Staff

Vacant

Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer

Joni Cover

Vice President of Strategic Initiatives

Joni is the newest member of the NASPA team – joining us after serving as the CEO of the Nebraska Pharmacists Association for 17 years. Joni graduated from the University of Nebraska with a bachelor’s degree in Communications; received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing from Chadron State College; and received her juris doctor from the University of Wyoming in 2000. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the People’s City Mission in Lincoln, NE.

Joni is married to Michael, a veterinarian, and has two sons, Jacob (starting physical therapy school in August) and Caleb (a Senior at the University of Nebraska) and a black lab named Abby.

What has been your biggest distraction while working remotely in 2020?
My black lab, Abby. She lays next to my desk in our home office and needs to be let out at the precise time I am engaged in a Zoom meeting or presentation.

As a child, what career did you picture yourself in?
A veterinarian – funny that I ended up marrying one instead!

Allie Jo Shipman

Senior Director, Policy & Professional Affairs

Allie Jo is a South Carolina native and a 2017 graduate of Mercer University College of Pharmacy in Atlanta, GA. Interested in advancing the pharmacy profession, she moved to Alexandria, VA after graduation to begin her career in association management as the 2017-2018 National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) Executive Resident. Allie Jo moved on from her residency early to join the NCPA Advocacy Center, where she served as Associate Director, State Government Affairs, before accepting a position as Director, State Policy for NASPA in 2019.

In her free time, Allie Jo enjoys music, reading, being outside, and playing with her two toy poodles Heidi and Gretel.  She received her Bachelor’s degree in Music, and hopes visit every U.S. state and all seven continents.

What has been your biggest distraction while working remotely in 2020?
I would say my biggest distractions are Heidi and Gretel – they love to cuddle up while I’m working, and it’s really hard to resist two super-cute pups.

What fictional world or place would you like to live in?
This tends to change depending on what book/movie/TV series I’m obsessively reading/watching, but overall I’d have to go with Narnia. How cool would it be to actually be able to talk to animals?!

Elizabeth Nelson

Executive Director, NASPA Services LLC; Senior Director, Communications & Operations

Elizabeth Nelson comes to NASPA with a background in non-profit association management.  She began her career in Washington, DC working for two small healthcare associations with SmithBucklin Corporation, and then several years with the Vinyl Siding Institute.  After leaving the DC area, Elizabeth worked for a short time with a small business consulting firm in Charleston, SC, before starting her position at NASPA in 2015.  In 2018, she was proud to earn her Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential from ASAE.

Elizabeth received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia and is an active volunteer in the education field.

What has been your biggest distraction while working remotely in 2020?
A tie between snuggling my sweet dog Evan and constantly snacking…the fridge is just too close!

What fictional world or place would you like to live in?
I’d love to be an employee at Dunder Mifflin in Scranton, PA.  Not so much the actual work, but I’d love to be around those characters.

Gayle Darnell

Director, Administration and Finance

Gayle comes to NASPA with over 35 years of corporate experience with one of the largest manufacturers in Richmond, VA.  During her time tenure, her focus was on Administration and Web Development with their diverse client base covering everything from finance and HR, to purchasing and manufacturing.

Gayle has been married for almost 40 years, has one son who lives in Los Angeles and enjoys reading, cooking, baking, walking, watching Jeopardy, and spending time with family and friends in her spare time.

What has been your biggest distraction while working remotely in 2020?
Sticking to my regular eating habits—too much food in the pantry and fridge and easy access!

As a child, what career did you picture yourself in?
I started taking French in the 4^th grade so thought I would like to be a French interpreter at the United Nations!

Tricia Dewey

Senior Manager, Communications and Creative Services

Tricia comes to NASPA with a background in communications and marketing.  She began her career working for PBS in the Independent Lens Division, focusing on independent film submissions.  She then spent eight years working for Metro Productions, travelling all over the world planning video productions.

Tricia is a Virginia native and graduated from Lynchburg College with a BA in Communications and Electronic Media.  In her free time, Tricia loves spending time with her husband Derick, daughter Norah and dog Benny.

What has been your biggest distraction while working remotely in 2020?
My three-year old daughter Norah.  She doesn’t understand why I can’t just play! At a few points during these 9 months I’ve had to make her her own office!

As a child, what career did you picture yourself in?
I thought as a child that I’d have won at least two Oscars by now- either for Directing or Best Actress in a Leading Role.  Clearly, that has not happened, but I haven’t yet given up hope!

Kim Hsieh

Manager, Education and Advanced Training

Kim comes to NASPA with a background in Information Technology. She is a New York native and graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a BS degree in Information Technology. During her studies, she completed a Database Administration internship for a large supermarket chain. After graduation, she relocated to Virginia with her husband and her pets to pursue a new career in a warmer climate.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, baking, exploring her new city, and traveling around the world.

What has been your biggest distraction while working remotely in 2020?
My cat, Nemo, is overly interested in everything I do. I ended up giving him his own table next to my desk so he would stay off of my keyboard!

As a child, what career did you picture yourself in?
I wanted to be a veterinarian

Missy Wigley

Manager, Member Relations & Projects

David Kosar

Consultant