Dr. Melanie Creagan Dreher, PhD, RN, FAAN

Dr. Dreher received her bachelor's degree in nursing from Long Island University and her PhD in Anthropology (with distinction) from Columbia University. Her career in academic leadership began with socially relevant research funded by NIH and cited in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. She was a Charter Member in the NIH National Institute for Nursing Research Study Section and the NIH Council of Public Representatives.

Her career included four Deanships at the University of Miami, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Iowa, and Rush University in Chicago. Dr. Dreher's career expanded from academia to healthcare governance with board appointments including the Chicago Board of Health, Wellmark Blue Cross, Blue Shield, AvaSure Technology and Trinity Health, where she served as Chair of the Quality and Safety Committee and Chair of the Board.

As a member of Beta Zeta at Large Chapter, she was elected President of the Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society of Nursing. The Melanie Dreher Dean's Award is now given annually to an Academic Dean who has embraced Sigma's values of scholarship and leadership. Dr. Dreher was named among the "40 Smartest People in Health Care" by Beckers Hospital Report.

 Lucas M. Davis, M.Ed., CAE, ACC, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, ICE-CCP

Chief Executive Officer

Sigma Nursing

Lucas M. Davis is a visionary leader with a passion for developing talent and transforming organizations to create meaningful social impact on a global scale. With over 15 years of executive experience, Luke has consistently leveraged his expertise in people leadership, program management, and operational excellence to spearhead award-winning initiatives and build resilient, high-performing teams.

As the Chief Executive Officer of Sigma Nursing, Luke is at the forefront of advancing the nursing profession worldwide. He is dedicated to helping associations and organizations redefine their strategies, optimize human resource practices, and enhance organizational efficiency, all while staying true to their mission and vision. His leadership is characterized by a commitment to fostering innovation, diversity, and inclusivity in every facet of the organization. In recognition of his exceptional contributions to the field, Luke was named a 2024 Diversity Executive Leadership Program (DELP) Scholar by ASAE, The Center for Association Leadership—an honor that reflects his dedication to cultivating the next generation of leaders in association management.

Before joining Sigma Nursing, Luke served as Vice President and Chief Staff Executive of ICF Coaching Education at the International Coaching Federation, where he played a pivotal role in elevating professional standards for a global network of coaches. His dedication to leadership development extends to academia, where he has imparted his knowledge as an adjunct faculty member at several esteemed colleges and universities.

 Luke's academic credentials include a Bachelor’s degree from Western Kentucky University and a Master’s in Education with a focus on Adult and Higher Education from the University of Missouri. He also holds the credentials of Certified Association Executive (CAE) by ASAE and The Center for Association Leadership, Associate Certified Coach (ACC) by the International Coaching Federation, Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) by the Human Resources Certification Institute, Society of Human Resources Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) as well as a being a Certified Credentialing Professional (ICE-CCP) by the Institute for Credentialing Excellence.

Luke’s leadership journey is a testament to his unwavering dedication to empowering others and driving transformative change across the organizations he leads.