As the newest member of the ANPD Board of Directors, I am honored to serve this incredible community of nursing professional development (NPD) practitioners and professional development associates. It is my pleasure to share some highlights from an impactful year.

2025 was marked by significant change across healthcare and beyond. Throughout this rapidly evolving environment, ANPD remained unwavering in our mission, vision, and commitment to our members. Guided by our strategic plan, we have continued to grow as an inclusive organization, fostering engagement and collaboration within a diverse membership community. Here are a few highlights as we close out 2025 and embrace a new year:

In April, over 1,500 people attended the ANPD Aspire Convention held in Las Vegas, Nevada. This annual event continued to provide opportunities for education, networking, and professional growth. With a magician keynote opener, we were reminded of the wonder of NPD impact.

The annual Virtual Symposium was a success with over 1,200 registrants. The highlight was a 2-hour live workshop on integrated artificial intelligence (AI) and how NPD practitioners and teams can utilize AI in NPD practice. For those unable to attend the annual Aspire Convention, this event provides comparable, high-quality, and accessible NPD content via a virtual experience.

The ANCC NPD-BC certification blueprint was updated, and so was the ANPD NPD-BC certification preparation product line. With the revamped and updated courses, over 400 NPD practitioners took an in-person course, and over 500 participated in a synchronous virtual course. This year, ANPD reaffirmed its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in nursing professional development and strengthened initiatives that promote respectful and equitable practice in healthcare. The Aspire Convention kicked off with a meaningful land acknowledgment by Chris Spotted Eagle from the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe. In the fall, our organization launched a new award alongside the annual award nominations — Advocate for Respectful & Equitable Practice — with the inaugural recipient to be named in 2026. Additionally, ANPD launched the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Member Survey, with results to be disseminated in the coming months.

ANPD’s commitment to growth and inclusivity extends to the professional development of our members. In 2025, our organization hosted webinars on emerging trends in our specialty, including the expansion of NPD practice to Advanced Practice Nurses, strategies for supporting neurodivergent learners through inclusive education, and approaches for thriving in diverse practice settings such as ambulatory care and academia. We look forward to delivering additional high-quality educational content for members in 2026!

In November, ANPD achieved a significant milestone by surpassing 9,000 members, a testament to the strength and vitality of our community. I am deeply grateful to be part of this network of dedicated, growth-oriented professionals. If you haven’t already, please be sure to check out The Neighborhood, ANPD’s members-only virtual community.

Finally, with deep appreciation, we extend our gratitude to Kaye Englebrecht, who has served as ANPD’s executive director for the past 13 years. Her leadership and vision have been instrumental to our success as an organization, and we wish her the very best in her well-deserved retirement.

As we look ahead to 2026, ANPD remains committed to fostering excellence, inclusivity, and innovation in nursing professional development. Thank you for all that you do to foster learning, support growth, and promote optimal care for all.