Reflections from the Past, Visions for the Future
From the President
By Yvonne Chase, PHD, MSW, LCSW, ACSW
As my term as president of NASW concludes on June 30, I take this opportunity, in my final column, to reflect on the past four years. My service began in 2022 as president-elect, with the important task of co-leading the search for a new chief executive officer with then-NASW President Mildred “Mit” Joyner. Following a thorough and thoughtful process, Dr. Anthony Estreet was selected as CEO and joined NASW in February 2023.
In June 2023, Mit Joyner completed her term as NASW president and passed away one week later. Her loss was deeply felt across the organization and the profession. Her leadership, mentorship and dedication left a lasting impact, and I remain profoundly grateful for her guidance during my year as president-elect.
Over the past three years, NASW has experienced significant growth and progress—far more than can be fully captured here. Among the highlights:
The NASW national conference was held in Chicago in 2025, marking the first time in more than 20 years that the conference took place outside of Washington, D.C. Given its success, the conference location will rotate outside of Washington, D.C., every other year.
Two new board committees and four task forces were established to address emerging and evolving areas of practice. The new committees include the Committee on Disabilities and the Committee on Military and Veterans. Task forces were formed on Artificial Intelligence, Social Workers in Veterinary Services, Social Workers in Sports, and the development of Standards on Suicide Prevention.
While the committees focus on areas that previously have not been formal national priorities for NASW, the task forces were designed to be time-limited. The Task Force on Suicide Prevention exemplifies this approach. Convened in February 2025, the group produced draft standards that have already been released for public comment and are scheduled for board approval in June. The remaining task forces are in the early stages of their work, reflecting NASW’s commitment to addressing emerging issues and preparing for the future.
Each NASW president confronts distinct challenges as the association continues to evolve. Among the most difficult decisions during my presidency was moving forward with the restructuring of chapters and the national office. Although the board accepted the Modernization Task Force’s recommendations in 2015, implementation delays left critical issues unresolved. Advances in technology now allow NASW to connect with members more effectively, share resources across states, and operate as a stronger, more integrated organization.
I conclude my term as NASW celebrates its 70thanniversary and advances toward a more unified “One Association.” It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as NASW’s president. As I welcome Dr. Karen Bullock, who will assume the presidency on July 1, I leave you with these reflections on change, progress and possibility as we look toward NASW’s future:
“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” —President John F. Kennedy
Contact Yvonne Chase at president@socialworkers.org