Sigma introduces new representatives to the United Nations

INDIANAPOLIS—Two new Sigma United Nations liaisons and one youth representative have been selected to represent Sigma to the United Nations (UN) and the non-governmental organization community. They join four existing liaisons and two youth representatives.

These volunteer positions support Sigma’s engagement at the highest levels of global collaboration, educate world leaders about Sigma, and promote the value of nursing leadership by attending and/or participating in various UN events, programs, and activities. They gather information to inform and advise Sigma’s global initiatives department, fulfilling Sigma’s mission to develop nurses anywhere to improve healthcare everywhere.

Congratulations to the following Sigma members who began their UN appointment in early January 2026:

• Sanele Lukhele, Sigma UN Liaison
•  Sheryl Garriques-Lloyd, Sigma UN Liaison
• Marin Strong, Sigma UN Youth Representative

They join current liaisons and youth representatives:

•  Abeer Alharthi, Sigma UN Liaison
•  Jitana Benton-Lee, Sigma UN Liaison
•  Jasper Erwin Tolarba, Sigma UN Liaison
• Siobhán O'Connor, Sigma UN Liaison
• Amy Staley, Sigma UN Youth Representative
•  Regina Yuen, Sigma UN Youth Representative

Learn more about our liaisons and youth representatives.

Jerry Ouner and Charlotte McArdle, former Sigma UN Liaisons, and Aimée Giselle Horcasitas-Tovar, former Sigma UN Youth Representative, have completed their terms and will no longer be serving as representatives. Their dedication and passion towards giving nurses a voice on the global stage, however, remains.

In July 2012, the UN Economic and Social Council granted special consultative status to Sigma, which refers to expertise in the field of nursing and global health. This UN designation recognizes Sigma’s commitment to the charter of the UN, which seeks to achieve international cooperation toward solving humanitarian issues.

Sigma's special consultative status refers to competence in the nursing field, which extends to global health. This status allows Sigma greater privileges, access to nearly all intergovernmental processes at the UN dealing with economic and social development—including health and gender issues, sustainable development, and human rights—and allows Sigma to participate on UN committees and to have a “voice” at the UN.

Through this affiliation, Sigma commits to disseminating information and raising public awareness about the purposes and activities of the UN and related issues of global concern. Sigma provides a strong nursing presence at the UN and will continue to conduct outreach around the world to help our nurse members better understand the work and aims of the UN, including the Sustainable Development Goals.

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About Sigma

The Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma) is a nonprofit organization with the mission of developing nurse leaders anywhere to improve healthcare everywhere. Founded in 1922, Sigma has more than 100,000 active members and 600 chapters at institutions of higher education and healthcare partners from Armenia, Australia, and Botswana to Thailand, the United States, and Wales. Sigma members include clinical nurses and administrators, academic nurse educators and researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and others working to fulfill the organization’s vision of connected, empowered nurse leaders transforming global healthcare. 

Learn more at SigmaNursing.org.