Board of Directors

The DAISY Foundation is very fortunate to have an energized and passionate Board, guiding our strategic direction, program development, and business management. The asterisks indicate Board members who are staff, as well.

Cynthia Barginere
DNP, RN, FACHE

President, Adult Services, UCSF Health
Bonnie Barnes*
FAAN

Co-Founder and Board President - Retired from advertising, dedicated cheerleader for the nursing profession.

Mark Barnes*
FAAN

Co-Founder, Chairman, Patrick's fatherRetired advertising/media CEO and now DAISY's strategic inspiration and man in charge of DAISY's money.
Melissa Barnes*
Vice President of Operations and International Program Director
Married to Patrick's younger brother, former retail executive, and devoted mother of three.
Tena Barnes Carraher*
Co-Founder, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, and Patrick's wife,
former marketing executive, and devoted mother of three daughters.
Karen Cox
PhD, RN, FACHE, FAAN

President, Chamberlain University

Ric Cuming
EdD, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN

Chief Operating Officer, ChristianaCare Health System
Stuart D. Downs
DNP, MSN, MSA, RN, NEA-BC, CENP, CPHQ, FACHE, FAONL

System Chief Nurse Executive, Northeast Georgia Health System
Kathleen "Kathy" Gorman
MSN, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN

Susan M. Grant
DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN
Executive Vice President, Chief Nurse Executive and Chief Experience Officer, Wellstar Health
Daryl Joslin
 Co-Founder, Chief Marketing & Communications  Officer, Joslin Insight
Peter Maher*
Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer.
Deb Zimmermann
Deborah Zimmerman*
DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN

CEO, DAISY Foundation

We miss our beloved Board member, Lynne Doll (1961-2010). Lynne was with DAISY from its inception and has been a close friend of the Barnes Family for many years before the Foundation was started. President of the Los Angeles-based public relations agency The Rogers Group, Lynne brought passion for our mission, strategic insight, wonderful wit, and true friendship to us every day.

We are heartbroken over the death of DAISY Board member, Dr. Karlene Kerfoot PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN (1942-2024). In addition to the tremendous contributions and guidance she provided to DAISY, Karlene had a decades long career in healthcare where her leadership, mentorship, research, influence, and innovative spirit made her an icon in the nursing industry.  At the time of her death, Karlene was the Chief Nursing Officer of symplr where she worked tirelessly to improve patient care through technology solutions that gave caregivers more time with the patient and more time to make a human connection. Outside of industry, she was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and dear friend to many including the Barnes family.