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APNA Leadership

One of APNA’s core values is inclusivity.

To ensure that APNA leadership reflects the diversity of the membership, APNA leaders pictured below are encouraged to reach out to the next generation of PMH nurse leaders. For many, their involvement was a response to a ‘tap on the shoulder’ from someone they respected that gave them the confidence to pursue a leadership position.

If you would like to know what it’s like to be an APNA leader, want tips about giving someone the ‘tap on the shoulder’, or just to say thank you, use these links to contact them.

Meet Your APNA Leaders

Board of Directors

The affairs of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association are governed by its Board of Directors. It is the Board’s responsibility to carry out the objectives and purposes of the association and to this end, the Board may exercise all powers of the association. The primary responsibility of a voluntary governance Board is to establish an organization’s mission, purpose, values, and direction.

Chizimuzo (Zim) Okoli
Chizimuzo (Zim) Okoli
PhD, MPH, MSN, PMHNP-BC, FAAN Immediate Past President
Joyce M. Shea
Joyce M. Shea
DNSc, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN President-Elect
Jane Abanes
Jane Abanes
PhD, DNP, MSN/Ed, PMHCNS/NP-BC Member-at-Large
Carol Essenmacher
Carol Essenmacher
DNP, PMHCNS-BC Member-at-Large
Kerry Peterson
Kerry Peterson
PhD, DNP, PMHCNS-BC, PMHNP-BC, FAANP Member-At-Large
Deborah Salani
Deborah Salani
DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, NE-BC Member-at-Large

Council Chairs

Councils are comprised of members with shared interest in a specific area of focus within psychiatric-mental health nursing.

Learn more about council activity

John Brewer
John Brewer
DNP, PMHNP Administrative Council Chair
Jamie Zelazny
Jamie Zelazny
PhD, MPH, RN Child & Adolescent Council Chair
Jessica Gordon
Jessica Gordon
PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, PMHNP-BC Child & Adolescent Council Associate Chair
Melissa Neathery
Melissa Neathery
PhD, RN, CNE Education Council Associate Chair
Susan Brammer
Susan Brammer
PhD, RN Recovery Council Chair
Kathryn E. Phillips
Kathryn E. Phillips
PhD, RN Research and Scholarship Council Associate Chair

Chapter Presidents

APNA Chapters provide connection to local colleagues, as well as regional events and educational opportunities. Each chapter is comprised of a Board of Directors with a President.

Browse chapters by state

Chris Stone
APRN, BA, RN-BC, PMHNP APNA Arkansas Chapter
Amanda Ling
Amanda Ling
RN, PMHNP APNA California Chapter
Elizabeth McCutchon
Elizabeth McCutchon
EdD, MSN, APRN, NNP-BC, PMHNP APNA Colorado Chapter
Paula Alexander-Delpech
Paula Alexander-Delpech
PhD, PMHNP-BC, APRN APNA Florida Chapter
Zack Johnson
MSN-Ed, RN, CMGT-BC, CNE APNA Hawaii Chapter
Anasara Henry
Anasara Henry
DNP, ARNP, AGPCNP-BC, PMHNP-BC APNA Iowa Chapter
Kelly Bryant
Kelly Bryant
RN-BC, NEA-BC, BSN, MS, CNE APNA Illinois Chapter
Tanner Stevens Funk
DNP, RN APNA Kansas Chapter
Meaghen Hart-Williams
Meaghen Hart-Williams
MSN, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC APNA Kentucky Chapter
Sam Mauldin
PhD, RN, PMH-BC APNA Louisiana Chapter
Pamela Marcus
Pamela Marcus
RN, APRN, PMH-BC APNA Maryland Chapter
Dawn Goldstein
Dawn Goldstein
PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC, CCM APNA Michigan Chapter
Elena Geiger-Simpson
Elena Geiger-Simpson
DNP, PMHNP-BC, APRN, RN, PHN APNA Minnesota Chapter
Roderick Green
Roderick Green
PMHNP-BC APNA Mississippi Chapter
Amber Brewer
Amber Brewer
MSN, PMHNP APNA Missouri Chapter Temporary Leader
Allison Marie McKamy
Allison Marie McKamy
DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC APNA Nebraska Chapter
Gabrielle Abelard
Gabrielle Abelard
DNP, PMHNP, PMHCNS-BC, RN, BSN APNA New England Chapter
Frances Kathleen Lopez-Bushnell
EdD, MSN, MPH, FNP, BSN APNA New Mexico Chapter
Todd Mathisen
DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC APNA Nevada Chapter
Kathleen Donahue
Kathleen Donahue
MA, RN-PMHN-BC APNA New York Chapter
Jacqueline Smith
Jacqueline Smith
BSN, RN APNA Ohio Chapter
Angela Martindale
Angela Martindale
PhD, RN APNA Oklahoma Chapter
Patty Barfield
Patty Barfield
PhD, PMHNP-BC APNA Oregon Chapter
Anita Iyengar
Anita Iyengar
DNP, RN, PMHCNS-BC, CNE APNA Pennsylvania Chapter
Donna Williams
Donna Williams
DNP, PMHNP-BC, APRN APNA South Carolina Chapter
Corina Picchiottino
Corina Picchiottino
MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC APNA Tennessee Chapter
Cornelius A. Metili
Cornelius A. Metili
RN, BSN APNA Texas Chapter
Lillian Farris
Lillian Farris
DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC APNA Utah Chapter
Brenda Johnson
Brenda Johnson
DNP, MSN, PMHNP-BC APNA Virginia Chapter