NLN Elects New Treasurer & Governors-at-Large to National Leadership

NLN Elects New Treasurer & Governors-at-Large to National Leadership

Nominations Committee & NLN Certification Commission Also Welcome New Members

Washington, DC — The National League for Nursing announces the election of a new treasurer and two new members of the NLN Board of Governors. Annual elections and installation took place at the NLN Education Summit this year in Washington, DC.

Colleen Marzilli, PhD, DNP, MBA, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE, NEA-BC, PHNA-BC, MedSurg-BC, CCN, FNAP, steps into the position of NLN treasurer, succeeding Mark Hand, PhD, RN, CNE, whose term has expired.

Steven Palazzo, PhD, MN, RN, CNE, ANEF, winner of the 2026 NLN Peg E. Daw Star Certification Award for his innovative work in advancing certifications in nursing education, has joined the NLN Board of Governors as a governor-at-large. He succeeds Cheryl Hoying, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAONL, FACHE, FAAN.

Leah Binder, MA, MGA, president and CEO of the nonprofit hospital safety and quality ratings agency, the Leapfrog Group, is the NLN Board’s new public member, succeeding Mark Vogt.

Officers and Board members each serve a three-year term. The newly elected treasurer and governors will therefore hold office through 2029.

NLN Chair Dr. Yolanda VanRiel, chair of the Department of Nursing, North Carolina Central University and patient placement coordinator at First Health of the Carolinas-Moore Regional Hospital, said, “I am delighted to welcome these three outstanding new members of the NLN Board. I look forward to working with them as we continue to provide vital resources, services, and education to our membership. My thanks also to everyone who participates in the election process, from gathering and reviewing nominations to assembling the fine slate of candidates to fill these positions of impact and responsibility.”

NLN President and CEO Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN, welcomed the new treasurer and governors along with the new Certification Commissioners and Nominations Committee members, saying, “Our volunteer leadership is at the heart of what we do at the National League for Nursing. Without their time, expertise, vision, and dedication, we wouldn’t accomplish all that we do in promoting excellence in nursing education and advancing outstanding health care for all. We are deeply indebted to these remarkable individuals, who inspire me every day.”

About Colleen Marzilli

Dr. Marzilli brings extensive executive leadership experience in strategic planning, fiscal stewardship, and advancing nursing education. Throughout her distinguished leadership career, she has held numerous roles, including president, president-elect, treasurer, secretary, and counselor within Sigma Theta Tau and the Texas Nurses Association. Additional service includes leadership positions at the University of Texas at Tyler, involvement in professional nursing organizations, and community engagement through the American Heart Association and Alzheimer’s Association.

Beyond organizational leadership and National League for Nursing service, she has supported nurses and nursing students through mentorship, curriculum development, and collaborative partnerships at the local, national, and international levels. Her work has focused on strengthening nursing education, fostering professional growth, and building communities that advance the nursing profession and meet stakeholder needs.

About Steven Palazzo

Dr. Steven Palazzo is an accomplished nurse educator and academic leader committed to advancing excellence in nursing education. As associate dean for academic affairs at Florida State University, he has led curriculum innovation, faculty development, and student success initiatives. In previous academic leadership roles at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Seattle University, he led curriculum redesign, accreditation efforts, faculty development initiatives, and new program development. He has also served in governance leadership positions with Sigma Theta Tau International and local chapters.

His long-standing involvement with the National League for Nursing spans more than a decade. He serves on the Nursing Education Perspectives Editorial Board, hosts the NLN Nursing Edge Unscripted podcast, and contributes through committee service, manuscript review, and scholarly leadership. As a Certified Nurse Educator and Fellow in the Academy of Nursing Education, he remains dedicated to faculty excellence and professional development.

About Leah Binder

Leah Binder, MA, MGA, is president and CEO of the Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit representing employers and other purchasers of health care calling for improved safety and quality in hospitals. Leapfrog publishes free ratings of hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers on how safe they are for their patients, including the Hospital Safety Grade. She is a regular contributor to Forbes.com and is consistently named among Modern Healthcare’s annual list of the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare.

Before joining The Leapfrog Group, Binder spent eight years as vice president at Franklin Community Health Network, an award-winning rural hospital network in Farmington, Maine. Prior to that, she served as senior policy advisor in the New York City Mayor’s Office. She started her career at the National League for Nursing, where she handled policy and communications for more than six years.

Nominations Committee Election (3-year term: 2026-2029)

Chizoba Anako, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, PMC-NE, CNEn, AACRN, CNE-cl, AAHIVS, assistant professor, Bowie State University

Suha Ballot, PhD, RN, FAAN, associate dean for DEIAB, University of Washington School of Nursing

The Nominations Committee solicits nominations from individual and agency representative members for all League elected positions reflecting the organization’s diverse membership and identifies a slate of candidates that best support the mission of the League.

Certification Commission Election (3-year term: 2026-2029)

The Certification Commission oversees and supervises the NLN Academic Nurse Educator Certification Program.

Jenna Davis, PhD, RN, CNE, CNEcl, assistant professor, York College of Pennsylvania

Sara Kaylor, EdD, RN, CNE, assistant dean for accreditation and evaluation, University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing

If you would like to submit a nomination for an open position for the 2027 election cycle, or for more information, visit NLN.org.