Brenda Marshall, EdD, PMHNP-BC, APN, ANEF, FAANP, is a full professor in the School of Nursing at Montclair State University. She is a Fulbright Scholar Specialist in mental health with a hospital affi liation at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, New Jersey, and a private practice (Learn 2 Choose Inc.) in Wayne, New Jersey. She has been recognized by multiple organizations for innovative teaching methods in research and was awarded the National Excellence in Research Award (2018) by the American Psychiatric Nurses Association.

Julie Bliss, EdD, RN, is a graduate of Teachers College, Columbia University. She is Professor Emerita at William Paterson University of New Jersey, where she served as the chairperson of the Department of Nursing for many years. Under her leadership, the department fostered a key partnership with St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center and initiated the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, the fi rst doctoral program at the University. Further, she ushered the transition of the department to a School of Nursing in 2023. She is the author of numerous research and journal articles and has been featured in state and national discussions on nursing education, including an Associated Press article "Nursing Educators in Critical Demand,"where she highlighted the profession’s educational gap compared to other healthcare fi elds. Dr. Bliss continues to advocate for advancing nursing education, emphasizing the importance of graduate degrees to support critical thinking and competent decision-making in the profession.

Suzanne Drake, PhD, PMHCNS-BC, APN, is a psychiatric-mental health advanced practice nurse with a career spanning more than 40 years as owner/principal of her private practice, The Wellness Group of NJ, LLC. In addition to her clinical work, she has held leadership positions on various advisory, trustee, and executive boards. Currently, she leads as the executive director and cofounder of Advanced Practice Nurses of New Jersey (APN-NJ), a large statewide grassroots organization promoting active campaigns to eliminate legislative barriers to APN practice and monitoring regulatory changes to empower APNs to improve healthcare accessibility. Among honors, Dr. Drake has received the Society of Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurses's 2013 Leadership Award, the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) 2014 State Award For Excellence, and a 2022 Institute for Nursing Diva Award for Outstanding Achievement in Nursing.