G. Rumay Alexander, a Registered Nurse with a decorated academic career and a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, is a nationally recognized leader in nursing, health equity, and inclusive excellence. A professor in the School of Nursing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she has also served as Associate Vice Chancellor and Associate Dean at the Adams School of Dentistry. Her career reflects a deep commitment to culturally relevant care, leadership development, and systemic transformation in health care.
Alexander served as President of the National League for Nursing, representing over 40,000 nurse educators and 1,200 schools of nursing. For two decades, she was Senior Vice President of Clinical Affairs at the Tennessee Hospital Association, where she founded the Agenda 21 Program for Healthcare Administrators—now celebrating its 30th anniversary.
In 2023, Alexander was appointed Senior Equity Advisor to the American Nurses Association, where she leads strategic efforts for the National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing. She also serves on the board of The Leapfrog Group, advocating for transparency and safety in health care.
Alexander’s influence spans numerous national initiatives, including the American Academy of Nursing, the American Hospital Association’s Commission on Workforce, the Tri-Council of Nursing, and the National Quality Forum. She has authored a book, multiple book chapters, and peer-reviewed articles and is a sought-after speaker, including presenting at the ANCC Magnet and Pathways Conference, nursing’s largest national gathering.
A first-generation college graduate, Alexander holds a bachelor’s in nursing from UT and went on to complete her master’s in nursing and a doctorate in education at other institutions. Her mantra—you can’t talk your way out of what you behaved your way into—continues to inspire health care professionals nationwide.
