AWHONN Emerging Leaders Program

The Emerging Leaders Program is an intensive leadership development opportunity that offers individuals a chance to refine their leadership purpose, leadership acumen, and develop strategies to transform themselves, AWHONN and the nursing profession. AWHONN is focusing our Emerging Leaders Program on developing leaders to support our organizational commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity, as well as reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. This Program is partially sponsored by the AWHONN Foundation (formerly Every Woman, Every Baby).

Everyone is encouraged to apply, and we especially welcome nurses from underrepresented communities. The emerging leader cohorts reflect diversity across various dimensions, including race, age, gender, sexual orientation, geographic location, and nursing specialty. Strong applicants should demonstrate dedication to the program, openness to leadership growth and transformation, a desire to foster a supportive community, and a drive to create positive change.

Sponsorship from your organization is highly recommended to help share the cost of the tuition with AWHONN as the value of the Emerging Leader program is $15,000 per participant. If you have organizational support, please complete the Sponsorship Intent Form, indicating the amount of your organization’s intended support and upload this with your application. Support is not required to apply.

Emerging Leader 2027-28 Cohort 

NEW This Year! 

This year, applicants may apply to the Emerging Leaders program either individually or as a dyad. 

A dyad consists of two applicants working together on a shared project, interest, leadership goal, or problem they hope to address through the program. Applying as a dyad allows partners to learn alongside one another, strengthen collaboration, and apply program concepts directly to a shared area of work. 

Applicants who apply as a dyad should each complete an application and identify their partner by name. Dyad applications will be reviewed together to better understand the shared goal, each partner's role, and how participation in the Emerging Leaders program may support their leadership development and project success. 

Dyad applicants will be reviewed together based on the strength of their individual applications, shared project or leadership goals, and potential to benefit from participating in the program as partners. When possible, dyad partners may be interviewed together. Acceptance decisions for dyads will generally be made jointly; however, the selection committee reserves the right to offer individual acceptance when appropriate. 

Important Application Dates

  • Application Deadline: August 29, 2026
  • Interview for Final Candidates: Early to mid-October 2026
  • Notification of Emerging Leader Cohort: Mid-November 2026

Program Details (In-Person Retreats)

  • Emerging Leader Pre-Convention Immersion: June 17-18, 2027 (Nashville, TN)
  • AWHONN Convention: June 19-23, 2027 (Nashville, TN)
  • Emerging Leader Immersion at Leadership Development Conference: January/February 2028 (Location to be determined, dates tentative)
  • AWHONN Leadership Development Conference: January/February 2028 (Location to be determined, dates tentative)
  • Emerging Leader Capitol Hill Day Immersion: April 2028 (Washington, DC, dates tentative)
  • AWHONN Capitol Hill Program: April 2028 (Washington, DC, dates tentative)
  • Emerging Leader Graduation: June 21-23, 2028 (Minneapolis, MN)
  • AWHONN Convention: June 24-28, 2028 (Minneapolis, MN)

***EMPLOYER SPONSORSHIP ENCOURAGED***

Please reach out to emergingleaders@awhonn.org if you’d like to discuss this opportunity further.

Submit Your Emerging Leader Application

This year's application cycle opens August 3!

2026-2027 EMERGING LEADERS

Alanda James is a board-certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner with more than 20 years of nursing experience spanning labor and delivery, neonatal intensive care, women’s health, and acute care. Alanda is a certified breastfeeding specialist and is also certified in inpatient obstetrics. She is an instructor in Basic Life Support, Neonatal Resuscitation Program, and Obstetric Patient Safety. Alanda is passionate about maternal-child health, lactation support, and health literacy. She has served as the Section Chair of the Mississippi Section of AWHONN for the past 4 years.

Chevair Mustafa, MHA, BSN, RNCOB, CONQS, COBE, CCE, is a dynamic maternal and reproductive health leader and certified childbirth educator with 15+ years of clinical and operational experience across diverse rural and teaching hospital settings nationwide. She brings a strategic, equity-driven lens to improve care for birthing people and has spearheaded region-first programs, strengthened system-wide performance, and championed initiatives that advance maternal and reproductive health outcomes. Chevair is committed to transforming perinatal care through bold advocacy, innovative program design, and an unwavering focus on dismantling disparities and building healthier communities.

Dr. Stacey Harrison, DNP, RN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, is a dedicated healthcare professional and nurse leader with a strong commitment to improving maternal health outcomes. She is deeply passionate about reducing maternal mortality and morbidity and advocates for equitable, respectful, and evidence-based maternal care. Stacey recognizes the critical role social determinants of health play in maternal outcomes and works to address these factors through education, leadership, and collaboration. Known for her clear communication and thoughtful approach, she is committed to advancing quality care, supporting healthcare teams, and making a meaningful impact on maternal and newborn health.

Jourdan Craven, BSN, RNC‑OB, is a nurse leader dedicated to advancing equitable and inclusive perinatal care. With 10 years of experience in obstetrics, she serves as a Clinical Assistant Nurse Manager at MultiCare Health System, overseeing the Family Birth Center and OB Addiction Unit (START unit). Jourdan is passionate about improving outcomes for patients affected by substance use disorder and championing trauma‑informed, stigma‑free care. She focuses on strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, supporting nursing resilience, and creating welcoming environments for all families. Jourdan is committed to reducing disparities and driving meaningful improvements in perinatal care systems.

 

 

Hello, my name is Judy Jacob Mathew, EdD(c), MSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, C-ONQS, C-OBE. I am a women’s health nurse leader with over 20 years of experience in Labor & Delivery, Mother–Baby, Antepartum, and OB Emergency care. I serve as an RN IV at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital and Adjunct Faculty at the University of Houston. As an AWHONN Instructor Trainer and OPS Instructor Designee, I advance maternal safety through education and simulation. My doctoral research on psychological safety in caring for women reflects my commitment to compassionate, evidence-based perinatal practice.

Tracie Kincel, MSN-RN

Maya Tureaud, BS, MSN, RNC-OB, from Convent, Louisiana, is an Emerging Leader described as a dynamic leader and patient advocate from bedside and beyond. With interests in improving delivery of equitable healthcare to women and infants through education, Maya strives to break glass ceilings preventing the evolution of nursing ethics, policy, and patient care improvement. She received her education from Spelman College and Duke School of Nursing, recently earning her Master’s of Science in Nursing, specializing in Women’s Health. Maya works as a float pool labor and delivery nurse within three North Carolina hospitals while studying for nurse practitioner board exams.

Jessica Phillips BSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, CCE

Megan Baker, BSN, RN, RNC-OB, SANE-A/P, ANLC, is an AWHONN EFM Instructor and nurse leader specializing in high-risk obstetrics, neonatal care, and rural maternal health. She currently serves as Director of Women’s Services and has led perinatal teams across critical access and community hospitals. Megan brings extensive experience in maternal transport, quality improvement, and program development, including building sustainable, statewide maternal mental health initiatives as an AWHONN section leader. She is passionate about advancing respectful, equitable maternity care and strengthening systems that support mothers, infants, and frontline clinicians.

Tracie Kincel, MSN-RN

My name is Chad Wayne Huckabee. I have been a Labor and Delivery RN since 2022. I have also been an RN since 2022 when I graduated from The George Washington University – School of Nursing Accelerated BSN program. I am now pursuing a Masters of Nursing Science at Liberty University for Nurse Educator. I plan to complete this degree in Spring 2027. I have been an NRP Instructor Trainer since 2025. Since 2024 I have been performing Ultrasound Guided Intravenous placements for Labor, and Postpartum patients. I receive great satisfaction and joy from my triage, labor, postpartum, and intrapartum patients. I currently have stepped away from the bedside and I am the Director of Clinical Placement and Compliance at The George Washington University – School of Nursing for the prelicensure and Graduate programs. I do plan to keep my skill up and return to the bedside. Prior to these pursuits in Nursing and education, I served for ten years in the United States Marine Corps. I receive great satisfaction and joy from my triage, labor, postpartum, and intrapartum patients. I currently live in Fairfax City, Fairfax, Virginia with my wife, Danielle, of ten, almost eleven, wonderful years; and our daughter Samantha.

Melissa Buman, EdD, MSN, NE-BC, RNC-OB, C-EFM, currently serves as the Nursing Director for Women & Children’s services at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska. With more than 20 years in healthcare, she is deeply committed to supporting birthing people, newborns, children, and the nurses who care for them. Guided by personal and professional experience, Melissa focuses on advancing maternal and neonatal health, improving outcomes, and reducing disparities through evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and collaborative leadership. She has led multiple initiatives to improve maternal and neonatal safety and outcomes and looks forward to partnering with other emerging leaders to further advance excellence in perinatal care. Outside of work, Melissa enjoys time with her husband and seven children, volunteering, reading, running, and traveling.  

Tricia Wren Watson, MSN, RN, RNC-OB, C-EFM  is a respected nursing leader with over 29 years of experience in obstetrics and women’s health. As Manager of Labor and Delivery at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, she is committed to advancing compassionate, patient-centered care and improving maternal outcomes, with a strong focus on health equity. She holds a BSN from Dillard University and an MSN in Nursing Administration from Western Governors University. A passionate advocate for equitable, high-quality healthcare, Tricia is deeply committed to empowering nurses, strengthening teams, and improving outcomes for mothers and families. 

Trista Slowik, RN, MSN, C-EFM, CBC, is a maternal-child health nurse and strategic leader with a master’s in nursing leadership. As a Clinical Engagement Specialist at PeriGen, she collaborates with frontline clinicians to implement AI-driven fetal surveillance tools that strengthen safety and decision-making. She serves as Florida AWHONN Legislative Coordinator, a Rotary board member, board president of World’s Children, and a member of the AWHONN Development Committee. Her work centers on perinatal safety, informed consent, nurse empowerment, and systems-level improvement. A wife and mother of three, she enjoys yoga, Champagne, and striking up conversations wherever she goes.

Born and raised in Montana, I am passionate about improving obstetric and neonatal care across our state. I have over 15 years of experience as a Labor & Delivery nurse, with a clinical background that includes antepartum, postpartum, OR, pediatrics, maternal transport, and flight nursing. My work focuses on safe, evidence-based care, outreach education, and system-level improvement—especially in rural and underserved communities. I currently serve as Montana’s AWHONN Section Chair, a subject matter expert for NCC, and a member of the Montana Maternal Mortality Review Committee, working to support clinicians and improve maternal–newborn outcomes statewide.