Elections

• July 15, 2025 – Nominations open.
• Sept. 8, 2025 – Nominations close at 11:59 p.m. PT.
• Oct. 1-31, 2025 – Candidate interviews.
• Jan. 20, 2026 – Candidate videos due. (Board positions only, if selected as a candidate.)
• Jan. 29, 2026 – Slate of candidates are posted.
• March 2, 2026 – Voting opens.
• March 31, 2026 – Voting closes at 11:59 p.m. PT.
• April 3, 2026 – Election results are posted to AANP website.
• June 29, 2026 – Term of office begins.

To qualify for nomination in the 2026 AANP Election, an AANP individual member:

• Must have maintained uninterrupted AANP membership for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the open call date.
• Must have an unencumbered state license, certification, registration or other applicable state authorization to practice as an NP.
• Must not have been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a felony.

Any individual member who meets the general qualifications and the additional specific qualifications as outlined in the respective position description is eligible to apply. A candidate cannot apply, run for or hold multiple AANP elected or appointed leadership positions at the same time.

The Open Call for Nominations for the 2026 AANP Election will close on Sept. 8, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. PT.

1. All applications must be submitted through the online application portal by the deadline date. Late submissions will not be accepted or considered.
2. All incumbent officeholders who are eligible to seek reelection are required to complete and submit the nomination application.
3. The application must include the following materials:
   • A curriculum vitae (CV) limited to three pages, highlighting leadership roles, volunteer involvement, and any recent publications or presentations.
     
   • A biographical sketch (200 word max)
     
   • A professional photograph that is:
     
     a) Submitted electronically in JPG format along with the nomination application.
     b) High-resolution (300 dpi) and in color with a neutral background (no props).
     c) A photo of the candidate alone (no group photos or images including other individuals, children, or pets).
   • Responses to questions regarding your leadership experience and background.
   • Two professional references submitted by the deadline date.
     
     Campaign Flyer (optional)
     
     a) Limited to one page.
     b) May use or include any combination of photos, text or other design elements.
     c) Must be completed and submitted with the nomination form. Flyers will not be accepted once the application has been submitted or after the deadline.
     
     Campaign Message (required)
     
     Candidates for state, regional or national office will have the opportunity to campaign via a one-time message, submitted with the application by the deadline. The message created by the candidate will consist of a paragraph (not to exceed 100 words) showcasing their qualifications.
     
     This message will be distributed by AANP to members eligible to vote in the election — individual candidates do not distribute the message. AANP does not permit any other type of campaign activities by individual candidates.
     
     AANP does not permit candidates to access any AANP listserv for the purpose of promoting individual campaigns.
4. All nominations are reviewed by the AANP Nomination Council.
5. All nominees must comply with these requirements:

• Prospective candidates must read, understand and agree to abide by the AANP Conflict of Interest (COI) and Confidentiality Policy and must sign the Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form. This completed form must be received by AANP for the nomination to be considered.
• If an actual conflict of interest is identified during the process, candidates are required to complete a COI Resolution Form, agreeing to resolve the conflict if elected and before taking office.
• Candidates must read and agree to the responsibilities and estimated time commitments of the position they are seeking, as well as the AANP Election Campaign Process and Procedures, and must confirm agreement by checking the appropriate box in the application.
• Prospective candidates are encouraged to review the AANP Bylaws.

After submitting your nomination application, please confirm that you receive a notification indicating your nomination has been received. If you do not receive confirmation, contact governance@aanp.org before the submission deadline.

Applications that are incomplete or that contain excessive typographical or grammatical errors will not be corrected or edited and may be removed from consideration.

All candidates must comply with the following AANP Election Campaign Process and Procedures. To be considered for placement on the ballot, candidates must acknowledge that they have read, understand, and agree to abide by these procedures. Failure to do so will prevent consideration for ballot placement.

Candidates running for office in the AANP election will have two opportunities to campaign: through a campaign flyer and a campaign message, as described below. Please follow all the instructions during the application process to submit your campaign materials.

The 2026 slate of candidates will be finalized in January 2026. Once finalized, all candidates will receive a link to a video presentation from the AANP President, which will outline campaign rules and provide examples of potential violations. These rules are consistent with the Election Campaign Process and Procedures. Candidates should review and consider these procedures carefully when preparing and submitting their campaign materials.

You may be required to edit or revise your campaign flyer or message at any time if the materials do not align with the Election Campaign Process and Procedures.

Violations of the AANP Election Campaign Process and Procedures may result in removal from the ballot or nullification of election results. Candidates are responsible for any campaign activity conducted on their behalf, whether directly or indirectly.

No solicitation of votes by candidates will be permitted, except as specifically outlined in the Election Campaign Process and Procedures.

Campaign activities that are NOT permitted include but are not limited to:

• Use of social or electronic media platforms (e.g., posting campaign content on Facebook, X, or other social media).
  
• Use or reproduction of current or previous AANP listservs to distribute campaign materials.
  
• Distribution of campaign items, such as buttons, pens, or direct mail pieces.
  
• Acceptance or solicitation of corporate or institutional sponsorships for campaign purposes.
  
• Acceptance of endorsements from NP Organization members or personal campaigning by others on behalf of the candidate.
  
• Soliciting or encouraging others to campaign on the candidate’s behalf.
  
• Campaigning by any individual to endorse a candidate or to share negative comments or information about other candidates with the intent to discourage voting for them.
  
• Conducting public speeches, phone solicitation, publishing articles, or editorials related to the campaign.

The campaign policy is designed to ensure equal access to AANP members during the election process. Candidates are responsible for compliance with these approved procedures, which include:

• Candidate information will appear on the official ballot, along with the candidate’s position statement and the information provided in the nomination application.
  
• Election details will be published by AANP in the eBulletin, SmartBrief, and on the AANP website.
  
• A personal message from each candidate will be shared with AANP membership during the election period, provided it is received by the deadline stated in the official Call for Nominations.
  
• AANP NP Organization members may contact eligible voters within their organization to encourage participation but may not endorse specific candidates.
  
• AANP will post election and candidate information on the AANP Facebook page and other social media channels, as deemed appropriate.
  
• Campaign guidelines will be included in the official Call for Nominations.
  
• If a candidate is suspected of violating any portion of the campaign policy, the matter will be referred to the AANP President. If a violation is confirmed, a recommendation may be made to the full AANP Board of Directors, which could result in the removal of the candidate from the ballot or voiding of the election results.

AANP individual membership must be current as of Feb. 1, 2026, to be eligible to vote for the following positions in the 2026 election:

Membership Categories and Positions Eligible to Vote

• NP — state, regional and national office.
• Licensed NP Student — state, regional and national office.
• Career Starter — state, regional and national office.
• Student — state liaison in their state.
• Retired — state, regional and national office.

If you have questions or need additional information, email governance@aanp.org.

Note: Individuals elected to serve as Board Officers, Region Directors, and State Liaisons (SLs) are required to attend meetings scheduled 24 to 48 hours before the start of the AANP National Conference. Candidates for these positions should not make airline reservations for the conference until they have been notified of the election results. However, to ensure the best availability of conference sessions and hotel accommodations, all candidates are encouraged to register for the conference and reserve accommodations within the AANP hotel block before the official announcement of the election outcomes.

Basic Function: The President-Elect assists the President in carrying out the functions of the office of President and perform specific duties delegated by the President. The President-Elect is accountable to the Board of Directors and members.

View the Detailed Position Description

Specific Eligibility Requirement: BOD officers must have completed at least one two-year term on the AANP BOD within the past six years.

Term Limit: The President-elect serves one year in this role, accedes automatically to President for a two-year term.

Time Commitment: The estimated time commitment is 25-30 hours per month and varies by month.

Basic Function: The Recording Secretary ensures that records of all Board of Directors meetings are maintained. The Recording Secretary is accountable to the Board of Directors and members.

View the Detailed Position Description

Specific Eligibility Requirement: BOD officers must have completed at least one two-year term on the AANP BOD within the past six years.

Term Limit: The secretary’s term is two years, but they may serve a maximum of three consecutive elected terms (six years in total).

Time Commitment: The estimated time commitment is 25-30 hours per month and varies by month.

Basic Function: The Region Directors serve as the elected region representative. They maintain fiduciary responsibility and contribute to the establishment of the mission, vision and strategic plan of the organization.

View the Detailed Position Description

Specific Eligibility Requirement: Region Directors must maintain primary residence within their respective region. To run for the position of AANP Region Director, the candidate must have a minimum of two years as an AANP State Liaison or must possess equivalent experience and clearly demonstrate leadership (in AANP or other organizations) in lieu of this requirement.

Term Limit: The Region Director’s term is two years, but they may serve a maximum of three consecutive elected terms (six years in total).

Time Commitment: The estimated time commitment is 15-20 hours per month, which does not include board meetings.

Regional Directors Positions:

• Region 2 Director (NJ, NY and Puerto Rico)
• Region 4 Director (KY, NC, SC and TN)
• Region 6 Director (AR, LA, OK and TX)
• Region 8 Director (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT and WY)
• Region 10 Director (AK, ID, OR and WA)

Basic Function: The SL serves as a key state contact person for the Region Director, BOD, and executive staff. SLs actively serve to advance the interests of AANP and its members. SLs are accountable to the BOD.

View the Detailed Position Description

Specific Eligibility Requirement: SLs must reside in the state they wish to represent. SLs cannot concurrently serve on a board, chair a committee or council; or be employed by a nursing certification or membership organization (including those whose products, services or interests overlap with AANP), unless the position is specifically designated to represent AANP's best interests.

Term Limit: The State Liaison's term is two years, but they may serve a maximum of two consecutive elected terms (four years in total).

Time Commitment: The estimated time commitment is 5-10 hours per month.

State Liaison Positions on the Ballot:

• Alabama.
• Arizona.
• California.
• Connecticut.
• Delaware.
• District of Columbia.
• Florida.
• Georgia.
• Hawaii.
• Illinois.
• Indiana.
• Iowa.
• Kansas.
• Maine.
• Maryland.
• Massachusetts.
• Michigan.
• Minnesota.
• Mississippi.
• Missouri.
• Nebraska.
• New Hampshire.
• New Mexico.
• Nevada.
• Ohio.
• Pennsylvania.
• Rhode Island.
• U.S. Pacific Territory (America Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands).
• U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St. John, St. Thomas).
• Vermont.
• Virginia.
• West Virginia.
• Wisconsin.

State Liaison Conflicts of Interest

In today's non-profit association world, leaders may want to serve more than one organization. However, this can lead to a "duality of interest," where an individual has a duty of loyalty or obligation to both AANP and another group. Even with good intentions, this can create conflicts, especially when strategies, goals, or confidential information is involved.

An example of duality of interest would be when a person is an elected/appointed leader of two different organizations and has overlapping responsibilities for driving advocacy, meetings, membership or another overlapping agenda. This person may struggle to fairly represent both organizations, or not disadvantage/advantage one over the other. These conflicting positions could lead to a person sharing confidential information or withholding key updates. Conflicting positions could also result in damaging credibility, destroying trust, causing confusion, and wasting resources.

Definitions/FAQs

• How do you define a nursing certification or membership organization? For these purposes, a membership organization is defined as an organization that provides similar services or benefits to NPs and NP student members as AANP. A certification organization is an organization that offers certification to NPs.
• What is a position designated to represent AANP’s best interest? An elected or appointed position at another organization that is specifically designated to be held by a member of AANP, represent the best interest of AANP, and is expected to put AANP first. Sometimes AANP is asked to recommend people for these positions or, at minimum, is made aware that the role has been established and of the rationale.
• If a person has a role with a nurse practitioner organization (NPO) that currently intersects with AANP (e.g., chair of an NPO Legislative Committee and AANP State Liaison), what happens? The State Liaison would have to decline one of those leadership positions so there would not be a conflict or duality of interest. AANP would continue to work with the NPO and its designated contact(s) for the topic being discussed. Moreover, the expectations and intersections would be much clearer since a leader would no longer have a conflict of interest.
• Is the State Liaison (SL) position still a way for AANP to cultivate leaders? Absolutely. AANP needs a leadership pipeline that is diverse, inclusive, and growing. Having a mixture of experienced and upcoming NP leaders further strengthens that pipeline.

Examples of Dualities of Interest

1. There are multiple NPOs in a state, and the president of one NPO also holds the SL position. The NPOs disagree with each other over the position or strategy around a piece of legislation. This conflict can result in 1) the perception of favoritism toward the NPO with the president serving as the SL; 2) the SL being unable to put AANP’s obligations first, due to the NPO obligation; 3) AANP being unable to gain valuable intel about legislation and organize the NPOs since AANP is not viewed as an independent stakeholder (i.e., lost credibility); and 4) AANP using its human resources to resolve communication and relational issues between the NPOs instead of advancing AANP’s legislative priorities.
2. A SL is also the chair of a health policy committee for an NPO. A bill that AANP opposes in the state is advanced by the NPO. The SL lobbies for the bill in alignment with the NPO instead of being in alignment with AANP. This confuses AANP members as AANP takes one position and the elected SL leader publicly takes another position in alignment with the NPO.
3. Information about a membership strategy is confidentially shared with a SL in preparation for rollout. The SL, who is also the chair of a national membership organization also serving NPs, then uses that information to roll out the same strategy at the other organization.
4. The chair of the meetings committee at another national organization, who is a SL, is planning a meeting for NPs that is in the same month as AANP’s meeting and in the same region of the country. The SL is asked by AANP to use their network to promote the AANP meeting, which is viewed by the other national organization as potentially competing with attendance with the NPO’s meeting. The SL now must choose to:

• promote neither (negatively impacting both organizations because they cannot reach the SL's network).
• promote both (highlighting the perceived competing meetings); or
• adhere to the obligations of one organization but not the other

What if a SL believes a special circumstance exists that would not create a conflict of interest by serving as a SL and on the board, as chair, or while employed at an organization with overlapping services? Not every circumstance can be illustrated or covered when discussing conflicts of interests. If you believe that no conflict exists although you are in dual roles, you will need to explain why. You could also share this document with the other organization and request a letter of support arguing that the dual roles won’t cause a conflict (e.g., because it is a slotted seat for AANP, the other organization expects that the position will be obligated to AANP, or for another reason). All such situations are subject to review and approval by the AANP Nomination Council and AANP’s Legal and Association Governance Departments during the vetting process for SL candidates and appointees.

If there are any questions about a potential duality or conflict of interest, you may contact the Legal and Association Governance Departments at governance@aanp.org.

Two candidates will be elected to the council.

Basic Function: The purpose of the Nomination Council is to develop a slate of qualified candidates for elected positions within AANP. Council members are accountable to the BOD and members.

View the Detailed Position Description

Term Limit: The Nomination Council term is three years, but they may serve a maximum of two consecutive elected terms (six years in total).

Time Commitment: The estimated time commitment is 10-15 hours per month depending on the month.

Learn More About Specific Role Responsibilities

Board of Directors

Treasurer
Karen Ketner, DNP, FNP-C, FAANP
San Jose, CA

Region 1 Director
Donna M. Montesi, DNP, MBA, ANP-BC, FAANP
Chesire, CT

Region 3 Director
Colleen A. Leners, DNP, FNP-BC, FAAN, FAANP
Arlington, VA

Region 5 Director
Debbi M. Lindgren-Clendenen, RN, MN, APRN, CNP, GNP-BC, AGPCNP-BC, APNP, FAANP
Minneapolis, MN

Region 7 Director
Miranda K. Kliment, DNP, APRN-FNP
Valparaiso, NE

Region 9 Director
Bessie L. Burk, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, FAANP
Arizona City, AZ

Region 11 Director
Michelle A. Nelson, PhD, MS, MBA, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, FNAP, FADLN
Alpharetta, GA

Nomination Council

• Melissa Bogle, DNP, MPH, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, ACNP-BC, FAANP
  Wesley Chapel, FL
• Ericka Brunson-Gillespie, DNP, RN, AGACNP-BC
  Canton, MI
• Laurie Anne Ferguson, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, FNP-C, CPNP, FNAP, FAANP
  Wytheville, VA
• Melanie A. Mariano, MSN, FNP-BC
  Austell, GA

State Liaisons

Alaska
Lisa M. Jackson, DNP, RN, APRN, FNP-BC
Anchorage, AK

Arkansas
Nycole D. Oliver, DNP, MBA, APRN, RN, FNP-C, ACNPC-AG, CEN, FAEN
Greenwood, AR

Colorado
Annmarie E. Kropp, DNP, RN, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC
Parker, CO

Idaho
Cathy R. Arvidson, PhD, FNP-BC, APRN, FAANP
Idaho Falls, ID

Kentucky
Wynetta J. Fletcher, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP
Morehead, KY

Louisiana
Jean Genzale, DNP, ANP-C, CVNP-BC
Tickfaw, LA

Montana
Benjamin J. Miller, PhD, APRN, FNP-C, ACNPC, ENP-C, FAANP
Laurel, MT

New Jersey
Varsha Singh, DNP, ANP-C, SCRN, NEA-BC, FAHA, FAANP, FNYAM
Westfield, NJ

New York
Jose M. Maria, FNP, RN
East Elmhurst, NY

North Carolina
Sandra N. Pratt, DNP, FNP-BC, ACHPN
Cullowhee, NC

North Dakota
Jenn L. Vandal, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Fargo, ND

Oklahoma
Barbara Carey, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC (Appointed)
Edmond, OK

Oregon
Katherine Hammond, DNP, FNP-C, APRN, CEN
Beaverton, OR

Puerto Rico
Carmen T. Lopez Rodriguez, DNP, ANP-BC, FAANP
Trujillo Alto, PR

South Carolina
Melissa A. Felder, DNP, MBA, APRN, FNP-C
Columbia, SC

South Dakota
Brandi Pravecek, DNP, CNP, FNP-BC
Scotland, SD

Tennessee
Diane B. Rybacki, MSN, ACNP-BC
Murfreesboro, TN

Texas
Vicki D. Brooks, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP
Mineral Wells, TX

Utah
Diane K. Chapman, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, CNE
Sandy, UT

Washington
Madeline D. Wiley, MSN, ARNP, FNP-BC, FAANP
Kent, WA

Wyoming
Kristen Kohlbrand, DNP, FNP, ENP (Appointed)
Dubois, WY