We would like to nominate Kimberly Harper for the Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC) DAISY Nurse Leader Award, celebrating her exceptional dedication and leadership in advancing the nursing profession and advancing healthcare within communities. Kimberly’s journey with NOBC began at its inception, where her passion for nursing leadership and commitment to the health of communities intersected with NOBC’s visionary mission. As an active participant in the original discussions regarding the creation of NOBC by twenty-one national nursing organizations, she played a foundational role in shaping the coalition’s strategic direction and impact. Her leadership trajectory within NOBC has been nothing short of remarkable. From serving as the original co-chair of the coalition from 2014-2017, where she helped establish NOBC’s organizational framework and strategic priorities, to assuming the role of Board Chair from 2018 to 2019, Kimberly’s leadership acumen has been instrumental in steering NOBC through periods of impressive growth and transformation. Her impact within NOBC extends far beyond her leadership positions. She has been actively engaged in various committees and workgroups, including serving as co-chair of the Support Workgroup of the Board, chair of the NOBC Fundraising Committee, and co-chair of the 10th Anniversary Celebration.

Through her collaborative efforts, Kimberly has helped shape NOBC’s initiatives and programs, ensuring their relevance and effectiveness in addressing the evolving needs of nurses serving on boards. Furthermore, she has been instrumental in NOBC’s external-facing initiatives, including the creation of the 3 NOBC models, serves as the NOBC Liaison to the standing column in Nursing Economic$ writing three articles per year, spearheading the global replication of NOBC, and securing almost $100,000 in ANF grant funding. Her visionary leadership and strategic partnerships have enabled NOBC’s concepts and best practices to positively impact healthcare systems worldwide. Kimberly’s dedication to advancing NOBC’s mission is further exemplified by the dissemination of over twenty publications and international presentations. Through her scholarly contributions, she has elevated the discourse on nurse leadership in board service, advocating for increased representation and empowerment of nurses on governing boards.

Closer to home, Kimberly’s impact in Indiana has been profound on the nursing profession. Recognizing the need to replicate NOBC’s success at the state level, she led efforts to establish a local NOBC chapter in Indiana. Through her collaborative engagement with Indiana nurse leaders, she has facilitated educational sessions, disseminated information about board opportunities, and mentored aspiring nurse board members, resulting in a significant increase in nurse representation on boards in the state. In summary, Kimberly Harper embodies the core values of nursing leadership excellence and service, which are synonymous with the DAISY award. Her visionary leadership, unwavering dedication, and impactful contributions to NOBC and the nursing community make her a truly deserving candidate for this prestigious recognition.