Randi Kopf
Randi Kopf
- RN, MS, JD, BSCredentials: RN, MS, JD, BS
Place of Employment: Kopf HealthLaw LLC
Which Nursing Organizations are you currently a member of: None
Board(s) currently serving on: The American Association of Nurse Attorneys Foundation, The Charles E. Smith Life Communities, Chesapeake Nurse Attorneys, Inc.
Tell us about your journey to the boardroom. What inspired you to seek a leadership position?
I was invited to serve in leadership positions as an outcome of years working on committees in the organization or in the community. I really enjoy making a difference in those organizations and working with the other Board members. In a leadership position I can accomplish more for the organization, members or community.
What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader?
I attend training meetings, read articles or books and exchange experiences, concerns and ideas with other leaders when possible.
What impact have you had serving on a board? Example?
I have contributed to the Quality Assurance Committee with my nurse practitioner and legal experiences, I’ve given in-service to the board about telemedicine regulations and practice for the CES Life Communities.
As part of TAANA and the TAANA Foundation Board, I have edited and contributed to several publications, developed and implemented the first and following website, list serve and eNews letter, organized and established fund raising for post graduate nursing student scholarship in memory of our organization founder at the Univ. of Maryland Graduate School of Nursing.
What advice would you give someone going into a board leadership position for the first time?
Be committed to the organization and believe it is a worthwhile endeavor. Know who your fellow board members are and do you think you’ll fit in. Know going in, it’s a lot of work.
What are a few resources you would recommend to someone looking to gain insight into becoming a better leader and eventually obtaining a board position?
Research the board members of the corporation/organization of interest and see what they did to become a leader.
Why do you feel it is important for nurses to serve on boards?
Nurses have a unique perspective to contribute to any board not just scientific/nursing/medical/pharmaceutical knowledge, but also unique problem solving skills utilizing their experiences of the human condition, the ability to integrate large amounts of data to determine what people need, how they respond to situations to solve problems that can be urgent, chronic or challenging that will be an asset to any board.
What do you think is the most significant barrier to nurses serving on boards?
Public opinion of nurses as not being smart, assertive or leaders. A real under appreciation of what nurses actually do. TV and movies often have shown negative characterizations of nurses.
Boards: The American Association of Nurse Attorneys Foundation, The Charles E. Smith Life Communities, Chesapeake Nurse Attorneys, Inc.Continue Reading
The Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC) represents national nursing and other organizations working to build healthier communities in America by increasing nurses’ presence on corporate, health-related, and other boards, panels, and commissions.