American Psychiatric Nurses Association Announces New Executive Director


Lisa Deffenbaugh Nguyen, MS, CAE

Lisa Deffenbaugh Nguyen, MS, CAE

The APNA Board of Directors has the utmost confidence that [Nguyen’s] strategic and inclusive leadership style will allow APNA to build upon its current successes and continue to serve the needs of the psychiatric-mental health nursing profession.

Lisa Deffenbaugh Nguyen, MS, CAE has more than a decade of experience in association management, is a Certified Association Executive, and possesses a keen understanding of APNA’s mission and purpose. She will officially assume her role as Executive Director on January 1, 2020.

“Lisa’s background in association management and her demonstrated commitment to the APNA core values will serve our organization well into the future,” says APNA President Sattaria (Tari) Dilks, RN, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FAANP. “The APNA Board of Directors has the utmost confidence that her strategic and inclusive leadership style will allow APNA to build upon its current successes and continue to serve the needs of the psychiatric-mental health nursing profession.”

The APNA Board of Directors convened an Executive Director Search Committee to oversee the selection process. The committee was chaired by APNA Immediate Past President Gail Stern, RN, MSN, PMHCNS-BC and included APNA leaders Diane Allen, DNP, PMHRN-BC, NEA-BC, FACHE; Linda Beeber, PhD, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN; Patricia Black, PhD, RN; Sattaria (Tari) Dilks, RN, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FAANP; Barbara Drew, PhD, PMHCNS-BC; Brenda Kucirka, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, CNE; Evelyn Perkins, PMH-BC, NE-BC; Donna Rolin, PhD, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, PMHNP-BC; and Dan Willis RN, DNS, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN. The committee conducted an extensive national search, seeking input from stakeholders, meeting numerous times virtually and in person, and giving thoughtful consideration to more than 80 candidates. At the conclusion of the multi-phase interview process, the search committee unanimously recommended to the APNA Board of Directors that the position of Executive Director be offered to Nguyen.

“As chair of the search committee, I am confident that this has been a thorough, transparent, and effective process,” says Gail Stern, RN, MSN, PMHCNS-BC. “I would like to personally thank each of the members of the search committee for the time, work and thought they devoted to ensuring a successful future for our organization.”

Nguyen has worked with APNA since 2007, most recently serving as APNA Associate Executive Director, Operations. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Music and holds a Master of Science in Forensic Psychology from Tiffin University.

“I am honored and humbled by this incredible opportunity to serve the APNA membership. They are an impressive group of leaders who care deeply about their patients and their profession,” says Nguyen. “I look forward to working with the APNA Board of Directors to advance psychiatric-mental health nursing and support our members.”

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