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2019 NASW National Election Slate

Candidate Biographies and Platform Statements

The National Committee on Nominations and Leadership Identification (NCNLI) is pleased to present the slate of candidates for the NASW Board and NCNLI positions that will become vacant as of June 30, 2019.

Board of Directors

President-Elect

Tawanda Hubbard

Dr. Tawanda Hubbard is a social work educator and practitioner. She is a licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience in child welfare, behavioral health, adolescent and family therapy, case management, and clinical practice. She obtained her MSW and DSW from Rutgers University. She has a postmasters in clinical practice with adolescents from NYU; certified child sexual abuse therapist; and trained in Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR and Family Therapy—Bowen, Multigenerational and Ackerman Relational Approach. Dr. Hubbard received the honor of Outstanding Doctoral Instructor at Rutgers School of Social Work in 2016 and recipient of CSWE Minority Doctoral Fellowship for 2016-2017 academic school year. Dr. Hubbard is a part of faculty at Monmouth University School of Social Work and currently provides family and individual therapy as a private practitioner, provides supervision, teaches part-time at RUSSW, trainer and trains DCP&P Workers (children protection) as part of New Jersey Child Welfare Training Partnership.

It has been a privilege and honor to serve on the state level as chapter president of New Jersey and before that, vice president, county unit chair, as well as chair and member on various committees and taskforces supporting the chapter and association’s efforts to reach their strategic goals. In my role as chapter president I have worked with the board of directors, staff, committees and volunteers to modernize the chapter, advocate for sound social policies, design and implement innovative programming that meet the professional needs of members and social workers of New Jersey and create an open and welcome space for all social workers across all practice areas to be recognized, involved and refreshed.

Platform Statement:
If elected as president-elect, I plan to utilize my leadership, practice, and academic experience and skills in service of the membership, profession, and association on the national level. I believe in our profession and what we do, I am committed to working smart and hard on our behalf. I plan to work with the national board, staff, and chapter leadership across the nation to strengthen our position as advocates and thought leaders. Addressing social, environmental, and economic injustices negatively impacting social workers and the families and communities we serve. Increasing the visibility of the contributions social workers make in our society. Ensuring our association equips chapters and social workers with the knowledge and tools needed to meet the needs and demands in today’s sociopolitical environment. Continue the efforts of modernization across our association to ensure our viability and longevity. Thank you for your consideration and I appreciate your vote.

Mildred “Mit” Joyner

Mildred "Mit" C. Joyner is a Professor Emerita of Social Work, at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Mit received a BSW from Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio and her MSW from Howard University School of Social Work, Washington, DC.

Her professional career began at Chester County Children and Youth services as a protective service worker; she was promoted to department head, and legal liaison of the child abuse unit. Mit later joined the faculty at WCU as an associate professor, where she was elected by the faculty as department chair of the undergraduate social work department. Mit retired from the university as a full professor, and presently works as a consultant. Mit is a member of BPD, CSWE, and NASW, she recently ended her term as NASW-national Vice-president. In West Chester she serves on the board of directors of Chester County Food Bank, and is a bank director at DNBFirst.

Platform Statement:
I promise to work diligently on behalf of NASW, the association members and the social work profession if elected as President. I will carry out the specific tasks and obligations outlined in the NASW bylaws in a timely, efficient ethical manner. I will work closely with the CEO, board, staff and association members to strengthen the profession of social work for those we serve. If you vote for Mit Joyner do know that you are voting for a person who has made a lifelong commitment to achieve social, economic, environmental, and political justice for all.

I believe in equity, equality is not enough. I believe it is the responsibility of those who join the social work profession to lead this charge in all that we do. Social works professional associations can not sit idly by and enforce policies and procedures that systematically oppress or hampers individuals, groups or some institutions ability to succeed.

Social work as a profession must be the change agent. The NASW Code of Ethics serves as our moral compass and demands that we bend the arc of justice towards equity. All graduates of accredited social work programs and their social work faculty should be members of NASW. As President I will work to grow and sustain the membership base of the association. Membership is critical in order to impact the decision makers of those who create legislation.

Social worker must be advocate at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice. We can not just focus our practice with the individual without also documenting and reporting how the rules impact those we serve. Social workers have an obligation to bring equity to those we serve, we are the voice of those whose voices are often not heard.

If elected as President of NASW I will work with the CEO, the board of directors, the staff, the entire membership base, and with other professions, groups, and organizations who embrace the mission of social work and vow to build the “beloved community”that every person in our nation and our global community deserves.

Secretary

Jose Ramos, Jr

Jose A Ramos Jr, MSW, is the Director Prevention Department at Children’s Bureau Southern California. Mr. Ramos has worked for Children’s Bureau for the past 24-years and has over 30-years of experience working in the Child Welfare field. Mr. Ramos earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Long Beach. Mr. Ramos is an Adjunct Professor at California State University, Northridge, in the Master of Social Work department and was an Adjunct Professor at Springfield College.

Mr. Ramos has taken on multiple leadership roles some include; Value School Charter Board Member, California Family Resource Association Policy Council Member, NASW Policy Committee, California Citizen Review Member of Child Abuse prevention, and most recently as a Board Member of NASW's California Chapter. Mr. Ramos was born in Ecuador and came to the United States at age 10.

Platform Statement:
As an immigrant in the United States, I am proud to be called a social worker. I hold a BSW and MSW and during the last 30+ years, I have advocated with and on behalf of children in the public child welfare system. During the last five years, I have served as Regional Director for the NASW California Board of Directors. As Regional Director, I helped to increase the number of MSW students who participated in the annual CA Lobby Days event, advocated for title protection, and increased participation in social justice events. I have been a strong advocate for social justice issues in criminal justice and immigration policies. I am the proud father of two children and have lived and worked in Los Angeles County for the past 36 years. It would be my honor and privilege to serve as Secretary of the NASW Board of Directors.

Christina Wong

I have over three decades of social work experience in direct social service, clinical supervision, private practice, social work education, mental health program management, higher education administration, and policy making. I practiced social work in the United States, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom. I received my MSW degree from the University of Hull, United Kingdom.

I currently serve as Senior Program Coordinator in Glenn County Health and Human Services Agency. I have a private mental health practice since 2008. I am a three times Governor’s appointee as LCSW Member to the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. I worked as the Dean of Student Affairs for Hong Kong Shue Yan College and the MSW Program Coordinator (Hong Kong Program) for the University of Alabama School of Social Work.

I was elected as the Regional Director of NASW California Chapter. I serve on NASW Assurance Services, Inc. as Secretary and Treasurer.

Platform Statement:
At this time of our history, NASW faces challenges similar to other professional organizations. Modernization has been the most recent effort to help with its sustainability. NASW needs leadership that is broad and open-minded, and able to listen to the wide spectrum of opinions, and stay attuned to the needs of members and non-members. NASW also needs leadership that is able to collaborate with the stakeholders of the social work profession. I am a proud social worker who practices micro, mezzo and macro levels of social work. My international social work experiences allow me to relate to people from all walks of life. My abilities to be inclusive, to listen, and to adhere to social work principles help me transform problems to the vision of the future.

BSW Student Member

Chandradai Chandler

I have been a full-time student since fall of 2017 at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte pursuing majors in social work and sociology with minors in gerontology and psychology, and will be graduating in 2020. I am unemployed at the moment. I completed an associate degree in arts at Central Piedmont Community College in 2017, where I held the position of Vice President of Service for Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. I am in the Social Work Honors Program, a member of the Social Work Club, the Community Garden Club, the Sociology Club, the Psychology Club, and I serve as Historian in the Gerontology Club at UNC Charlotte. I just completed a year of employment as an Orientation Counselor (2018 – 2019), with the New Student and Family Services. I currently hold no NASW position, but I am seeking the BSW Student position on the NASW Regional Board.

Platform Statement:
I have always wanted to be a social worker, because it equips me to be more effective in making a difference in the lives of others. Being involved with the NASW North Carolina Chapter, provides me the opportunity to give back and to learn from other NASW members. As a BSW student and member, I am committed to doing my best to contribute to the mission of NASW in promoting, developing, and protecting the practice of social work and social workers. I would like to be involved in advocating for policy changes, and in the creation of new policies that would benefit vulnerable populations. I support NASW’s advocacy for affordable health care for all Americans. I am interested in representing those who are experiencing mental illness and their families and believe in advocating for more comprehensive policies for persons struggling with mental health challenges.

Victoria Gallagher

Victoria Gallagher, AAS, AA, CDCA, graduated Summa Cum Laude from Cuyahoga Community College in 2018 with an Associate of Applied Science in Human Services, and is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She attends Ursuline College pursuing her bachelor’s in social work. Ms. Gallagher also studied peace and conflict resolution, traveling to Costa Rica as a foreign exchange in the Peace Studies Program. She completed a one year counseling internship at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center, Rosary Hall, in chemical dependency and addiction counseling. Accumulating more than 300 hours of volunteer and community service, Victoria has increasing her cultural competence and affirmed her dedication to others and the social work profession.

Platform statement:
My diverse life experiences have instilled a profound desire to make a difference in the lives of people who are oppressed, marginalized, impoverished and disregarded. The social work profession continues to face challenges pursuing our goals of social and economic justice. As a student, I am excited to engage with policy and practice-related issues that impact our profession and the communities we serve. As a former military spouse, a mother and family member who has been affected by domestic violence, substance abuse and addiction, I am a strong advocate for children and families. I am committed to sharing my passion for the social work profession and increasing my knowledge and understanding of policy advocacy.

Member at Large

Christine Rine

I am a faculty member of Edinboro University’s Social Work Department in the capacity of Associate Professor and MSW Program Director. I received my BSW from SUNY College at Buffalo and MSW and PhD from SUNY University at Buffalo. I held various roles in the NASW NH Chapter including Board Member At Large and Diversity Committee Chairperson. I also contribute to the NASW through my ongoing work with Health & Social Work journal where I served as a Consulting Editor and Book Review Editor; currently, I am Editor-in-Chief. I am a member of the Council on Social Work Education; the Society for Social Work Research; and, the National Association of Social Workers. My practice experience is broad including work with HIV/AIDS populations, LGBTIQA+ youth, individuals with mental health diagnoses, and within nonprofit program development and evaluation. Likewise, my research agenda spans mental health policy, foster care, mapping, and teaching pedagogy.

Platform Statement:
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Bernadette Siefert

Bernadette Seifert earned an MSW degree from Boston University in 1984 and has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New Hampshire since 1988. She is currently the Director of Adult Programs at NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) New Hampshire, and is the social worker for the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program team at the Dartmouth Centers for Health and Aging.

Ms. Seifert has been a member of NASW since 1986, has served on the NASW NH Chapter Board from 2007 to 2017, and was Board President from 2015 to 2017. She the recipient of the 1996 NASW NH Chapter Social Worker of the Year Award. She is actively involved in various NASW NH Chapter including the NH NASW Continuing Education, Clinical Practice and Aging Committees, is Chairperson for the NH Coalition on Substance Abuse, Mental Health and Aging, and serves on several other state-wide committees and organizations.

Platform Statement:
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Region V Board Representative

S. Ryan Estes

Ryan Estes, LCSW, LCAS, CCS is the Treatment Operations Director for Coastal Horizons Center. His work focuses on program development, fiscal and policy oversight, and clinical and administrative consultation. Ryan has received over 5 million in grants, added 200 new social work positions at his company, and his supervisory chain includes more than 200 employees.

Ryan received his BA in psychology and philosophy from Wake Forest University and his MSW from UNC-Chapel Hill. Ryan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist. Ryan is a part-time adjunct faculty for UNC-Wilmington. He is part of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers, Trauma Focused CBT clinician, and a national Protective Factors trainer. Ryan serves on the National Family Preservation Network board and is the immediate former state president for NASW - North Carolina. He is a member of the national NASW Audit Committee and a current voting delegate.

Platform Statement:
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Stanley Remer

I currently serve on the Adjunct Faculty at the University of Valley Forge teaching courses in Social Work. I have over 30 years of experience with the Department of Veterans Affairs in positions of increasing responsibility from Clinical Social Worker to Care Line Manager. I have earned my Masters in Social Work at the University of Missouri and a Masters in Health Care Administration from the University of Cincinnati.

In NASW, I have held leadership positions at the state level in three different states (Indiana 1979, Missouri 1991-93 and Virginia 2010-16) and Delegate to Delegate Assembly. I was actively involved with a small group of Kansas NASW members in obtaining one of the earliest multilevel Social Work Licensure laws. From 1983-85, I served on the Kansas Social Work licensure advisory board. In Virginia, I was a member of the NASW Virginia Legislative Committee and obtained social worker “title protection”.

Platform Statement:
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Region VII Board Representative

Sharon Barber

Sharon A Barber earned her masters in social work from Howard University with a focus on macro social work--community, administration, policy (CAP). Sharon has more than 15 years experience in advocacy, public policy, project management, program evaluation, and supervision of BSW/MSW students. Sharon earned the Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) credential when she resided in Washington, DC and gained valuable clinical experience working with adults dual diagnosed with substance use disorders and mental health disorders. She then earned the Masters Level Certified Addiction Professional (MCAP) credential from the Florida Licensing Board when she relocated to St. Petersburg, Florida and worked as an addictions professional in a Methadone Maintenance Treatment program.

Sharon is the Vice Chair of the NASW-FL Tampa Bay Unit. Further, Sharon is the Region 1 Representative for The Salvation Army Florida Divisional Soldiers Ideas, Needs, and Concerns (DSINC) Executive Committee. In that role, Sharon represents a group of more than 3,000 individuals volunteering in more than 150 community programs in several counties in Florida. These efforts include organizing trainings and networking/partnering with other organizations to design and implement solutions that punctuate change in their local communities.

Platform Statement:
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Monica Nandan

Monica Nandan is the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Social Impact for the WellStar College of Health and Human Services, and a professor of social work at Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Ga. She has served in leadership positions since 2010 as chairperson and interim dean. She earned her Ph.D. and M.S.W. from Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fla., an MBA (Health Care), from Augusta University, an MBA (Finance) from Institute of Management and Development Research, Poona, India, and a B.Com. (Bachelor of Commerce), from University of Poona, India. She has served on the PACE committee of the NASW-MO chapter for over 4 years, and is currently a member of the Network of Social Work Management (NSWM) and NASW. She received the Social Worker of the Year award in Missouri.

Platform Statement:
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Region XI Board Representative

D. Lynn Jackson

At TCU since 2013, Lynn Jackson is Director of Field Education and Assistant Dean of Strategic Initiatives for Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Besides Field, she currently supervises all interprofessional education and strategic planning for the college.

Lynn attended the University of South Florida (BSW) and Florida State University graduating with her MSW and PhD in Social Work. Licensed as an LCSW, Lynn has worked in numerous practice settings for 30 years.

NASW experience includes work in 2004 as a political field organizer, President of NASW-TX, President Elect, Chair and member of the national Nominations and Leadership Committee (NLIC), Ft. Worth Branch Chair, State Conference Committee Chair, Chair of the State NLIC, branch representative NLIC, and member of the Women’s Issues Committee.

A member of NASW and CSWE, she was honored as a 2010 Women’s Health Hero for her 20 year work as an abortion activist.

Platform Statement:
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Anna Nelson

Anna Nelson, LCSW, is an Assistant Professor with NMSU School of Social Work. From 2010-2016, she served as ED of the New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community, a statewide organization promoting racial, health, academic and economic justice for all New Mexican youth. Ms. Nelson is a Robert Wood Johnson Ladder to Leadership Fellow. Ms. Nelson has dedicated her career to serving youth, families and communities with emphases in youth and community engagement, violence prevention, gender-responsive, culturally-relevant service systems development, and policy transformation.

Ms. Nelson championed New Mexico’s Teen Dating Violence Strategic Prevention which earned her the prestigious 2011 Patty Jennings and Polly Arango Citizen Advocacy Award. For her work in promoting social justice and racial equity in education, Ms. Nelson is the recipient of the New Mexico Education Equity Alliance (NMEEA) 2013 Annual Fueling Increasingly Relevant Education (F.I.R.E) Award and the YWCA-NM Women on the Move Award in 2015.

Platform Statement:
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Region XII Board Representative

Robin Arndt

Robin G. Arndt, MSW, LSW, is a Coordinator of Field and Continuing Education at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Robin is an active member of the NASW Hawaiʻi Chapter where he currently serves as Chapter President. He has also held other leadership roles within the chapter, including Member-at-Large and Chair of several committees including the Continuing Education and Conference Committee. Robin also serves as a Commissioner on the Commission for Membership and Professional Development with the Council on Social Work Education.

Platform Statement:
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Dawn Macready-Santos

Dawn Macready-Santos, LCSWAIC is a Child/Family Therapist at Catholic Community Services of Western Washington, one of Washington’s leading non-profit providers of mental health treatment for children and teens who experience the highest level of mental illness in Washington State. Dawn also works as a designated Crisis Responder with Clark County Crisis, the fourth largest county in Washington State and provides mental health evaluation, crisis intervention services, and Involuntary Treatment Act Evaluations. She is bilingual in both English and Spanish and has extensive training and expertise with individuals with Developmental Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Dawn graduated from Portland State Graduate School of Social Work and a specialized fellowship at Oregon Health and Sciences University in the Leadership in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities Program (LEND Program). She is active in the disability and Latino community and is on a variety of boards that advocate for the rights of children with disabilities.

Platform Statement:
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National Committee on Nominations & Leadership Identification (NCNLI)

Region VII Representative

Yterenickia Bell

Yterenickia Bell, or YT, is a native Georgian that graduated from Georgia State University with degrees in criminal justice, political science, social work, and public administration with a concentration in economic development and planning.

YT Bell is the North Region Representative of the National Association of Social Workers, Sagal Radio Board Member, and the New Leaders Council – Atlanta Community Engagement Co-Chair.

YT values community and policies that assist with cultivating change and improving people’s quality of life. YT has worked as a social worker and policy professional serving vulnerable populations, and solving complex problems for almost a decade.

YT is the Deputy Director of a public policy coalition table, where she assesses the viability of plans for over thirty progressive organizations to provide essential strategies and practices for successful implementation. YT is also a newly elected Councilwoman in Clarkston, where she works diligently to create an inclusive city.

Platform Statement:
“You do not make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering, and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.” – Shirley Chisholm

I am honored to have been slated as a candidate for the Region VII NCNLI Representative position. I have been a long-standing member of NASW and currently serve as the North Regional Representative for NASW Georgia Chapter. As such, I am working diligently to cultivate an innovative strategy to engage members and ensure that we have representation at the state Capitol during the legislative session to proactively represent the interest of members. I am running for Region VII NCNLI Representative to be a liaison between national and local chapters to ensure efficient communication, improve member retention, recruit adequate candidates, and enhance employment opportunities. If elected, I will strive to ensure that NASW’s policies align with social work’s core values. Thank you for your consideration.

Melissa Singh

Melissa Singh, EdD, LCSW, is a Clinical Associate Professor at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. She earned her doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership from USC Rossier School of Education, her master’s in Health Services Administration and Social Work both from the University of Central Florida.

Dr. Singh served as the Vice Chair of the Central Florida NASW Unit and in 2017 became the alternate NCNLI representative in her region. She serves as Board Secretary for the Central Florida Community Health Centers and is on the CSWE Council for Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Diversity. In 2016, she won an Award for Innovative Teaching in Social Work Education from SAGE/CSWE for Educating Social Work Students for Macro Practice. In 2017, Dr. Singh was awarded the Hutto Patterson Distinguished Faculty Award for excellence in teaching; service to the university, the school, and the community; and accessibility to students.

Platform Statement:
I have been a social worker who has worked in Central Florida for over a decade as a clinician, leader, and educator. Over the last 10 years, I have taught and liaised hundreds of MSWs across the nation throughout their field education experience. As a first-generation student, I have further defined my identity and passion for equity, inclusion, and social justice through teaching and leading social work doctoral students earning their DSW. I am committed to upholding the charge of developing and selecting a slate of skilled and diverse NASW-FL candidates while complying with campaign guidelines. For the past three years, I have served as the NCNLI alternate regional member, which taught me the depth of commitment necessary to be successful in this new role. I am honored to be slated as a candidate to represent Region VII on the NASW NCNLI and, if elected, I am ready to engage my strong organizational, critical thinking, and collaboration skills.

Region X Representative

Virginia Adolph

Virginia H. Adolph, DSW, LCSW, C-SSWS has been in Mississippi state public service for 37 years. She received her bachelor of arts from Newcomb College of Tulane University, completed a master’s in social work from the Tulane University School of Social Work, and in May (2018) completed her doctorate in social work from Tulane. She currently serves as a social worker with special education students in Harrison County Schools, Gulfport, Mississippi. She served 25 years as a district social worker for the Mississippi State Department of Health.

Adolph has served as an adjunct instructor, field instructor, and clinical supervisor to those pursuing advanced state social work credentialing. She served nine years, as both a member and then Board Chairperson, for the Mississippi State Board of Licensure. She served as State President of the Mississippi Chapter of NASW from 2014-2016. Currently, she serves as Vice President for her hometown’s Planning Commission.

Platform Statement:
As both a public health and a school social worker, I firmly adhere to a premise that was instilled by my parents. Although my mom did not say it quite like this, I recently ran across a Jewish proverb that succinctly conveys their philosophy of life’s purpose -- that one should never think too highly, too much, or too lowly of oneself. My purpose has been and will continue to be the focus of serving others -- If not for others, who am I? If only for one’s self, what am I?

My true passion as a social worker is to share what I have learned with the legacy of providers who will follow and to expand the breadth and depth of my perspective regarding social work policy and practice to further advance our profession at all levels and promote culturally astute professional engagement for our esteemed discipline.

Kelly Bass

Dr. Kelly Bass has a BSW from the University of Sioux Falls, a MSW from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, and completed his doctorate in clinical social work and supervision at the University of Tennessee in 2015. Dr. Bass has provided mental health treatment to at-risk youth and families who are involved in the juvenile court system since 2001.

On a larger context, he has worked with clinics, healthcare systems, and service providers as a consultant to improve services provided to children and families. He is a nationally approved clinical supervisor and has provided clinical supervision to developing social workers since 2003. Currently he is MSW Program Director at the University of South Dakota, recognized as an Institute Scholar with the Association of Social Work Boards, and is an alumni of the Harvard Graduate School Management Development Program.

Platform Statement:
My vision as a candidate to represent Region X is to energize committed social workers by helping to create meaning in their professional lives, establishing a high standard of community collaboration, and bridge the present and future social workers of NASW. If elected, I will work hard to increase opportunities for social workers who become active partners in strengthening the Association.

Region XII Representative

Esther Langston

Esther J. Langston, MSW, PhD, LCSW, ACSW nationally and internationally Social Work Educator and Practitioner, earned her BA in business education, Wiley College, MSW San Diego State University, a third-year certificate in social work and gerontology from the USC, Los Angeles; and a PhD in Human Service Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Currently she is Professor Emeritus of Social Work at UNLV and serves as Director of the Family Support Services Division for The Center of Academic Advancement and Enrichment at UNLV.

She has served the National Association of Social Workers as Past Member at large and Secretary Board of Directors -- President Council of Chapter Presidents. Member Personnel committee, Chair Legal Defense Committee-Alternate member of the Committee on Identification and Leadership, Audit and Awards Committee and chair of the Women Commission. Currently member NASW, CSWE, BPD and ASA.

Platform Statement:
The primary functions of the Association are service to members, ensuring fiscal stability and a governance structure that enhance the programs and services of the Association. If elected, my goals would be to work with the members within Region XII to develop a pool of leaders who are committed to developing programs and services that reflect the mission of NASW and the diversity of the region; I would also work diligently to foster collaboration among all the states within the region and the Association. My commitment and dedication to the profession and my participation on social work boards and commission have provided me with the experience to carry out the identified goals and the tasks of the position of regional representative.

Joanne Yaffe

Joanne Yaffe is Professor of Social Work and Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Utah. She holds a BS (Psychology) from University of Massachusetts-Amherst and an MSW and PhD (Social Work and Psychology) from University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.

She has been a member of NASW since 1975, and has served the Utah Chapter as Member-at-Large, member of the Nominating Committee, Liaison to University of Utah, member of the Program Committee, Annual Conference Chair, Professional Standards Chair, Vice President, and President. She has also served as a member of the Delegate Assembly, member of the National Committee to Plan the Technology Center, and Adjudication Panel Member for the National Office. Yaffe is also an active member of the Council on Social Work Education and the Society for Social Work and Research, serving on committees for both organizations. She is the current Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Social Work Education.

Platform Statement:
I am deeply honored to have been slated as a candidate to represent Region XII on the National Committee on Nominations & Leadership Identification. My long social work career has centered on the design and administration of accessible service systems, the development of healthy and equitable communities, and research on implementation of effective social work practice methods. As a practitioner, researcher, and teacher, I have learned that effective leaders are great listeners who help to empower all of their constituents. If elected, it will be my great honor to help identify future NASW leaders who will represent the highest ideals of the social work profession and the interests of practitioners and service users alike.