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Leadership Development Committee


Committee Chair
Diana Skaff, DBA, MBA, BSN-RN, ATCN, TNCC

Leadership Development Committee Description

The Leadership Development Committee (LDC) of the Society of Trauma Nurses (STN) is committed to shaping the future of trauma care by cultivating exceptional leadership among nurses at every level. We empower trauma nurses to lead with confidence, innovation, and resilience through targeted development of professional growth, leadership competencies, and advocacy skills, ensuring excellence in trauma care settings worldwide.

Leadership Development Committee Purpose

Developing Emerging Leaders: Advance the global trauma community by cultivating emerging nurse leaders and enhancing leadership skills among trauma nurses, directly supporting the STN Board's strategic objectives.

Providing Leadership Education: Empower STN members and trauma leaders worldwide through the development and delivery of leadership education programs aligned with the STN Vision and Mission.

Requirements to Serve

  • STN Member in good standing
  • Demonstrate a vested interest in trauma care throughout the continuum.
  • Demonstrate interest and experience in leadership or professional development.
  • Strong communication and organizational skills.
  • Commit to attending meetings and contributing to committee activities.
  • Able to commit a minimum of five (5) hours per month for committee activities.

Application Requirements

STN LDC at TraumaCon 2025

Leadership Development Committee Members

  • Valerie Brockman
  • Jes Cofran
  • Kelli Franklin
  • Melissa Hall
  • Kaity Hollingsworth
  • Andrea Light
  • Shawn Patton
  • Nicole Rodriguez
  • Diana Skaff
  • Elizabeth Freeman
  • Gay Krutz
  • Jo-Ann Hnatiuk
  • Lara Manlio
  • Hazlett, Robin (Extern 2025)
  • Smith, Melissa (Board Liaison)
Online Externship Application
Externship Information

STN Nurse Leadership Externship Program

Elevate your leadership potential and make a lasting impact on the trauma community with the STN Leadership Externship. This prestigious program offers a unique opportunity to cultivate your skills, forge invaluable connections, and learn from world-renowned trauma experts. As a selected Leadership Extern, you'll receive personalized guidance, mentorship, and hands-on experience throughout a year of dedicated development. You'll contribute to the Leadership Development Committee (LDC) as a non-voting member, spearhead a leadership project with expert mentorship, and gain exclusive access to the LDC Preconference at TraumaCon. This is your chance to network with influential leaders, accelerate your professional growth, and shape the future of trauma care. Apply now and embark on a transformative leadership journey! For more information, or if you have additional questions, please reach out to us directly.

Leadership Institute Course

Trauma Registry Onboarding Course

Business Proposal Writing Course

Professional Branding Course

Leadership Development Committee Social Media

Our social media is thriving! The "Coffee and Conversations" series features engaging discussions with top trauma nurse leaders nationwide. These virtual dialogues offer invaluable insights on challenges, solutions, and best practices in trauma care. Follow us for expert knowledge and to join the conversation shaping the future of trauma nursing.

Other Resources

Coffee & Conversations

Episode 8

Episode 7

Episode 6

Episode 5

Episode 4

Episode 7

Episode 2

Episode 1

Volunteer for an STN Committee

Diana Skaff, DBA, MBA, BSN-RN, ATCN, TNCC is an accomplished healthcare leader, educator, and consultant with extensive experience in healthcare management, nursing leadership, and academic affairs. Holding a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) with a focus on Healthcare Management and Program Evaluation from Walden University, Minnesota, Dr. Skaff graduated with distinction, earning the prestigious Winter 2024 Frank Dilley Award for Outstanding Doctoral Study. Complementing this achievement are an MBA in Management from the American University of Science and Technology, Lebanon, and a BScN in Nursing from the University of Balamand, Lebanon, both earned with honors. Fluent in Arabic, French, and English, Dr. Skaff leverages a global perspective to advance healthcare systems across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. A visionary with a history of impactful contributions, Dr. Skaff led the development of Lebanon's first national trauma education program. Notable accomplishments include conceptualizing and executing Saudi Arabia’s largest international trauma virtual conference and establishing a comprehensive nursing and quality system for the American Hospital Dubai. In the areas of education and research, Dr. Skaff has designed and implemented curricula for healthcare providers and leaders in collaboration with prestigious organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Society of Trauma Nurses (STN), and the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA). As a mentor and reviewer, Dr. Skaff supports doctoral candidates and researchers in refining their scholarly work, with a strong emphasis on program evaluation, qualitative research, and mixed methods studies. This dedication to academic excellence has also earned Dr. Skaff roles as a journal reviewer for esteemed publications such as the Journal of Trauma Nursing, the Journal of Emergency Nursing, and the Total Quality Report Journal. A sought-after consultant and speaker, Dr. Skaff specializes in program evaluation, strategic management, organizational efficiency, and accreditation readiness for healthcare institutions. She has successfully guided organizations toward achieving international accreditations, including JCIA and Magnet recognition, and has conducted transformative initiatives in resource optimization, patient-centered care, and workforce development.

Currently serving as a faculty member at the University of Balamand – Nursing Program, Dr. Skaff also holds leadership roles within global committees focused on trauma nursing and quality improvement. As an elected chair of the Leadership Development Committee at the Society of Trauma Nurses, she fosters professional growth for trauma nurses worldwide, particularly in low-resource settings.

With a career defined by innovation, excellence, and impactful leadership, Dr. Skaff continues to elevate healthcare standards and inspire the next generation of leaders in nursing and healthcare management.