CHAPTER SLATE FOR 2023-2024 ELECTIONS
NASW Washington Chapter Board of Directors
NASW-WA Members: The NASW-WA Chapter Board Secretary is pleased to announce the 2023-2024 Election Slate. The Standards for NASW Chapter Nominations and Elections outlines that Chapters can proceed to the election since all nominees were slated. The Chapter Nomination and Leadership Identification Committee (NLIC) certified the slate below to the Chapter Board Secretary.
The candidate's statements are below. Voting is now closed as of May 19, 2023.
The Chapter will announce the election results toward the end of May 2023!
Second Vice President for Budget and Finance (vote for one)
Patricia Barnes Cannon, MSW
(She/Her)
I have lived in Washington state since 2014 first as a resident in Eastern Washington, WSU campus. Since 2016, I live on the west side of the mountain, first, in King County, eastside. I am a graduate of the Master of Social Work program at Arizona State University with a dual specialization of both child welfare and Policy, Administration, and Community Development. I then did Postmasters work with a focus of interdisciplinary studies. Over the years, I have worked both in education and the probation system. I have been a member of NASW for the past six years. I serve on of the Legislative Action Committee and on the board as Vice president of Budget & Finance. While living in King County- Eastside, I participated in a reconciliation committee with the Eastside Race and Leadership Coalition. It is here that participated in the Intercultural Development Survey and equity discussions. I also worked on an eastside anthropological-social work study of suburban homeless, and began serving on the Board for Urban Impact in South Seattle. As a board member I am involved with problem -solving and grant writing. Prior to this I was appointed by the Pima County Board of Supervisors to serve on the Pima County Block Grant Committee. I reviewed grants and made recommendations for financial appropriations of monies for selected social service agencies. Currently, I serve on the Voter Redistricting Taskforce-League of Women Voters, NAACP-Snohomish County-Financial-Economic Development committee as well as serve as a CASA. I count it a privilege and honor to serve NASW. If elected, I will continue to enhance the effectiveness of this office by assisting the Chapter in the budget oversight with the board for continued growth to meet our strategic plans for the next two critical years.
Eastern Washington Region Representative (vote for one)
Amanda Fowler, MSW, LSWAIC
(she/her/hers)
My name is Amanda Fowler, and I am the Executive Director at Blue Mountain Health Cooperative located in Walla Walla, WA. I am passionate about addressing barriers to access of care and increasing support for upcoming and existing professionals within our field. I have served as a social worker in the Eastern Washington regions of Spokane and Walla Walla for over 7 years. My experience includes program administration, supervision, data analysis, DEI work, and direct service with clients. Currently, I support a team of MSW and BSW students in providing free mental health care at our Walk-in Clinic. I am interested in serving on the board as a way to further support and advocate for clients and social workers within Washington State.
Lindsey McIntyre, MSW, LICSW
(she/her)
As a long-standing member of the NASW-WA Chapter I have worked closely with Taylene Watson on the NLIC from 2017-2019. During my time post-MSW, experiences in psychiatric SW, medical SW, school SW and mental health services have put me in the position to understand the multi-layered needs of our career choice. Currently serving as a Clinical Director of a group private therapy practice in Spokane WA and also sitting as a Full Time Lecturer at Eastern Washington University puts me on the ground, in the community of social workers on the eastside of our state. I'd love to serve our career community here in the 509 to the best of my ability.
Western Washington Region Representative (vote for one)
Jen Self, MSW, PhD, LICSW
(they/them)
I have been a member of NASW since I was a student at UW from 2002-2010. The core of my life and work is queer intersectional racial & gender justice work. Been in mental health, program development, higher education leadership, faculty, organizational development & executive leadership, continuing education & training, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion across industries (healthcare, criminal legal, government, non-profit, education, and corporate). Member of GLMA Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality, NAACP, certified by state and feds as a genderqueer women-owned and person with Disability-owned business, certified by National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce as queer-owned business, 2014 GSBA Voice of Social Justice Award, 2018 Gender Justice League Ally Award (Q Center), Founding Director of UW Q Center.
Svetlana Shjerven, MSW, LSWAIC
(she/her)
I currently work as an outpatient clinician serving clients in Washington state, specializing in providing therapy to those with severe anxiety and trauma. I graduated with an MSW from Arizona State University, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences from Central Washington University. Previously, I worked on a community mobile intervention team housed within the Bellevue fire department (CARES) as an advocate, where I provided follow-up referral services for those who utilize 911 alongside other first responders, and as a clinical intern at a community mental health agency in Issaquah. While studying, I began volunteering my time as a support group facilitator for youth at the non-profit organization Lambert House, and serving on the Legislative Action Committee and as MSW Student Representative on the Board of Directors for NASW-WA, where I remain involved today. I am proud to be a social work professional and strive to make a positive impact on the micro, mezzo, and macro level.
MSW Student Representative (vote for one)
Kiersten Black
(they/them/theirs)
I currently work as a Mental Health Counselor in a pediatric emergency department. My background is in political science and policy, with an emphasis in civil rights. I have worked on advocating for and preparing legislative briefs in Washington DC. I have experience working with refugees and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I am working on my MSW through University of Kentucky. I plan to continue working with youth and families. My internship will be with a WISe team. I want to work to be a voice and be part of the change in my community to break down stigmas and barriers faced by the most vulnerable populations.
Allison Weide
(she/her/hers)
I am attending The Ohio State University’s online MSW program with a focus on Community and Social Justice as well as pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Public Management. I had the honor of serving as the BSW Representative this past year and am hoping for the opportunity to build on the collaborative work we began to increase the sense of community among NASW-WA members. I believe individual struggles are often the result of larger systemic injustices and we must attend to immediate needs while simultaneously working to change the system and remove the barriers that maintain social inequalities. I have the privilege of doing both through my work in behavioral health services and by serving on the LAC and PACE committees, and as a delegate to the NASW Delegate Assembly. I am confident that my education and experience make me a well-qualified candidate for this position and am grateful for the opportunity to represent MSW students in Washington state.
BSW Student Representative (vote for one)
Imahni Hawkins
(she/her)
I first heard of this position at the NASW Policy Conference, from the current BSW Representative, Allison Weide. If I’m selected for this position on the board, I believe I will be able to showcase my social work/leadership skills and knowledge that I have acquired over the past years. I’m currently working as an intern for the Multicultural Family and Hope Center where I assist case managers within the Family Support System and support members of the Tacoma Recovery Center by engaging in support groups. In addition to my social work experience and knowledge, I have held a few leadership roles within the past four years. I am currently the Vice President for my school’s Black Student Union, the Treasurer for the on-campus NAMI club and partner with the NAMI Thurston County Chapter. I have been on the Tacoma Youth Philanthropy Board for two years.