FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
VERO BEACH, FL – May 5, 2026 – Inspire Nurse Leaders® (INL), a trusted, relationship-driven leadership development organization known for customized programs that strengthen nurse leaders and healthcare organizations, is proud to announce Dr. Kelly Kester, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CCRN, as its new Vice President of Operations and Business Development.
Kelly has worked alongside Inspire Nurse Leaders over the past four years, contributing her expertise, leadership insight, and strong commitment to advancing nurse leadership. From her earliest interactions with the organization, she stood out for her exceptional talent, strategic skill, courageous leadership, and consistently positive approach.
“Kelly is a natural fit for this full-time leadership role,” said Dr. Lori Armstrong, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CEO and Chief Clinical Officer of Inspire Nurse Leaders. “From the very first meeting, it was clear that Kelly brought a unique combination of strategic vision, operational discipline, and a deep understanding of nurse leadership. She leads with insight, strength, and heart, and her ability to see both the big picture and the practical path forward makes her an extraordinary addition to our leadership team. With Kelly in this role, our future is even brighter.”
As Vice President of Operations and Business Development, Kelly will help strengthen INL’s operational excellence, support continued growth, and expand opportunities to serve nurse leaders and healthcare organizations with clarity, innovation, and impact. Her appointment reflects INL’s continued commitment to building the infrastructure, strategy, and leadership capacity needed to support its next season of growth. This aligns with the organization’s broader focus on strengthening systems, supporting expansion, and building sustainable momentum for the future.
Kelly joins us after serving as Senior Nursing Director for Heart Services at Duke University Hospital, where she spent 18 years leading high-performing teams across the cardiovascular service line. During her tenure, she spearheaded numerous initiatives that strengthened both operational and clinical outcomes and contributed to more than 20 peer-reviewed publications. Kelly has shared her work widely, presenting at local, regional, and national conferences.
A committed advocate for nurse leadership and workforce innovation, Kelly focuses on strategic workforce planning, leadership development, and fostering healthy work environments. Kelly earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership from the Duke University School of Nursing and holds certification as a Nurse Executive.
“Inspire Nurse Leaders has been meaningful to me for years because of its mission, its people, and its deep commitment to helping leaders grow in ways that truly impact teams and outcomes,” said Kelly. “I’m energized by the opportunity to help build what comes next. There is so much opportunity ahead to support nurse leaders with practical tools, stronger systems, and innovative solutions that meet the realities of today’s healthcare environment.”
Inspire Nurse Leaders exists to elevate nurse leaders’ capacity, competency, and confidence, with the ultimate goal of improving outcomes for patients, families, and the organizations they serve. The organization is widely recognized for its high-touch, customized approach, deep practitioner credibility, and strong reputation for helping leaders and organizations thrive.
With Kelly joining the team in this expanded capacity, Inspire Nurse Leaders is well positioned to continue growing its impact, deepen its operational strength, and advance its mission of developing strong leaders who create strong teams and better outcomes.
About Inspire Nurse Leaders
Inspire Nurse Leaders® helps nurse leaders and healthcare organizations strengthen leadership capacity, confidence, and performance through coaching, consulting, workshops, and customized leadership development programs. Learn more at www.InspireNurseLeaders.com.
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