Miguel A. Juárez, Ed.D., MSW
Chapter President FY 2024 - FY 2025
Dr. Juarez is a Professor of Social Work at Heritage University in Toppenish, WA and serves as adjunct faculty at Eastern Washington University and Northcentral University. He has taught college level courses, e.g., Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Policy, Cultural Diversity, and Research, since 2004. Dr. Juarez earned his BSW from Heritage University, his MSW from Eastern Washington University, and his Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership from Northcentral University. Dr. Juarez is an active member of the community where he resides. He is passionate about equity and social justice. Dr. Juarez enjoys spending time with his family and friends. For Dr. Juarez education is the key to success!
TyKera Williams, LSWAIC
Chapter 1st Vice President FY 2023 - FY 2024
TyKera earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biopsychology with minor in entrepreneurship from Loyola University of Maryland and a MSW from Seattle University. She has empathically served those who are challenged by chronic health conditions, substance use and sustaining mental wellness. TyKera is a lifelong learner who passionately advocates for equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.
Patricia Barnes Cannon, MSW
Chapter 2nd Vice President FY 2024 - FY 2025
Patricia Barnes Cannon has been a resident of the state of Washington since 2014. She received her BA in education/social welfare and MSW with dual specialization in child welfare and policy, administration, community development from Arizona State University. She completed postmasters work at the University of Arizona in interdisciplinary studies including cultural anthropology, Indigenous studies/administration.
Danielle Flores, MSW, LICSW
Chapter Secretary FY 2023 - FY 2024
Danielle has been actively involved in NASW since serving as a student representative in 2014. Since then, has served in the roles of executive assistant and membership services director with the Nevada Chapter. She has also served as secretary in various student organizations and on several non-profit boards. She obtained her LICSW and is currently employed with DCYF.
Lindsey McIntyre, MSW, LICSW
Eastern Washington Region Representative FY 2024 - FY 2025
As a long- standing member of the NASW-WA Chapter, Lindsey worked closely with the chapter’s nominations committee from 2017 -2019. during her time post-MSW, experiences in psychiatric, medical, school social work and mental health services have put her in the position to understand the multi-layered needs of our career choice. Lindsey currently serves as a clinical director of a group private therapy practice in Spokane and is also a lecturer at Eastern Washington University.
Rayanna Tensley, MSW, LICSW
Eastern Washington Region Representative FY 2023 - FY 2024
Rayanna has been an advocate of participant choice and community involvement within a leadership position for almost 5 years. While working at Excelsior, she had the opportunity to be a member of our diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) council. When she began her MSW degree she ran for Vice President of the Master’s in Social Work Student Association (MSWSA). She held this position for 1 year before holding the position of President during her second year. She was also the chapter’s MSWSA liaison for Iota Beta. At Goodwill, Rayanna worked alongside the VP of workforce and family services (WFS) to continue our efforts of DEI work and became the co-chair of our equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) committee. Over the last few months, she has had the opportunity to work as the Goodwill’s coordinator for the state as they strive to provide digital equity with goodwill connect grant.
Svetlana Shjerven, MSW
Western Washington Region Representative FY 2023 - FY 2024
Svetlana currently works as an outpatient clinician specializing in providing therapy to people with severe anxiety and trauma. Svetlana graduated with an MSW from Arizona State University and earned a Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary social sciences from Central Washington University. Previously, she worked on a community mobile intervention team housed within the Bellevue Fire Department (CARES) as an advocate, where she 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, Svetlana began volunteering as a support groups facilitator for youth at the non-profit organization Lambert House, and serving on the Legislative Action Committee and formerly as MSW Student Representative on the board of directors for NASW Washington Chapter.
Jen Self, MSW, PhD, LICSW
Western Washington Region Representative FY 2024 - FY 2025
Jen has been a member of NASW since a student at UW from 2002-2010. the core of Jen’s life and work is queer intersectional racial & gender justice work. Jen has worked in mental health, program development, higher education leadership, faculty, organizational development and executive leadership, continuing education and training, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion across industries (healthcare, criminal legal, government, non-profit, education, and corporate). Jen is a member of GLMA Health Professionals advancing LGBTQ+ equality, NAACP, certified by state and federal authorities 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.
Allison Weide
MSW Student Representative FY 2024
Allison cares about the standards and values of the NASW and the profound impact social workers have. Allison earned her BSW with concentrations in trauma studies and substance use disorder. As the first president of St. Martin's University Student Social Work Association, she appreciates collaborating with people who share the same values and are held to the same ethical standards. Volunteering on multiple school boards in different communities has cultivated her ability to work with diverse groups of people. Allison is currently an MSW Student at Ohio State University.
Imanhi Hawkins
BSW Student Representative FY 2024
Imahni is a BSW Student at St. Martin’s University and currently works as an intern for the multicultural family and hope center where she assists case managers within the family support system and supports members of the Tacoma Recovery Center. In addition to social work experience and knowledge, Imahni has held leadership roles including service as the vice president for her school’s black student union, treasurer for the on-campus NAMI club and partner with the NAMI Thurston County Chapter, and as a member of the Tacoma Youth Philanthropy Board.
View NASW Washington Chapter's Strategic Plan