July 28, 2021
The Board of Directors of the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) welcomes Kelly Trautner as the Interim Executive Director of Oregon’s largest and most influential nursing organization, effective immediately. Trautner’s appointment comes after ONA’s previous Executive Director, Sarah Laslett, resigned in early June.
“ONA is facing a number of challenges,” said Lynda Pond, President of the ONA Board. “Not only are we looking at the second ED transition in as many years, but the global COVID-19 pandemic has essentially changed the way ONA can, and should, work for our more than 15,000 nurse members. The Board believes we must embrace this moment as a unique opportunity to rethink our work in fundamental ways.”
Trautner currently serves as the Senior Director of the American Federation of Teacher's health care division and acts as lead advisor to AFT President Randi Weingarten on health and health care issues. Trautner's prior work includes serving as President and CEO of The Center for Balanced Living, a facility specializing in treatment of eating disorders, and as CEO for the Ohio Nurses Association.
She is also a licensed attorney whose practice has included representation of health care professionals on matters involving contracts and other issues. Trautner brings more than 20 years’ experience in health care, labor union management, and nursing unions to her Interim Executive Director role with ONA.
“ONA is the most important voice for nurses in Oregon,” said Trautner. “Not to mention being a crucial partner in the work of AFT, ANA, and the AFL-CIO. Given the significant changes that have occurred in health care and nursing over the past 18 months, AFT and I are delighted to assist the staff and Board of ONA to determine how best to adapt, change and grow to meet this new landscape.”
Over the coming months, ONA’s Board and Executive Leadership Team will work alongside Trautner and other AFT staff to assess ONA with a view towards how best to advance the goals of the nursing profession in the state and readying the organization for recruitment of a top-notch executive director.
The Board of ONA expects this assessment process to take approximately 6 months; Trautner will continue her interim work with ONA for the duration of this process.
“Kelly and her AFT colleagues have vast experience in executive leadership, alongside the significant resources they bring with them from AFT,” said Pond. “They are the ideal team to help ONA to navigate the challenges we face. We know Kelly will help ONA become stronger and more effective for our members, for our patients, and for the labor movement in Oregon.”
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About the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA): ONA is the state’s largest and most influential nursing organization. We are a professional association and labor union which represents 15,000 nurses and allied health workers throughout the state. Our mission is to advocate for nursing, quality health care and healthy communities. For more information visit: www.OregonRN.org.
About the American Federation of Teachers (AFT): The American Federation of Teachers, an affiliate of the AFL-CIO, was founded in 1916 and today represents 1.7 million members in more than 3,000 local affiliates nationwide. Five divisions within the AFT represent the broad spectrum of the AFT's membership: pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; and nurses and other health care professionals. In addition, the AFT represents approximately 80,000 early childhood educators and nearly 250,000 retiree members. For more information visit: www.AFT.org.
