Cody Legler, DNP, APRN, NP-NEA-BC, CNL, is the Senior Vice President & System Chief Nursing Officer at Maimonides Health. With over 15 years in formal nursing leadership and experience across clinical, educational, and executive roles, Cody is dedicated to advancing nursing practice and leadership. He has served as adjunct faculty in MSN and DNP programs and volunteers as a primary care nurse practitioner.

Courtnay Caufield is the Associate Chief Nursing Officer at Cottage Health and an accomplished nurse executive with a passion for leadership, mentorship, and human-centered healthcare. With experience spanning frontline nursing, informatics, and executive management, Courtnay is recognized for fostering trust, resilience, and excellence in nursing teams. She is committed to nurturing curiosity, empathy, and innovation in healthcare leadership.

Dr. Pat Patton is the Chief Nurse Officer for Swedish Health System, with extensive experience in healthcare leadership spanning pediatric, adult, and emergency care. He has served in the Army, earned his nursing degree at Florida A&M University, and advanced to executive leadership roles, including CNO and COO positions. Pat is passionate about leadership development, emotional intelligence, and mentoring the next generation of healthcare leaders.

Dr. Rendi Solis, DHA, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CLSSGB, FACHE is an accomplished healthcare executive and Assistant Chief Nursing Officer at Antelope Valley Medical Center. She brings extensive experience from bedside nursing to executive leadership and is dedicated to advancing nursing excellence, operational effectiveness, and patient-centered care. Known for her approachable and people-first leadership style, Dr. Solis mentors emerging leaders and fosters strong, collaborative healthcare teams.

Karen Descent, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CEN, is the Chief Nursing Officer at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital. A transformational leader and patient advocate, Karen brings over 20 years of clinical and operational leadership experience, specializing in team building, organizational culture, process optimization, and mentorship. She is passionate about leading with heart, creating supportive work environments, and developing the next generation of nursing leaders.

Karrie Powell is the Chief Executive Officer of ATC Healthcare, a leader in healthcare staffing and contingent labor solutions. With more than two decades of experience in nursing and healthcare leadership, Karrie has held key roles at organizations such as Kaiser Permanente and HCA, guiding teams to improve outcomes while emphasizing mentorship, continuous learning, and community-focused care. She is passionate about empowering healthcare professionals to lead with purpose and impact.

M. Carina Menjivar, DNP, MBA, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CPHQ, LSSGB, is the Associate Chief Nursing Officer at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. A seasoned healthcare executive, Carina has led complex hospital operations while driving quality, safety, and organizational performance. She is passionate about mentorship, continuous improvement, and developing high-performing teams. Carina is also a past president of the ACNL-IE Chapter and a JJNIF Nurse Innovation Fellow.

Nicolette Fiore-Lopez, PhD, RN, CENP, FAONL, FAAN is the Chief Nursing Officer at St. Charles Hospital, part of Catholic Health in Long Island, New York, where she has served in executive leadership for more than two decades. She is also an Adjunct Faculty member in the Department of Graduate Studies in Nursing at Stony Brook University. A nationally recognized nurse leader and Fellow of both the American Organization for Nursing Leadership and the American Academy of Nursing, Dr. Fiore-Lopez is deeply committed to mentorship, professional development, and advancing the future of nursing leadership.

Sharon Howe, MBA-HCA, BSN, RN, is the Chief Nursing Officer at Stockton Rehabilitation Center and a seasoned critical care and nurse leadership professional. With more than 15 years of ICU bedside experience and extensive leadership roles across major health systems, Sharon is known for her commitment to patient safety, staff advocacy, and developing the next generation of nurse leaders. Her career was shaped by hands-on clinical excellence, transformative experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a passion for supporting nurses through the emotional demands of the profession. She is currently advancing her education with doctoral studies beginning in January.