The Leadership Identification Committee is responsible for slating and solicitation of candidates for the AANA Board of Directors and elected committees. Committee members will identify and recruit members who have potential to be effective leaders to serve in various AANA elected offices by contacting state association leaders, committee chairs, and other members to encourage interest in running for AANA’s elected positions.
Dr. Bimpe “Bebe” Adenusi is the Chair and Program Administrator of the Nurse Anesthesia Program at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and the Founder of the Nigerian American Nurse Anesthetists Association (NANAA). With a background in clinical chemistry, she transitioned to nursing to better serve her community. A dedicated mentor and leader, she has supported CRNAs, SRNAs, and students nationally. Dr. Adenusi is a member of several academic honor societies and actively contributes to professional organizations, including the AANA, where she serves in leadership roles. She is also engaged in initiatives such as the Faculty Fellowship Program to enhance faculty diversity and serves on various organizations and committees, including National Academies of Practice (NAP), Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA), and Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists (PANA). Her work extends globally through medical missions and advocacy for equitable healthcare access.
Dr. Steele holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Excelsior College, a Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia from Albany Medical College, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Duke University. She has practiced clinically in New York and New Hampshire as staff CRNA, Clinical Coordinator and Chief CRNA. She was tenure-track faculty at Colby-Sawyer College in the ABSN, MSN, and DNP programs. She is currently an Assistant Clinical Professor at Northeastern University Bouvé College of Health Sciences. Prior to being elected to the LIC, Julie served on local, state, and national committees including chairing the AANA Bylaws and Resolutions Committee in MY24-25.
Dr. Bent holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing from Temple University, a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Duquesne University, and received her Master in Law from the Wharton School. In addition to contributing as a member of multiple AANA committees, she served on the Board of Trustees of the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists (PANA) from 2022 to 2024 and is currently on the board of NBCRNA.
Dr. Finley holds an Associate of Nursing Degree from Hesston College, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Pittsburg State University, a Certification in Nurse Anesthesia from Truman Medical Center, a Master of Arts in Biology from the University of Missouri and a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice from Missouri State University. He has held a variety of leadership roles on the board of the Nebraska Association of Nurse Anesthetists (2002 to 2010) and has served on the Kansas Association of Nurse Anesthetists board since 2014, where he is currently the Treasurer.
Tessa Guevara holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science from Texas A&M, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas Christian University, and a Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia from Wesleyan University. She has been active on the board of the Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists including serving as the Vice President from 2023-2024 and the Secretary/Treasurer from 2020-2023.
Dr. Wilson graduated in 2006 from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine with a Masters in Nurse Anesthesia, and in 2022 from the Medical University of South Carolina with his Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice. Currently, he serves as the Assistant Program Director – East Coast of Ursuline College with Somnia Nurse Anesthesia Program. Before that, he was the Assistant Program Director for the University of South Carolina and opened their second campus in Greenville, SC. He authored the chapter on Blood Component Therapy in the latest edition of Nurse Anesthesia and has published in JOPAN and the AANA Journal. He continues to practice clinically and mentor future CRNAs through CRNA School Prep Academy. She served on the AANA Bylaws and Resolutions Committee from 2015-2016.