2025 FAONL Spotlight: Lisbeth Votruba

What motivated you to apply for the FAONL designation?
For me, it wasn’t a “what” but a “who”—Larissa Africa, MBA, BSN, RN, FAONL, reached out unexpectedly and encouraged me to apply. She recognized my deep commitment to AONL’s mission and the work I had done to advance nursing leadership through innovation and influence. Her belief in me lit a spark, and now I feel a responsibility to pay it forward by recognizing and uplifting other nurse leaders.

How has being an FAONL designee impacted your leadership journey and leadership style?
Going through the process—pulling together my body of work and leaning on mentors like Carol Watson, PhD, RN, FAONL—gave me surprising clarity. It helped me see how my past efforts and dedication to AONL connect to what I feel called to do next. More than a title, FAONL reminded me why I lead and why this work matters.

What value have you received by achieving your FAONL designation (could be professional growth, personal connections, etc.)?
One of the most unexpected gifts has been the recognition from people outside of nursing. My daughters, family, and friends may not know AONL in detail, but they understood that being named a fellow is something meaningful. Their pride reminded me that this honor doesn’t just reflect professional growth—it’s a celebration of a life’s work that others can see and feel proud of too.

What advice would you give to someone working towards achieving FAONL status?
Give yourself plenty of time—this isn’t something to rush through the night before it's due. Spacing it out lets you enjoy the process instead of stressing over it. And when the big moment comes, be fully present and have fun with it—during our rehearsal, I asked Debra Zimmerman, DNP, RN, FAAN, to announce my name like a hockey game announcer…and when she belted out “Vo-TRUUUU-ba!” I couldn’t stop smiling.