Ena Williams, PhD, RN, CENP, FAAN, FADLN, currently serves as Senior Vice President and System Chief Nursing Executive at Yale New Haven Health (YNHHS). She is responsible for strategic oversight of nursing practice, research, education, Magnet, and centralized staffing. Previously, she served as Senior Vice President and CNO for Yale New Haven Hospital - one of the largest hospitals in the country with more than 1500 beds, 6000 nurses, 3-time ANCC Magnet designated, level I trauma academic medical center. Her journey at YNHHS spans 32 years, beginning as a staff nurse in the operating room. She is the first nurse of color to become a nursing director, a vice president of nursing, a senior vice president of nursing and chief nursing officer of the hospital, and Chief Nurse Executive of the Health System. Her nursing journey began in Jamaica at the University Hospital of the West Indies.  

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Ena is passionate about giving voice to the voiceless, engaging in community locally, regionally, and nationally to advance the profession for all nurses, and create access. She believes in the strength of nursing professional organizations, providing her expertise and leadership to advance nursing practice, publications, and policy. Ena currently serves as president-elect of the American Organization of Nursing Leadership (President 2026-2027), the Joint Commission Board, and the American Nurses Association Foundation. She has been recognized with numerous awards for her impact on the community, the profession and leadership.

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She is guided by the motto: if I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living will not be in vain.