Meet the INS Team!

Chris serves as the Chief Executive Officer of INS and INCC. In this role, Chris works with the executive management team to develop strategies for new business development and overall organizational growth. Chris began his INS career in 1995 when INS did not have e-mail or the internet, and people had to use a telephone to communicate. He held positions as meetings manager, director of meetings, director of marketing, and executive vice president before assuming his current position as CEO in May 2023

An avid and passionate Boston sports fan, Chris has spent the last 20 years enjoying one Boston team championship after another while trying to convince his three equally passionate adult children that Boston sports wasn’t always this wonderful.

As part of the INS executive team, Maria is responsible for maximizing the operational performance of the Infusion Nurses Society (INS) and the Infusion Nurses Certification Corporation (INCC) and achieving each organization’s financial goals. In addition, works to implement the strategic view and initiatives of both organizations as set forth by the board of directors and helps ensure that all mission objectives are met.   Maria is also responsible for all human resource initiatives and key performance indicators.

Maria completed her MBA program with a specialization in Human Resource Management. She also sat for and passed the CAE exam and was awarded the designation of Certified Association Executive. When not working, Maria’s favorite role is that of Nonnie to her 2 beautiful grandchildren.

Marlene M. Steinheiser, PhD, RN, CRNI®, is the INS Director of Clinical Education. In her role, Dr. Steinheiser sets the strategic direction and development of all INS continuing education programs, including in-person annual meetings and virtual offerings such as symposiums and webinars. In addition, she develops strategic alliances with other nursing associations, healthcare organizations, colleges of nursing, and other groups interested in the infusion specialty to promote INS and increase our visibility.

Dr. Steinheiser has 38 years of nursing experience and has been a CRNI since 1991. She has experience working in acute care, home infusion/home care, and long-term care settings, as faculty in pre-licensure and post-licensure nursing education, and as a nurse practice consultant and scope of practice committee member for a state nursing regulatory board. Her passion for infusion therapy and vascular access has been integrated into each of her varied career roles.

Dr. Steinheiser earned her PhD from the University of Arizona, Master’s and Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Akron, and her nursing diploma from Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital School of Nursing. While conducting studies in the areas of infusion therapy, vascular access and compassion fatigue in nursing, Dr. Steinheiser enjoys mixed methods research with a passion for qualitative data analysis. She presents nationally and internationally on topics related to infusion therapy and vascular access.

Derek Fox, MSN, RN, VA-BC, CRNI®, NEA-BC, serves as the INS Nurse Educator, dedicated to advancing clinical excellence in infusion and vascular access. With a profound commitment to this specialty, Derek leverages his extensive experience as a clinician, leader, and educator to shape the future of the infusion specialty.

In his role at INS, Derek fosters connections among clinicians and facilitates robust educational opportunities through various platforms including webinars, annual meetings, and the INS podcast. His initiative aims to empower healthcare professionals with the latest advancements and best practices in infusion therapy. Derek also evaluates infusion programs and resources seeking the INS Seal of Approval designation.

Beyond his role at INS, Derek has cultivated a diverse career marked by significant achievements in healthcare leadership and education. As a board-certified nurse executive, he has demonstrated a strong track record in managing accreditation compliance, developing policy and procedures, and enhancing shared governance structures. His expertise extends to clinical compliance management, systematic leadership, and the strategic formation of high-performing clinical teams.

Throughout his career, Derek has been instrumental in creating comprehensive educational programs tailored to the needs of both novice and seasoned vascular access nurses. He has developed state approved IV therapy programs, virtual vascular access and infusion courses, lead clinical and education teams nationally, and championed initiatives that elevate standards in clinical practice.

Dawn serves as the Editor in Chief of the Journal of Infusion Nursing and the Director of the Publications Department for the Infusion Nurses Society. She has been actively involved in the practice of infusion therapy since 2005. Prior to joining the INS team, she practiced as a clinical nurse specialist for infusion, and nurse manager of the infusion center, venous access team, and RN response team at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics. Dr. Berndt holds a doctor of nursing practice in clinical leadership from the Henry Predolin School of Nursing at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin and a master’s of nursing education from the University of Wisconsin School of Nursing.

Donna coordinates the manuscript review process of the Journal of Infusion Nursing and other publications. She corresponds with peer reviewers and authors in the request, receipt, and review of manuscripts, maintaining manuscript logging control. She copyedits all accepted manuscripts for the journal. She is also responsible for collecting accepted articles, preparing them for publication, and working with the publishing production editor and printers to meet scheduling deadlines. 

Donna received her BA in Communications from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. Prior to joining INS, Donna worked for another medical journal, first as Circulation Manager, then as Managing Editor. She began editing early in life, when she would correct the grammar and spelling on the notes friends passed to her in school (this was not usually appreciated). Donna is an avid reader and loves cats. She enjoys watching Braves baseball and college basketball and football games.

Meghan plans, organizes, and executes various events to promote INS’ brand, engage the audience, and drive business objectives. In addition to the events, she manages all aspects of the INS membership program, provides exceptional service to our members, and oversees the administration of our membership database using Fonteva software. Meghan drives membership growth through targeted strategies, outreach efforts, and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

Meghan received her MBA from Curry College in 2014 and passed the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) exam shortly after, in 2015. She loves spending time with her three boys and husband in Massachusetts. If she’s not chasing a 2-year-old, debating with a 4-year-old, or driving a 6-year-old to his activities then you’ll find her collaborating with her husband on a regretful DIY project, reading a book, and hopefully unwinding with a cold glass of wine.

Jill acts as a project manager for both member services and INS national conferences. For membership services, she ensures the current software platforms and marketing initiatives support membership needs while also locating potential places for future expansion. For INS national conferences, she coordinates all meetings logistics—hotels, vendors, and exhibitors—and educational content, including planning, organizing, implementing, and gathering data for educational program evaluations. She also coordinates speakers and educational content for other INS programs, acts as the liaison with the National Council on Education (NCOE), and oversees all of the virtual learning assets in the INS LEARNING CENTER.

 Jill received her Bachelor of Science degree from Bridgewater State University in 2015. When she’s not binge-watching Real Housewives, Jill enjoys spending time with loved ones, online shopping, and a nice glass of “sauv b.”

Susan enjoys watching Boston sports, spending time with her family, tweeting to the masses, and traveling when she can. In her secret life she is a geek. She loves social media and the communication aspect of it all. When she has time, she works on friends’ computers to solve software/virus issues. She also enjoys going to live blues shows. Susan is also a foodie, trying new food of all shapes and sizes and is always on the hunt for a good restaurant, tweeting about her experiences along the way.

Cher is responsible for recording and maintaining all business financial transactions and financial reports. Other responsibilities include monitoring the financial health, compliance, and forecasting for INS. She also assists in the member services department. Cher holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Nichols College.

She spends her free time with her three children, husband, family and friends. She enjoys going to the gym, biking, hiking, walking, and spending time on the beach. Cher is the Assistant Treasurer for the New England English Old Sheepdog Rescue, a rescue program for abandoned, mistreated, or unwanted Old English Sheepdogs.

Whitney is responsible for overseeing all INS marketing initiatives including implementing, evaluating, and refining INS’s annual overarching marketing plan and each department’s marketing campaigns. Whitney earned her bachelor’s degree in advertising from the University of Florida (Go Gators!). Whitney has 5+ years of nonprofit experience, including marketing, event planning, and fundraising.

As a native Floridian, Whitney enjoys spending time with her husband and puppy, exploring her new home of Tennessee. You can find her on Saturday’s cheering on the Florida Gators or drinking coffee with a book in hand.