Our Leadership Team
Meet Our Leadership Team
Empower RN’s leadership team is a dedicated group of seasoned nurses and healthcare advocates who bring a wealth of experience from the bedside to the boardroom. Our team, led by founder Ben Bersick, DNP, understands frontline nurses' unique challenges.
We are deeply committed to promoting career advancement, leadership opportunities, and professional recognition for bedside nurses. Driven by a shared passion for enhancing patient outcomes through empowered nursing, our leaders are united in their mission to reshape healthcare by elevating those who make a daily difference in patients' lives.
Together, we’re paving the way for a future where advanced education and frontline leadership are accessible and impactful for every nurse.
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Dr. Ben Bersick
DNP, MSN, RN, CPPS, MEDSURG-BC
Ben Bersick came to nursing as a second career from the hospitality industry. As his education progressed he earned multiple degrees including a Master's in Nurse Education & a DNP in Organizational Leadership. He is currently a bedside nurse at the VA in Salt Lake City, and also teaches at the University of Utah and Westminster University. He is married with a son, and in his spare time loves to telemark ski, cook, attend jamband concerts, and otherwise engage in shenanigans.
Merrit Rinard
Merritt Rinard has been in non-profit development for over 12 years. She has fundraised for a variety of causes including animal welfare, international healthcare and military families.
Currently, she is the owner of Utah Pet Aquamation, the first-of-its-kind in Northern Utah facility, providing eco-friendly pet cremation by water. In her free time she enjoys hikes with her dogs, volunteering and spending time with friends and family.
Temma Martin
Temma Martin has dedicated her 30-year career to education and public relations, mostly in the animal welfare field. She's a strategic, innovative and creative PR professional holding a Master of Professional Communication degree with 15+ years of experience in municipal organizations and local and national nonprofits. She excels at developing and disseminating accurate, impactful messaging and thought leadership content through media outreach and other channels."
Dr. Anna Alder
DNP, RN, CCRN, NPD-BC
Anna Alder's (she/her) commitment to continuing education and personal professional development led her to obtain a Master of Science in Nursing Education degree and a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Organizational Leadership degree, both from the University of Utah College of Nursing. She is currently an assistant professor at the University of Utah College of Nursing and has been a nurse for 16 years, primarily in critical and progressive care settings. She is a dedicated advocate for well-being, actively engaging with the nursing community through her Instagram account @the.burnoutbook and incorporating a focus on well-being in her teachings. In her free time, she enjoys baking, exploring new destinations, and spending quality time with her family.