NOBC News

NOBC Founders and Emeritus Series: Where Are They Now? – Susan Hassmiller, RN, PhD, FAAN

I started SuLu Coaching and Consulting in 2021 with my husband, Dr. Lewis Sandy, about a year before I retired from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. I knew I was not finished contributing to nursing. I wanted to continue building the capacity of the next generation of nurse leaders in what I often refer to as my “preferment.” Today, most of my work focuses on one-on-one coaching with nurse leaders in both practice and academia. I also teach leadership concepts and strategies, including the idea of the leader as coach, facilitate group coaching for organizations, and speak nationally on leadership, collaboration, and team effectiveness. It is work I care deeply about.

Board service has been an important part of my professional journey. Over the years, I have served on a number of boards, including the National Board of Governors for the American Red Cross and the Hackensack Meridian Health System, one of the largest health systems in the Northeast. When I joined both boards, I was the only nurse at the table, although I was encouraged to see Hackensack Meridian recently bring