Board of Directors

Per Article VIII of the District Bylaws:

The Board of Directors shall consist of at least three District officers plus six directors elected by the membership.

The Officers and Directors shall constitute the Board of Directors.

The immediate past president and the standing committee chairpersons shall serve as ex-officio members of the Board.

President

Ebony Gebrehawariat BSN, RN

President

President-Elect 2024-2025/President 2025-2027/Past President 2027-2029

Ebony Gebrehawariat is a Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Bachelor’s Degree Nursing Program graduate and an alumnus of Temple College, graduating in 2023 from the Associate Degree Nursing program. Ebony has over ten years of nursing experience, beginning her journey into healthcare as a patient advocate and Licensed Practical Nurse from the Lorenzo Walker Technical College in Naples, Florida. She continues her professional journey while pursuing a master’s degree in nursing education. She plans to educate future generations of nurses and provide essential primary care in rural communities as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She has experience in many practice settings, including corrections, inpatient acute care, outpatient clinic, memory care, hospice and palliative care, skilled and assisted living, rehabilitation, home health, private duty nursing, ambulatory surgery, and case management.

Ebony currently serves as District 7 President of the Texas Nurses Association, which serves Bell, Falls, Milam, and Lampasas counties with a constituency of nearly 400 nurses. Ebony previously served as President of the Lambda Theta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. During her tenure as President, Lambda Theta became a Top Texas Chapter and a Top 100 Chapter internationally of 1300 chapters worldwide. Ebony was named a 2023 All-Texas Academic Team Scholar, received the Award of Distinction for Leadership, and the Lifelong Leopard award from the Temple College Foundation. She is a proud member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and the Texas Organization for Nursing Leadership. Ebony is a fierce advocate and change agent, passionate about caring for and educating Texans and underserved communities. She has a proven track record of fostering engagement, stakeholder and project management, and commitment to clinical excellence.

President-Elect

Kimberly Bertini DNP, RN, NE-BC

President-Elect

President-Elect 2025-2027/President 2027-2029/Past President 2029-2030

Vice President

Erica Perrine RN

Vice President

Vice President-Elect 2024-2025/Vice President 2025-2027

Vice President-Elect

Marissa Hudler RN

Vice President-Elect

Vice President-Elect 2025-2027/Vice President 2027-2029

Secretary

Tina Morris DNP,RN,NE-BC

Secretary

Secretary 2025-2027

Treasurer

Shanna Akers EdD, MSN/MBA-HC, RN, CNE, NEA-BC

Treasurer

Treasurer 2025-2027

Historian

Lagidgette Robinson RN

Historian

Historian 2025-2027

Board Members

Pam Sanford RN

Board Member

RN/APRN Board Member 2024-2026

Sondra Nicholson RN

Board Member

RN/APRN Board Member 2024-2026

Marlene Porter PhD, RN, NPD-BC, CEN, CCRN

Board Member

RN/APRN Board Member 2025-2027

Dr. Marlene Porter is a distinguished Nurse Scientist at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Temple, TX, where she directs and oversees all research and evidence-based practice activities. With a robust background in nursing research, quantitative and qualitative research, quality improvement, and evidence-based practice, Dr. Porter is dedicated to advancing nursing science and implementing evidence-based practices that align with the strategic focus of the National Institute of Nursing Research.

Dr. Porter earned her PhD in Nursing Science from The University of Texas at Arlington, a Master of Science in Nursing Education from Western Governors University, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from New Mexico State University. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Texas Tech University. Her academic excellence has been recognized with multiple scholarships and awards.

Professionally, Dr. Porter is board certified in Emergency Nursing (BCEN), Critical Care Nursing (CCRN), and Nursing Professional Development (NPD-BC). She is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Texas Nurses Association, Southern Nursing Research Society, the American Nurses Association, and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses.

Dr. Porter has held various roles throughout her career, highlighting her professional development and clinical practice expertise. Her leadership in nursing research is evident through her guidance and support of multiple research projects, ensuring they meet IRB requirements, and developing grant applications to support nursing research.

Dr. Porter is also a prolific presenter and author, contributing to numerous conferences and publications. Her research interests include work engagement, burnout, well-being in nursing professional development practitioners, and the transition of internationally educated nurses. She has received several awards for her contributions to nursing, including the Excellence in Nursing Award and the Daisy Health Equity Award.

In addition to her professional achievements, Dr. Porter is committed to service and mentorship. She has been an abstract reviewer for various conferences, participated in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and mentored pre-nursing students. Her dedication to improving patient care and advancing the nursing profession is evident in her numerous innovative projects, leadership, and new role as a nurse entrepreneur launching MP Insight Solutions LLC.