Wallena M. Gould, CRNA, MSN is a former Chief Nurse Anesthetist. She is the founder and chair of The Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program. As a single mother on welfare she received her Bachelor in Science in Accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University (Teaneck – EOF 1990) and worked as an Auditor for Ernst & Young in New York. Dissatisfied with the position she decided to change careers and enroll in Gloucester County College for the Associate Degree in Nursing. Introduced to nurse anesthesia while working as an operating room nurse for several years she left thereafter to work in a trauma unit. Wallena Gould applied to La Salle University’s Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia and graduated in 2004. While at La Salle University, Wallena Gould notice the lack of minority faculty in the nurse anesthesia programs and according to the AANA statistics, over 36,000 CRNAs and less than 6% minority representation prompted her to start a local mentorship program for minority nurse anesthesia students. It now enjoys membership from 21 nurse anesthesia programs in 16 states and Puerto Rico. In 2007, she was nominated as a finalist for Nursing Spectrum Nursing Excellence Award for the Mentorship Category. Wallena Gould is profiled in the Johnson & Johnson Discover Nursing Campaign website. Recently, Minority Nurse Magazine wrote a featured article on “The Minority Student Guide to Nurse Anesthesia Programs” of which Wallena Gould was interviewed. Wallena Gould has taught Cultural Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia at several nurse anesthesia programs. Also, she presented the same course content at the New Jersey Association of Nurse Anesthetist, Spring 2007. Another presentation was made to the State of New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund Professional Association entitled “Diversity and Inclusion for EOF Nursing Students Considering Nurse Anesthesia” , March 2008. Next year, Wallena Gouldwill speak in San Diego, California for the AANA Annual Conference entitled “Implications of Cultural Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Practice”. For 2009, Wallena Gould has planned three information session/luncheon programs. Their locations are: New Jersey, Florida and California . In March 2009, Wallena Gould was the recipient of the Outstanding Alumna for Achievement and Leadership Award from Tri-State Consortium Educational Opportunity Programs.  In May 2009, Wallena Gould was the recipient of the Outstanding Alumna Award from La Salle University School of Nursing.  Wallena Gould will be a member of Cohort 19 Wilimington University's Doctorate in Education Program in September 2009. Wallena Gould is married with three children and resides in New Jersey.