ANA-Illinois is proud to introduce Feyi Sangoleye, PhD, RN, newly elected member of the ANA-Illinois Nominations Committee. A passionate advocate for equity, representation, and professional development, Feyi brings purpose and clarity to her leadership. Her commitment to uplifting diverse voices and building pathways for emerging nurse leaders strengthens the foundation of ANA-Illinois and the future of nursing in our state.
What Inspired Her to Serve
For Feyi, stepping into a leadership role with ANA-Illinois is both personal and purpose-driven. “My decision to serve on the ANA-Illinois Board is driven by a combination of personal mentoring experience, professional passion, and a desire to make an impact on the nursing profession while helping to shape healthcare policy at a local level. I believe that we need to be part of important decision-making processes that affect healthcare systems and nursing practices.” Her commitment is rooted in advocacy ensuring that nurses’ voices shape the policies and systems that impact patient care and professional practice. “Serving on the board provides an avenue to advocate for issues that matter to myself and my nursing colleagues.”
The Biggest Opportunity for Nurses Today
Feyi sees tremendous opportunity for nurses to be at the forefront of healthcare transformation. “One of the biggest opportunities for nurses is leadership in healthcare transformation, particularly in areas like patient care innovation and interprofessional collaboration. Since nurses have always been at the heart of healthcare, there is a push for us to take on more strategic leadership roles that shape healthcare systems and impact patient care.” She envisions nurses playing critical roles in health equity work, telehealth expansion, research initiatives, and even entrepreneurship that supports the evolving needs of healthcare. “I foresee increased nursing involvement in health equity policies, telehealth integration, research, and entrepreneurship that complements healthcare.”
Why Professional Involvement Matters
Feyi is a strong believer in the power of professional organizations and the importance of joining them. “Nursing involvement in professional organizations is incredibly important. ANA-Illinois provides a large and diverse network of colleagues for personal collaboration and professional development. Nurses that participate can help shape healthcare policies, advocate for patient care, and stay up to date on the latest healthcare while plugged into a supportive professional community.” She emphasizes that ANA-Illinois is more than a membership, it’s a platform. “ANA-Illinois provides an avenue to raise concerns or seek guidance about issues nurses may be facing in their practice, offers programs and services for career advancement, and a platform to drive the change we want to see in healthcare.”
How She Hopes to Make an Impact
As Chair of the Nominating Committee, Feyi brings vision and intention to shaping the future leadership of ANA-Illinois. “I am honored to be the Chair of the Nominating Committee for ANA-Illinois. I hope to make an impact by advancing equity, representation, and leadership readiness across our profession. In this role, I am committed to building leadership slates that reflect the full diversity of nursing in our state.” Representation, she says, is not symbolic, it’s transformative. “Representation matters, not only because it strengthens trust and engagement, but because it ensures that the decisions shaping our profession are informed by a wide range of lived experiences.”
Feyi goals include mentorship, outreach, and creating pathways for emerging leaders: “I aim to cultivate a fair, transparent, and inclusive nominations process that identifies strong leaders and actively seeks out talented nurses who may not always see themselves represented in these spaces.” Ultimately, the impact she hopes to create is one that reaches every nurse in Illinois: “Ultimately, I hope my presence and leadership contribute to a culture where every nurse in Illinois feels seen, valued, and empowered to lead. By elevating diverse voices and promoting equitable access to leadership opportunities, I want to help shape an ANA-Illinois that truly reflects the richness and complexity of the communities we serve.”
Looking Ahead
ANA-Illinois is grateful for Feyi’s vision, commitment, and unwavering dedication to advancing equity in leadership. Her work strengthens the heart of our organization ensuring that every nurse has the opportunity, access, and encouragement to lead.
Join us in congratulating Feyi and welcoming her to the ANA-Illinois Nominations Committee.