Meet Our Team
The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners’ more than 8,000 members and stakeholders are supported by our dedicated team of association management professionals. We value our collaborative relationship with volunteer leaders and members to fulfill our mission to empower pediatric-focused advanced practice registered nurses and key partners to optimize child and family health.
Executive Office
James H. Wendorf Â
Chief Executive Officer
James H. Wendorf serves as CEO of NAPNAP, leading efforts to build on the association’s strengths and develop opportunities to meet the professional needs of its members in the evolving pediatric health care landscape. He also serves as vice president of NAPNAP Partners for Vulnerable Youth and chief administrative officer of the NAPNAP Foundation.
Prior to joining NAPNAP in 2020, Jim served for 17 years as executive director of the National Center for Learning Disabilities and then as senior advisor to the Poses Family Foundation, a private philanthropy. In his volunteer work, he is vice president of the board of the Yale Alumni Nonprofit Alliance. His previous volunteer service includes the Director’s Council of Public Representatives of the National Institutes of Health and the NIH Chimpanzee Research Usage Panel.
During his tenure in non-profit organizations, Jim has worked extensively with boards, funders, teams and consultants to build programs, partnerships and financial resources to meet ambitious goals. He earned degrees from Yale College (B.A.), University of Cambridge (M.A., Honours B.A.) and Cornell University (M.A.).
Eileen Arnold-Ley, CAE, CFREÂ Â
Manager of Executive Office & Resource Development
Eileen Arnold-Ley has been with NAPNAP since 2013, providing guidance and support to the executive director and board. A trained fundraiser with more than 15 years’ management experience, Eileen manages fundraising and projects for NAPNAP Partners for Vulnerable Youth and the NAPNAP Foundation. She also serves as grant writer and project manager for NAPNAP’s cooperative agreements with the CDC. She is proud to have earned the CAE (certified association executive) and CFRE (certified fundraising executive) credentials. Prior to joining NAPNAP, Eileen spent more than 10 years as a professional stage manager, and she still loves attending theater with her husband, Darren.
Education
Laura Nelsen Â
Director of Education & Learning
Laura Nelsen joined the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners in 2007 and serves as the director of education & learning. In the Education Department, Laura oversees the planning of the national conference and symposium events. She manages NAPNAP’s continuing education accreditation program, maintains the association’s online learning website, PedsCESM, and coordinates the development of professional education courses. Laura’s favorite place to be is in the bleachers at sporting events for her three sons.
Anna ChernisÂ
Events Manager
Anna Chernis joined the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners in 2012 and serves as the events manager. Working in our Education Department, Anna is responsible for meeting logistics and hotel coordination for all events, including national conference and symposium. She manages all aspects of the virtual symposium. Anna also works with faculty and students on certification review courses and is responsible for the speaker coordination and support at our events. Anna is a big tennis fan and enjoys traveling.
Ady Germanguz Â
Education Programs Specialist
Ady Germanguz joined the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners in 2020 and serves as the education programs specialist. In her role, Ady designs and develops educational programs and online educational content. Ady holds an MA in Education, a Learning Design Certificate and has 15 years’ experience in education and non-profit organizations. Outside of work, Ady enjoys traveling and spending time in nature with her husband and three daughters.
Alexandra Rojas
Education Specialist
Alexandra Rojas joined NAPNAP in 2014 as an education specialist. For NAPNAP national conferences, Alexandra manages the registration system and responds to member inquiries about the event. She also works with chapters, special interest groups (SIGs) and other stakeholders on continuing education accreditation applications. Her job also includes creating courses for PedsCESM, our e-learning platform. Alexandra enjoys hiking, road trips and traveling abroad.
Finance and Administration
Linda Young
Director of Finance & Administration
Linda Young has more than 25 years of experience in accounting and finance. In 2011, Linda joined the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and has been instrumental in modernizing the Finance Department. Linda currently serves as the director of finance and administration, overseeing finance, human resources and IT. Linda has a loving husband, two adult children and cat Archer. She resides in Wildwood, N.J., and loves the beach, decorating and shopping.
Petula WilsonÂ
Senior Manager of Human Resources
Starting as a consultant, Petula Wilson has since transitioned to serve as NAPNAP’s senior manager of human resources. In addition to being a collaborative member of the Finance and Administration Department, she is a certified human resources professional (PHR) with 20-plus years of experience in the field. She currently resides in a suburb near Philadelphia with her teenage daughter.
Danielle Bacso
Controller
Danielle Bacso joined NAPNAP in 2025 and serves as the controller. With a strong background in finance as an audit supervisor and controller, she plays a critical role in supporting the day-to-day operations of the Accounting & Finance Department. Danielle currently resides in New York City and is a proud dog parent to four lovable pups. When she is not spending time with loved ones, you can find her working out, traveling or reading a good book.
Jennifer Berman
Administrative Finance & Executive Associate
Jennifer Berman joined the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners in 2022 as support to both the finance department and executive office. She brings a diverse skillset to the team with a history of working in the entertainment business at a talent agency. On the weekends, Jennifer enjoys spending time at the barn with her horse, Luna
Global Initiatives
Mary Dirks, DNP, RN ARNP, CPNP-PC, FAANP, ELAN fellow
Director of Global Initiatives
Mary joined NAPNAP in 2025 in a part-time capacity to manage NAPNAP’s joint venture to prepare and empower global nurses to deliver the highest-quality pediatric health care. Mary has been a faculty member at the University of Iowa, College of Nursing since 2000, is a clinical professor, and a primary care PNP since 1997 with practice experience in primary care, newborn nursery and school-based health. She served three years as NAPNAP’s treasurer.
Allora Atiyeh
Program Specialist
Allora joined NAPNAP in October 2025 as part-time program specialist supporting the implementation of NAPNAP’s global initiatives and partnerships by providing coordination, research, communication and administrative support. She received her BS in life sciences from Cornell University and is working toward a masters in public health with a focus on maternal/childcare and advocacy. She has worked as a medical assistant, managed patient engagement for a health care system and served as a research coordinator for a global project on climate’s impact on nutritional value of food crops.
Health Policy
Dave MasonÂ
Federal Government Affairs Representative
With long-standing close relationships with members of Congress and their staff, executive branch officials, federal agency leaders, health care organizations and patient advocacy groups, Dave Mason is a key member of NAPNAP’s policy team. For almost a decade, his superior understanding of legislative, regulatory and political procedures coupled with his expertise in a broad range of health policies, federal appropriations and issues, including Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, have helped  guide our advocacy efforts.
Membership, Marketing and Communications
Michele StickelÂ
Director of Membership, Marketing & Communications
Since joining NAPNAP in 2012, Michele Stickel has served in multiple roles in the organization. Currently, she is director of membership, marketing and communications working with NAPNAP’s team to forge partner relationships, recruit, retain and engage members, and develop multi-channel campaigns to promote the association’s products and services, as well as increase awareness about the impactful role of nurse practitioners in child health.
Justin T. WorsleyÂ
Marketing Manager
Having joined NAPNAP in 2015, Justin T. Worsley currently serves as marketing manager. Justin crafts data-driven digital and print communications and marketing campaigns viewed by members, prospects and beyond.
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Chris Capuano
Digital Communications Specialist
Chris Capuano joined NAPNAP in 2025 and serves as its digital communications specialist, managing NAPNAP’s online presence across social media and other digital platforms. Outside of work, Chris is an avid New York sports fan and music lover.
Professional Development and Nursing Practice
Heather Keesing, MSN, RN, APRN
Senior Manager of Professional Development & Nursing Practice
Heather Keesing has been the senior manager of professional development & nursing practice at NAPNAP since 2004, where she manages programs aligned with clinical practice resources, public education and professional development for pediatric-focused advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). Heather also plans, implements, manages and evaluates NAPNAP’s organizational partnerships, publications, position statements and research activities. Heather loves to cook and enjoys spending time at the beach in New Jersey with her husband, Scott, and their dog, Zane.
Victoria Afolabi
Program Specialist
Victoria joined NAPNAP in March 2024 and serves as a program specialist. In her role, Victoria provides comprehensive and well-organized project management support for provider and public education programs, NAPNAP’S external affiliations, Special Interest Group, and their activities. Â
