Patricia “Pat” McFarland has dedicated her career to advancing professional nursing through leadership, mentorship, and advocacy. As CEO of ACNL, she strengthened the organization's foundation and fostered long-term partnerships, including with the California Hospital Association. She collaborated on leadership programs like Foundations for Leadership Excellence, preparing over 2,000 emerging nurse leaders. Her mentorship efforts extended to creating the ACNL mentorship program, now Ignite Your Leadership, supporting hundreds of nurses' growth from direct care to leadership roles. Pat has influenced state nursing policies, worked with the Board of Registered Nursing, and served as a guest lecturer and mentor in multiple nursing programs. Her expertise in patient care standards has shaped national and state practices, including work with CalNOC on care quality and injury prevention. Even in retirement, she continues mentoring and serving on boards that promote nursing education and professional development, leaving a lasting impact on the profession.