ONS Leadership Process

oncology nursing leadership

Leadership Information

Every year, new officers are selected to serve a three-year term on the ONS Board of Directors. Interested candidates are welcome to reach out to the current members of the ONS Board of Directors to better understand these commitments on a more individualistic level. 

Meet the Incoming Directors-At-Large

Heidi Haynes, MN, CRNP, OCN

Heidi Haynes, MN, CRNP, OCN®

Director-at-Large (2024–2027)  
Pittsburgh, PA


 

Susan Yackzan, PhD, APRN, AOCN

Susan Yackzan, PhD, APRN, AOCN®

Director-at-Large (2024–2027)
Lexington, KY


 

Ryne Wilson, DNP, RN, OCN

Ryne Wilson, DNP, RN, OCN®

Director-at-Large (2024–2027)
Blaine, MN

Meet the ONS Leadership Development Committee

The Leadership Development Committee consists of seven members, appointed by the ONS Board of Directors, who oversee all of ONS's leadership development initiatives. The committee's objectives are to:

  • Identify potential and emerging leaders within the ONS membership 
  • Support and mentor members interested in national leadership 
  • Provide leadership and governance resources 
  • Recruit and slate candidates for the ONS Board of Directors 
     

Committee Members 

 

Jeanie Rosiak, DNP, RN, ANP-BC, AOCNP®, CBCN®


Jeanie Rosiak, DNP, RN, ANP-BC, AOCNP®, CBCN®

Committee Chair (2023–2025)
Committee Member (2022–2025)
Waukesha, WI
jeanie@wi.rr.com

Jeanie Rosiak has been an ONS member for over 45 years. ONS has been her professional home for her entire nursing career. She has held various leadership positions in ONS including Director-at-Large on the ONS Board, Nominating Committee member and chair, Steering Council member and chair, and Leadership Development Institute fellow and faculty. She has participated in various aspects of growth and change for the organization through participation in certification development, publications, article reviews, presentations, award, grant and scholarship reviews, and participation in various task forces and think-tanks. Jeanie works as a Nurse Practitioner for Aurora Health Care Comprehensive Breast Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and serves as the ONS liaison to the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers.


 

Mary Magee Gullatte, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, AOCN, LSSYB, FAAN

 

Mary Magee Gullatte, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, AOCN, LSSYB, FAAN

Committee Member (2023–2026)
Marietta, GA
mfgulla@emory.edu

Mary Magee Gullatte, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, AOCN, LSSYB, FAAN is presently the Corporate Director of Nursing Evidence Based Practice and Research at EMORY Healthcare, in Atlanta. Her leadership in nursing spans over 44 years with extensive experience in Oncology Nursing, Administration & Leadership.

Dr. Gullatte is Adjunct Faculty at the Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. She is also a USAF veteran. As a Nurse Practitioner, her focus is on Primary care of the adult population. She served 7 years as Vice President of Patient Services and Chief Nursing Officer at Emory University Hospital Midtown, Atlanta, Georgia. Mary is the past president of the National Oncology Nursing Society from 2012 – 2014 (nearly 40,000 members). She has presented at numerous national and international conferences representing 6 of the 7 continents: including, invited speaker and oncology nurse consultant in West Africa; Prague, Czech Republic, Germany, Norway, Australia, Brazil, Amsterdam, Turkey, Oman-UAE, Thailand, China, United Kingdom, Brussels, France, Philippines, and New Zealand.

Dr. Gullatte has contributed extensively to the body of published professional literature through articles and textbooks. Her recent books, 21st Century Nursing Leadership was awarded book of the Year in 2018 by the American Journal of Nursing and Mary is the lead editor of Chemotherapy Handbook currently 4th edition published in March 2020 by the Oncology Nursing Society. Throughout her career, Dr. Gullatte has received awards from the Oncology Nursing Society, the Georgia Nurses Association, Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority, American Cancer Society, the Greater Atlanta Affiliate of Susan G. Komen, Atlanta Black Nurses Association, community service award from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the 2020 Distinguished Nurse of the Year from the Atlanta March Of Dimes. Dr. Gullatte is a member of Sigma Theta Tau and was inducted into the American Academy of Nursing in 2010 and elected to the Board two terms 2018-2022.

She served on the Joint Commission Nursing Advisory Board until 2019. She currently serves on the board of the Nursing Services Organization and Georgia Nurses Foundation Trustee. Led the GNA/GNF Task Force to develop a Policy Brief on Advancing Health Equity in Georgia; published Sept. 2022. Dr. Gullatte is the executive sponsor and founder of the Emory Nurse Health Policy, Legislative, and Advocacy Council. She enjoys mentoring, empowering, and inspiring future generations of nurses to aspire to and achieve greatness beyond what they have imagined. Her professional passion is transforming healthcare to prevent disease and improve patient and provider outcomes and wellbeing.


Karen Roesser MSN, RN, AOCNS®

 

Karen Roesser, MSN, RN, AOCNS®

Committee Member (2023–2026)
Midlothian, VA
Karen.roesser@hcahealthcare.com

Karen Roesser has been an ONS member since 1983. She is the Administrative Director of the Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute at Johnston-Willis Hospital in Richmond, Virginia. She has served ONS in multiple roles including as Associate Editor of the ONS Website, ONS Abstract Reviewer, and on the ONCC Recognition Committee. She has published extensively and has presented on numerous occasions at ONS Congress. She has represented ONS internationally teaching nurses in Russia and Thailand. She is the recipient of the Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse of the Year award and the ONS Mary Nowotny Excellence in Cancer Nursing Education award.


Nancy Houlihan, MA, RN, AOCN®

 

Nancy Houlihan, MA, RN, AOCN®

Committee Member (2023–2026)
Stonington, CT
nancy.houlihan@gmail.com

Nancy G. Houlihan has been an oncology nurse for over 40 years, working in advanced practice and progressive leadership roles at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, most recently serving as Director of Nursing for Evidence-based Practice and member of the Executive Leadership Team. She has participated in various roles in ONS over the last 20 years, serving on the New York City chapter Board, Nominating Committee, editorial board for Oncology Nursing Forum, Congress Planning Committee, Board of Directors and President of the Board, 2020-2022. She has received various awards including the ONS Lifetime Achievement Award and has been inducted into the Alumni Association Hall of Fame of Hunter College of the City University of New York.


Evelyn P. Wempe, DNP, MBA, APRN, ACNP-BC, AOCNP®, CRN, NE-BC


Evelyn P. Wempe, DNP, MBA, APRN, ACNP-BC, AOCNP®, CRN, NE-BC

Committee Member (2024–2027)
Hialeah, Florida 
Epwempe26@comcast.net

Evelyn P. Wempe has been an oncology nurse for over 20 years, with combined experience in medical oncology, interventional radiology, and healthcare leadership. Her oncology nursing career has included roles at the bedside, chemotherapy infusion, and advanced practice, most recently serving as Director of Clinical Operations supporting advanced practice within ambulatory oncology, infusion, and high-risk genetics service lines at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. Evelyn has served in various volunteer roles throughout her career, including serving as chapter president of the Miami-Dade Chapter of ONS, national president for specialty nursing organization, editorial review boards, and other volunteer roles. Her special interests include leadership, professional development, mentorship, and advancement of the oncology nursing specialty. 


Sharon Steingass, MSN, AOCN®, RN


Sharon Steingass, MSN, AOCN®, RN

Committee Member (2024–2027)
Columbus, Ohio
sharonsteingass@gmail.com

An experienced oncology nurse with over 40 years of oncology experience in both community and academic medical centers.  She is currently working as an independent consultant helping community-based cancer centers to strengthen their cancer programs.  Sharon has worked as an oncology administrator at four NCI dedicated cancer centers including UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center, USC Norris Cancer Center, City of Hope and at The Ohio State University James Comprehensive Cancer Center (OSU James).   Her experience includes leading and providing oversight for outpatient oncology programs and as well assisting with the design of new outpatient clinics and infusion spaces.  In her most recent role at The James, she was the administrative director of the James Cancer Network which created working relationships between the OSU James academic cancer programs and community-based cancer programs throughout the state of Ohio.  In this role, she increased membership in the James Cancer Network from four locations to nine locations over a period of three years.  Her role as administrator for the James Cancer Network included oversight of the contracting, and establishment of a collaborative steering committee between the community partner to assure all aspects of the contract were achieved.   

Sharon also has experience in building oncology specific call centers to manage calls from patients and/or their caregivers.   While working at OSU James, she built and provided oversight for a nurse run telephone triage oncology call center which operated outside the normal business hours of the ambulatory clinics providing callers immediate access to trained nurses to help manage symptoms and other medical related questions.  She currently works as an independent contractor with LaGrange Medical to review and develop new oncology specific telephone triage guidelines.

Sharon is currently a member of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN), American Organization of Nurse Leaders (AONL), Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) and Association of Cancer Executives (ACE).  She is certified by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation as an advanced oncology nurse.  She has served on committees and task forces for both the ONS and the AAACN.  She has published on medication safety and oncology telephone triage.   She has presented on a variety of oncology topics both locally and nationally. 


Monica Key, DNP, BSB-M, APRN, ANP-C, AOCNP


Monica Key, DNP, BSB-M, APRN, ANP-C, AOCNP®

Committee Member (2022–2025)
Louisville, KY
mtkdnp67@twc.com

Monica Key has been an ONS member since 2008 and is the Program Manager for the global oncology ARIA Program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She has served ONS in numerous volunteer and consulting roles in the past. Monica is a published author in various peer-reviewed health care journals. Has served as an expert content writer/editor and professional speaker for various organizations. Received many local and national awards for contributions in health care and community service. She is an experienced oncology health care professional with 20+ year prior career in business administration advising national, regional and local organizations as well as possessing over a decade of  experience in direct oncology patient care as a dual-certified oncology nurse practitioner.

How To Get Involved

You can become part of the vital group of leaders who shape the future of ONS. Each year, positions are available for candidates for our nationally elected office. Learn more about our slating process below and on our Leadership Pathway. Contact the Leadership Development Committee for more information on how to pursue a position on the ONS Board of Directors at LDC@ons.org.

Slating Process Overview

Step 1: Express Interest in Future Leadership

  • Connect with a Leadership Development Committee (LDC) member at an ONS conference or via email (listed above).
  • Participate in local chapter meetings.
  • If you are interested in serving on the ONS Board of Directors within the next two (2) years, complete the ONS Board of Directors Interest Questionnaire.

Step 2: Understand Your Leadership Skills and Opportunities

Step 3: Submit a Notification of Intent

The first step in applying to be considered for the ONS Board of Directors is to complete a notification of intent (NOI). The Leadership Development Committee (LDC) will review your NOI and be in contact with you in regards to completing a full application. Please do not complete a full application unless directed by the LDC to do so. The process to become officially considered for the ONS Board of Directors is long and detailed. The LDC recommends that you find a mentor who can help you navigate the process.

Step 4: Submit Board of Directors Application

An LDC member will contact you in regards to your NOI. If invited to apply, you will submit a full application by January 8, 2025. The application includes:

Step 5: LDC Selects Candidates for Slate

  • Your full application and interview are reviewed by the LDC. All candidates are scored on a standardized rubric, and skills, qualifications, and experiences are weighed against the needs of the Board of Directors and the Society.

Step 6: Director-at-Large Selection

  • The LDC presents the slate of selected candidates to the Board of Directors.
  • The Board votes to approve the slate.
  • Upon approval of the presented slate, an LDC member will notify all candidates of the results. New directors are announced to the ONS membership.