects a deep commitment to our profession—from my beginnings as a diploma nurse to becoming a published author of multiple textbooks and a mentor to hundreds of nurses.
I bring with me the skill of securing federal and state grants focused on mental health and substance use disorder—translating the nurse’s vision of recovery into tangible outcomes for both providers and patients. I am passionate about our specialty and our nurses, because I believe that each of us matters to nursing and to our diverse patient population. As Member-at-Large I would listen to the voices of those who want to be more engaged and work toward ways to not only increase your sense of belonging to this great institution but also enhance ways that each of us matter to the field of psychiatric nursing in the twenty-first century.
I can help fulfill APNA’s purpose as a scientific and education organization by being well-prepared to help fulfill APNA’s mission as a scientific and educational organization through the depth and breadth of my professional experience. I have led the development of innovative educational initiatives, secured funding for groundbreaking psychiatric nursing research, and implemented programs that integrate artificial intelligence into education, clinical practice, and research.
Cornelius Metili BSN, RN, PMH-BC
Present Position
Parkland Memorial Hospital: Sr Specialty RN, Psych Consult Service RN on the dedicated Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT)
I remain actively engaged in bedside practice while contributing to psychiatric nursing initiatives focused on crisis response, clinical safety, and workforce development.
Education
I earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Salem State University, where I had the honor of delivering the commencement address at my graduation. My academic and clinical training continues to shape my commitment to recovery-oriented care and to the ongoing professional development of nurses, especially those providing care on the front lines.
APNA Contributions
- 2025 APNA Award for Excellence in Practice – RN
- 2024 APNA Nominating Committee
- 2024 – Present APNA Council for Safe Environments Steering Committee
- 2024 JAPNA Publication: The Missing Link in Behavioral Health: Defining Competencies for Crisis Response Teams
- 2023 APNA Memorial Scholarship Recipient
- 2022-2024 APNA Texas Chapter President
- 2019-2021 APNA Texas Chapter Member-at-Large
- APNA Annual Conference Podium and Poster Presenter – 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2025
My contributions have focused on member engagement, workplace safety, and expanding clinical competencies in crisis response. I have presented at multiple APNA national conferences on topics including Behavioral Emergency Response Teams (BERTs), trauma-informed care, and recovery-focused environments. I also co-authored a JAPNA article last year outlining scalable crisis response competencies, further contributing to APNA’s scientific mission. These efforts reflect my belief in supporting nurses through education, connection, and evidence-based tools.
Other Experience
- Across several hospital systems in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex, I’ve participated/led behavioral health initiatives focused on safety and interdisciplinary collaboration. This includes defining and advancing the nurse’s role within Behavioral Emergency Response Teams, including their design, implementation, and integration into pediatric, adult, and safety-net care settings. My leadership style is grounded in visibility, shared purpose, and mentorship.
- Dallas TX Salvation Army (2023 – Present)
- Texas Nurses Association (TNA) Awards Committee (2025/2026)
APNA members should vote for me to serve as Member-at-Large because over 52% of APNA members are bedside nurses, and I believe that perspective deserves a strong voice in our national leadership. I continue to work at the bedside, and I carry the experiences of my peers with me into every leadership space I enter. I take pride in being a reliable presence at the bedside, where real change often begins. My commitment to practice and leadership has been recognized locally and at the state level, and I’m honored to be the 2025 recipient of the APNA Award for Excellence in Practice – RN.
I can help fulfill APNA’s purpose as a scientific and education organization by championing inclusive education, peer mentorship, and clinically grounded scholarship. I will continue to advocate for psychiatric-mental health nurses to have access to trauma-informed models, leadership development, and the tools to shape system-level change. By uplifting the voices and skills of our diverse workforce, I believe we advance not only our profession—but also the care we provide.
