Power of Nursing Leadership

Since 1998, the Power of Nursing Leadership event has celebrated the impact and achievements of nurse leaders throughout Illinois. The event serves to enhance and engage partnerships among leaders in academia, government, the community and health care enterprises.

The 28th annual Power of Nursing Leadership will be Nov. 7, 2025. Registration opens in late April.

A sought-after presenter and prolific author, Jennifer S. Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, serves as the 38th president of the American Nurses Association. In this national leadership role, Mensik Kennedy boldly advocates for the nation’s 5.5 million RNs. Modern Healthcare named her one of the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare in 2023 and one of the 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives in 2024.

Her books include Lead, Drive, and Thrive in the System, 2nd edition, and The Nurse Manager’s Guide to Innovative Staffing, 3rd edition. She co-authored Lead like a Nurse, A Nurse’s Step-By-Step Guide to Transitioning to the Professional Nurse Role, and The Power of Ten, 2nd edition, and contributed a chapter to The Career Handoff: A Healthcare Leader’s Guide to Knowledge & Wisdom Transfer across Generations.

Prior to her presidency, Mensik Kennedy held key leadership positions within the nursing profession, including serving the American Nurses Association as treasurer, second vice president, and director-at-large. She also served as president of the Arizona Nurses Association from 2007 to 2010. Additionally, Mensik Kennedy held the role of governor of nursing practice for the Western Institute of Nursing in 2010-2014.

Mensik Kennedy earned a PhD from the University of Arizona College of Nursing with a focus on health systems and a minor in public administration from the Eller College of Management. She holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix and a BSN from Washington State University. Mensik Kennedy also earned an ADN from Wenatchee Valley College-North. She is an assistant clinical professor at the Oregon Health and Science University School of Nursing.

Mensik Kennedy was inducted in 2014 as a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. She has been recognized as Alumna of the Year by the nursing colleges at both University of Arizona and Washington State University.

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

9:30 AM

Exhibits, Networking, Coffee Hour

11 AM

Welcome, Awards, Recognitions

Noon

Plated Lunch

1 PM

Keynote Presentation: Finding Your Greatness, by Jarrett Payton

LOCATION

Hilton Chicago
720 S. Michigan Avenue

All event activities are held on the second floor in and around the Grand Ballroom of this elegant, landmark hotel overlooking Grant Park.