Jing Wang, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN

Jing Wang is dean and professor at the Florida State University College of Nursing, where she launched the first Master of Science in Nursing focused on Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Applications. She is co-director of the Nursing and AI Innovation Consortium, which bridges gaps between AI, nursing education, and clinical practice. Under her leadership, FSU also became the only nursing school to partner with the Coalition for Health AI (CHAI) to launch a micro-credential program in Responsible AI for nurses.

Nationally recognized for her contributions to nursing education and policy, Dr. Wang holds key leadership positions with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, HCA Florida Capital Hospital, the NIH National Advisory Council for Nursing Research, and the American Academy of Nursing’s Institute for Nursing Leadership. A Fellow of the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation Faculty Scholar and the American Academy of Nursing, she has received numerous honors for her work in digital health and implementation. Dr. Wang also advised the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). Her research and advisory roles with agencies such as AHRQ, CMS, and ONC reflect her broad impact on advancing health systems transformation and technology-enabled care.

George Demiris, PhD, FACMI

George Demiris is a PIK (Penn Integrates Knowledge) University Professor at the University of Pennsylvania and holds joint faculty appointments in the Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences of the School of Nursing where he serves as Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, and the Informatics Division of the Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine.

He is a Member of the National Academy of Medicine, a Fellow of the American College of Medical Informatics, the Gerontological Society of America and the International Academy of Health Sciences Informatics. He directs the Penn Artificial Intelligence and Technology Collaboratory for Healthy Aging and is co-director of the Penn Community Collaboratory for Co-Creation.

Rob Fraser, MN, RN, NSWOC

Rob Fraser, MN, RN, NSWOC, is a healthcare innovation leader specializing in wound care, digital health, and clinical research. As Acting Chief Product Officer at Swift Medical, he guides advanced product development of computer vision & AI solutions, commercialization strategy, and research partnerships to bring new healthcare solutions to market. Rob is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Western University and the author of 17 peer-reviewed publications and Book of the Year award-winning author recognized by the American Journal of Nursing.

Rob is passionate about transforming clinical practice and bridging research, entrepreneurship, and patient-centred design to make an impact in real-world outcomes.

Max Topaz, PhD, RN, MA, FAAN, FIAHSI, FACMI

Dr. Maxim Topaz, PhD, RN, FAAN, FIAHSI, FACMI, is Associate Professor of Nursing and Data Science at Columbia University and Senior Scientist at VNS Health, the nation's largest not-for-profit home healthcare provider.

A pioneer in applying natural language processing to nursing documentation, his research utilizes AI, text mining, and automated speech and video processing to transform healthcare delivery. He has secured over $20 million in federal funding and published more than 190 articles focusing on AI solutions that predict patient deterioration from nursing notes, enhance clinical decision-making, and reduce the documentation burden for frontline nurses.

Currently, he is developing innovative AI applications specifically designed to address the daily challenges nurses face in practice. With clinical experience in internal medicine and urgent care, combined with a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania and postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Topaz uniquely bridges nursing practice and cutting-edge technology. His contributions to health policy, leadership, and entrepreneurship have earned him fellowships from the American Academy of Nursing, the International Academy of Health Sciences Informatics, and the American College of Medical Informatics.

Delaney La Rosa, EdD, MSN Ed, RN

Dr. Delaney La Rosa is a forward-thinking educator and entrepreneur with a proven track record of transforming nursing and public health education to prepare learners for complex, technology-driven environments. Their work advances health outcomes and curricular excellence through digital tools, including artificial intelligence and accessibility-focused, ethical, data-informed design.

Dr. La Rosa’s career spans academic, research, and business sectors, where they have consistently driven meaningful change. They have launched first-to-market online nursing programs, partnered with EdTech companies on product development and strategy, and led institutional growth through innovation in education and technology. As a consultant and speaker, they specialize in integrating AI into curricula, research, and business systems, with an emphasis on human-centered design, ethical application, and equitable access.

Their scholarly work encompasses educational technology, experiential learning, AI-supported research, clinical innovation, and curriculum evaluation. Recognized as a thought leader in AI and digitally enhanced pedagogy, Dr. La Rosa is the first editor of Nursing Education in the AI Era: Practical Guidance for Educators to Provide Equitable Care (Springer, forthcoming). They are a former Steinbronn Endowed Professor, recognized for their work in artificial intelligence, and have been honored for advancing Native American nursing education and promoting global health equity through the development of open-access learning resources for under-resourced countries./p>

Kenya Beard, EdD, AGACNP-BC, ANEF, FAAN, FADLN

Kenya V. Beard is the inaugural Dean and Chief Nursing Officer at Mercy University’s School of Nursing and a nationally recognized visionary leader in health equity, policy, and nursing education. A former chair of the New York State Board of Nursing and a 2012 Macy Faculty Scholar, Dr. Beard has consistently advanced initiatives that reshape nursing education and healthcare delivery. She co- produced healthcare disparity segments on WBAI-FM, reaching more than 400,000 listeners and elevating public awareness about equity in healthcare.

Her leadership extends across policy reform, curriculum innovation, artificial intelligence in nursing, and institutional transformation. She is featured in Everybody’s Work: Healing What Hurts Us All, a documentary highlighting nursing’s critical role in building an equity- driven healthcare system. She served on the Board of Public Health Solutions, contributes as an editorial board member of the American Journal of Nursing, and teaches transformational leadership at the Harvard Macy Institute.

A pioneer in reimagining nursing education, Dr. Beard is driving the integration of AI into curricula to prepare future nurses for a rapidly evolving healthcare environment. She co- founded the National Academy for Diversity Leaders in Nursing, a platform that advances inclusive leadership, and created the Health Equity Influencer Program (HEIP), a bold, outcomes-driven model that immerses students and faculty in acute care, educational, and community settings to improve health outcomes.

Sally Carlisle, DNP, MSN (Ed.), RN, CNE

Dr. Sally Carlisle currently serves as the Director of Professional Development and Academic Excellence at Mercy University School of Nursing. With a career grounded in advancing nursing education, Dr. Carlisle is known for her commitment to creating inclusive, engaging learning environments that promote health equity and empower the next generation of nursing professionals.

Her expertise in curriculum development and faculty mentorship has been instrumental in establishing innovative programs, such as the Nursing Faculty Fellowship, which supports clinicians transitioning nto educational roles. Dr. Carlisle is an editor of Nursing Education in the AI Era: Practical Guidance for Educators to Provide Equitable Care (Springer, forthcoming).

Danica Sumpter, PhD, RN, CNE, FADLN

Dr. Danica Sumpter is an accomplished nurse educator and scholar with a passion for promoting health equity and anti-racism in nursing education. She holds an MSN and PhD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. She served as a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing for 12 years. Recognized for her excellence in teaching, she is a Certified Nurse Educator and a Macy Faculty Scholar. Her work focuses on developing faculty consciousness and capacity for anti-racist teaching

As Chief Education, Equity, and Wellness Officer at CS Innovations and a DEI Consultant for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, her impact extends beyond the classroom. Her advocacy for anti-racist teaching is evident in numerous publications, presentations, and media appearances. Recognized for her outstanding contributions, Dr. Sumpter has received prestigious awards such as the Distinguished Alumna and the Dean's Excellence Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Her dedication to transforming nursing education and advancing health equity continues to make a significant impact in the field. 

David Marshall, JD, DNP, RN, CENP, NEA-BC, NHCDP-BC, FAONL, FAAN

David Marshall currently serves as senior vice president and chief nursing executive at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, CA. He concurrently holds the distinguished James R. Klinenberg, MD, and Lynn Klinenberg Linkin Chair in Nursing in honor of Linda Burnes Bolton. Throughout his more than thirty years as a nursing leader, Dr. Marshall has continuously shown a dedication to both compassionate care and organizational excellence.

Throughout his extensive career, Dr. Marshall served as the system chief nursing and patient care services executive at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB Health). His contributions were pivotal in shaping the academic health sciences center, particularly after the devastating impact of Hurricane Ike in 2008. In the aftermath, Dr. Marshall became a public face and voice of reassurance to patients and the community while leading efforts to restore services. He was instrumental in leading UTMB Health to regaining Magnet® recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center in 2012 and its subsequent redesignation in 2017. Among his ground-breaking efforts at UTMB Health was the creation of the first makerspace in a hospital in the United States.

Representing the American Academy of Nursing, Dr. Marshall is presently in his second four-year term on the Commission on Magnet® of the American Nurses Credentialing Center. As the current chair of the Commission on Magnet®, he plays a pivotal role in guiding nursing excellence. His governance experience is extensive, having been a board member and treasurer for the American Organization for Nursing Leadership. He is a fellow of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (FAONL) and the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN).

Dr. Marshall’s academic credentials include bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing, a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing, and a law degree from South Texas College of Law.

Dr. Marshall serves as deputy team commander for a federal disaster medical assistance team under the National Disaster Medical System. His dedication to service is evident from his deployments to natural disasters, national events like presidential inaugurations and Independence Day celebrations on the National Mall, and pandemic vaccination efforts.

Dr. Marshall is a leader in nursing excellence, disaster response, and innovation, continually advancing the profession through his experience, vision, and commitment.

Monique Bouvier, PhD, RN

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Tera Gross, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CENP, FACHE

Tera L. Gross, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CENP FACHE is the Chief Nursing Officer for Mayo Clinic in Florida.  She has served in leadership roles at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and Jacksonville, Florida for nearly 25 years.  Tera obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus in Nursing Administration from South Dakota State University and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from the University of Minnesota.

Tera is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and Assistant Professor of Nursing in the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, and a recipient of the Diamond Quality Fellow Award from the Mayo Quality Fellows Program. She is personally committed to lead and empower healthcare professionals with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive and achieve success. As such, Tera is the Region 4 Director on the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) Board of Directors, the immediate Past-President of the Northeast chapter for the Florida Organization for Nursing Leadership (FONL), a member of the FONL Board, and a visiting professor in the Florida State University School of Nursing leadership program encouraging and supporting Florida Nursing Leaders to influence healthcare and professional nursing practice.

Jennifer Shepherd, DNP, MHA, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC

Kenya V. Beard is the inaugural Dean and Chief Nursing Officer at Mercy University’s School of Nursing and a nationally recognized visionary leader in health equity, policy, and nursing education. A former chair of the New York State Board of Nursing and a 2012 Macy Faculty Scholar, Dr. Beard has consistently advanced initiatives that reshape nursing education and healthcare delivery. She co- produced healthcare disparity segments on WBAI-FM, reaching more than 400,000 listeners and elevating public awareness about equity in healthcare.

As Director of Nursing Practice, Work Environment, and Healthy Nurse Healthy Nation at the American Nurses Association, Dr. Shepherd leads initiatives that strengthen workforce resilience and sustainability. Her thought leadership demonstrates how nurse-driven solutions can elevate practice and build a more resilient profession.

Board-certified in nursing professional development (NPD-BC) and advanced nurse executive practice (NEA-BC), she also holds alumnus status in pediatric critical care (CCRN) and is a former hospice and palliative care nurse (CHPN). She serves as Vice President of the Virginia Nurses Association, sits on the Capella University School of Nursing Advisory Board, teaches as adjunct faculty at Marymount University, and volunteers clinically with the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps.

Dr. Shepherd earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in executive leadership and a master’s in healthcare administration. She has advanced training in healthcare AI from Harvard Medical School and business innovation from The Wharton School.

Joni L. Watson, DNP, MBA, RN, OCN

Dr. Joni Watson supports professional practice initiatives with the American Organization for Nursing Leadership. She holds nursing and business degrees from the University of Texas at Arlington, the University of Texas at Tyler, and Duke University, and post-graduate certificates in negotiation and AI in healthcare from Harvard and MIT, respectively.

She is adjunct faculty in the Duke University School of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice Executive Leadership Specialty, supporting nurse executive development on a variety of topics, including AI strategy. Her service spans operational, nursing, and executive roles across nonprofit healthcare and educational organizations, serving interdisciplinary teams in every healthcare service line.

Rebecca Love, RN, MSN, FIEL

Rebecca Love is an experienced nurse executive and first nurse featured on Ted.com, first nurse panel at SXSW. Rebecca is a regular contributor on the Forbes Business Council, has been featured in BBC, Fortune, Becker's, AXIOS, STAT, Forbes, Chief Healthcare Executive Magazine and ABC news and has co-authored two books: The Rebel Nurse Handbook and the The Nurses Guide to Innovation.

Rebecca, was the first Director of Nurse Innovation & Entrepreneurship in the United States at Northeastern School of Nursing – the founding initiative in the Country designed to empower nurses as innovators and entrepreneurs, where she founded the Nurse Hackathon, the movement has led to transformational change in the Nursing Profession.

In early 2019, Rebecca, along with a group of leading nurses in the world, founded and is President Emeritus of SONSIEL: The Society of Nurse Scientists, Innovators, Entrepreneurs & Leaders, a non-profit that quickly attained recognition by the United Nations as an Affiliate Member to the UN.

Rebecca is an experienced Nurse Entrepreneur, founding HireNurses.com in 2013 which was acquired in 2018 by Ryalto, LTD UK, where she served as the Managing Director of US Markets, until it’s acquisition in 2019. Rebecca served as the Chief Clinical Officer of IntelyCare, Inc. In 2023, Rebecca founded the Commission for Nurse Reimbursement- dedicated to solving the United States Nursing Crisis by creating a new economic model to reimburse for nursing services.

Rebecca is passionate about empowering nurses and creating communities to help nurses innovate, create and collaborate to start businesses and inventions to transform healthcare. In 2024, Rebecca signed as the Co-Chair of the NursingIsSTEM Coalition. In addition, Rebecca sits as an advisory board member on several leading digital health startups and organizations, has co-authored 2 books, founded 3 companies, speaks internationally, and is dedicated and passionate about empowering nurses to be at the forefront of healthcare innovation and entrepreneurship.

Nelson Hurtado, RN

Nelson Hurtado, a Venezuelan inmigrant who turned into nurse and entrepreneur, has become a leading voice and inspiration for the nursing profession across Latin America and beyond. His story—rooted in resilience and faith—redefines success as the positive impact one leaves on others.

A Path Forged Through Resilience At just 18 years old, Nelson made a brave decision: to emigrate to the United States with only $500 in his pocket, without speaking a word of English, and with the deep desire to build a better future. The journey was full of challenges; from facing scams to dealing with the frustration of a completely foreign language and culture. However, his unwavering spirit led him to overcome every obstacle. It was through nursing that Nelson not only found financial stability, job security, and professional growth, but also the time to enjoy with his family that he so longed for, social appreciation, and finally, the attainment of his permanent residency. He refers to this as the true American Dream: the "Green Card," which opened up a world of infinite possibilities.

Visionary Leader & Philanthropist Today, Nelson is far more than a clinician. He is a business leader who has built an ecosystem around ethical, high-standards healthcare talent and education. He founded one of 16 global agencies recognized for ethical recruitment of international nurses to the U.S. His vision expanded to online academic institutions, technology platforms, and strategic investments in real estate and startups worldwide. A self-made multimillionaire, he approaches leadership with a philanthropic and values-driven mindset. Nelson believes true success is measured not by wealth, but by the achievemente of personal goals/dreams that have a sense of generosity and social impact. He has built exceptional teams and a culture of excellence that balances customer obsession with employee well-being. He credits outcomes to faith and to teams willing to believe in “crazy ideas” and execute together.

A Mission with Deep Social Purpose Nelson’s mission transcends nursing. In the face of the global “Silver Tsunami”; rapid population aging, he advocates for elevating and empowering nurses as essential pillars of care for older generations. His message seeks to transform lives, strengthen communities, and build a legacy grounded in faith and purpose. Nelson’s journey inspires aspiring leaders around the world: despite adversity, dreams can become reality through resilience, service, and principled leadership. His story offers authentic, actionable insight becoming a powerful testament to how a deep commitment to service can forge the heroes/leaders the world needs. His past,present, and future truly serves as a guide for aspiring leaders everywhere, proving that through faith and focused action, a single dream can transform into a global impact of purpose and profound positive impact.

Amy McCarthy, DNP, RNC-MNN, NE-BC, CENP

Amy K. McCarthy is the Chief Nursing Officer at Hippocratic AI, where she leads efforts in leveraging generative AI to enhance access to healthcare. A passionate advocate for transformational, heart-led leadership, McCarthy is dedicated to creating innovative, patient-centered, and nurse-supportive environments through technology and policy influence.

She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Executive Leadership from The George Washington University and has spent over a decade collaborating with state and national nursing leaders to drive workforce improvements, enhance patient outcomes, and support nurses—both at the bedside and in leadership roles. With a clinical background in women’s and infants’ health, McCarthy has been a steadfast advocate for this patient population, championing policies and initiatives that improve maternal and neonatal care.

McCarthy currently serves as President of the Texas Nurses Association and previously held a Director-at-Large position on the American Nurses Association Board of Directors, where she worked to address critical issues such as safe staffing, workplace violence prevention, and racial equity in nursing.

Jean Ross, MHA, BSN, RN

Jean Ross is the co-founder and CEO of Primary Record, a nurse-led digital health company dedicated to putting health information securely into the hands of patients and families. Drawing on her background in nursing, Jean has seen firsthand the gaps families face every day in coordinating care, bridging systems, and making sense of complex information.

Her work focuses on solving the “last mile of interoperability,” ensuring that health data not only flows across providers, but also reaches patients and families in a way they can actually use in their community, made simpler through conversational AI. By layering AI directly at the patient and family level, Jean is pioneering tools that transform raw health data into education, guidance, and navigation support closing the gaps that make care harder for nurses and families alike.

Under her leadership, Primary Record became one of the patient-facing apps to pledge support for CMS’s Kill the Clipboard and Conversational AI initiatives, bold steps to modernize the nation’s digital health ecosystem by empowering beneficiaries with access to innovative health technologies. Jean’s advocacy also extends to educating patients, professionals, and policymakers on the 21st Century Cures Act, particularly its information blocking provisions, and the importance of holding electronic health record systems accountable to true patient and family engagement.

Beyond her company, Jean serves as a leader in her community through Daughterhood, patient and family advisory councils, and Dementia Friends Indiana.

As a mother, daughter, and wife, Jean carries forward a personal belief that the biggest problems in healthcare are solved locally. She challenges everyone she meets to innovate first with yourself, your family, and your community, and from there, dare to dream big enough to change the world.