Christine Wilson, MSN, RN, NPD-BC

Chris Wilson is a former Senior Director for Nursing Professional Development at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. Since retiring from full-time employment in 2022, she has continued to passionately support Nursing Professional Development through ANPD activities and programs.

Chris served as a past ANPD President and a former member of the ANPD Board of Directors. During her tenure as president, the Leadership Academy was launched, and she has remained actively involved with the program since its inception. 

In addition to her national involvement, Chris has been actively engaged at the local affiliate level. She has played a key role in launching an affiliate and has served as its president. Her contributions include hosting affiliate meetings at conventions, participating in podcasts, and providing support information for the ANPD website

Greg Durkin, M.Ed., BSN, RN, NPDA-BC®

Greg has been in the field of professional development since 1990, working in tertiary care, academic, and community health settings. Greg is on the editorial board for the Journal for Nurses in Professional Development and has published articles on orientation evaluation, competencies, and preceptors. He was a co-author to the Certification Preparation Study Guide, contributed to the 4th edition of the Scope and Standards of Practice (and is serving on the 5th edition working group), and served as section editor for the 5th and 6th editions of the Core Curriculum for Nursing Professional Development. He has been an instructor for the Cert Prep Review Course for over a decade where he shares his passion for nursing professional development.

Kimberly Ashe, MSN, RN, CMSRN, NPD-BC

Kim is a Clinical Nurse Education Specialist for Adult Acute Care at Novant Health in Charlotte, North Carolina. She earned her BSN in 2013 and her MSN in Nursing Education in 2018, both from Queens University of Charlotte. With a strong passion for nursing education, Kim holds a special interest in the development and maintenance of continued competencies for nursing professionals. She is also the Education Committee Board Member for the Queen City Affiliate of ANPD.

Meredith Padilla, PhD, RN, CCRN-CMC, NPD-BC

Meredith Padilla is a doctoral-prepared Internationally Educated Nurse (IEN) with nearly two decades of nursing leadership and professional development experience in critical care, specializing in Cardiac ICU, Cardiovascular Surgery ICU, ECMO, Stroke, and Trauma ICU in the U.S. She completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing in the Philippines and her postgraduate studies in the United States. Currently, Dr. Padilla serves as a Clinical Practice Specialist for Practice Excellence at the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), where she produced some impactful content through blogs and a podcast, focusing primarily on the experiences of IENs in the US healthcare system. As a published author, national speaker, and lifelong learner, she stays current with the latest evidence and actively shares her knowledge, expertise, and experiences with others. A dedicated mentor, she provides invaluable guidance to nursing students, new graduates, Nursing Professional Development Generalists/Specialists, and, most significantly, IENs navigating their careers in the US. Dr. Padilla also supports nurses who seek her guidance in pursuing advanced degrees or certifications while assisting others with developing evidence-based practice initiatives and research and writing blogs, articles, and abstracts for presentations or publications.

Diana Alemar, DNP, RN, AMB-BC, NPD-BC, NEA-BC, CNL

Dr. Diana Alemar is a board-certified nursing leader with over 25 years of healthcare experience. She began her career as a Medical Assistant, became a Licensed Practical Nurse, and later earned her Registered Nurse credentials. Since joining New York-Presbyterian Hospital in 2002, she has advanced from a Medical Surgical Staff Nurse to Program Director for Nursing Professional Development. Diana has modernized nursing orientation, led key initiatives in ambulatory care, and contributed to best practice guidelines through AAACN. Passionate about mentoring and staff development, she thrives on coaching new hires and colleagues. Outside of work, she enjoys road trips (but not driving). Known for her sharp navigation skills—both professionally and personally—Diana embodies leadership, dedication, and innovation in nursing. 

Wendella Rose-Facey, PhD, RN, FNP, CCRN, NPD-BC

Wendella Rose-Facey is a certified critical care Nursing Professional Development Specialist (NPDS) at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She has worked in nursing education for more than 20 years as director of education and NPDS, covering critical care. Over the last five years, Wendella has been responsible for clinical student placement. In this role, she collaborates with academic affiliates to facilitate clinical placement, including clinical groups and preceptorship for graduate and undergraduate students. Wendella oversee the Clinical Assistant Program (CAPs), a ten-week summer intensive program for senior nursing students with applicants nationwide. Her commitment to advancing nursing education and practice is reflected in her recent publication in the American Nurse Journal (June 2024) on oncology nursing: Clinical Assistant Onboarding.

Stephanie Zidek, PhD, RN, AGCNS-BC, NEA-BC, NPD-BC

Stephanie Zidek is an Enterprise Director of Nursing Education and Professional Development at Advocate Health. She completed her PhD at Indiana University, where she focused on the impact of well-being for newly licensed nurses during the transition to practice period. Stephanie holds certifications in Nursing Professional Development (NPD-BC), Nursing Executive Advanced (NEA-BC), and Adult Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS-BC). She has served two consecutive terms on the ANPD Board of Directors and will transition to President-Elect in April 2025. A passionate advocate for nursing leadership, Stephanie believes that every nurse, from the bedside to the boardroom, has the ability to shape practice, influence change, and drive better outcomes. Outside of work, she enjoys chasing after her energetic preschooler and spending quality time with her family.

Barbara Brunt, MA, MN, RN, NPDA-BC®, NE-BC

Barbara Brunt maintains certifications in Advanced Nursing Professional Development and as a nurse executive. She received her Masters in Nursing from the University of Dundee in Scotland and a Masters in Community Health Education from Kent State University. Barb has over 47 years of experience working in various NPD positions and currently is an educational consultant. She is an accomplished writer and researcher and has published articles, chapters and books, as well as presented locally, nationally, and internationally. She is a charter member of ANPD and has been active in ANPD in a variety of roles throughout her career.

Jose Arnold Tariga, PhD, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CNE, NE-BC, CPHQ, FFNMRCSI

Arnold, a doctorally prepared nurse educator and professional development practitioner, has over 16 years of experience in clinical and educational settings across the Philippines, UAE, and the US. He holds degrees from Holy Name University, Cebu Normal University, and Central Luzon State University, along with a post-doctoral certificate in Medical Teaching from Harvard Medical School, where his capstone on transition to practice earned first place. As Director of Clinical Education and Development at Insight Global Health in Atlanta and Grit Academy in Manila, he has presented globally on professional development and the transition to practice for internationally educated nurses. Recognized as Healthcare Professional of the Year (UAE, 2019) and Distinguished Nurse Educator (Asia’s Pinnacle Awards, 2023), he was also admitted as a Fellow of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (2024). Through LinkedIn, he actively advocates for nurses, engaging with over 39,000 followers.