ANA-Illinois is proud to highlight Gloria E. Barrera, MSN, RN, PEL-CSN, now serving her second term as Secretary of the ANA-Illinois Board. A public health nurse, educator, and longtime champion for school and community health, Gloria brings nearly two decades of experience and purposeful leadership to her role. Her passion for elevating nurses’ voices especially those working in school and community-based settings continues to strengthen the mission and impact of ANA-Illinois across our state.
Meet Gloria Barrera and Her New Role
“My name is Gloria E. Barrera, and I now serve my second term as Secretary of ANA Illinois. Thank you for your vote of confidence and for allowing me to continue to serve you! I am a public health nurse, and educator with close to two decades of experience in school nursing. As the Director of the RN to BSN Program at UIC, I prepare the nurses who will define the future of our profession.” Gloria has dedicated her career to building stronger, more empowered nursing pathways, particularly for nurses who serve in schools and community settings.
“I am passionate about creating pathways for nurses in school and community settings to elevate their practice, amplify their voice, and influence policy. In my role with ANA Illinois, I will continue to support transparent communication and help ensure that the voices of nurses across our state are centered in the decisions that shape our profession.” She also welcomes members to connect with her: “Please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.”
What Inspired Her to Serve
For Gloria, service is rooted in advocacy and a deep understanding of how policy affects nursing practice. “Service has always been at the core of my nursing identity. I have witnessed how policy and advocacy shape the daily realities of nurses and the communities we serve. Joining the board felt like a natural next step in my commitment to strengthening our profession and advancing a more equitable and responsive health care system in Illinois.” Her leadership is guided by lived experience, equity, and a true commitment to the communities’ nurses serve.
What She’s Most Excited to Accomplish This Term
Gloria is focused on expanding meaningful opportunities for member engagement. “I am excited to expand engagement opportunities, so more nurses see themselves reflected in our work, feel connected to our mission, and step into leadership roles across the state.” Her vision is rooted in inclusivity ensuring that every nurse can find their place, their voice, and their path within ANA-Illinois.
How She Hopes to Make an Impact
Through her role as Secretary, Gloria is building new pathways for nurses to be heard and to develop as leaders. “I hope to elevate nursing voices and strengthen pathways for leadership development across our state. This fall, I brought forward a new idea focused on helping nurses grow their confidence in sharing their experiences and perspectives in a meaningful way.” She shares that this initiative is already underway: “It is still in the early stages, but the intention is to create more space for members to express themselves, contribute to important conversations, and feel empowered to use their voice in impactful ways. Stay tuned for more details on its launch!”
Why Nursing Leadership Matters
Gloria believes that when nurses lead, the entire healthcare system benefits. “When nurses lead, decisions are grounded in equity, compassion, and real-world experience. Leadership gives us the ability to advocate more effectively and ensure that the choices being made truly serve the people we care for.” Her perspective reinforces the core belief of ANA-Illinois: nurses must be at the center of decisions that shape healthcare delivery, policy, education, and equity.
Looking Ahead
ANA-Illinois is grateful for Gloria Barrera’s continued leadership, vision, and dedication to uplifting the voices of nurses across Illinois. Her commitment to education, public health, and building inclusive pathways for engagement strengthens our organization and propels our mission forward.
Join us in congratulating Gloria and welcoming her as she continues her second term as Secretary of ANA-Illinois.