2025 CNLI Slate

We are excited to introduce the 2025 slate of candidates for NASW-CA Chapter leadership positions! These individuals represent a diverse range of experiences and expertise within the field of social work and are committed to advancing our profession and advocating for social justice across California.

Your voice matters—members are encouraged to review the candidate bios and vote for those who will help shape the future of our chapter.

🗳 Voting is open from April 11 through May 2, 2025.
📧 A secure link to cast your vote has been sent to your email.

Make sure your membership is active and your contact information is up to date to ensure your voice is heard in this year’s election.

Region A

I have proudly served as Director of Region A since July 2022 and am running for reelection to continue uplifting social work values through advocacy, awareness, and connection. This role allows me to integrate our professional ethics with meaningful community impact.

With an MSW from Cal State East Bay and nearly two decades of experience with the City & County of San Francisco (CalWORKs and Adult Protective Services), I bring a deep commitment to equity and innovation. I’ve served NASW as a Delegate Assembly member, participated in Lobby Days, and helped reactivate the San Francisco Volunteer Unit post-pandemic. During this term, I’ve promoted membership, organized CE and Social Work Month events, and engaged legislators on title protection.

Since retiring in 2023, I’ve continued community advocacy through NASW and as a Bay Area Team Leader for Mercy for Animals, organizing outreach, screenings, and legislative meetings.

I would be honored to serve again and build upon our momentum—expanding CE offerings, fostering student engagement, and strengthening our Region A community through education, policy, and connection.

Thank you for your consideration.

---

With a decade of experience in mental health and community advocacy under my belt, I am deeply passionate about and committed to advancing equity, strengthening our profession, and amplifying the voices of those historically underrepresented. I am excited for the opportunity to sit as the Assistant Regional Director position for Region A with the California Chapter of NASW.

My career has centered on building authentic relationships, mobilizing resources, and challenging systemic barriers that impact youth, families, and marginalized communities. I have worked across nonprofit and healthcare settings, led mutual-aid initiatives, and consistently advocated for inclusive practices and policy change—from creating presentations on Native sovereignty to reporting internal injustices. I am looking forward to being a team lead later this month during Lobby Days in Sacramento.

I believe the NASW Board is a powerful platform for shaping our collective future—fostering professional development, advocating for structural change, and ensuring diverse representation in leadership. I am especially energized by the opportunity to serve Region A, a vibrant area with deep cultural richness and unique challenges, and would prioritize listening to local members’ needs, uplifting emerging social workers, and connecting our community to statewide advocacy efforts.

I welcome the opportunity to serve and co-create a more just and connected future for our profession. 

---

Region E

The success of the human experience is not measured by the accomplishments of the individual, but through the combined efforts of communities pulling together.  My name is CJ Henoch, LCSW, and I am interested in the position of Assistant Regional Director.  I have a passion for upholding and promoting the high standards of care, and professionalism in our important profession.   I received my MSW from Loma Linda University in 2018 and obtained my LCSW in 2023. My professional experiences have ranged from working with at-risk youth and families in county behavioral health to caring, and empowering individuals with end stage renal disease. While working for the County of Riverside, I served as a Wraparound Facilitator where I was the lead for several multidisciplinary teams. As Facilitator, I focused on synthesizing different perspectives into cohesive goals and plans of action for families in need. In 2021, I transitioned to the field of dialysis as a Medical Social Worker; there I advocated for patients interfacing with transplant centers, provided emotional supportive counseling, and acted as a Mental Health Lead. My current role as a Continuing Care Case manager has allowed me to step into mezzo level practice coordinating care with various community organizations. I have the experience, drive and compassion to serve as an Assistant Regional Director in our honorable profession.   

---

Region F

I am honored to run for Assistant Regional Director – Region F within NASW-CA, bringing over a decade of experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, educator, and advocate. My professional journey centers around culturally responsive mental wellness, social justice, and empowerment for communities throughout California. As the founder of Shame Proof Parenting, I’ve created initiatives addressing mental health disparities, community empowerment, and culturally affirming social work practices. My active involvement with NASW-CA includes serving on the Leadership Development Board for the 2023 and 2024 conferences, participating in advocacy efforts at the California Capitol, completing the leadership training, and hosting a community networking event in Orange County addressing health equity.

As Assistant Regional Director, my leadership vision is to advance NASW-CA’s mission by supporting mental wellness policies, enhancing culturally responsive training for social workers, and amplifying advocacy efforts that center diverse community experiences. I strongly believe in collaborative leadership, guided by cultural humility and a steadfast commitment to equity and social justice. I would be privileged to serve in this role, partnering with you to further NASW-CA’s advocacy, resilience, and transformative change legacy. Together, let’s position Region F as a leader in promoting social justice, professional growth, and collective healing. Thank you for your consideration and your vote!

---

I am honored to be nominated and running for the Assistant Regional Director position with the NASW-CA to represent Region F. With over ten years of professional experience, I am a strong candidate for this position because of my diverse experience, advocacy, leadership and genuine care for the well-being of all individuals. My vision embodies growth, inclusion, integrity and professionalism. I earned a Masters in Social Work from St Louis University with specializations in Family Therapy and School Social Work.

Throughout the years, I have worked with non-profit agencies, individuals with disabilities, school/education settings, children’s hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, substance use facilities and trauma centers. My current focus is improving access to healthcare while addressing the social determinants of health and the impacts of trauma as a Social Work Case Manager at a local, nationally recognized hospital. I was voted Case Manager of the Year for 2024. I hold many roles including Case Management Preceptor/Trainer, Magnet Interview Representative, and Patient Experience Representative.

Furthermore, I am a proud volunteer with the No One Dies Alone program that supports individuals in their finals days who have no local family or friends to sit with them as they pass away. Volunteer work has guided me towards my purpose which includes experiences with the Salvation Army, Brain Injury Association, Special Olympics, Kansas City Mental Health Associates and developing various Mentoring Programs. I am a professional member of the National Association of Social Workers and the American Case Management Association. I would be thrilled to represent our NASW-CA chapter in this position. I am confident that together we can continue raising our voices throughout our region, state and beyond to empower and advocate for all individuals

---

I am honored to submit my candidacy for your consideration as Region F, 2025–2027 Committee on Nominations and Leadership Identification. With a commitment to advancing the social work profession, I bring experience in substance use addiction and recovery, mental health advocacy, and options counselling coupled with a passion for equity, justice, and empowerment of marginalized communities.

An NASW member since 2019, I have actively participated by volunteering at state conferences and have led MSW students at Lobby Days. Recently, I was instrumental in spearheading efforts to formulate the NASW-LatinX Council which is in the process of gathering signatures from NASW members.

I have dedicated my career to serving diverse populations, addressing systemic barriers, and raising awareness to intergenerational trauma. My work has consistently aligned with NASW’s Code of Ethics advocating for social justice, increasing mental health awareness and bridging the gap for communities impacted by social disparities.

I believe in leveraging the power of the social work profession to drive sustainable solutions to challenges. Through empathetic listening, strategic thinking, and transparent communication, I aim to represent the interests and aspirations of our members effectively and I will do this by attuning to the needs of NASW-California members by collaborating with staff to achieve oneness.

Together, we can build upon NASW’s legacy while embracing innovation to meet the needs of our profession and the people we serve. Thank you for considering my candidacy, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my skills and passion to this vital organization. 

---

Student Director North

I am a mother, provider, student, and advocate who graduated from CSUEB with a major in Psychology and a minor in Gender and Sexualities in Communities of Color. I am currently a 1st year graduate student at Grand Canyon University, completing my MSW. I have over a year of experience volunteering at Community Violence Solutions non-profit, as a Sexual Assault Crisis Counselor and where I am currently completing my first year practicum as Therapist Intern. I currently also hold a position as a Mental Health Worker within two different hospitals in the Bay Area; in both positions, I take great use in my skill set of active listening and creating a meaningful connection to allow clients the space needed to be seen and heard. A core value of social work includes genuine, human relationships and I aspire to be that representation. I desire to foster and provide the opportunity to connect with my fellow student colleagues and represent their interests at our meetings, along with establishing rapport with schools and participating in opportunities to represent NASW. I would appreciate the opportunity to connect with our future social workers as Student Director North. Through our collective agency, we can bring about the necessary and continued advocacy that can lead to the change that will allow us to continue providing support to our communities and clients.

Thank you for your consideration.

I am a 3rd-year BSW student at Sac State. I have occupied the role of a leader in multiple environments, even in non-leadership positions. As a paid intern at the Makerspace of the Sacramento Public Library, Central Location, I have advocated for changes to our 3D printing request system that preserve the privacy of library patrons. As a “Playologist” at the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County, I have introduced handmade additions to our interactive art exhibits, I regularly lead story time, and I have helped train new employees. Coming from a family of social workers and teachers, I have always sought to be in positions of service. At 17 years old, a couple months before taking on a full time job as a behavioral aide, I became one of three leaders for a group called “Decolonize Credo” at my high school. This group organized a large body of students and faculty to expose the racist beliefs of Waldorf education’s founder.

As a social work student at Sac State, I have encountered the NASW’s influence in a number of my classes. This semester, I wrote a paper about advocating for social workers, where I underscored the work that the NASW has done for the social work community. I wrote about the many resources available in the NASW membership as well as the Protecting Social Workers and Health Professionals from Workplace Violence Act. From conversations with the current Student Director, I have become aware of Legislative Lobby Days, which I plan on attending in April of 2025. Thank you for your consideration.

---

OPEN POSITIONS

Assistant Regional Director, Region B
Nominations & Leadership, Chair
Nominations & Leadership, Region A
Nominations & Leadership, Region B
Nominations & Leadership, Region E