Founders and Emeritus Series: Where Are They Now? Donna Meyer

Donna Meyer, MSN, RN, ANEF, FAADN, FAAN, has spent her career advancing nursing education, leadership, advocacy, and governance. As CEO Emeritus of the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) and current President of the OADN Foundation, she continues to invest in the future of the profession through mentorship, strategic leadership, and national service. Her work reflects a deep commitment to ensuring that nurses are prepared not only for clinical excellence, but also for leadership roles that shape healthcare systems, education, and public policy.

A Career Still Focused on Building the Profession
Today, Meyer’s professional life centers on advancing nursing education, leadership development, transition-to-practice initiatives, advocacy, and governance. At this stage of her career, she is especially focused on mentorship and strategic leadership, supporting organizations and emerging nurse leaders as they navigate complex change, promote innovation, and strengthen the future of healthcare delivery. She remains deeply committed to preparing nurses not only for excellence in practice, but also for leadership roles in which they can influence healthcare systems, organizational governance, and educational advancement.

Helping Shape NOBC from the Beginning
Meyer’s connection to the Nurses on Boards Coalition began through OADN, a founding member of NOBC. As NOBC evolved and transitioned into an independent organization, she represented OADN on the NOBC Board of Directors and served as chair of the Membership Committee. Those leadership experiences gave her the opportunity to contribute to the coalition’s strategic growth while advancing its mission to increase nurse representation in governance and leadership roles.

Why Nurse Representation in Governance Matters
From Meyer’s perspective, one of the most meaningful aspects of the coalition’s work has been the momentum it created around elevating the visibility and value of nurses in governance. She believes nurses bring systems thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration, advocacy, ethical leadership, and a deep understanding of patient and community needs. Those qualities make nursing voices essential in boardrooms and governance spaces where decisions influence policy, workforce development, education, and the future of healthcare delivery.

Board Service as a Leadership Pathway
Board service has been a meaningful extension of Meyer’s professional leadership journey. Through governance roles, advisory councils, and board service, she has contributed to broader conversations about nursing education, transition to practice, workforce development, healthcare leadership, and policy. These experiences have reinforced her belief that nurses bring a distinctive and necessary perspective to strategic decision-making and that their representation in governance spaces is vital to advancing equitable, evidence-informed systems.

Opening Doors for the Next Generation
Meyer believes board opportunities are often cultivated through sustained professional engagement, leadership development, and mentorship. Throughout her career, opportunities have emerged through long-standing relationships, committee service, professional organizations, and a willingness to contribute consistently over time. She encourages nurses to recognize that their expertise is highly relevant beyond traditional clinical roles and that serving on boards, advisory councils, and community organizations can provide valuable pathways into governance and broader leadership.

Advice for Emerging Leaders
For nurses who aspire to serve on boards or step into leadership roles, Meyer’s advice is clear: stay engaged, seek mentors, remain open to opportunity, and do not wait until you feel completely ready. Leadership, she believes, is often built gradually through service, curiosity, and the courage to step forward. Every nurse has experiences and insights that can contribute meaningfully to governance, and strengthening those voices is essential to the future of the profession.