Hayley has been an active member and leader within the Connecticut Nurses Association for many years and currently serves as CNA Treasurer. She is committed to strengthening the voice of nurses and advancing the profession through leadership, advocacy, and meaningful engagement.

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Hayley is a Clinical Research Nurse/Scientist with Hartford HealthCare’s Cancer Clinical Research Office. She began her nursing career in inpatient oncology at the Hospital of Central Connecticut before transitioning to outpatient cancer care, where she worked in both infusion and radiation oncology. She earned her BS in Nursing from the University of Connecticut in 2014 and her PhD in Nursing from UConn in 2022. She is certified in both Medical-Surgical Nursing and Oncology Nursing.

In addition to her involvement with CNA, Hayley is a member of the American Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, and the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), where she has also served in leadership with the Central Connecticut chapter.

Hayley’s accomplishments include receiving the Nightingale Award for Nursing Excellence and the ONS Emerging Chapter Leader Award. She has contributed to multiple peer-reviewed publications, presented nationally, and collaborates with researchers across cancer institutes. Her research focuses on inter professional and mobile health approaches to improving symptom management throughout the cancer care journey.

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As a candidate for President-Elect, Hayley looks forward to building on her years of service to CNA by advocating for Connecticut nurses, strengthening engagement across the profession, and helping ensure nurses have a strong voice in shaping healthcare in our state.

Katie is an active leader within both the Connecticut Nurses Association and American Nurses Association. She has served CNA as Secretary and on the Government Relations, Nominations and Elections, and Finance Committees. Nationally, she has served on ANA’s Nominations and Elections Committee and represented Connecticut through the American Nurses Advocacy Institute. These experiences have strengthened her understanding of association governance, advocacy, and organizational stewardship.

A nurse for nearly two decades, Katie currently serves as a Medical Oncology Case Coordinator at Hartford Hospital. Her career spans cardiac critical care, transitional care, geriatrics, assisted living leadership, and practice management, providing her with broad experience in healthcare operations and resource stewardship.

Katie earned her BSN from Saint Anselm College and MSN from the University of Hartford. Her leadership and advocacy have been recognized with honors including a Connecticut General Assembly Citation and the University of Hartford Regent Honor Award.

As a candidate for Treasurer, Katie brings governance experience, operational insight, and a commitment to responsible stewardship. She looks forward to helping ensure CNA remains a strong, sustainable organization that advances nursing and supports nurses across Connecticut.

Outside of nursing, Katie enjoys spending time with her family, especially beach days, walks, and travel with her two boys.

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Dr. Peter M. Donato is Vice President of Clinical Services at Apple Rehab, overseeing clinical operations across 20 skilled nursing facilities in Connecticut and Rhode Island. He leads all aspects of nursing administration, regulatory compliance, and interdisciplinary coordination, driving measurable improvements in quality and leadership development. Dr. Donato pioneered the integration of substance use disorder and medication for opioid use disorder programs into the long‑term care setting, securing regulatory approvals, creating safe care transitions, and reducing stigma among staff and residents. He launched Apple Core Learning & Competency Days, a company‑wide skills initiative standardizing training for RNs, LPNs, and CNAs, and designed a formal Director of Nursing orientation and leadership development track to strengthen recruitment, retention, and performance of clinical leaders. Dr. Donato’s system‑wide QAPI redesign and corrective‑action framework have enhanced survey outcomes and interdisciplinary accountability. His career reflects innovation, empowerment of nurses, measurable quality outcomes, and advancement of nursing administration in complex care settings.

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Roseann Sillasen is a Public Health Nurse/Case Investigator for the Middletown Health Department. Her combined 25+ years in bedside nursing and construction management provided resources to monitor and improve the health of people and their communities. She started nursing school as an adult, while working full time where she formed collaborative relationships with the Connecticut Nurses Association. She was a past president of the Connecticut Student Nurses Association.

The Nominations Committee is responsible for developing members in organizational leadership roles and organizational positions across the span of their careers. Roseann is an advocate for promoting professional membership. She understands the depth, breadth and diversity of our profession and the ongoing need to cultivate relationships with students as they enter the nursing profession. She supports new members and new leadership to be successful in their CNA positions.

Roseann also gives back as a volunteer for DonateLife Connecticut and is an AARP volunteer and mentor. Roseann has served on ANA’s Committee on Honorary Awards Subcommittee, currently serves on the CNA Finance Committee and is Practice Chair for the CT Association of Public Health Nursing. Her heart lies in Public Health Nursing and advocacy, where she passionately works to make a difference in her community. With a BSN in Nursing, a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, a Tobacco Treatment Specialist and recently became Certified in Disease intervention. She truly embodies the spirit of lifelong learning.

As a proud mother of three and grandmother of six, spending time with her family is what she cherishes most. When she’s not nurturing her loved ones, you can find her dabbling in art—whether it’s watercolors, acrylics, pencil sketches, or pastels or tending to her raised garden bed.