The Commission on Nurse Certification is governed by the CNC Board of Commissioners (CNCBOC). The CNCBOC is responsible for the policies and procedures of the CNL Certification Program. Commissioners serve two-year terms.
EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2024
COMMISSIONERS
TERM EXPIRATION
Sonya Curtis, DHA, DNP, MBA, RN, CNL, VHA-CM
VISN 20 Nurse Manager & Quality Management (Acting)
VHA-VISN 20 Clinical Resource Hub (CRH)
Crowley, TX
Chair – June 30, 2025
Member – June 30, 2025
Megan Williams, MSN, RN, CNL
Director of Complex Care
Regional One Health
Memphis, TN
Vice Chair – June 30, 2026
Desrie Nisbett, MA
Assistant to the Dean
University of Louisville School of Nursing
Louisville, KY
Secretary & Public Member – June 30, 2025
Cathy Coleman, DNP, MSN, RN, CNL, CPHQ
Associate Professor
University of San Francisco SON and Health Professions
San Francisco, CA
June 30, 2025
Richard O. Foote, Col, USAF, NC, CEN, CNL, FACHE
Director, Reserve Medical Directorate
Air Force, Pentagon
Washington, DC
June 30, 2026
James L. Harris, PhD, PMHCNS-BC, MBA, CNL, FAAN
Professor of Nursing
College of Nursing
University of South Alabama
Mobile, AL
June 30, 2026
Kathy Oliphant, DNP, RN, CNL, NEA-BC
Assistant Professor & Director, Systems Leadership Program
University of Cincinnati College of Nursing
Cincinnati, OH
June 30, 2026
Zach Perpetua, DNP, RN, CMSRN, CNL
Advanced Clinical Education Specialist
UPMC Passavant
Pittsburgh, PA
June 30, 2026
Heather Vitko, PhD, RN, CNL, CCRN, TCRN
Associate Professor, CNL Coordinator, MSN Program Director
University of Pittsburgh, PA
Pittsburgh, PA
June 30, 2025
Lynn Gardner (Ex-Officio)
CNC Director
(202) 370-3608
lgardner@aacnnursing.org
