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Alumni Spotlight: MaryAnn (McKenna) Moon ’99

By Clarke News  |  July 22, 2026

Clarke: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and where life has taken you since your time at Clarke? 

MaryAnn: I grew up on a family farm in northern Illinois. As the youngest of three, I quickly learned resilience, hard work, and the value of striving for excellence. Those skills served me well during my time at Clarke, where I double majored in Nursing and Biology, and they laid the foundation for my career. 

Over the past 27 years, I have been committed to advancing the profession of nursing and the health of the communities I serve. I have held a variety of leadership roles, ranging from Director of Advanced Practice, Director of Nursing Research and Innovation, Associate Chief Nursing Officer, and Enterprise Nurse Executive. Currently I am responsible for a portfolio of work with Advocate Health, which includes transforming the clinical practice of 42,000 nursing professionals in all care environments and spanning six states. I have been fortunate enough to earn recognition for my work along the way, including the 2022 Wisconsin Nurse of the Year Award. 

Beyond nursing, I am deeply involved with my family farm, McKenna Farms, in Capron, IL. We all work together to share our premium Berkshire pork with the community and restaurants who offer a farm-to-table experience. My family also continues to support the Boone County Fair, Swine Livestock Show. 

Clarke: When people think of nursing, they often envision one-on-one patient care, but it seems like you’ve taken a broader scope. What are some of the ways you feel you’ve contributed to the field of nursing practice? 

MaryAnn: In the last 10 years especially, I have become active in state and national legislative advocacy efforts. In Wisconsin, my research on the incidence of workplace violence in the healthcare setting was utilized to influence Wisconsin lawmakers in the passage of Act 209, which makes acts of violence against health care workers a felony. As the Chair for the Wisconsin Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists Legislative & Regulatory Committee, I played a pivotal role in the passage of the APRN Modernization Act in Wisconsin in 2025 by leading grass roots efforts, providing testimony at public hearings, and mobilizing key community partners in the legislative process. Holding an elected position on the Wisconsin Public Healthcare Policy Council has been a privilege and allowed me the opportunity to impact policy reform and raise issues of priority for nursing professionals at all levels.  

Clarke: How do you feel the Clarke Core Values continue to influence your life? 

MaryAnn: While advocacy is essential to shaping healthcare and strengthening our democracy, it also requires thoughtful navigation of ethical challenges. During these experiences, I have relied on the values instilled in me by my family, my faith, and through the ethical foundation I developed at Clarke University. Together, these influences guide my decision-making and help me lead with integrity, while also remaining grounded in purpose, fairness, and a commitment to doing what is right. 

As a nurse, I strive to live the values of education, charity, justice, and freedom through both my daily practice and leadership: 

  • Education is reflected in my commitment to lifelong learning and developing others. Whether mentoring nurses, advancing evidence-based practice, supporting professional growth, or partnering with academic institutions, I believe education empowers nurses to provide the highest quality care and reach their full potential. 
  • Charity is demonstrated through compassion, service, and advocacy. Nursing is rooted in caring for others, especially during their most vulnerable moments. I seek to lead with empathy, foster a culture of kindness, and ensure that patients and families feel valued, heard, and supported. 
  • Justice guides my commitment to equity, ethical practice, and access to high-quality care. I work to create environments where patients receive fair and respectful treatment and where team members feel included, respected, and empowered to contribute their voices. 
  • Freedom is reflected in promoting professional autonomy, shared decision-making, and innovation. I believe nurses should be empowered to practice to the full extent of their knowledge and expertise, challenge existing barriers, and help shape the future of healthcare. 

Together, these values have shaped my career as both an advanced practice nurse and executive leader. 

 

Thank you for sharing your story with us, MaryAnn! Do you know a member of the Clarke alumni community we should highlight? Submit your nominations for a future Alumni Spotlight by emailing alumnirelations@clarke.edu.             

Interview edited for length and clarity.