Executive Committee

The Executive Committee of the NASW Board of Directors is responsible for the affairs of the Association between meetings of the Board of Directors.  The Committee consists of Officers of the Board, the President-Elect of the Association and four additional members of the Board who are appointed by the NASW President.

President

Yvonne Elder Chase, PhD, LCSW, ACSW


Yvonne Chase

Yvonne Elder Chase, PhD, LCSW, ACSW, is Professor at the University of Alaska, Anchorage. She received her PhD from Norfolk State University and her MSW from Howard University. Her extensive leadership experience at the NASW chapter and national levels included: president of the Alaska chapter, member of the boards of NASW and the NASW Assurance Services, Inc., chair of the NASW National Committee on Inquiry and the Task Force on Professional Review; member of the NASW Foundation Gosnell Memorial Scholarship Panel and the NASW Competence Certification Commission renamed the Credentialing Committee. Currently she serves as board member & treasurer, NASW Assurance Services, Inc. Organizational affiliations include the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), Global Alliance for Behavioral Health and Social Justice (Formerly American Orthopsychiatry Association), and editorial board for the Journal of Child Abuse & Neglect. Chase has obtained the LCSW in the State of Alaska and holds NASW’s ACSW credential.


President-Elect

Karen Bullock, PhD, MS


Fatima Salman

Karen Bullock, PhD, MS is the Ahearn Endowed Professor at Boston College School of Social Work. She earned a PhD in Sociology and Social Work from Boston University, master’s degree (MS) in Social Work from Columbia University in New York City and Bachelor of Social Work degree from North Carolina State University. A member of NASW for over 30 years, Bullock has served in major NASW leadership positions including: vice president and president of the NASW CT chapter board; chair of the Mental Health Specialty Practice Committee and is the current chair of National Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity. She is a nationally recognized expert in hospice and palliative care. She is a licensed (independent) clinical social worker with more than three decades of clinical experience in outpatient and inpatient settings. She is the recipient of numerous awards and honors and most recently received a NASW Social Work Pioneer ® Award.


Secretary

Carly Ellman, PhD, LCSW


Carly Ellman

Carly Ellman, PhD, LCSW, earned her doctorate in Strategic Leadership and Administration from Marywood University and her Master of Social Work from Fordham University. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Pennsylvania and Florida. Ellman serves as an Assistant Professor of Social Work and Program Coordinator at Delaware County Community College. In addition to her academic role, she maintains a private practice in Pennsylvania, where she works with adolescents, college students, and adults navigating life transitions, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. She previously served on the steering committee for NASW’s Northeast Division and currently holds a position on the steering committee for NASW’s Brandywine Division. Since 2022, she has been a member of the NASW-PA Conference Committee and serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for SoulPaws, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering self-compassion through animal-assisted interventions.


Treasurer & Compliance Officer

Sylvester “Jim” Bowie, EdD, MSW


Sylvester “Jim” Bowie

Sylvester “Jim” Bowie, Professor Emeritus, earned his BSW and MSW degrees from California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) and a Doctorate in Education from the University of San Francisco. His social work experiences include private and public agencies; emergency response, reunification and adoptions. He worked for the Federal Title IV-E Stipend Program at CSUS, as a liaison and coordinator. He joined the CSUS faculty in 2001 and served in many capacities including vice chair and chair of the Faculty Senate, director of the BSW program, and chair of the Faculty Council in the Division of Social Work. He has served as chair and board member of the Center for African Peace and Conflict Resolution (CAPCR) on the CSUS campus. Bowie retired from CSUS in 2021. He has served NASW California Chapter as 1st Vice President and President of the board, and on various sub-committees including CalPace. Bowie serves on the National Audit Committee.


Director, Region IV

Yasoda Sharma, PhD, MSW


Yasoda Sharma

Yasoda Sharma, PhD, MSW, is a tenured full professor at the Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. She earned her PhD in social work from the University of Texas at Arlington, a master’s degree in social work with specialization in psychiatry and social medicine and an undergraduate degree in psychology from India. She did her schooling in Sikkim, a small state sandwiched between Tibet and Nepal in the northeastern states of India. Sharma has worked in various national and international organizations in parts of India and Nepal.

Her scholarship involves engagement with the global-local and global communities. She predominantly works in domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, international social work, and human trafficking. She is a recognized local, national, and international scholar. She has published several articles in reputable refereed journals; presented papers at local, state, national, and international conferences; and conducted several workshops on domestic violence. Sharma was awarded state grants for implementing research projects related to domestic violence. She has served as an external research examiner for post-doctoral candidate in India. Sharma has chaired several DSW dissertations, serves on DSW dissertation committees and is an editorial board member of the refereed journal.

Sharma is a board member and Kutztown University Campus representative for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) Women's Consortium. She serves as Chair of the Kutztown University Commission on Status of Women. Under her leadership, the committee implemented the Elderly Care workshop and Take your Child to Work Day program. She also serves as treasurer of the Kutztown University-APSCUF International Faculty Caucus and is actively involved with Kutztown University -APSCUF Social Justice Committee. She was appointed to serve on the Kutztown University Commission on Status of Minorities: Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee to help develop a strategic plan to incorporate and bring greater understanding of the diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative across the campus community.

Sharma serves as board officer for the Domestic Violence Center for Chester County (DVCCC), chairing the Strategic Planning Committee, and helping DVCCC reaccreditation with the Pennsylvania Association of Non-Profit Organizations. She served on NASW-PA and held the Conference Planning Committee Chair position for several years.


Director, Region VI

Marla Blunt-Carter, MSW


Marla Blunt-Carter

Marla Blunt-Carter is an Associate Professor of Professional Practice in Political Social Work at Rutgers University School of Social Work, where she integrates her extensive experience in policy, politics, and community organizing into her teaching and scholarship. She holds a Master of Social Work from Rutgers University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Delaware.

A passionate educator and mentor, Blunt-Carter has received numerous recognitions for her innovative teaching and commitment to student success including awards such as: Most Supportive Professor; Innovative Teaching; Rutgers University Torchbearer; Outstanding Professor for Excellence in Inclusion, Intersectionality, Diversity, Equity, and Advancement (IIDEA) Teaching; and multiple Professor of the Year honors. She has developed and revised courses that emphasize political social work, racial justice, and community engagement, ensuring that students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to influence policy and effect social change.

Beyond the classroom, Blunt-Carter has a distinguished career in the political sector. She served as Projects Manager and Director of Constituent Services in the Senate Office of then-U.S. Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr., where she played a key role in constituent engagement and policy development. She was also the State Director for the 2008 Obama/Biden Presidential Campaign in Delaware and later served as a Senior Agency Liaison in the Executive Office of President Obama. Her political experience extends to her work with U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester, where she has been involved in campaign activities and strategic advising. She has served as Vice President of the NASW Delaware Chapter Board where she was instrumental in advocacy efforts, legislative engagement, and membership development.

A sought-after speaker and presenter, Blunt-Carter has delivered keynote addresses and conference presentations on topics such as political social work, community advocacy, and the intersection of policy and social justice. She has shared her insights on the national and international stage, emphasizing the critical role of social workers in shaping public policy and advancing equity. Her expertise and dedication to social work, education, and political engagement continue to make a lasting impact, inspiring the next generation of social workers, policymakers, and community leaders.


Director, Region IX

Tony Raymer, LISW, RPT-S 


Tony Raymer

Tony Raymer, LISW, RPT-S is Director of Brain Health for Easterseals Iowa, overseeing behavioral health safety net services including outpatient therapy services primarily serving people with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and a co-occurring Mental Illness, Crisis Stabilization Services serving people across Iowa experiencing mental health crises in planning for and returning to their pre-crisis life, and Multisystemic Therapy an evidence based practice for kids with significant involvement in multiple symptoms.  Tony has served as Central Branch Chair and President of NASW Iowa Chapter, as the Chairperson of the Iowa Board of Social Work, and currently serves as Chairperson for the Social Work Advisory Committee to the Iowa Board of Behavioral Health Professionals.  Tony holds a BA in Psychology and Religion from Wartburg College and MSW from the University of Iowa.  He lives in Des Moines, Iowa with his wife and two kids.


Director, Region X

Shawntelle Fisher, LCSW, CRAADC


Shawntelle L. Fisher

Shawntelle Fisher, LCSW, CRAADC, holds dual bachelor degrees from UMSL, and dual master degrees from Washington University in St. Louis and Eden Theological Seminary, respectively. Fisher serves on the St. Louis County Diversion committee, Spirit of St. Louis Women’s Fund Board, and NASW Board (alternate).

Fisher is the Founder and CEO of The SoulFisher Ministries, a non-profit that empowers youth and formerly incarcerated people to be positive, productive, and socially responsible citizens. After becoming a mother at age 15, a convicted felon at age 17, and going to prison seven times, caring community members guided her to a path of hope and restoration.

Fisher is also a recipient of many honors, including the 2021 Connections to Success Change Maker award, 2021 FOCUS St. Louis’ What’s Right with the Region award, 2020 Ethics of Service award, and St. Louis Business Journal’s 2020 Most Influential Business Woman award.

Contact

For questions about NASW  governance, please contact us at  governance@socialworkers.org.