2026
NEF Gala Sponsors

The 2026-2027 NEF Board of Directors was confirmed and celebrated on June 3, including the election of Edwidge Thomas, DNP, FAAN, as President and Kelly Reilly, PhD, RN-MC, as Secretary. Kimberly S. Glassman, PhD, RN, FAAN, and Annie J. Rohan, PhD, RN, FAANP, FAAN, have joined the board, and Jerelyn Peixoto Weiss, MS, JD, FNP, RN, has returned to it, following her retirement as Executive Director of NEF.

The combined Advisory Board and Board of Directors is now comprised of 22 leaders from the nursing, education, and business communities, donating their time and talent to the advancement of the nursing profession.

The Mount Sinai Hospital School of Nursing NY Alumnae Association recently donated $54,000 to NEF to support the Edith G. Ryan and Joan Herman Bilder Scholarship and to complete the Sylvia Barker Scholarship, continuing their longstanding commitment to funding their named scholarships for nursing leadership.

NEF is extremely grateful for their generosity and ongoing support!

The 2026 NEF Gala on Wednesday, June 3, was an extraordinary evening, thanks in part to the 2025-2026 NEF Scholars in attendance, who shared updates on their progress as nurse leaders, including graduations and new appointments. After the 80 guests enjoyed beverages and passed hors d’oeuvres, retired Executive Director and returning board member Jerelyn Peixoto Weiss and former President Joan Marren were honored for their dedicated years of service during the presentation, which also celebrated NEF’s new scholarships.

The Gala raised over $55,000 for NEF’s scholarships for master’s and doctoral degrees in nursing.

Paula Tucker, PhD, DNP, FNP-BC, ENP-C, FAANP, FAAN, who was selected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing in 2025, is now Associate Dean for Clinical Practice, Operations, and Education at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University. Dr. Tucker continues to serve as Clinical Associate Professor and the Specialty Director of the Emergency Nurse Practitioner Program and is also Adjunct Faculty and Associate Quality Curriculum Director of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Emory University.

When asked how an NEF scholarship affected her path as a nurse leader, Dr. Tucker said, “Being selected as an NEF Scholar was a tremendous honor and an important part of my professional journey. NEF’s investment in graduate nursing education creates opportunities that extend far beyond financial support, helping develop future leaders who will advance our profession in meaningful ways. I remain deeply grateful to NEF and look forward to continuing to support its mission and to paying forward the opportunities that have been afforded to me.”

NEF Board Member and Scholar Annmarie Muñana, DNP, MSN, MJ, RN, has been appointed to the COVID-19 Monument Commission, which is planning and fundraising for the only national monument to honor and remember those affected by COVID-19: patients, caregivers, health care professionals/clinicians, first responders, and others. The Monument will be a park and sculpture located in Chicago, Illinois, and its unveiling is expected in Fall 2026.

Dr. Muñana was the recipient of the Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. (NEF) Philip D. Raso Scholarship for 2021-2022. Since that time, she has remained committed to the NEF mission by contributing to the scholarship funds and participating in the scholarship review process, ultimately joining the NEF Board in 2024.

Robert V. Piemonte, EdD, RN, CAE, FAAN, championed the nursing profession as the Executive Director of the National Student Nurses’ Association and other leading nursing organizations. As an advocate of shared governance, he transformed hundreds of nursing school student nurse “clubs” into pre-professional nursing associations. In preparation for professional nursing careers, students participated in decision-making and policy development at school chapters, state associations, and nationally in NSNA.

Countless colleagues credit Dr. Piemonte with advancing their careers and enhancing their professional development. Through this scholarship fund, initially funded by Diane J. Mancino, EdD, RN, CAE, FAAN, his legacy of extraordinary leadership will continue to advance his beloved profession by supporting graduate studies for RNs to become nurse educators.

Once a graduate nursing student is awarded a scholarship from Nurses Educational Funds, they are forever a member of NEF’s Circle of Scholars. Scholarship recipients are nurse leaders from across the U.S., and as they advance in their careers, the connection made between NEF Scholars can last a lifetime.

NEF Scholars are invited to submit a request to join our networking group on LinkedIn to meet other scholarship recipients, share their professional news, and learn about ways to get involved with NEF.

For over 100 years, NEF has funded scholarships for master's and doctoral nursing degrees, thanks to the generosity of our donors.

Learn about the many ways to give to NEF and join our community of supporters by donating today. NEF is a 501(c)3 organization; your contribution is tax-deductible.

NEF's mission is to promote leadership and health equity through scholarship support for professional nurses seeking master’s and doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice and research.

NEF's vision is to be a national leader in providing scholarships to nurses that benefit nursing, health care and the global community.