The Leadership Succession Committee (LSC) is an elected committee of Sigma members from around the globe. We recruit candidates internationally to serve as elected leaders within Sigma and represent our diverse membership as board members, regional coordinators, Governance Committee members, and Leadership Succession Committee members. In alignment with the organizational call to action, the LSC wants to inspire you to Be Bold and apply for an elected leadership position with Sigma.
As the LSC works to prepare the leadership ballot for the 47th Biennial Convention in 2023, we are disseminating information about leadership position openings to Sigma members everywhere and want to share two of our own Sigma leadership journeys.
Kimberly Velez, MSN, RN
I embarked on my path to leadership in nursing school when a professor encouraged me to be part of the nursing student association, and I sat on the board as vice president of my community college in New York City, New York, USA. I continued there for my BSN, but when I tried to join the student nursing club, I was disappointed to hear it was dormant. Being bold here meant:
- Rejuvenating the nursing student club
- Establishing a budget
- Organizing a bus for lobby day to visit legislators to promote advocacy
I was named class valedictorian and spread my message of being proactive, a motto I live by. My next step was a master's in Nurse Executive and a leadership role with a pilot unit called Early Treatment of Admitted Patients (ETAP). ETAP facilitated decompression of the emergency department while continuing needed patient care with no delays. The unit was innovative and taught me that “big picture thinking” creates a framework for solutions. I modeled this perspective with projects as I transitioned to nursing informatics—a bold move from the comforts of the bedside to the unknown world of technology.
Sigma's vision and mission statement clearly show that nurses are instrumental in shaping the future of healthcare. I joined Sigma in 2012 as a nurse leader and membership for me equals active participation in three chapters. I currently am the vice president of Alpha Omega Chapter, delegate of Psi Tau Chapter, and part of the Education Committee with Omicron Delta Chapter. I love being part of an organization committed to mentoring others and involved in leadership formation!
Leadership and service framed my viewpoint after serving 14 years as an auxiliary member of the New York State Board for Nursing, ensuring public safety and maintaining the integrity of the nursing profession. My dedication to leadership and proactive motto led to my election on a global level for a two-year Leadership Succession Committee role. What bold steps will you take?
Brenda Owusu, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, FNP-BC
“Whatever the mind can conceive, it can achieve.”
This statement has been a motto of mine since high school. I recall taking the bold step at the age of 16 to run for the vice president position of the local Toastmasters Club, an educational organization with clubs worldwide to promote communication and public speaking. This was my first major encounter with leadership roles. I had a fear of speaking in public, so I practiced my speech with my siblings as my audience. They would share feedback as I practiced until I knew the speech verbatim. The night arrived for me to speak at the Toastmasters Club event before the members voted. I remember being very nervous, but I took a deep breath, looked past the audience to the back of the room, and imagined that I was practicing with my siblings. It went well, and I got the position. My quest to serve in leadership roles took off once I recognized how to overcome my fears.
I was introduced to Sigma while completing my Master of Nursing degree in the adult APRN track at Florida A&M University in 2010. Sigma opened the door for networking, research, and leadership opportunities. I transitioned to Beta Tau Chapter while completing my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies (UM SONHS). I joined the faculty of the UM SONHS two years after completing the DNP degree as a lecturer and then as an assistant professor. I have had the opportunity during my time at UM SONHS to serve in several leadership roles, including director of the Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Program, chairperson of the Graduate Academic Standing and Admissions Committee, and advisor of the Multicultural Nursing Students Association. Additionally, I have served Beta Tau Chapter as treasurer (two consecutive terms), president-elect, and chairperson of the Leadership Succession Committee. Now, I am beginning my first term as president!
I am forever grateful to my fellow Beta Tau Chapter members who nominated me to serve on the Leadership Succession Committee. One bold step as a teenager has led me to this place in my leadership journey, and I have learned along the way that it is not what you get out of leadership that matters but what you give in serving others. I encourage you to take the bold step to serve in a leadership role with Sigma, too!
Be Bold
Inspired by these leaders’ stories, we hope you take the bold action to apply for a leadership role within Sigma.
The following positions are on the ballot for the 47th Biennial Convention in 2023:
- President-elect
- Vice President*
- Treasurer
- Directors (3)
- Regional Chapters Coordinating Committee Chair
- Governance Committee (3 for two years; 2 for four years)
- Leadership Succession Committee (4 for two years; 3 for four years)
- Regional Chapter Coordinators (one per region)
Will you Be Bold and take the next step toward serving as an elected leader with Sigma? The call for nominations is open through 30 November 2022. Get started now!
*This role may convert to a director position depending on a proposed bylaws change to be presented at the House of Delegates.
Members of the Leadership Succession Committee contributing to this article were:
Kimberly Velez, MSN, RN, is an Expert Clinical Informatics Educator and Clinical Trainer at Northwell Health in Brooklyn, New York, USA. She is a member of Sigma’s Alpha Omega, Omicron Delta, and Psi Tau Chapters.
Brenda Owusu, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, is an Assistant Professor of Clinical at the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies in Coral Gables, Florida, USA. She is a member of Sigma’s Beta Tau Chapter.
Peggy Jenkins, PhD, RN, CNE, is an Associate Professor and Assistant Dean of Academics at the University of Colorado College of Nursing in Denver, Colorado, USA. She is a member of Sigma’s Alpha Kappa at-Large Chapter.