INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, USA | 8-11 November 2025
Our Mission: Developing nurse leaders anywhere to improve healthcare everywhere
Our Vision: Connected, empowered nurse leaders transforming global healthcare
Our Values: Love, courage, and honor
C. Garmon Bibb DNSc, RN, FFNMRCSI, FAAN
President, 2023-2025
Sigma International Board of Directors
Greetings Valued Sigma Members and Leaders:
The SIgma International Board of DIrectors and I are pleased to present this report of actions and accomplishments during the 2023-2025 biennium. Our most significant accomplishment this biennium has been interacting with you in person and virtually at chapter, regional, and Sigma and non-Sigma events. Your passion, enthusiasm, and love for Sigma inspire us! We celebrate your commitment to being the change you want to see in the world, even amid global unrest and uncertainty. We applaud you for consistently showing love, having courage, and upholding honor
At the beginning of this biennium, while delivering the organizational call to action, Represent, to the House of Delegates, I talked about hope and the unusual times we are living in. We are indeed living in unusual times, but co-existing with hope. A hope that can be represented by responding to “our current times” by championing contemporary practice with professionalism, perspective, and perseverance. Hope is a choice, and we, the Sigma International Board of Directors, are beyond grateful for how you have overwhelmingly chosen hope. We are enthused by your exemplification of Sigma excellence and excitement everywhere. We remain committed to supporting nurses wherever they serve. We extend heartfelt thanks to all of you for all you do to make a difference in the lives of so many, especially those serving during the many conflicts and disasters around the globe.
Thank you for the difference you make individually and for the difference we made collectively across the past two years. A difference by continuing the focus on relevance began by the 2021-2023 International Board of Directors. A difference motivated by hope and what can and should be while strengthening community, leveraging collaboration, championing innovation and moving forward. A difference by connecting, influencing and adding value to the world around us. All while embodying, celebrating and building on our legacy.
I would also like to thank you for electing me to serve as president-elect and be subsequently installed as Sigma’s 35th president. Serving across these past four years has been a tremendous honor and the highlight of my professional career. I am beyond grateful.
The Sigma legacy belongs to every nurse who has ever been inducted into Sigma, as well as to those who will be inducted in the future. Once a Sigma nurse, always a Sigma nurse.
In October 2023, before I was installed as president, I spent a day in the Founders Room at Sigma Headquarters reading about our Founders. I wanted to learn more about who they were individually and collectively and catch a glimpse of their vision for the organization they founded. I was at that time, and still am overwhelmed by their vision, insight, and perseverance. Even more, I am excited that what we are living in today, is what they envisioned in 1922. Community. Collaboration. Innovation. Moving forward Our mission, developing nurse leaders anywhere to improve healthcare everywhere, is being carried out through the collaborative efforts of the Sigma membership, volunteer and appointed leaders, and Sigma’s CEO and staff.
Thank you, Sigma nurses, everywhere for Representing Sigma and what we stand for around the globe. For showing the change, we want to see by communicating a caring culture. For showing respect for everyone by cultivating cultural humility. For addressing the demand for current, relevant practice approaches by championing contemporary practice.
Thank you, volunteer appointed leaders and members serving on committees, advisory councils, subsidiary boards, and task forces at the international level.
Thank you, United Nations Liaisons and Youth Representatives, for your leadership and advocacy on behalf of Sigma and the profession of nursing around the globe.
Thank you, volunteer elected and appointed leaders serving at the regional and chapter levels.
Thank you, House of Delegates, Sigma’s governing body for your dedicated service to Sigma’s membership and for your individual and collective commitment to our values of love, courage and honor.
Thank you, International Board of Directors, International Governance Committee, International Leadership Succession Committee and Regional Coordinators, Sigma’s elected volunteer leaders, for your commitment and service to Sigma and its members. Thank you for giving your time and talents in strengthening Sigma’s community, leveraging collaboration, championing innovation and moving forward.
Thank you, CEO Luke Davis and Sigma staff, for being the difference that makes the difference. For leading the charge in carrying out strategic and daily operations of Sigma and working to provide Sigma’s international elected and volunteer leaders, regions, chapters and members with support and benefits that strengthen community, leverage collaboration, champion innovation and move Sigma forward.
Thank you, donors to the Sigma Foundation for Nursing, for your generosity and for partnering with the Foundation in making dreams come true.
Thank you, Past Presidents, for your legacy, leadership, ambassadorship and support. We, the Sigma International Board of Directors, value you and your many, many contributions to the organization and the membership. We are beyond grateful!
Huge congratulations to everyone on our accomplishments this biennium. We are Sigma! Our vision, connected, empowered nurse leaders transforming global healthcare, is being realized through us as a collaborative, innovative community, modeling the change, we want to see as we move Sigma forward together. Represent: Reflect. Respect. Respond.
This section provides highlights of Board actions and accomplishments during the 2023-2025 biennium.
Please take some time to carefully review the entire Summary of Board of Directors Actions and Accomplishments 2023 to 2025 and the Headquarters Report for more details of activity during the 20232025 Biennium.
• Established organizational priorities for the 2023-2025 Organizational Call to Action: Represent
• Continued focus on relevance with concentration on Sigma as an association and business while refining revised strategic goals developed by the 2021-2023 International Board of Directors
• Conducted an extensive search for a new CEO and welcomed Lucas M. Davis, MEd, CAE as the new Sigma CEO and organization’s operational lead
• Commissioned Sigma’s new CEO to conduct an extensive organizational assessment and develop a 6-month business plan for moving Sigma forward strategically with a focus on relevance, association management, and business operations
• Appointed and defined expected outcomes for three elected committees, a board subcommittee, two board working groups, two advisory councils, and a task force
• Approved reimagining of strategic goals incorporating environmental and organizational assessment data/information and input from Sigma members and stakeholders
• Approved new scope, functions and responsibilities for the Corporate, Audit and Accountability Committee, which was renamed Finance, Audit and Risk Committee
• Reviewed and discussed findings from Membership Survey by SMARI and discussed trends and highlights
• Approved the reimagined strategic goals as “Sigma Forward”, a three-year strategic framework for 2025-2028
• Approved ending the pilot phase for practicesetting chapters allowing interested practice settings to now establish Sigma chapters according to the required process
• Approved 40-chapter charter and amendment applications
• Continued collaborative role with the United Nations and as a non-governmental organization with special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
• Approved external audits for fiscal years 2024 and 2025, both were clean audits
• Approved annual budgets for fiscal years 2025 and 2026
• Reviewed and discussed highlights and trends of the 2025 State of the World’s Nursing Report
• Represented Sigma and its mission and initiatives at numerous national and international nursing and interdisciplinary meetings
• Promoted ambassadorship by being out and about virtually or in person at chapters, regions and Sigma events around the globe, and at national and international nursing and interdisciplinary meetings
• Reviewed and reaffirmed Sigma’s Global Values Statement and Guiding Principles
The International Board of Directors, as duly elected representatives of the membership, bears the governance role and has leadership responsibility for Sigma. As stewards of the values, vision, mission, and principles of the organization, the board fulfilled its obligations as summarized below.
Under the leadership of Sandra Bibb, DNSc, RN, FFNMRCSI, FAAN, the board exercised due diligence in carrying out its mandate by oversight and support for organizational actions in these areas. Sigma owes a debt of gratitude to these leaders for guiding the organization with honor, judgment, and insight.
• Established organizational priorities for the 2023-2025 Organizational Call to Action: Represent
• Continued focus on relevance with concentration on Sigma as an association and business while refining revised strategic goals developed by the 2021-2023
International Board of Directors
• Commissioned a board and staff working group to refine one of the newly developed strategic goals
• Commissioned a board task force to review written guidance for roles and responsibilities for elected volunteer leaders at the international level, based on recommendations from the 2021-2023 Board of Directors and two 2021-2023 board committees
• Conducted an extensive search for a new CEO and welcomed Luke Davis as the new Sigma CEO and organization operational lead
• Commissioned Sigma’s new CEO to conduct an extensive organizational assessment and develop a 6-month business plan for moving Sigma forward strategically with a focus on relevance, association management, and business operations
• Appointed and defined expected outcomes for three elected committees, a board subcommittee, two board working groups, two advisory councils, and a task force
• Conducted phone, video, and email communication briefings and dialogue with committees, advisory councils, task forces, chapter leaders, and members on organizational issues and strategic directions
• Ratified actions taken by the 2023 House of Delegates
· 2023-2025 International Bylaws
· 2023-2025 Chapter Bylaws Form Sigma Articles of Incorporation Amendment
• Approved reimagining of strategic goals incorporating environmental and organizational assessment data/information and input from Sigma members and stakeholders
• Worked with chairs of subsidiary boards, committees, and advisory councils to align priorities and actions of the organization
• Commissioned reimagining of the scope, functions and responsibilities of the Corporate, Audit and Accountability Committee
• Approved new scope, functions and responsibilities for the Corporate, Audit and
Accountability Committee, which was renamed Finance, Audit and Risk Committee
• Reviewed findings from Membership Survey by SMARI and discussed trends and highlights
• Commissioned a board working group to develop and make recommendations on the Vice President role description Bylaw change
• Approved the proposal from the working group for the Vice President role description Bylaw change
• Accepted bylaw amendments submitted by the Governance Committee to be presented to the 2025 House of Delegates
• Approved an updated Resolutions Review process developed by the Resolutions Advisory Council
• Approved the reimagined strategic goals as “Sigma Forward”, a three-year strategic framework for 2025-2028
• Approved funding to implement FY 26 Strategic Initiatives
• Approved ending the pilot phase for practicesetting chapters allowing interested practice settings to now establish Sigma chapters according to the required process
• Reviewed proposed 2025 resolutions and approved those to be considered by the 2025 House of Delegates
• Approved 40-chapter charter and amendment applications
• Served as chartering officers for 28 charter and amendment ceremonies
• Addressed member and chapter issues
• Continued collaborative role with the United Nations and as a non-governmental
organization with special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
• Conducted the Chief Executive Officer’s 2025 evaluation
• Accepted, after review and analysis, quarterly financial statements for Sigma’s Subsidiaries
• Approved external audits for fiscal years 2024 and 2025, both were clean audits
• Approved annual budgets for fiscal years 2025 and 2026
• Reviewed the 2025 ballot
• Reviewed and acted on recommendations from 2023-2025 committees, task forces and advisory councils
• Selected recipients for the board awards, presented at the 2025 Biennial Convention:
· Archon Award
· Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award
· Nell J. Watts Lifetime Achievement Award
• Requested commission of a working group to review the process and criteria for board awards
• Approved working group recommendations for updating the process and criteria for board awards
• Reviewed and discussed highlights and trends of the 2025 State of the World’s Nursing Report
• Made nominations for honorary membership
• Approved nominations for honorary membership
• Represented Sigma and its mission and initiatives at numerous national and international nursing and interdisciplinary meetings
• Promoted ambassadorship by being out and about virtually or in person at chapters, regions and Sigma events around the globe, and at national and international nursing and interdisciplinary meetings
• Leveraged Sigma’s social media presence through story-telling
• Reviewed and reaffirmed Sigma’s Global Values Statement and Guiding Principles
Lucas M. Davis MEd, CAE, ACC, SHRMSCP, SPHR, ICE-CCP Chief Executive Officer
The international headquarters’ professional staff continues to advance our collective mission of developing nurse leaders anywhere to improve healthcare everywhere. Work this biennium reflects progress in membership engagement, educational resources, global advocacy, and innovative partnerships.
Membership remains central to Sigma’s strength, with more than 56,000 new members inducted and over 15,000 reactivated since November 2023. Chapters continue to expand worldwide, including first-time chapters in Spain and Saudi Arabia. Efforts to enhance retention include redesigned induction invitations, a beta-tested online induction system, and expanded membership subsidies.
Sigma has also deepened its educational impact through new courses, partnerships, and digital platforms. Key initiatives include the Nursing Organization Course Bank, revised SAFE training, NCLEX prep collaborations, and the Healthy Work Environment Certificate Course. The Sigma Repository transition to Elsevier’s Digital Commons has already yielded more than 121,000 downloads globally.
Our presence in global advocacy and leadership continues to grow. Sigma representatives delivered statements at United Nations meetings, launched new advocacy academies, and hosted hybrid events in emerging health systems. These advances underscore Sigma’s role as the preeminent pathway to nursing excellence, connecting nurses across borders, industries, and practice settings.
As we continue the important work of recentering and refining Sigma’s membership value proposition, we remain deeply guided by the insights many of you shared in the 2024 member survey. Your feedback is shaping our priorities and informing the evolution of member-centric programs, benefits, and engagement strategies. This work is ongoing— and we invite you to stay involved, share your perspectives, and help us co-create a membership experience that reflects the values, aspirations, and impact of our global nursing community.
The remainder of this report is organized around the strategic goals outlined in Sigma’s board-approved 2023–2025 Strategic Plan. What follows offers a high-level overview of the past biennium—an intentional snapshot rather than a comprehensive chronicle. While it’s impossible to capture every contribution made by our staff, chapters, and individual members, these highlights reflect the breadth and spirit of our shared commitment to Sigma’s mission and vision.
Goal 1: Nurses find Sigma resources and programs essential to further their professional advancement.
• Launched the Nurse Learning Exchange (Johnson & Johnson Foundation) to provide free educational resources.
• Revised the SAFE course with the Academy of Forensic Nursing, training more than 500 learners over five years.
• Formed a Lecturio partnership offering NCLEX preparation, item-writing training, AI tools, and scholarships for nursing students.
• Partnered with HealthStream to deliver competency-based courses and digital badges through its Jane AI platform.
• Released the Healthy Work Environment Certificate Course (2.5 contact hours) and new NCPD offerings on human trafficking, disaster response, faculty skills, and coaching.
• Completed the Sigma Repository migration to Elsevier’s Digital Commons, enabling global access and research impact tracking.
• Published new books including Critical Conversations in Healthcare (3rd ed.) and The Manager’s Guide to Innovative Staffing (3rd ed.).
• Received 300+ submissions for grants and awards; awarded leadership education grants and research funding across regions.
• Expanded networking with a new job board on The Circle (10x increase in registrations) and the Retired Nurses Community.
• Launched Virtual Career Advising and leadership training programs, offering high-value engagements.
Goal 2: Sigma is the preeminent pathway to connect to nursing excellence around the globe.
• Inducted 56,188 new members and reactivated 15,147 members since November 2023.
• Hosted 30 new chapter and amendment ceremonies, including new chapters in Spain and Saudi Arabia.
• Increased Circle participation to 36% of active members (over 30,000), with more than half outside the U.S.
• Added new Communities of Interest (Retired Nursing, Climate & Health) with 500+ posts to date.
• Redesigned induction invitations and piloted an online induction system for wider rollout.
• 11 regional conferences were held for Sigma members and nurses globally, with $29,000 in sponsorship funding distributed.
• Recognized global achievement through the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame, inducting 30 researchers in 2024 and 15 inductees for 2025.
• Convened the 35th International Nursing Research Congress in Singapore with 1,046 attendees from 47 countries and the 36th congress in Seattle with 957 attendees from 46 countries.
• Strengthened advocacy by delivering statements at United Nations meetings on global health issues, hosting a hybrid event in Uganda, and training 46 participants through the Virtual Mini Academy on Global Advocacy.
• The Sigma Foundation for Nursing raised $74,000+ from 283 chapters through the Chapter Giving Club.
Goal 3: Sigma connects nurses to industry, to lead the design and utilization of healthcare innovations to transform care delivery.
• Partnered with leading organizations including HealthStream, Lecturio, Colgate-Palmolive, Perlego, AACN, and DAISY Foundation to expand innovation and recognition programs.
• Launched a DAISY Nurse Scientist Award and collaborated with AACN on a crosswalk between Sigma’s Global Leadership Competency Framework and AACN Essentials.
• Hosted an Innovation Stage at Convention 2023, featuring 15+ presentations on healthcare innovations.
• Delivered educational and sponsor-supported webinars to more than 8,800 attendees across 45 countries.
• Incorporated four new practice settings into Sigma chapters, strengthening academiapractice-industry connections.
• Partnered with Jhpiego to successfully implement the Global Leadership Competency Framework in Liberia, with 96% of respondents recommending the framework.
• Explored a potential Sigma Innovation Hub to connect nurses with health tech companies—an initiative that provided key insights for future strategy.
Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Inc.
for 30 June 2024 and 2025
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS
Accured
Dues
Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Inc. Statement of Activities for the Years Ended 30 June 2024 and 2025
Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Inc.
*Includes Subsidiaries
Fiscal Year 2025 Functional Expense
*Includes Subsidiaries
FY25 Functional Expense
Governance & Administration, 19.3%
Governance & Administration, 19.3%
Fundraising, 1.6%
Fundraising, 1.6%
Program, 79.1%
Program, 79.1%
SIGMA THETA TAU INTERNATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY OF NURSING, INC.
Operating Revenues Biennium 2024-2025 (Excludes Unrealized Gains/Losses)
Rental Income, $0.59M, 2.0%
Journals, $0.68M, 2.4%
Contributions & Grants, $1.27M, 4.4%
Events & Programs, $3.67M, 12.8%
Interest Income/Realized Gains, $4.11M, 14.3%
Other Income, $0.41M, 1.4%
Sales, $4.83M, 16.8%
Membership, $13.23M, 46.0%
SIGMA THETA TAU INTERNATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY OF NURSING, INC.
Operating Expenses Biennium 2024-2025
Research, Grants & Awards, $0.56M, 2%
Knowledge Development, $1.99M, 7%
Governance, $1.63M, 6%
Corporate Communications, $2.65M, 9%
Leadership/Scholarship Development, $1.54M, 5%
Publications, $2.34M, 8%
Fundraising, $0.46M, 2%
Administration, $3.67M, 13%
Technology, $5.0M, 18%
Membership, $4.37M, 15%
Events & Programs, $4.29M, 15%
Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Inc.
Fiscal Year 2026
Budgeted Operating Revenues
Fiscal Year 2026 | $14.8M
Rental Income, $0.4M, 2.9%
Interest on Investments, $0.7M, 4.4%
Contributions & Grants, $0.9M, 6.0%
Events & Programs, $2.8M, 19.0%
Sales, $3.4M, 23.1%
Journals, $0.2M, 1.5% Other, $0.2M, 1.4% Membership, $6.2M, 41.6%
Learning & Development, $0.8M, 5.7%
Budgeted Operating Expenses Fiscal Year 2026 | $14.8M
Nursing Strategy & Leadership, $0.4M, 2.7% Research, Grants & Awards, $0.4M, 2.5% Events & Programs, $2.8M, 19.2%
Publications, $0.9%, 6.2%
Marketplace, $1.0M, 6.7%
Corporate Communications, $1.3M, 9.0%
Administration, $1.4M, 9.3% Technology, $2.1M, 14.1$ Membership, $2.2M, 14.6%
Governance, $1.5M, 9.9%
Fiscal Year 2026 | $2.4M
Marketplace, $150,000, 6.1%
Finance, People & Culture, Bldg Ops, $410,000, 16.8%
Membership & Volunteer Engagement
$460,000, 18.9%
Nursing Strategy & Leadership, $50,000, 2.0%
Information Technology, $700,00, 28.7%
Marketing & Communications
$670,000, 27.5%
