SWPONL Board candidates

I am grateful for the opportunity to be considered for a role on the SWPONL Board of Directors. I originally became a member of SWPONL as a new leader several years ago because I believe the connections and shared learning among nurse leaders are paramount for advancing knowledge and understanding as a leader. This organization has given me a community where ideas are exchanged, challenges are understood, and support is always available. Being part of SWPONL has helped me grow as an emerging leader and given me guidance, confidence, and the reassurance that there is support along the way.

My nursing journey began as a patient care technician and has grown through roles as a bedside nurse, clinical supervisor, assistant nurse manager, and now Nurse Manager at Allegheny General Hospital. Along the way, I earned a master’s in nursing education and a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Nurse Leadership from Duquesne University, with the intention to use both education and leadership to drive meaningful change in healthcare.

I want to serve on the Board to give back to an organization that has given so much to me. I hope to help SWPONL continue to grow as a strong voice for nurse leaders and support professional development. In the next few years, I envision SWPONL driving meaningful conversations around workforce well-being, retention, and innovative approaches to enhancing patient care.I am passionate about advancing our profession, supporting one another as leaders, and ensuring SWPONL continues to be a source of inspiration and strength for members.

Traci Fick, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
Chief Nursing Officer, Westmoreland Hospital & Frick Hospital / Independence Health

I believe that representing nursing leaders from the region as a director-at-large is a great responsibility. I believe that as a Chief Nursing Officer at two of five hospitals, one being the largest and one being the smallest, in the third largest health system in the region, along with my nurse leader experiences in the region’s largest health system, and in individual hospitals, have prepared me to represent nurse leaders of both the health systems and of the individual hospitals. Supporting education, peer connection, and spread of innovation amongst nursing leaders is key to the future of SWPONL. These activities will help us all to attract and keep exemplary nurses to provide high quality healthcare for the communities we serve. I attend annual AONL meetings and am willing to bridge communication between the national, state, and regional levels.

I believe that it is imperative that SWPONL continues to be regional leader with active participation in PONL. Active member participation in the legislation and advocacy committee (I am a former member of this important committee) is invaluable to keep nursing leaders informed about legislative activity at the state and national levels that will affect healthcare and the profession of nursing.

I found serving on the SWPONL Board of Directors to be an honor when I served as a director-at-large 2022 – 2024 and would be humbled serve in this role again.

Anna Furnival, MSN, RN, C-EFM, CBC
Administrator on Duty / UPMC Magee-Women’s Hospital

Anna accepted the nomination submitted by Heather Ambrose, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CNO:

Anna would be an excellent candidate on the board of directors. She has experience working in several different settings and hospitals across the Southwest region. She has a diverse background and would bring a new, fresh perspective to the board. I believe she would be able to be a voice of the general SWPONL membership and represent the team well. 

Carlyn Goodrich, MSN, RN, ONC
Nurse Manager / Allegheny Health Network, Wexford Hospital

I am writing to express my interest in serving on the SWPONL Board of Directors. As a 3 year member, I have actively participated in conferences, presented posters, am a member on the legislative committee and engaged in various member activities. These experiences have provided me with a deep appreciation for the collaborative spirit of nurse leaders in our region and valuable insights into our healthcare network.

Early in my career, I transitioned into a leadership role with just two years of bedside nursing experience. Despite the initial challenges, I discovered my passion for leadership. Throughout my progression from bedside nurse to clinician, unit manager, and achieving orthopedic certification, as well as receiving the Leadership Excellence Award within my organization, I have gained a deeper understanding of the challenges new leaders face. I am continually inspired to empower my team. I believe SWPONL is uniquely positioned to support emerging leaders, and I would be honored to contribute to this endeavor.

I am eager to contribute to SWPONL's continued growth and support our community. I am particularly passionate about engaging and mentoring emerging leaders, fostering a strong network across all areas. Having personally benefited from SWPONL's resources for professional development and idea sharing, I recognize the importance of supporting nurse leaders in their advancement, ultimately benefiting our nursing workforce and patient care.

I appreciate your consideration and time.

Kristie Hast, DNP, RN, NE-BC
Director of Nursing/ Allegheny Health Network

As a dedicated member of SWPONL, I deeply value the opportunities it provides for professional development, networking, and collaborative learning within our region's nursing community. I am a member because I believe in the power of shared knowledge and collective action to advance nursing leadership.

This past year, I joined the SWPONL Education Committee, and the opportunities it has provided have grown my desire to become further involved on the Board of Directors. I am eager to serve on the Board of Directors to contribute my skills and experience to guide SWPONL's future. I envision an organization that is at the forefront of innovation, actively addressing the evolving challenges in healthcare, and fostering mentorship opportunities for emerging nurse leaders. I hope to contribute by expanding educational resources and community engagement.

My background includes a Doctorate degree in Healthcare Systems Leadership from the University of Pittsburgh, Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC), and I am currently a Director of Nursing at Allegheny General Hospital.

Connie Henry, DNP, RN
Director, Nursing Operations / UPMC Mercy

With 40 years in nursing and over 25 years in leadership, I bring a deep commitment to advancing nursing practice and improving patient outcomes. My journey has been shaped by resilience, passion, and a desire to influence nursing practice—even when it meant pushing beyond the comfort zone. I’ve led through significant transitions, including the merger of a financially strained inner-city trauma hospital with a major academic medical center, and rebuilding the nursing workforce post-pandemic. These experiences have strengthened my resolve and broadened my perspective.

Board service is a natural extension of my leadership journey—where purpose meets progress. Though my governance experience is limited, I’ve contributed to strategic planning, policy development, financial oversight, and stakeholder engagement. I believe board service is not just about representation, it is about shaping the future of nursing through ethical leadership and informed decision-making.

I’ve led high-performing teams, driven change initiatives, and advocated for workforce well-being and safety. I am ready to apply these skills in a meaningful way—supporting nurses, shaping care delivery, and influencing healthcare’s future.

An active SWPONL member since 2015, I served on the Nominations Committee in 2022 and have attended many annual conferences. I value the connections and learning this organization provides and am eager to contribute at a more engaged level.

Marjorie Leslie, DNP, PhD-c, ACNP-BC, AOCNP
Director of Nursing / Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute

I am excited to submit my interest in consideration to serve on the SWPONL Board of Directors. As a SWPONL member, I value SWPONL's commitment to professional development and leadership opportunities. My membership has enriched my career through valuable networking and professional connections, and has allowed me to mentor the next generation of nurse leaders.

With over 35 years of nursing experience, including 25 years in advanced practice leadership roles, I am eager to serve and give back to the nursing profession. Currently, I am the Director of Nursing at the Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute. My background includes a Doctorate of Nursing Practice in nursing administration, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner experience, and I am currently pursuing a PhD in nursing education. Some of my previous volunteer leadership experiences include local and national roles with the Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Nurses, as well as serving as a board member and president of the Pittsburgh chapter of the American Cancer Society.

I envision SWPONL continuing to expand its role in supporting and mentoring new nurse leaders, providing a welcoming forum to foster their ongoing professional development. As a board member, I will dedicate myself to support accomplishing this mission. Thank you for your consideration.

Brandon McEwen, MSN, RN
Nurse Manager / Allegheny General Hospital

As a Nurse Manager at Allegheny General Hospital and an active Southwestern Pennsylvania Organization of Nurse Leaders (SWPONL) member for the past five years, I am eager to contribute to the organization as a member of the Board of Directors. The SWPONL provides me with a wealth of opportunities for professional growth and advancement within the nursing community. I have access to continuing education programs, workshops, and conferences designed to enhance my knowledge and skills in both nursing leadership and healthcare management. The biggest benefit is the organization facilitates valuable connections with other nurse leaders, healthcare executives, and industry experts in the Southwestern Pennsylvania region, fostering collaborations, mentorships, and career advancement. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors to contribute to the organization's mission and strategic direction, ensuring its continued success and impact. I am confident that I would significantly benefit from the professional growth opportunities, including developing leadership skills, expanding my network, and gaining new experiences. I look forward to the chance to connect with fellow board members, executives, and stakeholders, further enriching my understanding and contributions. Over the next few years, I envision SWPONL evolving into a more impactful and forward-thinking organization. This includes an increased focus on mentorship and leadership development by expanding mentorship programs to support emerging nurse leaders. I believe my contributions can be most impactful by fostering partnerships to address staffing shortages and burnout and leveraging technology to improve communication and engagement within the organization.

Lauren O'Donnell, PhD, RN
Associate Professor / University of Pittsburgh

My name is Lauren O’Donnell. I am a PhD prepared registered nurse. I currently work as an Associate Professor for the University of Pittsburgh. In this role, I fulfill educational instruction for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Health Systems Executive Leadership (HSEL) courses.

I serve on the board of directors for SWPONL and am the co-chair of the legislative and advocacy committee with a fellow board member. I have been nominated and awarded this position since 2022. In the three years serving in this role, I found a passion for legislation related to medical care, pertinent issues related to nursing practice, supporting research to elevate nursing care and providing others with education. Southwestern Pennsylvania has the brightest and most engaged nursing leadership with new innovations that are generalized to all nurses throughout the country. I desire to undertake one of the directors at large positions to drive our nursing practice. Furthermore, I intend to proactively continue to review legislation related to nursing shortages, safety, and realistic short and long-term resolutions.

In 2022, I completed a study with 18 hospitals reflecting on nursing and our power to achieve higher standards for patients’ satisfaction. I intend to continue nursing research to prove nursing is the present and future key of hospitals and health care systems.

I love being involved in SWPONL and truly enjoy the people in this organization. Thank you for taking the time to read my intent and I hope to serve you soon!

Brittany Sheets, DNP, RN

Please consider me to serve as a Director at Large for SWPONL. My name is Brittany Sheets, DNP, RN and I bring over 19 years of nursing experience, spanning both bedside care and leadership. I received my BSN from Waynesburg University, my MSN from Walden University and my DNP from Carlow University.

I chose to become a member of SWPONL because I wholeheartedly support and believe in its mission to empower and develop nurse leaders across our region. As a board member, I am dedicated to actively participating in decision-making processes that drive the growth and advancement of SWPONL, ensuring it continues to serve and uplift nurse leaders at every stage of their journey.

Serving as Director at Large offers a meaningful opportunity—not only to share my own perspective, but to amplify the voices of emerging nurse leaders. I am passionate about fostering inclusive leadership and contributing to initiatives that shape the future of nursing practice and leadership in our community. Nurse leaders deserve the unwavering support of organizations like SWPONL, which plays a critical role in guiding and empowering them.

SWPONL’s support has helped me grow into a more confident, focused, and effective leader. Looking ahead, I’m passionate about seeing SWPONL continue to recruit and engage emerging leaders, nurture their development, and champion all nurse leaders as they adapt to the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.

It would be a true honor to serve on the Board of Directors and to have your support in continuing this important work.

Ricardo Simmons Delgado, MSN, RN
Unit Director / UPMC Magee

Ricardo accepted the nomination submitted by Tiffany Conlin, MSN, RN, CMSRN, NPD-BC:

I am delighted to recommend Ricardo Simmons Delgado, whose leadership and dedication have made a profound impact during his time at UPMC. He has contributed significantly across UPMC Shadyside, Passavant, and Magee, building strong connections and leaving a lasting impression at each location.

Ricardo is a confident and effective leader who earns respect not only through his expertise but also through his genuine commitment to collaborating closely with his team. He has showcased exceptional leadership by establishing a unit from the ground up, cultivating an environment rooted in collaboration and mutual respect. His hands-on approach, working side by side with staff, has garnered him great admiration and loyalty.

Among Ricardo’s most impressive achievements is his ability to foster an open and inclusive culture within his unit, promoting transparent communication and teamwork. This culture has been instrumental in boosting morale, enhancing efficiency, and driving the unit’s overall success.

I am confident that Ricardo’s diverse experience and leadership qualities will make him a valuable asset to the SWPONL board, where he will undoubtedly bring the same passion, integrity, and innovative spirit to future initiatives. 

Jennifer J. Wasco, DNP, RN
Nurse Healthcare Consultant / Self-Employed

I am a firm believer in the power of collaboration, shared learning, and the impact of advocacy to strengthen nursing in our region. This organization provides a platform for us to share and develop ideas that address the challenges we face. As a board member, it would allow me to contribute and also benefit from a collective voice that would enhance our profession.