NAPNAP Partners Board of Directors
Nutrena H. Tate, PhD, MBA, APRN, CPNP-PC, NEA-BC, FADLN – President
Dr. Nutrena Tate is a certified primary care pediatric nurse practitioner, nurse scientist, educator, executive and entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in health care and academia. A former director of nursing research for a major health system and former associate dean, she is currently a tenured professor at the University of Detroit Mercy, advancing nursing science through clinical inquiry and mentoring emerging nurse leaders. Her scholarship focuses on health disparities affecting vulnerable populations. Through Brand Nu Enterprises, Dr. Tate provides strategic leadership, program development, and organizational consulting to advance health equity, leadership excellence and transformational change.
Linda Young – Interim Vice President
Effective Aug. 5, 2026, Linda Young has been appointed interim chief executive officer of NAPNAP and will also serve as interim vice president of NAPNAP Partners. She has more than 25 years of experience in accounting and finance. In 2011, Linda joined NAPNAP and has been instrumental in modernizing the Finance Department. Linda oversees finance, human resources and IT. She has a loving husband, two adult children and a cat, Archer. She resides in Wildwood, N.J., and loves the beach, decorating and shopping.
Michael Maymi, DNP, APRN, CPNP-AC, CCRN-P, CNE – Secretary/Treasurer
Michael Maymi is an accomplished clinician, educator and leader. He is a clinical associate professor and specialty director of the pediatric acute care and dual DNP programs at the University of Florida. He maintains his clinical practice in the PICU at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital. His scholarship encompasses utilizing podcasting for student development and exploring the application of artificial intelligence in simulation. Beyond his teaching and clinical endeavors, he served on the PNCB Board as a member at large and Chair. He has been a member and chair of NAPNAP’s Membership Committee and of the Florida Chapter Executive Board.
Felesia Bowen, PhD, DNP, PPCNP-PC, FAANP, FAAN – Director
Dr. Felesia Bowen is professor and inaugural associate dean for access and engagement at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing. Dr. Bowen earned her B.S. in nursing at Tuskegee University, a master’s degree from Rutgers University, a Ph.D. from Columbia University and a DNP from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, NJ. Dr. Bowen is a primary care pediatric nurse practitioner and a nurse scientist with a long career in health disparities and equity. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, the Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
Jade A. Burns, PhD, RN, CPNP-PC - Director
Jade Burns, PhD, RN, CPNP-PC, is an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan School of Nursing with a joint appointment in the School of Public Health. Trained in health services research and health policy, she brings more than 20 years of clinical experience as a nurse and board-certified pediatric nurse practitioner specializing in adolescent health, family planning, health promotion, and HIV/STI prevention. She is also a core faculty member in the U-M Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Program. Her contributions have been recognized with several honors, including the Inaugural Renee R. Jenkins, MD, Racial Justice and Health Equity Award, the Midwest Nursing Research Society Adolescent Health Research Award, and the DAISY Award for Nurses Advancing Health Equity. A member of NAPNAP since 2009, Dr. Burns holds degrees from the University of Michigan and the University of Pennsylvania.
Cassandra Newell, MSN, RN, CPNP, CPN – Director
Cassandra Newell is a pediatric nurse practitioner at Children’s Mercy Kansas City Urgent Care. She has practiced in general pediatrics, the pediatric Emergency Department and is adjunct faculty for PNP students at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She has served in leadership roles for the Greater KC NAPNAP chapter and as PEC SIG secretary. Cassandra hosted four episodes on NAPNAP’s TeamPeds Talks podcast FocusED. She is an ACT Advocate for NAPNAP Partners for Vulnerable Youth. Cassandra presents locally and nationally on pediatric topics and is founder/co-host of NAPNAP’s first book club! Cassandra is grateful to serve on the NAPNAP board.
Dani Sebbens, DNP, CPNP-AC/PC, FAANP, FCCM – Director
Dr. Dani Sebbens is a clinical professor and assistant dean for practice and clinical education at Arizona State University and a pediatric ICU nurse practitioner at Phoenix Children’s. She founded ASU’s Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program, the only program of its kind in Arizona. A recognized leader, educator and scholar, she focuses her work on pediatric critical care and advanced practice nursing education. She was inducted as a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (2024) and the American College of Critical Care Medicine (2025).
Staff
Eileen Arnold-Ley, CAE, CFRE - NAPNAP Manager of Executive Office & Board Relations
Eileen Arnold-Ley has been with NAPNAP since 2013, providing guidance and support to the executive director and board. A trained fundraiser with more than 15 years’ management experience, Eileen manages fundraising and projects for NAPNAP Partners for Vulnerable Youth. She is proud to have earned ASAE’s CAE (certified association executive) credential. Prior to joining NAPNAP, Eileen spent more than 10 years as a professional stage manager, and she still loves attending theater with her husband, Darren.