Speakers

Marta Okoniewski, MPA
Director of Student Engagement
AACN

Marta Okoniewski, MPA, is the Director of Student Engagement at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). She led the development, launch, and growth of the GNSA, a national network providing high value programs, services, and resources to nursing students enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs. Prior to joining AACN, Ms. Okoniewski worked as the Program Coordinator at New York University College of Nursing within the Academic and Clinical Affairs Department. She received her master’s in public administration from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Scranton.

Anne Pearson, BA
Student Services Coordinator
AACN

Anne Pearson is the Student Services Coordinator at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). She supports graduate nursing students across the country through the Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA) and Liaison leadership program. She has a background in education equity policy research and received her baccalaureate degree in political science from Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky.  

Speakers

Marta Okoniewski, MPA
Director of Student Engagement
AACN

Marta Okoniewski, MPA, is the Director of Student Engagement at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). She led the development, launch, and growth of the GNSA, a national network providing high value programs, services, and resources to nursing students enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs. Prior to joining AACN, Ms. Okoniewski worked as the Program Coordinator at New York University College of Nursing within the Academic and Clinical Affairs Department. She received her master’s in public administration from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Scranton.

Anne Pearson, BA
Student Services Coordinator
AACN

Anne Pearson is the Student Services Coordinator at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). She supports graduate nursing students across the country through the Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA) and Liaison leadership program. She has a background in education equity policy research and received her baccalaureate degree in political science from Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky.  

Speakers

Staci Sue Reynolds, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, CCRN, CNRN, SCRN
Editor-in Chief, Journal of Nursing Care Quality
Associate Clinical Professor, School of Nursing, Duke University

Dr. Staci Sue Reynolds is an Associate Clinical Professor at Duke University School of Nursing in the USA. Dr. Staci Reynolds joined Duke in January 2016, with a joint position between Duke University School of Nursing and Duke University Hospital (DUH). At DUSON, Dr. Reynolds teaches in the ABSN Program (evidence-based practice) and DNP program (healthcare quality improvement methods). Clinically, she served as a neuroscience Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) for the inpatient neuro units at DUH for 3 years. In March 2019, she transitioned to being a CNS for the DUH Infection Prevention and Hospital Epidemiology department. Additionally, Dr. Reynolds coordinates the Duke Advancement of Nursing, Center of Excellen ce (DANCE) academic-practice partnership. She is also the faculty lead for the post-DNP Quality Implementation Scholars Program that began in May 2019. Before coming to DUSON, she was a neurocritical care nurse and a neuroscience Clinical Nurse Specialist at Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital. Dr. Reynolds received a baccalaureate degree in nursing science from Indiana University (IU) in Indianapolis, Indiana. She earned a Master’s degree as a Clinical Nurse Specialist at IU in 2011 and completed her PhD at IU in May 2016. Dr. Reynolds’ dissertation focused on the implementation of clinical practice guidelines, and her current research interests include evidence-based practice implementation and quality improvement.

Veronica Rankin, DNP, RN-BC, NP-C, CNL, NE-BC
Magnet Program Director Central Division
Clinical Nurse Leader Program Administrator
Carolinas Medical Center - Central Division Atrium Health

Dr. Veronica Rankin serves as a D irector of Nursing Services in the role of Magnet Program Director for Atrium Health - Carolinas Medical Center Central Division, located in Charlotte, North Carolina. She also serves as the Administrator of the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Program at this magnet-designated Level 1 Trauma Center. Dr. Rankin has been a nurse for more than 17 years and a certified CNL for more than 9 years. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree as well as her Postmasters certification as an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner from East Carolina University. She earned her master’s as a CNL from Queens University of Charlotte in 2011. She serves as adjunct faculty for Queen’s University’s graduate nursing program and teaches CNL exam certification review sessions with CNL students regularly. As a published author and member of various professional organizations including Sigma International where she serves as treasurer of the Mu Psi Chapter, Dr. Rankin’s primary career goal is to promote and advance the profession of nursing.

Angie Hatley, DNP, MS, RN, NEA-BC, CNL
Associate Professor
Presbyterian School of Nursing, Blair College of Health

Dr. Angie Hatley is an Associate Professor at the Presbyterian School of Nursing, Blair College of Health, teaching in the graduate and undergraduate programs. She has over eight years in higher education and has taught across programs, including general education. Dr. Hatley has served as the Chair of Graduate Studies in Nursing and is currently the MSN Track Coordinator for the MSN program. Dr. Hatley is a 2014 Doctor of Nursing Practice graduate from Regis University. Her doctoral studies focused on transitions in nursing practice and completed her scholarly project on Nurse Preceptor Development and the Impact on the Self-Efficacy of Newly Hired Nurses. She has practiced as a clinical nurse, educator, and/or administrator since 2001, following graduation from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. She earned a Master of Science in Nursing degree and a Graduate Certificate in Health Care Education from Regis University in 2008. Following licensure as a Registered Nurse, Dr. Hatley served in various clinical and nursing leadership roles for more than 15 years with Atrium Health in Charlotte.