The Soul of Leadership

Hattie Bessent, EdD, MSN, RN, FAAN
Dr. Bessent is a project director for Project Leadership, Enhancement and Development (LEAD), a W.K. Kellogg Foundation-sponsored program. Dr. Bessent earned a BS degree in Nursing Education at Florida A&M University, a MS degree in Psychiatric Nursing from the University of Indiana and EdD degree in Psychological Foundations of Nursing from the University of Florida. She holds diplomas from Harvard University in Educational Management, and from Tulane University in Mental Health and Family consultation. She holds an honorary doctorate degree from Florida A&M University and Hunter College. Her awards include the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Academy of Nursing, and the Mary Mahoney Award from the American Nurses Association. She has been inducted into the American Nurses Association's Hall of Fame and awarded Honorary Fellowship of the Royal College of Nursing. A prolific author, Dr. Bessent has published three books as well as many journal articles and monographs. She has held numerous fellowships and consultancies and has advised virtually every U.S. president since Eisenhower on mental health issues.