Meet the Team

Dr. Jennifer Shepherd is Director of Nursing Practice, Work Environment, and Healthy Nurse Healthy Nation at the American Nurses Association (ANA). She previously served as Director of Nursing Education & Product Management and Innovation Strategist for ANA, where she led national educational initiatives to advance nursing practice and professional development, driving improvements in workforce readiness, resilience, and care quality. With a rich background as a direct care provider and clinical leader, she has long championed innovative approaches to healthcare delivery and education, ensuring quality and safety for patients and families. 

A certified NPD-BC, NEA-BC, and CCRN (alumnus), and former CHPN, Dr. Shepherd advances innovative, tech-enabled strategies to improve nursing efficiency, resilience, and professional growth. She also serves as Vice President of the Virginia Nurses Association, is adjunct faculty at Marymount University, and sits on the Capella University Nursing Advisory Board. 

She holds a DNP in Executive Leadership, a master’s in Healthcare Administration, and advanced credentials from The Wharton School, Harvard Medical School, and 360Learning in AI and emerging technologies. A respected thought leader, she champions data-driven solutions to strengthen nursing practice, well-being, and workforce sustainability. 

Holly Carpenter, BSN, RN is a Senior Policy Advisor for the American Nurses Association’s (ANA) Nursing Practice & Work Environment department.  Her portfolio at ANA includes developing resources, policies, and educational programs on nurse health, safety, and wellness including the Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation™ program, nurse suicide prevention, immunizations, and other occupational health and work environment issues.  Prior to ANA, she was employed at the Maryland Nurses Association and the State of Maryland’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.  Holly has presented nationally and internationally at conferences held by APHA, the Royal College of Nursing, International Council of Nursing, the Chinese Nursing Association, and many others.  A registered nurse, Holly graduated from Salisbury University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Dr. Alison Cuccia is a public health researcher who has worked extensively in the field of health promotion.  She has supported projects that promote healthy eating, physical activity, and tobacco-free living in the past, and has general expertise and interest in health behavior. As a Research Manager at the American Nurses Association, her role is to lead the research, evaluation, and analysis of Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation data.

Rasheda Jones is a PhD prepared registered nurse leader with 20 years of experience. She holds experience in the clinical, academic, research, and executive domains. Her clinical background is in Adult Intensive Care. Her research interests are in the areas of social & environmental justice, adverse childhood experiences, adolescent behavioral and emotional functioning, social competence and youth in foster care. She has designed curriculum for and instructed bachelor’s and master’s degree level nursing courses. As a healthcare executive she has led a system and departments of research, education, and professional development; with success in innovative strategic education development, employee engagement, quality, and process improvement. She is passionate about advancing the nursing profession, mentorship, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Dr. Jones earned her Bachelor's from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro, NC. She earned a Master's and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Nursing from the University of California, at San Francisco in San Francisco, CA, where she was a recipient of the Nursing Leadership in Adolescent and Young Adult Health (NLAYAH) and the Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing (OEHN) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) grants.

Currently Dr. Jones is CEO, Chief Encouragement Officer to her 5 year old daughter and Program Manager for the American Nurses Association’s (ANA) Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation program.