President-Elect Candidates

Sarah Austin, MSN, RN,NE-BC
Unit Director, UPMC St. Margaret

SWPONL membership has been incredibly valuable to me, providing opportunities to connect with fellow nursing leaders, exchange ideas, learn best practices, and grow professionally. I value the organization’s commitment to supporting nurse leaders through education, networking, collaboration, and advocacy.

I have had the privilege of serving on the SWPONL Board of Directors and have truly enjoyed contributing to the organization’s growth and direction. I am seeking the President-Elect position because I am ready to expand my involvement, take a more active leadership role, and help shape the future of an organization that has contributed greatly to my own professional development.

Over the next several years, I would like to see SWPONL continue to expand its membership while strengthening the value we provide to nurse leaders throughout our region. I am particularly passionate about expanding mentorship opportunities for emerging nurse leaders, continuing to provide meaningful educational and networking experiences, and increasing our engagement in advocacy efforts that impact nursing leadership and the profession.

I bring 18 years of nursing experience, including 13 years of progressive leadership experience in critical care, vascular access, and progressive care. I earned my BSN from Carlow University and MSN from Waynesburg University. I would be honored to build upon my Board experience by serving as President-Elect and helping SWPONL continue to grow, innovate, and support the next generation of nursing leaders.

Sharon M. Undereiner, DNP, MBA, MSN, RN, NEA-BC
Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Allegheny Health Network Wexford Hospital

My membership in the Southwestern Pennsylvania Organization of Nurse Leaders (SWPONL) has provided invaluable opportunities to build relationships, share best practices, and learn alongside colleagues dedicated to advancing nursing leadership and patient care. The organization's commitment to development, innovation, and excellence closely aligns with my professional values and leadership philosophy.

As an 8-year member, SWPONL has played a pivotal role in my growth as a nurse leader. I remain actively engaged because I believe this organization strengthens both individual leaders and the nursing profession as a whole. Through meaningful connections and shared learning, SWPONL has enhanced my ability to lead through complex healthcare challenges and contribute to positive organizational change.

I would be honored to serve as President-Elect. Having served on the Planning and Education Committee since 2019 and the Board since 2024, I have developed a deep appreciation for SWPONL's impact and strategic direction. I am committed to giving back to an organization that has invested in my professional development and supports initiatives that shape current and future nurse leaders.

Looking ahead, I am hopeful SWPONL will continue expanding mentorship, succession planning, and networking opportunities across all career stages. As healthcare continues to evolve, SWPONL can strengthen collaboration across healthcare systems and further amplify the voice of nursing leadership. As the Associate Chief Nursing Officer at Allegheny Health Network Wexford Hospital, I bring 15 years of progressive leadership experience, a DNP, MBA, MSN, and NEA-BC certification, along with a passion for developing others to be their best selves.

Robin R. Weaver, PhD, RN, CNE
Professor, RN-BSN & MSN ADML Program Coordinator, PennWest University

Laura Fennimore, DNP, RN, CNE, NEA-BC, FAAN, submitted a nomination for Robin Weaver, who was honored to accept the nomination and have her name placed on the ballot. Below is the submitted statement.

Nomination Summary:
I am honored to nominate Dr. Robin Weaver for president‑elect of SWPONL. She is a long‑standing, highly engaged member of the organization and a respected nursing professional.

Professional Roles:
Dr. Weaver serves as a professor of nursing and as Global Online RN‑BSN Coordinator and MSN Administration & Leadership Coordinator for Penn West’s Department of Nursing and Health Professions.

Qualifications:
She brings more than 15 years of clinical nursing and nursing administration experience and over 20 years in nursing education, consistently integrating clinical expertise with a commitment to advancing nursing practice and leadership.

SWPONL Contributions:
Dr. Weaver has been an active and reliable contributor to SWPONL, serving for several years on the Education/Membership Committee and currently chairing the Membership component. She participates consistently in organizational activities, including the annual conference, where she serves as an abstract and poster reviewer.

Overall Recommendation:
Dr. Weaver’s leadership experience, professional commitment, and sustained engagement with SWPONL make her an outstanding candidate for president‑elect.

Director at Large Candidates

Emily Bobo, MSN, RN
Nurse Manager, Allegheny General Hospital

Denise Petras, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, submitted a nomination for Emily Bobo, who was honored to accept the nomination and have her name placed on the ballot. Below is the submitted statement.

I am nominating Emily Bobo as a Director at Large. Emily is a rising leader, promoted to Nurse Manager from the Assistant Nurse Manager role. She is a focused and driven leader who has taken on two new units along with a new assistant nurse manager to improve the clinical space for medicine and complex medicine patients. Prior to her current units Emily was in leadership roles in medical cardiology, a unit which had high nurse retention and excellent patient outcomes. Emily is excited to join a board to engage with other leaders as part of her leadership development as well as to share a new perspective as SWPONL continues to grow in different directions.

Amber Cole, MSN, RN, PCCN
Unit Director, UPMC St Margaret

As a member of SWPONL, I value the opportunity to connect with and learn from nursing leaders who are committed to advancing our profession. SWPONL provides a forum for collaboration, networking, mentorship, and leadership development, all of which are essential as healthcare continues to evolve. The organization plays a vital role in supporting nurse leaders and empowering them to drive positive change within their teams and organizations.

My nursing career began as a staff nurse at UPMC St. Margaret after earning my ADN from CCAC in 2016. I quickly became involved in precepting and supporting the development of new nurses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I served as a Clinician Fellow on a step-down unit, where I had the opportunity to lead through uncertainty, support frontline staff, and serve as an interim Unit Director. These experiences strengthened my leadership skills and helped me grow as both a servant and transformational leader. In 2023, I became Unit Director of the Orthopedic Unit at UPMC St. Margaret. Since then, I have focused on building an engaged team dedicated to improving patient outcomes, enhancing the patient experience, and creating a positive work environment for staff.

I earned my BSN from Walden University and my MSN in Nursing Leadership from Capella University. As a member of the SWPONL Board of Directors, I would be honored to contribute my experience and passion for leadership development. I am committed to helping nurse leaders build the skills, confidence, and resilience needed to navigate the changing healthcare landscape and inspire the next generation of nursing leadership.

Carlyn Goodrich, MSN, RN, ONC, NEA-BC
Unit Manager, Allegheny Health Network-Wexford Hospital

I am honored to apply for the SWPONL Board of Directors. As a longtime member, I have attended conferences, presented two posters, and participated in activities throughout the year. These experiences strengthened my appreciation for collaboration among regional nurse leaders and our interconnected healthcare community.

SWPONL has shown me how nurse leaders work together to support patients, strengthen teams, and advance professional excellence. Board service would allow me to support the organization’s continued growth.

I am especially passionate about engaging emerging nurse leaders who need guidance, encouragement, and strong professional networks. If selected, I would connect them with SWPONL’s resources, strengthen relationships across healthcare organizations, and expand our regional leadership community.

A respected leader introduced me to SWPONL, opening the door to connection, support, idea sharing, and professional development. I want other nurse leaders to discover and benefit from the same opportunities.

Because nurse leaders often prioritize their teams over their own development, greater awareness of SWPONL can help more leaders access the relationships and resources they need to thrive.

My education and experience would support SWPONL’s mission. I have served as a clinician, clinical specialist, and unit manager. I earned a Master of Science in Nursing in Education and Leadership from Carlow University and received the Sister Rose Curran Award. I hold certifications in orthopedic nursing and advanced nursing executive leadership and received the AHN Leading the Way: Excellence in Nursing award. I would bring this experience and my commitment to mentorship, collaboration, and lifelong learning to the Board.

Milissa Hammers, MSN, RN
Chief Nursing Officer, AHN Allegheny Valley Hospital

Denise Petras, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, submitted a nomination for Milissa Hammers, who was honored to accept the nomination and have her name placed on the ballot. Below is the submitted statement.

Milissa Hammers is an excellent candidate for a SWPONL board position. As a CNO she leads with conviction and strength while blending compassion and caring for staff and patients. She values development; a most recent example of this was her attendance at the annual SWPONL conference along with her fellow leaders and staff. I had the pleasure and honor of working with her while helping to cover the education department at AVH a few years ago and came to know her as a kind and outstanding leader. She is very interested in moving into a board role with SWPONL and I believe her knowledge, experience, and leadership strengths would benefit the board role. I am nominating her for the Director at Large board position.