Slate of Candidates
President-Elect
Austin Nation, PhD, RN, PHN
Associate Professor
California State University, Fullerton
Candidate Statement:
Over the past years, I have had the pleasure of serving as your Governor of Nursing Education. I am so grateful to you for entrusting me! It has been an honor to serve you in this capacity and bring my unique perspective to the WIN board. I hope you have taken notice and enjoyed our efforts.
I have been involved in several WIN committees, but I most proud that the board has created a new DEI Committee.
At this point in my 40-year nursing career, nursing is at a pivotal time in our history where we are openly and actively addressing issues around racism and discrimination in nursing. With that in mind, our board immediately responded, and I was able to moderate our newly implemented series of Critical Conversations. The conversations were rich, insightful and painful to hear at the same time. I am hopeful that change is coming within our organization thanks to you, our members.
I am also thrilled that our board has approved LGBTQ and MENA (Middle Eastern and North African) special interest groups. I look forward to being a part of serving all the members of our incredibly diverse and wonderful organization.
Governor Representative of Nursing Practice
Annette Nasr, RN, PhD, MPA, NE-BC, FAAN
Nurse Scientist
Stanford Medicine Children's Health
Candidate Statement:
As a proud member of the Western Institute of Nursing (WIN) since 2006, the most meaningful aspect of my involvement with WIN has been fostering partnerships among nurse scientists and implementation scientists working in clinical settings. As the past president of the WIN (2022-2024), the substantive impact of my presidency was promoting a strong regional voice and creating partnerships for nurses in the West. As the Governor Representative of Nursing Practice, I will continue this pursuit. It is critical that we foster the interaction of nurses in these roles to fulfill our tripartite mission of advancing nursing science, education, and practice to improve health outcomes. I would love to serve as your WIN Governor Representative of Nursing Practice!
Governor Representative of Nursing Research
Jung-Ah Lee, PhD, RN, FAAN, FGSA
Professor, PhD Program Director, Associate Dean for DEIB
University of California, Irvine - Sue and Bill Gross School of Nursing
Candidate Statement:
I am a nurse scientist and faculty with expertise in Gerontology and Healthcare Outcomes Research at the University of California, Irvine, Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing. My research focuses on translational approaches to improve care delivery and quality of life for patients and caregivers, with an emphasis on culturally sensitive methods in chronic diseases including cardiovascular diseases and dementia. Over the past 20 years, I have led substantial research projects funded by federal and state agencies, as well as foundations. I have experience teaching research methodologies and mentoring nursing students and junior nurse scholars. My contributions have been recognized with a Distinguished Research Mentor Award and the Chancellor’s Award for Research Mentorship. I have extensive experience leading scientific conferences as a program chair. My research achievements have led to my induction into the Hall of Fame of Sigma International Nurse Researcher in 2024, and recognition as a fellow in the Gerontological Society of America, American Academy of Nursing, and the Western Academy of Nurses. Since 2003, I have been an active member of WIN, presenting my research annually. If elected as Governor for Nursing Research, I am committed to enhancing the research career development of WIN members.
Andrea Wallace, PhD, RN, FAAN
Professor and Associate Dean for Research
University of Utah College of Nursing
Candidate Statement:
I began my involvement in WIN as a PhD student at the University of Colorado Denver and have since engaged with other regional nursing organizations, recognizing the value of regional support for nursing research. As Associate Dean for Research at the University of Utah College of Nursing, I bring a strong background in nursing research, focusing on health services, social determinants of health, and chronic disease management, with experience in federally funded grants from NIH and AHRQ. Currently, I serve on the WIN research committee and deeply appreciate the vital research support WIN offers the Western region.
If elected as Governor Representative of Nursing Research, I intend to infuse WIN with new energy that aligns with today’s urgent healthcare needs. This includes fostering engaged communities to collaboratively address social determinants of health and creating innovative pathways to mentor and elevate the next generation of nurse scholars and leaders. I am committed to advocating for the visibility of geographically diverse nursing science education programs in the Western region, ensuring our unique challenges and strengths are recognized nationally. Through my experience and dedication, I am eager to contribute to WIN’s mission and help shape the future of nursing research.
Governor Representative of Student Members
Kimberly Kassab, MS, APN, AGCNS-BC, EBP-C, PMH-BC, GERO-BC, CGCP, ECDCS
Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Candidate Statement:
Hello, my name is Kim, and I am a 4th year PhD student at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, College of Nursing. I have a strong interest in serving as the Governor Representative of Student Members for the WIN 2025 election. I have served as the PhD Student representative for the Research, Evidence and Discovery Committee (READY) for CU Anschutz, and served as the Anschutz member for the Graduate Nurse Student Association 2022-2023. As a student leader, I continue to engage in the new and existing students within our nursing program. I am a Doctoral Student Teaching Fellow and teach for the College of Nursing. I intend to be a positive role model and a person of safe space for nursing students who attend our nursing program. I intend to teach academia upon my graduation.
It is important for me to be a member of a nursing organization as it offers networking opportunities and the ability to build upon my leadership skills as an Advanced Practice Nurse. I do hope to be part of health policy development as well as advance the nursing discipline in the context of gerontology and geriatrics. Thank you for considering my application.
Nominating Committee Position #3
Butch de Castro, PhD, MSN/MPH, RN, FAAN
Dean
Seattle University
Candidate Statement:
It would be a special honor for me to serve on the WIN nominating committee. I have a demonstrated track record of serving on search, hiring, and selection committees for a range of posts, including high-ranking, executive-level leadership roles in both academic and practice settings. I have been entrusted with evaluating applicants and candidates for positions spanning department heads, deans, chancellor, provost, as well as a public health officer for a large, metropolitan urban public health department. In addition to these service-oriented roles, I have held formal responsibility to recruit faculty across a range of experience and specialization. The extent to which I have held candidate recruitment and evaluation duties has allowed me to hone my ability to discern quality of accomplishments and sharpen my sensibility in judging character. I thoroughly enjoy meeting and getting acquainted with people, though doing so with the purpose of matching an individual’s talents with organizational need offers the prospect of achieving mutual benefit. Moreover, as I enter senior levels of my career, I recognize a responsibility to facilitate successful trajectory of colleagues by encouraging exploration of unconsidered opportunities to gain experiences that will set them up for successes as their career progresses.
Adrienne Martinez-Hollingsworth, PhD, MSN, RN, PHN
Director of Research & Evaluation
AltaMed Institute for Health Equity, AltaMed Health Services
Candidate Statement:
I have been an engaged and active WIN member since 2018, attending annual meetings and presenting 13 times. My commitment to WIN’s mission is evident through my leadership as Co-Chair of the Latino/x Individuals, Families, and Communities Special Interest Group (SIG). During my tenure, I worked to revitalize the SIG, expanding its reach, increasing membership, and enhancing year-round activities. I initiated programs like 1:1 mentorship and recruitment for Latino/x nurse scholars, coordinated annual symposium submissions, and developed a strategic marketing plan that included member recognition ribbons, quarterly newsletters, and a new website for collaboration.
I also focus on fostering community through social gatherings, helping Latino/x SIG members forge cross-regional connections at WIN meetings. To ensure sustained growth and stability within the SIG, I have recruited future Co-Chairs and a Director of Communications for succession planning. My commitment to WIN, demonstrated leadership, and strategic vision would serve me well on the Nominating Committee. I believe my experience in building diverse membership and my dedication to professional development align with the committee’s mission to select and present qualified candidates for WIN’s leadership roles.
Tim Sowicz, PhD, APRN-CNP
Clinical Educator, Associate Professor
University of New Mexico College of Nursing
Candidate Statement:
I have been an engaged member of WIN since 2021 and a member of the Nominating Committee since 2022; currently I serve as chair of the committee. Although the functions of the Nominating Committee are few, they are essential; our committee members ensure that a slate of qualified candidates are available to members for electing the Board of Governors and the Nominating Committee. I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with colleagues at other institutions and to learn about WIN’s governance and oversight. It would be an honor and delight to continue serving on this committee! Currently I am a Clinician Educator, Associate Professor at the University of New Mexico College of Nursing and teach in the DNP program. I also have several research and scholarly projects underway that cross several topical areas, including substance use disorders, chronic pain, and health professional education.