Bonnie Castillo Speaking Fee: $10,000 and Below

Bonnie Castillo, RN, serves as the Executive Director of National Nurses United (NNU), the largest union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States, representing nearly 225,000 members. Her journey into nursing and advocacy began in her hometown of Sacramento, California, where she earned her Bachelor of Science from California State University, Sacramento. Early in her career, Castillo played a pivotal role in unionizing her own healthcare facility, igniting a passion for labor rights and patient advocacy that would define her professional trajectory. Over nearly two decades with NNU and its affiliate, the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee (CNA/NNOC), Castillo has held various leadership positions. She served as Director of Government Relations and Director of Health and Safety, where she was instrumental in advocating for policies that protect both nurses and patients. As Director of the Registered Nurse Response Network (RNRN), Castillo coordinated disaster relief efforts, deploying nurse volunteers to areas affected by crises such as the Haiti earthquake, Super Typhoon Haiyan, and Hurricanes Katrina, Harvey, and Maria. In 2018, Castillo became the first Latina to assume the role of Executive Director at NNU. Under her leadership, the organization has supported nurses in numerous labor actions, including strikes in Louisiana and rallies in California, and has achieved union contract ratifications nationwide. Castillo has been a vocal advocate for public health, nursing safety, and the responsible integration of technology in healthcare, emphasizing that artificial intelligence should not replace nurses’ clinical judgment or make staffing decisions without human oversight. Castillo's dedication and influence have been recognized through multiple accolades. She was named one of TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2020, an honor she attributed to the collective efforts of nurses advocating for patient care and social justice. Additionally, Modern Healthcare has consistently included her in their list of the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare, highlighting her ongoing impact on the industry. Beyond her role at NNU, Castillo contributes to the broader labor movement as a member of the AFL-CIO Executive Council and Executive Committee. Her commitment to issues such as Medicare for All, environmental justice, and combating workplace discrimination underscores her holistic approach to healthcare advocacy. Through her leadership, Castillo continues to champion the rights of nurses and patients, striving for a more equitable and just healthcare system.