HONORING EXTRAORDINARY NURSE LEADERS IN OUR COMMUNITY2025 Awards and Scholarships Recipients
Since 1982, ONL has recognized the outstanding contributions of nurse leaders in the region with our Awards and Scholarships. Each year, our committee has the challenging task of selecting recipients from our pool of incredible nominees. We are proud to have so many exemplary nurse leaders within our community and congratulate all our nominees on their accomplishments.
Candidates are nominated by colleagues and evaluated by an awards committee, except for the Sherwood Award, which is selected by the Board of Directors, and the President’s Award, which is selected by ONL’s President. Awards are bestowed at the ONL Annual Meeting during our Member Reception and Awards Ceremony.
Please join us in congratulating our 2025 ONL Awards and Scholarships Winners!
Mary B. Conceison Award
The Mary B. Conceison Award for Excellence in Nursing Leadership recognizes outstanding contributions by a nursing executive.
Ena Williams, PhD, MBA, RN, CENP
Chief Nurse Executive
Yale New Haven Health
The recipient of this year's Mary B. Conceison Award for Excellence in Nursing Leadership is Ena Williams, PhD, MBA, RN, CENP, who exemplifies the very essence of this honor: visionary leadership, innovation, unwavering commitment to the profession, and impact on a national scale.
Dr. Williams’ journey from the operating room to the executive suite at Yale New Haven Health System (YNHHS) is a testament to her resilience, skill, and belief in the power of nursing to transform health care. Beginning as a perioperative nurse, she rose through the ranks with courage, grace, and excellence. She was appointed Chief Nursing Officer in 2018, and most recently, Chief Nurse Executive for the entire health system in 2025.
Her executive leadership has left an indelible mark. She led Yale New Haven Hospital’s nursing team through its third and fourth Magnet® designations and secured Connecticut’s first ANCC Nurse Residency Program Accreditation. Under her guidance, the team also earned the 2024 ANCC Magnet® Prize. Her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated her ability to steer complex systems with clarity, compassion, and strength. As CNE of YNHHS, she now leads system-wide strategy for Magnet® designation, clinical excellence, and nursing innovation—advancing best practices, workforce development, and care transformation across multiple campuses.
Ena’s influence extends far beyond Connecticut. A Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, she serves on the Joint Commission Board of Commissioners, the American Nurses Foundation Board of Trustees, and in 2026, will become President of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL)—a reflection of the high esteem in which she is held by peers nationwide.
What sets Ena apart is not only what she has accomplished, but how she leads. A thoughtful, introspective leader, she listens with intention and acts with integrity. She is deeply committed to mentoring others and fostering a culture of growth and accountability. Justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion are not initiatives for her—they are imperatives. Her work on inclusive leadership and the experiences of diverse executives has advanced the national conversation and inspired action throughout health care. She is a powerful presence—fierce, compassionate, and visionary. Her peers know her as a leader who shows up not only with strategy and intellect, but with authenticity, humility, and purpose.
Ena is shaping the future of nursing with boldness, grace, and brilliance. ONL is honored to recognize her with our 2025 Mary B. Conceison Award.
Karen Kirby Award
The Karen Kirby Award honors nurses who lead outside traditional roles, are entrepreneurial and innovative, have outcomes at the national and/or international levels, strategically support nursing leadership organizations, and generously provide support to colleagues.
Billie Lynn Allard, RN, MS, FAAN, FAONL
The recipient of this year's Karen Kirby Award for Innovation in Nursing Leadership is Billie Lynn Allard, RN, MS, FAAN, FAONL.
Billie Lynn is a transformational nursing leader nationally recognized for innovative population health strategies who has a deep passion for helping nursing colleagues to lead the way in building and promoting accountable care communities and nurse-driven effective transitions in care. She has a proven history of improving quality, safety, and patient satisfaction by engaging nurses, physicians, interdisciplinary teams, and community partners to address social determinants of health and chart a course for new models of care delivery.
A 2019 Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing (AAN) and 2018 Academy Edge Runner, Billie has been recognized for her development of the population health implementation model (Accountable Community of Health). Billie is the author of Inspired Healthcare: A Value-Based Care Coordination Model (2020), a blueprint for how to create quality health care in a rural environment. Her work with Southwestern Vermont Health Care in establishing the role of the nurse navigator and the pediatric community care team earned the ANCC Magnet Prize for Innovation® (2017) and American Hospital Association Rural Health Leadership Award (2020). She developed the Transitions of Care Tool Kit funded by the Magnet Prize®, sharing it with partners across the country, to empower and enable nurses to step into non-traditional roles and apply evidence-based initiatives to support the expanding role of nurse leaders across the continuum of care.
Billie chairs the AAN Edge Runners National Advisory Council, advancing nurse-designed innovations and interventions that improve access to care while reducing costs and creating sustainable frameworks that adapt to the unique needs of individual communities. She also chairs the Transition Management and Care Coordination Committee for the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing, which has developed a toolkit to assist nurses and leaders working in the ambulatory care settings to develop and improve care coordination and transition management for patients. She is a long-time member and supporter of ONL, having served on the Board of Directors as the VT state representative 2020-2023, and is the 2019 recipient of ONL's Elaine K. Sherwood Award.
ONL is honored to recognize Billie Lynn with our 2025 Karen Kirby Award.
Pamela Leigh Vecchiarino Award
The Pamela Leigh Vecchiarino Nursing Leadership Award honors nurse leaders who are patient-focused change agents that are committed to improving outcomes, advance the profession of nursing, and are compassionate role models to others.
The recipient of this year's Pamela Leigh Vecchiarino Award for Compassion in Nursing Leadership is Diane Hanley, MS, RN-BC, EJD.
Diane's commitment to improving patient care and enhancing patient experience is evident in her influential work on various boards, including the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine. Her work as a Magnet appraiser further underscores her dedication to advocating for nursing practice standards and shaping health care policies. Diane's unwavering focus on delivering high-quality care has had a profound impact on both patients and health care organizations.
Described as a "team player" and "rock star" by her colleagues at Boston Medical Center (BMC), Diane has made invaluable contributions through her ability to mentor and support others; her kindness, enthusiasm, energy, empathy, wit, and patience; and her commitment to creating a positive, nurturing environment. She is approachable, offers advice and guidance to leaders in their career development, and ensures everyone around her feels supported and valued.
Diane’s distinguished career exemplifies her commitment to advancing the nursing profession. Her academic achievements, including a Master of Science in Nursing and an Executive Juris Doctorate in Health Law, have equipped her to take on leadership roles, most recently as the ACNO of Professional Practice, Nursing Quality & Education at BMC. Diane has been a consultant to nurse leaders at multiple institutions pursuing Magnet designation, demonstrating her leadership and strategic vision in nursing. She is also an adjunct faculty member further contributing to the development of future nursing leaders.
Diane's motto, “be like a duck,” encourages resilience and positivity and inspires those around her, encapsulating her approach to overcoming challenges and her ability to view obstacles as opportunities for growth. Diane uplifts and encourages others while maintaining a calm, patient demeanor, and is a beloved mentor and leader in the nursing community.
ONL is honored to recognize Diane with our 2025 Pamela Leigh Vecchiarino Award.
Diane Hanley, MS, RN-BC, EJD
Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Professional Practice and Magnet Program Director
Boston Medical Center
Janet Madigan Award
The Janet Madigan Advocacy Award recognizes excellence as a community advocate or political leader committed to supporting and advocating for the nursing profession and patient care.
The recipient of this year's Janet Madigan Award for Excellence in Advocacy is Meaghan Smith, MSN, RN, FAONL.
Meaghan is recognized for her excellent communication, diplomacy, strategic leadership, and advocacy to address workplace violence (WPV) and employee safety; a persistent, challenging problem requiring thoughtful integration of policy and practice. Meaghan, who serves as Chief Nursing Officer of Speare Memorial Hospital, a 25-bed critical access hospital in Plymouth, NH, has made incredible contributions to this essential work at the organizational and state policy levels, elevating the voice of nursing leadership while improving practice.
Meaghan has been part of the New Hampshire Workplace Violence Commission since it was established in 2023 to address concerning trends about violence in health care facilities. As a leader of a critical access hospital, Meaghan knew her facility and staff had different strengths and challenges when compared with larger hospitals. During the past two years, her leadership at Speare Memorial has improved WPV reporting and safety, while also informing the state-wide discussion through the Commission.
At Speare Memorial, Meaghan has helped her team understand importance of reporting WPV events and equipped them with the definitions, language, and support needed to speak up. Her team has become better at reporting events, and Meaghan has been diligent and strategic about looking at the evidence and trends. The data showed that the Emergency Department and Inpatient areas were disproportionately affected by WPV, with most events occurring during the 3p-11p window, and weekdays being the most impacted. In response, Meaghan took a multi-pronged approach that addressed policies, culture, training, and leadership support. Successes resulting from her leadership and advocacy on this issue include: securing an additional security FTE to support the evening shift, enlisting an outside security firm to assist with an organizational assessment to identify vulnerabilities—a key action to address staff concerns about safety, and enlisting the help of the emergency preparedness coordinator to train staff on the use of restraints.
ONL is honored to recognize Meaghan with our 2025 Janet Madigan Award.
Meaghan Smith, MSN, RN, FAONL
Chief Nursing Officer
Speare Memorial Hospital
Elaine K. Sherwood Award
The Elaine K. Sherwood Award recognizes outstanding commitment and contributions to the mission and work of ONL. The recipient is selected by ONL’s President, Past President, and President-Elect.
Lynn D’Angelo, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
Director, Ambulatory Clinical Excellence
UMass Memorial Medical Center
Monica Tucker-Schwartz, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
AVP, Faculty Practice Clinical Operations and Executive Director Ambulatory Nursing
Tufts Medical Center
This year's Elaine K. Sherwood Award for Excellence in Service is presented to Dr. Lynn D'Angelo and Dr. Monica Tucker-Schwartz.
As co-chairs of ONL's Membership Committee, Monica and Lynn have demonstrated deep passion and tireless commitment to strengthening ONL's membership base and creating a sense of belonging and engagement among new and long-standing members alike. Under their dynamic and collaborative leadership, the Membership Committee has been revitalized, becoming an integral and energized part of the ONL community.
During the past year, their accomplishments have been both impactful and inspiring. They successfully organized and staffed the Membership Table at ONL's Annual and Winter Meetings, offering a warm, informative, and inviting presence. Through personal outreach, they’ve answered questions, shared insights about board and committee service, and promoted ONL’s programs and initiatives—always with authenticity and enthusiasm. Their efforts have significantly enhanced member engagement and visibility for ONL. Additionally, Lynn and Monica represented ONL on a national stage by hosting ONL's table at the 2025 American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) annual conference. Their professionalism and passion left a lasting impression, helping to further ONL’s reputation and reach.
They led the organization’s second annual “Share the Warmth” winter clothing drive, a compassionate initiative held in conjunction with the 2024 Winter Meeting. This thoughtful project not only supported those in need but also served as a meaningful expression of ONL’s values of community and service.
Monica and Lynn embody the spirit of the Elaine K. Sherwood Award through their unwavering dedication, creative vision, and positive energy. Their contributions have left an indelible mark on this organization, and their work continues to elevate the ONL experience for all members. ONL is honored to recognize Lynn and Monica with our 2025 Elaine K. Sherwood Award.
ONL/DAISY Nurse Leader of the Year Award
Established in 2024, the ONL/DAISY Nurse Leader of the Year Award recognizes a prior DAISY Award honoree for exceptional nursing leadership, demonstrating compassion and respect for the care clinical nurses provide, and fostering an environment where compassion and care are valued. ONL and the DAISY Foundation established this award to recognize the incredible impact and importance of nurse leaders across our region in all practice settings, academia, and beyond.
Katie Fillipon, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
Deputy Chief Nurse and Vice President, Department of Nursing
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
The recipient of this year's ONL/DAISY Foundation Nurse Leader of the Year Award is Katie Fillipon, DNP, RN, NEA-BC.
Dr. Fillipon is widely known as a collaborative, compassionate, and transformational nursing leader who is commited to ensuring nursing is seen as an integral member of the interdisciplinary team across the system with the aim of improving care.
As Deputy Chief Nurse and Vice President, Department of Nursing at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), Katie is at the forefront of advancing care for patients. When BWH became one of the first hospitals in the nation to offer CAR T-cell therapy, Katie collaborated with oncology nursing staff, the Emergency Department and the Neuroscience ICU while leveraging her clinical and operational expertise to create a vision and structure that supported staff and patients to receive this cutting-edge care.
Katie is committed to the advancement of nursing leaders, mentoring clinical nurses and nurse leaders to advance in their roles. When her experience in mentoring led her to recognize a need to provide more growth opportunities, she created expanded roles for the nurse executive board. Katie’s skill in mentoring has led to the success of numerous clinical nurses and nurse leaders who are actively supporting staff and improving patient care.
Katie is one of few leaders who gain the trust, respect, and admiration of their entire staff. One colleague notes, "Katie's empathy extends beyond the bedside and into every conversation, every decision, and every action. She's taught us that leadership is a journey of service, and that every step taken with compassion makes an undeniable difference." Another shares, "Katie’s ability to listen, reflect, and communicate with such authenticity has empowered all of us to not only be better professionals, but better people. She has shown us that true leadership isn't about authority—it's about connection, understanding, and a deep commitment to improving the lives of others.”
ONL is honored to recognize Katie with the 2025 ONL/DAISY Foundation Nurse Leader of the Year Award.
Marilyn Rinker Memorial Scholarship
The Marilyn Rinker Memorial Scholarship honors Marilyn's legacy by supporting pursuit of advanced degrees, providing scholarship support in the amount of $2,000 for a qualified registered nurse to participate in an approved course of study leading to an advanced degree with an emphasis in nursing leadership.
Eliza Goodhart Denoeux, MSFS, RN, BSN, AB
Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Massachusetts Boston Donna M. and Robert J. Manning College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Doctoral Program
The recipient of this year's Marilyn Rinker Memorial Scholarship is Eliza Goodhart Denoeux, MSFS, RN, BSN, AB.
Eliza is a PhD Candidate and Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Massachusetts Boston Donna M. and Robert J. Manning College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Prior to becoming a nurse, Eliza pursued a diverse, international education and career and had originally planned to devote her research to Transcultural Nursing issues. However, upon entering the profession, she was appalled by nurse-to-nurse bullying and incivility and changed her research topic before commencing PhD studies.
At UMass Boston, Eliza was appointed by the chair of the Nursing Deparment to represent the nursing deparment as a founding member of the Graduate Student Leadership Council of the Vice Chancellor for Students. In addition, Eliza originated and still coordinates the Peer Mentoring Buddy Program in the Nursing PhD Program, designed to facilitate the entry of new PhD students, especially those from abroad. She received a Leadership Award from Manning College and was named Graduate Student of the Week by the Graduate Student's Association.
Eliza's primary aim is to bring together her knowledge, skills, and experience to make a positive difference in the work environment for New England nurses, though her research may improve work environments in other settings, as nurse-to-nurse incivility and bullying behavior is documented to be a prevalent, global problem, affecting not only the well-being of individuals involved, but their patients, and their organizations.
Following her PhD preparation, Eliza plans to spend the next five years devoted to three goals: teaching nursing students, extending knowledge through research aimed at improving the work environment for nurses, and administration of a nursing academic program.
Eliza's skills, interests, and experience, combined with her demonstrated support for her peers, faculty, and staff, make her a fitting choice this scholarship. ONL is honored to recognize Eliza with our 2025 Marilyn Rinker Memorial Scholarship.
Sharon A. Smith Scholarship Award
The Sharon A. Smith Scholarship Award honors Sharon's legacy by developing nurse leaders and supporting their continued educational journey in nursing programs or advanced degree programs, providing scholarship support in the amount of $2,000 to be used toward a nursing degree.
Susan Ayers, MSN, RN, OCN, NEA-BC
Senior Director of Nursing,
Dana-Farber Inpatient Hospital
Doctoral Program
Susan is pursuing her DNP degree at Baylor University, driven by a passion for nursing and a commitment to ensuring that its value is recognized and leveraged to improve health care delivery. By increasing awareness of nursing as a critical human capital asset, she hopes to contribute to a future where nurses are fully empowered to lead, innovate, and transform health care organizations for the better. ONL is honored to recognize Susan with our 2025 Sharon A. Smith Scholarship.
Heather Bogrett, MSN, RN, AMB-BC
Director of Ambulatory Nursing,
Cambridge Health Alliance
Doctoral Program
Heather is pursuing her DNP degree at Chamberlain University. She is passionate about advancing the nursing profession, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment, implementing innovative solutions, and mentoring emerging nurse leaders. In earning her DNP, Heather aims to gain a deeper understanding of health care systems, evidence-based practices, and advanced nursing theory, in order to best provide high-quality care and lead her team effectively. ONL is honored to recognize Heather with our 2025 Sharon A. Smith Scholarship.
Linda Delaporta, MSN, RN, NEA-BC
Senior Nurse Director, Critical Care and Nurse Administrators, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Doctoral Program
Linda is pursuing her DNP degree at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. She is passionate about advancing the profession of nursing and enhancing patient care through leadership and evidence-based best practices. She believes the ability to empower and mentor nurses is integral to the future of the nursing profession. By earning her DNP, she hopes to inspire future nurses, advocate for improvements in patient care, and strengthen the profession of nursing. ONL is honored to recognize Linda with our 2025 Sharon A. Smith Scholarship.
Laudio Outstanding Nurse Manager/Nurse Director Scholarship
Generously supported by Laudio, this scholarship recognizes nurse leaders who demonstrate strong leadership skills, support a continuous journey towards excellence, and exhibit promise for greater contribution and levels of responsibility. Recipients receive scholarship funds to exclusively for ONL’s nurse leader development programs.
Sharon Bouvier, RN, MSN, NEA-BC
Nurse Director, Vascular Services
Massachusetts General Hospital
Sharon is a distinguished leader who has demonstrated exceptional dedication, vision, and excellence throughout her career.
Sharon serves as Nurse Director of Vascular Services at Massachusetts General Hospital, where her distinguished tenure in General Medicine stands as a beacon of transformational leadership, inspiring both her colleagues and the patients under her care. With her strategic insight and compassionate guidance, Sharon has empowered her teams to achieve remarkable success, creating a nurturing environment where both nurses and patients thrive. Her unwavering dedication has elevated standards of practice and established benchmarks for excellence. She is recognized for embracing new challenges with ingenuity and resilience, fostering collaboration, promoting innovation, championing inclusivity, lifting others as she climbs, leading with intentionality, and her deep commitment to continuous improvement. ONL is honored to recognize Sharon with our 2025 Laudio Outstanding Nurse Manager/Nurse Director Scholarship.
Tessa Nimtz, MSN, RN
Ambulatory Operations Manager
UMass Memorial Medical Center’s
Barre Family Health Center
Tessa is an exemplary leader who demonstrates a strong commitment to nursing leadership through her visibility, collaboration, and clinical expertise.
As Ambulatory Operations Manager at Barre Family Health Center (UMass Memorial), Tessa empowers her team through effective communication, advocacy, visibility, and commitment to quality care. She fosters a collaborative environment and leads by example, prioritizing teamwork and patient safety while ensuring clinical excellence and operational efficiency. Tessa always says ‘yes’ to new opportunities, seeks to expand her leadership toolbox, and is committed to continuous learning. She serves on hospital-wide committees, where she ensures Ambulatory has a voice, and is actively involved with professional organizations. ONL is honored to recognize Tessa with our 2025 Laudio Outstanding Nurse Manager/Nurse Director Scholarship.
Past Award Recipients
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