Congratulations to our 2025 NASW-WA Award Winners. To see the recording from our March 28, 2025 virtual Social Work Month Celebration & Awards, click here.
Esseme Essang-Ekpo, MSW
Esseme Essang Ekpo, MSW is a deeply dedicated social worker with over 30 years of experience, including over 17 years at Western State Hospital, where he has made a profound impact in forensic mental health services. His resilience, shaped by surviving the Nigerian-Biafran civil war, has guided his compassionate work in supporting individuals with mental health challenges. Serving as a psychiatric social worker, Esseme provides direct clinical support, conducts assessments, and facilitates community transitions, while also mentoring future social workers and advocating for policy changes. His exceptional professional skills, commitment to social justice, and hard work have not only transformed lives but also inspired those around him.
Sierra Molton, MSW, LICSW
Sierra has served the immigrant community, specifically unaccompanied children for over two decades. For the past three years, she has served in the role of Regional Director at Kids in Need of Defense (KIND). In this role, she has spearheaded case management programming for unaccompanied children and lifted up the social work profession and values for the children we serve. Sierra is dedicated to the professional development of her team and supervises in WA, CA, and Texas work. Her ability to bring empathy, inclusion, and strive for anti-racist social work practice is commendable and inspiring.
Deborah Vangeison Svoboda, MSW, PhD
Deborah Vangeison Svoboda, MSW, PhD serves as an Associate Professor of Social Work at Eastern Washington University (EWU). She continues to do so much for the social work profession and makes a positive impact for all Washingtonians. Most recently she facilitated hosting EWU’s 50th social work celebration and made certain that her students remain engaged and involved. Her nominator writes, “During my time in Deb's classroom, she empowered me to be a thought-provoking social worker. Deb leads with empathy and fosters lasting relationships with her students. She is sure to introduce everyone who comes into her classroom to NASW and provide us with space to connect and develop our skills.” The Chapter is thrilled to honor Dr. Svoboda as our 2025 Educator of the Year award.
Gregorio Ochoa, MSW
Gregorio Ochoa, MSW demonstrates a lifelong commitment to education and social justice. He has had a profound impact on both his students and the broader community. At 90 years old, Ochoa continues to teach at Heritage University, where he uses his personal and professional experiences to mentor and inspire students. With a background shaped by overcoming racism, social tumult, and personal challenges, Gregorio’s passion for social work is rooted in his desire to protect and advocate for vulnerable individuals, particularly within the Latinx community. His career spans decades of dedicated service, from clinical roles in mental health organizations to faculty positions at various universities, where he has worked tirelessly to promote diversity and inclusion. Gregorio’s philosophy of teaching emphasizes the importance of leaders who look like and relate to their students, helping them to navigate their careers with the same dedication to social justice he has embodied throughout his own life.
Erin Glathar
Erin Glathar, an Independent Contractor for the Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD), is dedicated to her clients. As a Transitional Planning Specialist, Erin works with individuals who have served criminal sentences but are civilly committed for the risk of re-offense, a highly vulnerable population with few resources. Erin excels in developing comprehensive release plans, ensuring her clients have housing, food, employment, and healthcare, while also cultivating new resources and navigating the complexities of the legal system. Beyond her technical expertise, Erin is a compassionate leader, mentoring new social workers, offering them opportunities to shadow her, and setting high standards for best practices. Her client dedication is unparalleled—providing regular communication, offering emotional support, and going above and beyond to make her clients feel valued, such as helping one client access gender-affirming care. Erin’s empathy, leadership, and tireless advocacy for her clients truly embody the heart and soul of the social work profession.
Allison Weide, MSW
Allison Weide, MSW, is a distinguished social worker whose contributions to the Chapter and her community make her the ideal recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Recent Graduate Award. Since becoming a BSW student member in 2021, Allison has been an active and engaged leader, serving as a Student Representative to the Chapter Board, a member of the Conference Planning Committee, and an advocate on the Legislative Action and PACE Committees, among other roles. In her professional career, she serves as the Community Wellness and Prevention Initiative Coalition Coordinator for TumHOPES at Capital Region ESD 113 and as an adjunct professor at St. Martin's University. With an academic focus on trauma-informed care, substance use disorders, and public management, Allison brings a well-rounded, micro/mezzo/macro perspective to her work. She is dedicated to improving communities, advocating for social workers and students, and providing mentorship and guidance to the next generation of social workers.
Viviana Aguilar
Viviana Aguilar, a senior in the BSW program at Heritage University, is the Chapter’s 2025 Outstanding Student Award recipient. Set to graduate this spring, Viviana has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, service, and dedication to social work. As the current president of the Social Work Student Association (SWSA), she has spearheaded impactful community-driven initiatives, such as organizing events for at-risk youth, hosting clothing drives, and advocating for student engagement. Viviana is also deeply committed to social justice, actively advancing Antiracism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) efforts both in her community and during her practicum at Casey Family Programs. In addition to her academic success, she has shown unwavering support for her peers, earning their respect and admiration. Viviana’s commitment to service, leadership, and advocacy, combined with her dedication to the social work profession, makes her a deserving recipient of this award.