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2025 candidates accepted until 6/11/25 at 12pm est

• President Elect: 4-year commitment. Serves 1 year as President Elect (2025-2026), 2 years as President (2026-2028), and 1 year as Past President (2028-2029). Must be current AAPA member and PAs for WE Platinum Member.   Student Director: One year term. Liaison between BOD student members of the organization and PA Programs. Support student activities and encourage professional involvement. Must be a Student/Silver Member.
• Editor In Chief: Can hold any level of PAs for WE Membership. Responsible for newsletter distribution. One year term. Position applications considered and filled after President review.  Editor in Chief is not a voting member within the Board of Directors.
• Membership Committee Chair: Must be a PAS for WE Platinum member. Expected to attend the AAPA Conference to staff our informational booth, engage in new membership acquisition, and organize quarterly give away prizes to membership.

Meet the Candidates

President Elect

Cheri Jrolf
I am honored to submit my candidacy for President-Elect of PAWE—an organization whose mission of advancing women PAs and fostering empowerment resonates deeply with both my personal values and professional journey. As a Physician Assistant with nearly three decades of clinical and leadership experience, an advocate for women in medicine, and a passionate community volunteer, I am committed to building an organization where PAs are not only supported in their professional growth but also empowered to lead change, fight for legislative rights, and serve their communities. Throughout my career, I have balanced the roles of clinician, educator, mentor, and entrepreneur—while raising four boys through foster-to-adopt and as a proud recipient of the Mother of the Year 2024 award. I understand firsthand the unique challenges that women PAs face in balancing career, family, and advocacy work. My life’s work is dedicated to creating spaces where women feel empowered to excel, supported to lead, and inspired to give back. PAWE’s mission aligns perfectly with my passion for advocacy and community service. Having served in leadership roles, including as Vice President of the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants (FAPA), I have worked extensively to advance the legislative rights of PAs. Whether testifying before lawmakers, organizing advocacy campaigns, or mentoring PAs to use their voices, I understand that progress requires both courage and collaboration. I would bring this same advocacy spirit to PAWE—ensuring that women PAs are represented, supported, and inspired to shape the future of our profession. My commitment to service runs deep. Over the years, I have volunteered with the Special Olympics, local food banks, and children’s organizations—work that has reinforced the value of empathy, resilience, and leadership through action. I believe that PAWE can continue to be a space where women PAs connect their professional leadership with meaningful service in their communities. If elected, I would prioritize open communication, member engagement, and board collaboration—supporting every committee and volunteer to advance our shared mission. I would ensure timely board updates, individual check-ins, dynamic newsletters, and welcoming outreach materials that foster a sense of belonging and purpose within our organization. Above all, I would bring a servant-leader mindset to this role. PAWE is a grassroots community of driven, talented women. Together, we can elevate the voice of women PAs, expand our influence on healthcare policy, and cultivate the next generation of empowered PA leaders. I am deeply committed to that vision and would be honored to serve as your President-Elect.

Jessica LaVois
As a PA with a background in business ownership, I’ve witnessed the persistent gender disparities in our profession, particularly in leadership roles, compensation, and decision-making influence. My desire to serve as President-Elect comes from a strong commitment to shifting this imbalance. We deserve a professional culture where women are empowered to know their worth, speak up, and lead boldly. I have made it a personal mission to challenge this narrative by mentoring others, advocating for salary negotiation, and encouraging women to advocate for themselves. With support and knowledge, we can change the way women PAs approach their careers from day one.

If elected, I would prioritize building a stronger, more visible community where women PAs at all stages of their journey feel supported, heard, and uplifted. I will advocate for tools that help women navigate challenges in salary negotiation, career advancement, and leadership development—especially for those who may not feel represented in traditional structures. I believe in making space for real conversations and real change. I would be honored to serve and help carry PAs for Women Empowerment’s mission forward as President-Elect—ensuring our voices aren’t just part of the conversation, but leading it.

Treasurer

Kirsten Reutebach PAs for Women Empowerment has allowed me to break out of my shell and advance myself professionally in ways I never thought possible. I am deeply interested in the Treasurer role for PAs for Women’s Empowerment (PAWE) because I believe that strong, transparent financial leadership is essential to advancing our mission of equity and empowerment. With a solid background in organizational leadership and a deep commitment to uplifting women in the PA profession, I am confident that I can bring both the passion and the practical skills needed to make a meaningful impact. My experience serving in the AAPA House of Delegates has given me insight into the inner workings of professional advocacy and policy development, while leading the Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Council at Large at my organization has strengthened my abilities in strategic planning, collaboration, and working with diverse groups. In both roles, I have worked to ensure that the voices of underrepresented professionals are not only heard but prioritized in decision-making processes. As Treasurer, my primary goal would be to ensure that PAWE’s financial practices are transparent, efficient, and aligned with our values. I would implement and maintain sound budgeting and reporting processes, ensure responsible use of funds, and provide clear communication to the board and members. Beyond the mechanics of the role, I see the Treasurer position as a critical opportunity to support and sustain initiatives that provide mentorship, leadership development, and advocacy for women PAs. Additionally, I would bring a collaborative mindset and a long-term vision to the table. Financial stewardship isn’t just about numbers—it’s about ensuring that our resources fuel real change. I want to help PAWE grow its reach, deepen its programming, and increase member engagement through sound financial strategy. I am committed to creating a culture of trust and inclusion, where members feel confident that their contributions—both financial and personal—are being used meaningfully. Serving as Treasurer would be more than a leadership role for me; it would be a chance to give back to a community that has inspired me and to help build a future where all women PAs can thrive.

Student Director

Sydney Kasner I am a non-traditional PA student in my 30s, living over 1,000 miles away from my husband and delaying starting a family, so that I may achieve this dream of becoming a PA. I am sure many of us female students have delayed starting families for the years we are in PA school, despite desperately wanting to become mothers. I often reflect on the fact that I rarely meet PA students that are mothers, and yet have met many fathers. It is interesting to consider sacrifices such as this, that are specific to women. If a woman arrives to the classroom or clinical rotations pregnant, she is decidedly more likely to be perceived as less committed to her profession than her peers. Similarly, if a woman needs to leave the OR due to a heavy first day of menstruation, she is viewed as less engaged than her male counterpart. We are more likely to be mistaken as nurses by the general public, despite introducing ourselves and wearing name tags with our professional title. AAPA (link to source: tinyurl.com/aapalink1) has confirmed women PAs average earning $11,000 less than our male counterparts, and the disparity persists even when controlling for having the same specialty, prior experience, and working the same hours per week. Our journey to higher education and professional advancement often proves to have additional barriers simply because we are women! These unfair sacrifices and disparities are reasons that I joined PAs for WE (and PA Moms) immediately once I learned about their existence. As an older student, I offer PAs for WE my many years of leadership experience to further grow the members of this caucus. I was previously a city councilor and have served on many boards for different causes that I believe in. My PCE includes years leading the women’s imaging department in my home community. During my PA education, I served as the AAPA Student Academy Representative, the KGI Student Government Representative, and led our nationally-recognized Project Access team. I have attended the 2024 and 2025 AAPA conferences, this year having the honor of speaking during the Pre-PA Workshop. I was a 2024 PAEA Health Policy Fellow and organized a rural health webinar designed to inspire PA students to consider working in rural communities. I have mentored over a dozen students that I’ve met through TenaCares, my local pre-PA club, and from public speaking engagements. For years, I have invested in my community and developed myself as a leader. I’d like to contribute to PAs for WE on a larger scale than I was able to as a member and create opportunities for students to grow and find their confidence. I’d like to offer monthly leadership workshops and individualized mentorship to students at PAs for WE. Ideas I have for workshops include: how to navigate your first salary, overcoming imposter syndrome, and support for moms in PA school. Thank you for considering me as your next Student Director!

Brianna Karan Through my past experiences, bridging the gap in advancing marginalized voices and the advancement of women in leadership positions has always been a priority of mine. I am committed to create an environment to bridge the gap for women if selected as the student director for PAs for Women Empowerment. Even though healthcare is increasingly dominated by women in overall numbers, leadership in medicine is still largely male, and the PA profession is no exception. I was raised by a single working business woman who instilled me with the value of independence and to strive for leadership and achievement. I was so lucky to have such a strong female role model in my life that encouraged me every step of the way. If it wasn’t for her resilience, I would not have understood the long lasting impact of mentorship. Furthermore, I had the privilege to give back to aspiring PA students and review their applications and discuss common processes of the arduous system. I would share different resources, tips, and often discuss any hesitations applicants had about the upcoming cycle. I found it important to act as a resource for these women, because I would not have had the opportunity to serve in different leadership roles without the support of women like my mother and countless others. Through their inspiration and sense of community, I was motivated to step into the world of policy and serve on the AAPA’s House of Delegates last year as a student delegate. While on HOD, many of the resolutions I felt strongly about and policy issues I researched in the AAPA policy manual were surrounding female and reproductive health and gender equality. While at the AAPA conference in Denver this year, I visited the PAs for Women Empowerment booth and was inspired by the women that I spoke to and wanted to apply. As my school’s Student Academy Representative and an HOD representative, I already have experience as a student to professional organization liaison and would be honored to transfer these skills to PAs for Women Empowerment. Women have historically been an afterthought in healthcare, academia, and professional advancement. I am hoping that as the Student Director, I could continue to build on my experience in advocacy, empower fellow students to be involved in the change, and get a head start on being a leader for female empowerment in the PA profession.

Nicollette Wales As a future PA and lifelong advocate for patient-centered care, I’m passionate about using my voice and experiences to uplift others—especially women navigating healthcare, education, and leadership. That’s why I’m excited to apply for the role of Student Director for PAs for Women Empowerment. Before PA school, I spent over a decade as a surgical technologist with a focus on post-mastectomy breast reconstruction. Working closely with women in such vulnerable, life-altering moments showed me just how strong and resilient they are. I watched them reclaim their bodies, their identities, and their confidence—not just through surgery, but through self-advocacy and healing. That experience didn’t just shape my love for medicine—it lit a fire in me to be part of something bigger: changing the narrative around women in healthcare. Now, as a PA student, I’m seeing that mission through a whole new lens. My first clinical rotation has been in gynecologic oncology, and the knowledge I’ve gained—both clinically and emotionally—has deepened my appreciation for how multifaceted women’s health truly is. I’m learning how to support patients not just through procedures and diagnoses, but through the quiet, transformative moments where empowerment really takes root: in choice, in education, and in dignity. I bring to this role a unique blend of surgical experience, creative thinking, and heart. I’ve seen what happens when women support women—not just in theory, but in practice. In the OR, I watched female surgeons take the time to mentor junior staff or comfort a patient in ways that went far beyond clinical care. In PA school, I’ve felt the true meaning of sisterhood during the chaos of didactic—the quiet check-ins, shared notes, and words of encouragement that came exactly when I needed them most. Their support wasn’t just helpful; it was grounding. It reminded me that authenticity, vulnerability, and shared growth aren’t weaknesses—they’re what make us resilient. I’ve seen how a culture of collaboration over competition can elevate everyone. Those moments aren’t just meaningful—they’re movement-building. As Student Director, I want to help create more of those spaces where women feel safe to show up fully, speak up boldly, and lift each other higher. If selected, I will approach this opportunity with humility, grit, and a deep sense of purpose. I want to be a connector—bridging programs, encouraging dialogue, and helping all women in PA school feel empowered to take up space and lead with authenticity.

Nikki Rothe As a former Speech-Language Pathologist working in the healthcare field, I have first hand experience with the gender inequality in the healthcare field from pay inequality to limited female representation in leadership roles. I am interested in serving as the Student Director of PAWE because I am passionate about advancing gender equity within the PA profession and empowering fellow students to grow as confident, collaborative leaders. As someone who values both advocacy and mentorship, I see this role as a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between student members and professional leadership, while supporting initiatives that uplift and inspire future PAs. I believe that creating spaces where students feel seen, heard, and valued not only strengthens our community but also helps shape the future of our profession.

Clare Dougherty Over the past year, I have been serving as the PA Foundation Student Trustee. In this role, I also get to work alongside an all-female Student Board of Directors for AAPA. These inspirational women have demonstrated the value of teamwork and the importance of supporting one another to be more effective leaders. Now that this role is complete, I am eager for more opportunities to impact the PA profession and advance the role of women in the field. As the student director for PAs for Women Empowerment, I hope to continue my experience of advocating for the PA profession with lawmakers, similar to my time participating in the 2024 Leadership and Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC and in Des Moines at the Iowa State Capitol. We discussed the importance of laws directly impacting PAs, including the interstate licensure compact, and educated lawmakers on the important role PAs play in healthcare and improving patients’ access to care. I would also use this role as a platform to encourage other female and female-identifying students to utilize the resources available to them such as the mentorship, networking, and continuing medical education events offered through PAWE. Students are often not aware of the mentorship and advocacy roles to which they have access. By highlighting these resources, other students will be able to succeed in the educational arena and set themselves up for success as they enter their careers. The PA profession is grounded in team-based medicine. To provide the best care for our patients, we must work to uplift one another. PAs for Women Empowerment has already demonstrated their dedication to this mission, and I hope to do the same.

Kayley Haws I am excited to apply for the PAWE Student Board Member role because I am deeply aligned with the organization’s mission to empower women in the PA profession through education, mentorship, and advocacy. As a current Physician Assistant student and the President of my program’s Student Society for PA-S1s, I have a strong foundation in student leadership and a passion for community-building that I am eager to bring to PAWE. In my current leadership role, I serve as a liaison between faculty and first-year students, coordinate service initiatives, and help create inclusive opportunities for professional growth. This experience has strengthened my ability to advocate for student needs while fostering collaboration among peers. I believe this aligns directly with PAWE’s call for a Student Board Member who can effectively connect the Board of Directors with student members and PA programs nationwide. Prior to PA school, I held multiple executive and leadership positions throughout my undergraduate career, including roles in student government, peer mentorship programs, and pre-health organizations. In each of these positions, I was committed to advancing equity, building community, and promoting opportunities for underrepresented voices. These experiences taught me how to lead with empathy, organize effectively, and engage members through mission-driven programming. PAWE’s commitment to promoting psychosocial well-being, health equity, and diversity in the PA profession mirrors my own values as a future healthcare provider. I am particularly drawn to PAWE’s mentorship efforts and community outreach initiatives, which I would actively promote among students. If selected, I would work to amplify student voices, facilitate involvement in advocacy and service projects, and build stronger connections between students and the PAWE leadership team. Furthermore, I intend to leverage PAWE’s resources, such as the Advocacy Toolkit and CME Library, to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for leadership roles. By promoting initiatives like the American Heart Association’s AED Initiative and Project Linus, I will encourage student participation in community outreach, reinforcing the importance of service in our profession. Through regular communication with student societies across programs, I would help identify common needs and brainstorm meaningful programming to promote empowerment and professional engagement. I would also seek to highlight student achievements and contributions through PAWE’s communication channels, reinforcing the value of student involvement in shaping the future of our profession. I am confident that my leadership background, dedication to service, and strong communication skills would make me an asset to the PAWE Board. It would be a privilege to serve in this role and help champion the advancement of women in the PA profession. Thank you for your consideration.

Natalie Panella I first learned about PAWE at the AAPA conference and was immediately drawn to the table by the positive energy radiating from the members. After the conference, I joined PAWE without hesitation. I deeply value the organization’s mission to not only to empower women in the PA profession but also to create tangible legislative change that uplifts and protects women. Currently, I serve as the historian for my school’s Student Academy of AAPA. Through that role, I’ve recognized the power of organized advocacy and the need for broader collaboration among the profession. I’m eager to be involved in something bigger, where I can share resources, ideas, and initiatives with my program to better support women in this field. My passion for philanthropy began in undergrad, where I served as the Public Relations Vice President of Gamma Phi Beta and coordinated numerous volunteer events. That experience taught me how to build community, organize service opportunities, and amplify causes I care about which are skills I want to bring to PAWE. If given this opportunity, I hope to inspire action within my own program while also contributing to the larger mission of PAWE. This role would allow me to advocate for gender equity, increase student engagement, and help drive meaningful change within the PA profession.

Delegate

Sloane Kelly I am deeply honored to express my interest in serving as the HOD Delegate for PAs for Women’s Empowerment. As a committed advocate for leadership, advocacy, and professional progression with the physician associate (PA) profession, I believe this opportunity aligns perfectly with both my passions and professional values. I have learned firsthand the impact of the HOD on policy that pushes the PA profession forward and advocates for patient wellbeing. The last two years, I have been honored to serve on the student delegation and co-author a resolution encouraging PAs to become certified in SANE exams that was adopted in the 2024 HOD. It is my belief that as PAs we are called to be leaders and be a voice for those that have not been heard. My commitment to women’s empowerment in healthcare is rooted in both personal and professional experiences. Throughout my career, I have witnessed the unique challenges women face in medicine ranging from pay disparities and underrepresentation in leadership roles to implicit biases that impact both clinical and professional growth. I have also had the opportunity to be mentored by women APPs in leadership roles ranging from board members to lead APPs. I see the barrier breakers, and I strive to continue their mission to shatter ceilings through representation, policy change, and mentorship. Serving as an HOD delegate offers a powerful platform to reach that goal. My vision as a delegate includes advocating for initiatives that increase leadership development opportunities for women PAs and promoting work-life integration policies that consider the real-world experiences of women leaders in the PA profession. I would also support policies aimed at placing women PAs in the center of the discussion, not as an afterthought but as a vital piece of shaping the future of the PA workforce. The positive impact I aim to make as a delegate includes enhancing PAWE’s visibility and influence within the AAPA House of Delegates, ensuring resolutions are aligned the PAWE’s mission and creating more opportunities for members to engage in policy discussions. It is my belief the PAWE HOD Representative should be the conduit between the PAWE members and the broader AAPA community while also keeping members informed. I am committed to fostering a transparent and collaborative environment where all voices are valued. Ultimately, I see this role not as a title, but as a responsibility—to lead with integrity, serve with humility, and advocate with courage. I would be honored to represent PAWE with passion, professionalism, and purpose.

Qualifications

Executive Board Requirements

• Must be a Platinum Member of PAs for Women Empowerment
• Must be a current member of AAPA
• Candidate should demonstrate at least 2 years of active involvement in AAPA, state or local organization and PAs for Women Empowerment by serving on any of the former organization’s
  • Board
  • Committee
  • Task Force
  • Work Group
  • HOD
• All positions require current membership by July 1 of the term year, or the position must be vacated.

Student Director Requirements

• Student Directors must be Silver members of PAs for Women Empowerment and AAPA at the time of the election.
• All positions require current membership by July 1 of the term year, or the position must be vacated.

HOD Delegate Requirements

• Must be a Platinum member of PAs for Women Empowerment
• Must be a current member of AAPA
• The delegates shall be responsible for representing PAs for Women Empowerment at the AAPA HOD.
• Delegates are voted in by PAWE members.
• Seating order, including chief delegate, are determined by number of votes received.  In the event of a tie, order is determined alphabetically by last name.
• Delegates are credentialed by the AAPA House of Delegates

Position Descriptions