2022 NASW-Michigan Election Slate Announced

NASW-Michigan is excited to announce the slate of candidates for the 2022 Chapter Board of Directors elections. Chapter elections will officially open on April 22, 2022 and run until May 13, 2022. All NASW-Michigan members will be emailed an election link on April 22. 

All candidates are running to serve 3-year terms (with the student representatives and Member-At-Large serving 1-year terms) to begin July 1, 2022.

Thank you to all of the candidates for your leadership and interest in serving the Michigan membership!

Open positions:

• Second Vice President of Budget and Finance
• BSW Student Representative
• MSW Student Representative 
• Member at Large
• Region 2 Representative - (Northwest Michigan - Emmet, Charlevoix, Antrim, Kalkaska, Missaukee, Osceola, Lake, Mason, Manistee, Wexford, Grand Traverse, Benzie, Leelanau)
• Region 5 Representative - (Clare, Gladwin, Arenac, Isabella, Midland, Bay, Gratiot, Saginaw Counties)
• Region 8 Representative - (Oakland and Macomb Counties)

Vice President of Budget and Finance

Mary Mattson, LMSW-Macro

Goal Statement: Social workers are some of the most resilient and passionate individuals I’ve ever known, and yet we face challenges like never before. Workforce and funding shortages, a toxic political environment, and white supremacy culture are just a few of the systemic challenges we must face head-on. Our profession is being called to evolve and adapt while staying grounded in the high ethical code we hold as social workers. NASW-MI must continue to be a critical element in supporting political representation, policy changes, and innovation in our field. 

As a board member, it would be my priority to keep equity and justice at the center of our work. Deep listening and a spirit of collaboration will guide how I partner with NASW-MI staff and support our efforts together. We need the collective vision of macro and clinical practitioners to continue tackling the systemic challenges we face. I hope to help further establish this collective vision and engage more of our social work colleagues as well as allies in other sectors to join us in this work.

Leadership Roles: 

Co-Founder and Partner at Emergence Collective 
Community Advisory Board Member at University of Michigan School of Social Work 
Board member at Kadima & JVS

BSW Student Representative

Shamecka Freeman

Goal Statement: I am a caring and highly organized social work student with a proven record of community advocacy and extensive equity work within the inner-city public school system. I would like to serve as a BSW student representative with aspirations of utilizing my knowledge and experience in the social work field to help move the needle of equity forward in underserved communities. I possess a fervent call to service that is related to my personal narrative entwined with intersections of African ancestry coupled with my female experience in America. As a representative of the NASW, I will strive to be a solution-driven team member with social justice at the forefront as we move forward doing the work of community service. I am vigilant of the commitment necessary to be effective as a student representative. My passion and understanding of the need of raising awareness to construct solutions to eradicate structural inequalities serve as constant motivation to press forward through systematic roadblocks. My calling is to uphold the rights and interests of the unspoken for and forgotten. The story of the people I wish to serve through my service with NASW is a familiar story to me, a story that resonates and ensures that I remain an integral part of the work that must be done to provide equitable access to social, economic, and political resources to marginalized communities. Having gained experience in this sphere and an ardent desire to learn more about it, I feel I would be well suited to serve in the capacity of student representative to collaborate with my community to empower the people.

Leadership Roles: Social Emotional Coach: Distinctive Schools; Chair : Social Emotional Learning Committee; President: Youth Empowerment Circle 

Other Relevant Services: Founder of the Food Sovereignty Urban Garden initiative. Student Gardening / Farming group 

Lauren Michie

Goal Statement: My name is Lauren Michie and I am a nontraditional student enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Work program at Northern Michigan University, with the anticipated graduation date of May 2023. In addition to my role as a full-time student, I am also the mother of three children, and Street Outreach Housing Navigator with a non-profit, Superior Housing Solutions, in Marquette Michigan. I discovered my passion for working with individuals experiencing homelessness through volunteering at my local emergency homeless shelter and was hired as Guest Advocate at that shelter in September 2020. Since that time, I have been working with this vulnerable population whilst pursuing my BSW and have been committed to upholding the NASW Core Values and advocating and empowering this often-marginalized group of people. Upon graduation from the BSW program, I plan to further my education at Northern Michigan University in the Master of Social Work program. Given the opportunity to sit on the NASW Board of Directors as the BSW Student Member, I will do my best to uphold the NASW mission by offering my ever-growing knowledge of the social work profession through my continued education, my experience in assessing the needs and assisting directly with individuals experiencing homelessness, and the life experience that only a nontraditional student might bring to the table. Thank you for your consideration.

Matt Dargay

Goal Statement: If elected to the Board, I will help foster a supportive professional environment in which my fellow MSW students know that they can thrive. I believe that affording social workers with decent pay and working conditions is crucial not just for their own well-being, but also for the communities and clients who they serve. And this is just as true, I believe, for students. The issue common to nearly all social work students, in which they are not paid for the work they do in their field placements, socializes them to later accept inadequate pay and working conditions as they enter the profession. This dynamic is a major driver of burnout and attrition among social workers, and I want to help disrupt it.   
That is why I founded and co-chair the University of Michigan chapter of Payment for Placements (P4P), a movement devoted to ensuring that all social work students are paid for their field work. Each of our chapter’s efforts require that I bring together people of different backgrounds and perspectives. Being co-chair of P4P means trusting in others, knowing my stuff, listening more often than I speak, and making sure everyone feels valued. If elected, I will bring this same approach when fighting for the social workers, social work students, and social work clients of Michigan.  
It is time for social workers to advocate as passionately for their own and their profession’s well-being as they do for their clients. All three will be better off if we do. 

Leadership Roles: Co-chair, Payment for Placements at the University of Michigan
Other Relevant Services: Social Work Representative, Central Student Government
President, Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) at the University of Michigan

Other Relevant Services: 
Dawn Farm, counselor, May 2019 - December 2021
U of M Office of Student Conflict Resolution, student facilitator, August 2018 - August 2019

Regina Murray

Goal Statement: My goal as a student leader is to inspire and help others to achieve their best potential. I would also like to set an example to other students by advocating for social justice and human rights. I believe to be a great leader one must first be a good follower. I like to surround myself with great leaders. Leaders will help me reach my full potential in the social work field. My short-term goal is to continue to lead the social work students at Oakland University. I do this by creating a supportive environment of unconditional acceptance in the groups I lead. I have started several study groups for students who need extra help outside of the classroom. My long-term goal is to implement government policy changes concerning active-duty military and veterans' mental health treatment. Evidence shows that early treatment is one of the best predictors of good mental health outcomes. I would like to change the current policy to reflect the best scientific information and improve veteran mental health and suicide rates. I was the only BSW student chosen to do a research project. I am researching the affects of Covid 19 on veterans’ mental health under Doctor Maria Beam. I am in the process of interviewing veterans. I hope to have my paper published after I complete the study. Thank you for considering my application. It would be an honor to be on the board.

Leadership Roles: Phi Alpha National Social Work Honor Society Treasurer 2020-2021; Phi Alpha National Honor Society President 2021-2022; Tau Sigma Transfer Student Honor Society 2021-2022; Student Veterans of Oakland University 2022 Event Coordinator; Common Ground Crisis Center inter crisis interventionist 

Other Relevant Services: Women's rights advocate and protester; Black Lives Matter supporter

Nolana Nobles, PhD

Goal Statement: My Goal is to contribute to the work of NASW by sharing my leadership expertise (macro) and to learn more about the work NASW does to support clinical social workers (micro). 

Leadership Roles: I have served 2 appointed terms for the MICC, Michigan Interagency Coordinating Council, advocating for the needs of families of children with special needs 

Other Relevant Services: I am a member of the Lansing Association of Black Social Workers

Member At Large

Kellie Cripe, LMSW-Clinical 

Goal Statement: I am running for the Board of Directors Member-at-Large position because in my nearly 20 years of social work experience, I am convinced that the mission of the NASW is of utmost importance, now more than ever.
My experience has been on the clinical and macro side in the field of child maltreatment. I have witnessed a lack of focus on the needs of Michigan’s children, especially those who have experienced maltreatment. This lack of focus is perpetuated by the low wages, poor working conditions and structural mismanagement of many child-serving agencies who rely on social workers.
Child-serving agencies are rife with high turnover. Social workers feel undervalued and receive subpar wages that don’t match their level of expertise, education, licensure, and amount of student debt they have accrued. When we express our concerns the response from our employers is often “self-care.” What we need to hear from them is that we deserve higher wages, we deserve smaller caseloads so we are able to provide services that can positively impact our clients, and we deserve adequate paid leave so we can take care of our own needs.  
The issues we face can be addressed by raising the voice of social workers. This starts in the social work classroom by providing all social workers with adequate training and education in leadership and management so they can develop the skills to advocate for themselves as workers. 
If elected, I will be a voice for the issues that social workers hold most important.

Leadership Roles: Provided a Basics in Trauma-Informed Care training for NASW-TN. 

Other Relevant Services: The majority of my experience has been on the direct service side in the field of child maltreatment but I have also worked in research and contributed to the literature, taught at the undergraduate and graduate level, and provided clinical supervision for MSW interns. Recently I have delved into the macro side of social work and have enjoyed my experience of providing technical assistance, training, and legislative advocacy for organizations who provide a multidisciplinary team approach to child maltreatment. 

Jamie Jones, LMSW-Macro, CSA

Goal Statement: As a new, first-time member of NASW, I would be honored to join the Michigan Board of Directors and contribute to our social work community. I have previously served on a Massachusetts Habitat for Humanity Board, as both a member and Vice President. With my experience in developing programs that impact Social Determinants of Health, history of educating the social work community on technology and services that support the older adult population age in place, I believe my unique background in working in the for-profit sector would benefit our NASW-Michigan chapter. I am grateful to work for an organization (Best Buy Health) with such a strong corporate social responsibility, that encourages community engagement and involvement. Additional interests for joining the Michigan Board of Directors include my desire to get to know the Michigan social work community and services, as I am not originally from Michigan, and continue to develop and grow personally and professionally. 

Other Relevant Services: Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity Board Vice President and Board Member

Chia Morgan, LLBSW

Goal Statement: I am interested in filling this position because I am interested in playing an active role in advancing our profession. Many people see social workers as those who "take children '' and they do not realize the work we do in areas such as mental health, advocacy, social justice, geriatric care and public policy. While serving as a member at large, I will be able to bring my skill set in the areas of social justice, mental health, community planning and mental health to work with other social workers to create and promote programs and events to benefit those we care about. In my city, I have created panels aimed at breaking the stigma of mental health and have allowed therapists and those living with mental illness to share their experiences with others who were afraid to seek and maintain mental health treatment. Additionally, I have created an annual thanksgiving dinner that not only provides a meal but connects families with vital resources including  covering the cost of payments for mental health services. In response to the food desert in Flint, MI, I have built three outdoor food pantries in the most vulnerable neighborhoods of the city.

Leadership Roles: I have no current or past involvement with NASW leadership.  I have been engaged with the Social Work Club at University of Michigan-Flint during my undergraduate studies.

Other Relevant Services: I am currently a board commissioner for Flint Housing Commission, a committee member for the Offender Success Program at Catholic Charities in Flint, Mi, a committee member for the Voices for Children Child Advocacy Center and a past member of Genesee County's Elder Abuse Force and Human Trafficking Task Force. I am also the program coordinator for a local non-profit organization, Well of Hope.

Sade Richardson, MPH, LLMSW-Macro

Goal Statement: I am excited and honored to be considered to serve as the Member at Large. I am passionate about strengthening the social work profession and ensuring that everyone's voice is represented. I have always wanted to get more involved with NASW and I believe that this position is the best avenue for me to start being of service. If elected, I promise to listen, be an advocate for all, and ensure that equity, diversity and inclusion are at the forefront of our decision-making.  I believe that my identities and experiences, and passion to help others make me an ideal candidate for this position.

Leadership Roles: I participated in the mentorship program and served as a mentor in 2018.

Other Relevant Services: 
Representative, University of Michigan, School of Social Work Alumni Board of Governors, January 2021- Present
DSW Student Representative, University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work Anti-Oppression Committee, September 2021 - Present
Technology Chairman, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Delta Psi Omega Chapter Pearls and Ivy Foundation, June 2021 - Present
Nominating Committee Chairman, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Delta Psi Omega Chapter, April 2021 - Present  
Member, National Association of Social Workers, April 2018 - Present
Member, National Network for Social Work Management, April 2018 - Present
Member, American Public Health Association, October 2017 - Present  
Member, National Association of County and City Health Officials, March 2020 - Present

Jerry Walden, LMSW-Clinical & Macro

Goal Statement: I desire to give back to the Social Work profession by using the skills I have attained as a clinician for 28 years and as an educator. My former experience on the Board of a local Community Mental Health facility, service as a County Commissioner and current service as the Director of the Bachelor Social Work program at Spring Arbor University and Secretary of the Board of Trustees for Memorial Healthcare has allowed me a breath of experience. I desire to use these varied experiences to assist social workers in the State of Michigan as we face new challenges in the delivery of services in an ever-changing social environment. 

Leadership Roles: I have been an active member of the NASW and have attended the National Conference in Washington D. C. but now I desire to be more actively involved in NASW-Michigan as we face numerous challenges in an ever-changing society. 

Other Relevant Services: Served on the Board of Directors of Shiawassee Health and Wellness for 12 years, serving 10 years as the Chair of the Board.  Served as Shiawassee County Commissioner for one term. Former Director of the Gerholz Center for Christian Counseling in Flint, Michigan. Currently serve as the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of Memorial Healthcare in Owosso, Michigan and the Director of the Bachelor Social Work program at Spring Arbor University. 

Region 2 Representative

Patricia "Lauren" Berthelot, LMSW-Clinical

Goal Statement: My goal, should I be entrusted as Region 2 Representative, would be to create a supportive and efficient system which assists the growth and capacity of the social work profession in order to bring needed change where necessary. In order to achieve this goal, I will work directly and diligently learning the role and engaging with each county’s social work population. This would ideally include frequent opportunities for networking events that provides, most importantly, relationship building and a sense of community within our region and state. Additionally, these events would provide an opportunity to share area needs and match those needs with beneficial learning opportunities as well as collaborative efforts to meet needs. I firmly believe that recognizing intrinsic value in others boosts that sense of community and that would be translated by featuring organizations and individuals within a regional newsletter to highlight strengths. It would be beneficial to create a list of the regions social workers including agency, role, and contact information in order to have an easily accessible way to network or collaborate. This should be sought to be accomplished within the first 6 months in order to make gathering more efficient. The role would be a genuine honor that would be approached with integrity, earnest effort, and a meticulous work ethic. It would be a privilege to serve. 

Region 5 Representative

Chris Fike, MS, LLMSW-Macro

Goal Statement: My name is Chris Fike, and I’m running to be Region 5 Representative on the NASW-Michigan Board of Directors. I currently work as a Clinical Social Worker with Partners in Change Psychological & Community Service, PLC in Midland and a Clinical Therapist with McDowell Healing Arts Center in Saginaw. I previously served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work & Youth Services at Saginaw Valley State University. 
I am running for a position on the NASW-Michigan Board of Directors to foster more collaboration and action to intentionally promote anti-oppressive perspectives and restorative justice-informed practices among our membership. And to invite our membership to explore how we can be more purposeful in challenging professional hegemony in our own spaces.
As an activist-scholar-practitioner, authenticity, empathy, relationship-building, and an explicitly anti-racist framework are at the core of my personal and professional identity, while a commitment to the values of social justice, dignity and worth of all people, service, integrity, and the centrality of human relationships really frames my professional work. It’s my passion for creating a more welcoming and inclusive social work practice that really motivates me to want to serve as the Region 5 Representative on the NASW-Michigan Board of Directors.

Leadership Roles: 
Social Justice & Anti-racism Committee (NASW-MI, September 2020 – present)
Capitol Action Day (NASW-MI) (2018, 2019)
Legislative Education and Action Day (2016, 2017, and 2018) (NASW-MI)
Voter registration drive volunteer (2016 & 2018) (NASW-MI)
Policy Faculty Roundtable (2016 & 2017) (NASW-MI)
Chair, Political Action for Candidate Election (PACE) Committee (2011 – 2012) (NASW-Arizona)
Social Work Day at the Legislature (2009-2011) (NASW-Arizona)

Other Relevant Services: 
Nominee, Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) National Nominating Committee, Undergraduate Faculty Representative (2020)
Member, CSWE Environmental Justice Task Force / Diversity and Difference in Practice Focus Area (2019 – 2020)
Member, CSWE Macro Social Work Practice Task Force / Community Focus Area (2017 – 2018)
Chair, Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD) Sustainability Committee (2016 – 2020)
Member, Special Commission to Advance Macro Practice in Social Work (2013 – present)
Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) Social Justice Rapid Response Team, co-founder & organizer (Fall 2017 – June 2021)
SVSU Department of Social Work & Youth Services Subcommittee on Racial Justice & Policy, co-founder & member (Fall 2020 – June 2021)
SVSU Food Pantry,  Steering Committee (March 2016 – June 2021)

Region 8 Representative

Sherita Brownlee, LMSW-Clinical

Goal Statement: I would love to work with the NASW and represent the Counties of Oakland and Macomb because this is where I'm from and I have always wanted to be a part of changes in our community. I was born and raised in Oakland County and lived in Macomb for years as an adult. Not only do I know the needs, but I know the residents and the professionals. My goal has always been to return to this community and to have a business here and being able to additionally serve the community and my fellow professionals would be a dream and I would take my passion and my integrity and do my best to supersede the expectations of the position.

Leadership Roles: On my own Private Practice in Oakland County. I've attended NASW LEAD in Undergraduate at EMU multiple times. Attended various trainings by NASW including the training preparing us for taking the licensing exam. I contribute this training to me passing my clinical exam.

Other Relevant Services: Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, SafeHouse Center, Trinity Church Pontiac-Childrens Department, Volunteer at Senior Center in Ann Arbor and Doctors Hospital in Pontiac.

Stefani Goerlich, PhD, LMSW-Clinical, CST

Goal Statement: I am a passionate advocate for social workers as practitioners and as community leaders. I believe in protecting our profession from disreputable providers and profit-driven platforms that undermine the ethical standards we uphold as NASW members. My goal is to continue to motivate NASW to strongly advocate for the highest standards possible for our members and the agencies, companies, and systems they work within.

Leadership Roles: I worked with NASW Michigan several years ago to try and form a Medical Social Work Work Group. 

Other Relevant Services: I am a Certified Sex Therapist and a member of AASECT (The American Association of Sexuality Counselors, Educators and Therapists), SSTAR (The Society for Sex Therapy and Research) and ATSA (The Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers).

Miriam Halprin, LMSW-Clinical & Macro, ACSW

Goal Statement:
My goals, should NASW Region VIII choose for me to continue as our representative, include enhancing professional growth in Region VIII and amplifying the development of our members and colleagues in the community.  In addition to promoting NASW and collaborating with area agencies for continuing education and training in order to provide optimal professional development and other opportunities, I will continue advocating for the social work profession overall and within domains.  

My efforts in developing, maintaining, and advancing sound ethical standards in theory and practice will continue, as these measures enhance professional understanding and knowledge of and for the diverse and expansive skill sets and domains within the social work scopes of practice.

Given this opportunity, I will continue to respond to chapter members who reach out by listening, offering counseling, advocacy, strategic intervention or other social work support.  My efforts at promoting region and chapter trainings and other initiatives as well as institutional integrity, transparency and accountability within the profession will continue as well.  My intent in this position, in addition to the above, is to serve as an ambassador for NASW Michigan and NASW National.  I will make every effort to meet the professional needs of social workers in Region VIII.

Leadership Roles: 
2019 - Present:  Region 8 Representative, NASW Michigan Chapter.  
Prior leadership roles include:
-Liaison for CE opportunities in collaboration with previous Region 8 Representative
-Facilitator and moderator of professional development training and workshops
-M-PACE, Human-Animal Bond Work Group, Health Care Special Interest Group
-Certificate in Core Supervision

Other Relevant Services: As the current Region 8 Representative, I have been working for the past 2 1/2 years to provide vetted and reliable information about the social work profession as it pertains to COVID 19.  These efforts required a dramatic shift in terms of communication, collaboration and programming.  More recently, our community was shaken by the tragedy of a school shooting incident in Oakland County, which propelled immediate social work action and crisis coordination efforts in response.  Other areas in which I have prior experience include:

Social Work Consultant/Social Care Educator, Integrity Medicine PLLC
Director of Community Outreach, Americans for Safe Access, Michigan 
President, Westwood Manor Property Owners Association
Certificate in Political Social Work, University of Michigan
Substitute Paraprofessional, Bloomfield Hills Schools
Master Gardener Volunteer, Michigan State University Extension Services
Supervision in Child and Family Services Certificate, Michigan State University

I am licensed for both Clinical and Macro practice, and my strengths and professional skills include education, training and experience in crisis intervention, child protection and family preservation, infant and child development, and service coordination and collaboration.  I will be responsive to the needs of Region 8 members and will collaborate with other regions and NASW Michigan toward the betterment of our profession.

Jennifer Lewis, LMSW-Clinical, LCSW

Goal Statement: If extended the honor as the Region 8 Representative, my goal is to bridge the gap between Michigan Social Workers across generations, races, backgrounds, and specialties. As a healthcare leader, I’ve experienced first-hand the discrepancy between the fields of Micro, Mezzo, and Macro Social Work, as well as how it negatively impacts our country’s most vulnerable populations.

Unbeknownst to each area of expertise, these differences negatively contribute to social determinants of health; ultimately impacting patients, caregivers, consumers, and healthcare systems. Over the course of my career, I’ve served as a social work healthcare leader in the State of Michigan and California, as well as, as a mental health clinican in the State of Arizona and aforemention states. 

I’ve found that when clinicians, regardless of specialty/discipline, understand the importance of each field, in addition to, how specific barriers within each specialty impacts a one’s overall health; We, as social workers, proficiently and promptly address psychosocial barriers which limit accessible resources. 

Leadership Roles: I'm a current member of the NASW-MI chapter and held several local leadership/committee roles within my local chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Throughout my career, I've advocated for patients, employees, and organizations to actively receive/deliver ethical and proper access to medical and mental health resources via participation in various committees and/or contributing to local hospital policies, as well as, was an UAW Representative.

Other Relevant Services: I've worked in the mental health field since 2007, obtaining experience in Juvenile Justice, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Home-Based Therapy Services, Group Therapy, Crisis Intervention, Inpatient Psychiatric Intake & Admissions, Acute Hospital Discharge Planning, Utilization & Case Management, Clinical Resource Management, Medical Social Work and served as a professional healthcare consultant for the largest non-profit healthcare system in the United States.