Chapter President Aims to Bring Social Work Lens to Pennsylvania Legislature

Boardroom

By Paul R. Pace

Serving as a chapter president was never just about holding a title, says Sierra McNeil, MSW, president of the NASW Pennsylvania Chapter.

“It was about broadening the table, amplifying diverse leadership, and positioning social workers in Pennsylvania as a unified, powerful force for change,” said McNeil, a full-time candidate for Pennsylvania state representative in House District 195. “I was also motivated by the belief that our chapter could be stronger and more responsive to the needs of members.”

McNeil said social workers are a good fit for public office because “we understand how systems function, where they fail, and how those failures impact real people. We are trained to see the connection between policy and lived experience.”

“I am not running to become a career politician,” she said. “I am running to bring a social work lens into the state House.”

Her career in social work was inspired by a conversation with a professor who helped her see social work differently. “She explained that social workers are trained not just to support individuals, but to understand and transform the systems that shape people’s lives.” McNeil said.

She said one of the most powerful ways to shape the future of your profession, rather than simply react to it, is to volunteer your time to your professional association.

“For me, serving NASW-Pennsylvania has been both a leadership laboratory and a personal growth journey,” McNeil said. “Navigating a chapter of thousands of members, each with different practice areas, political perspectives and priorities, taught me how to lead with clarity, empathy and strategy.”

“I believe it is important to volunteer because our associations are only as strong as the members who choose to invest in them.