Meet Dr. Lydel A. Wright, the new Interim CEO of Sigma Nursing

Statement from Dr. Lydel A. Wright, DBA, MSN, RN, NEA-BC | Interim Chief Executive Officer

I am honored to serve as Interim Chief Executive Officer of Sigma Nursing, an organization whose distinguished legacy of scholarship, leadership, and service continues to advance nursing worldwide. I am grateful to the Board for its confidence and to Kirby Bates Associates for its partnership in this leadership transition. While my appointment is interim in duration, my commitment to Sigma’s people, purpose, and future is unwavering.

My leadership is grounded in four principles: People, Purpose, Performance, and Possibilities. These reflect the convictions that guide my decisions, the standards I uphold, and the commitments I bring to Sigma.

Our work always begins with PEOPLE. I believe our greatest strength lies in the diverse cultures, generations, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of our members, team members, and communities. I intend to cultivate an organization where people are valued, voices are heard, and barriers to opportunity are removed. As a nurse and executive leader, I carry a defining conviction: Nothing for us, without us. So as we partner and collaborate with others, nurses must have a meaningful voice in shaping our profession—a voice that will only be strengthened by diverse perspectives and collaborative partnerships.

That commitment is strengthened by PURPOSE. Our mission must be both our foundation and our catalyst for progress. I intend to honor Sigma’s legacy while accelerating Sigma Forward through greater membership value, diversified and sustainable revenue, global visibility, and measurable outcomes.

Our Purpose must be matched by PERFORMANCE. Excellence must be demonstrated, not simply declared. I will lead with transparency, operational discipline, and accountability, measuring our progress against established standards and the commitments we make.

And when People, Purpose, and Performance align, we unlock POSSIBILITIES. I envision a more inclusive, financially sustainable, and globally influential Sigma where innovation and collaboration connect generations, academia, clinical practice, industry, and communities to create opportunities beyond traditional boundaries.

These principles will guide both my leadership and our organizational progress. It is important to note that I will support the independent review being conducted by CP Education & Consulting and will collaborate with our Board to translate its findings into meaningful action. We will examine the policies, practices, governance structures, and partnerships that shape Sigma—correcting or eliminating those that perpetuate discrimination while strengthening those that advance inclusion, opportunity, and excellence.

We will welcome diverse perspectives and respectful differences of opinion without compromising dignity, equity, or respect. Those who share these commitments will find a willing partner in Sigma. Those unwilling to uphold them may choose a different path. We wish them well, but our standards are not negotiable.

I recognize that my appointment represents more than diversity; it reflects the qualifications, capabilities, and leadership excellence that have always existed throughout our profession. Excellence has never been exclusive, and opportunity should not be either.

Together, we will honor Sigma’s legacy while challenging the status quo and creating pathways for future generations. Our success will be measured by the opportunities we create, the barriers we remove, the commitments we fulfill, and the lasting impact we deliver.

With People at our center, Purpose as our compass, Performance as our standard, and Possibilities as our future, we will build a stronger Sigma—a Sigma Forward.

Dr. Lydel A. Wright, DBA, MSN, RN, NEA-BC

Dr. Lydel A. Wright, DBA, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, is interim chief executive officer of Sigma Nursing. An accomplished healthcare executive, business strategist, and innovator, he brings more than two decades of progressive leadership spanning complex healthcare organizations, enterprise operations, financial management, nonprofit governance, and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Wright began his career as a nursing assistant and licensed practical nurse and went on to lead nursing operations at the enterprise level. Since then, he has translated strategic vision into measurable outcomes, strengthened organizational performance, developed sustainable revenue opportunities, and guided geographically dispersed organizations through growth and transformation. His executive leadership includes advancing enterprise-wide clinical and operational strategies and contributing to the development of an integrated healthcare platform designed for long-term growth and sustainability.

He holds a BSN and MSN from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Doctor of Business Administration from Temple University, and he is board certified as an advanced nurse executive. A Johnson & Johnson Nurse Innovation Fellow, he was inducted into the National Academies of Practice in 2021 and was a 2024–2025 Fellow of the Harvard Global Nursing Leadership Program at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. He is also the founder of Access Healthwear and the designer of The Access Gown™, a reimagined hospital gown focused on patient dignity and clinical function.

Together, his executive, academic, philanthropic, and entrepreneurial experience informs a leadership philosophy grounded in financial stewardship, operational excellence, and purposeful innovation. Guided by four principles—People, Purpose, Performance, and Possibilities—he believes enduring institutions are built by investing in people, strengthening relationships and systems, embracing new opportunities, and delivering meaningful, measurable value.