The washington pace committee members carryout state candidate endorsement and build grass roots networks through member political education and mobilization.
Adrian Bruton, LICSW, ACSW, OSW-C PACE Committee Chair
Western Washington Region Adrian Bruton is a transplant from Alabama to Olympia. She is a certified oncology social worker. She is in the process of working towards her DSW from The University of Alabama.
Chapter President FY 2024 - FY 2025
Eastern Washington Region
Dr. Juarez is a Field Director and Associate Professor of Social Work at Heritage University, Toppenish, WA. 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!
Ann Allen, LICSW Western Washington Region Ann Allen (LICSW) received a masters degree in social work in 1988 from the Michigan State University. She works in Seattle in integrated behavioral health care at a healthcare clinic focused on working with Asian-Pacific Islanders and immigrants at International Community Healthcare Services. She is a behavioral health provider and a specialist in high utilizers of emergency services, complex care, homeless, and co-occurring disorders. She is also a practicum instructor for Seattle University and the University of Washington advance degree programs.
Nichelle Curtis-McQueen, MSW Legislative Action Committee Chair
Western Washington Region Nichelle earned her BSW from the University of Indianapolis and MSW from Simmons University (formally Simmons College). Nichelle is originally from Indiana and has lived in Washington since 2012. She lives in Federal Way, serves as the co-chair the City of Federal Way Diversity Commission, and works for the State of Washington Juvenile Rehabilitation as a compliance manager.
Christine Ingersoll, MSW, ACSW, LICSW Western Washington Region Christine has been a social worker since 1976, working first in residential treatment for children, special needs foster care and adoption, and then transitioning to hospital based medical social work and then to home based hospice care. After retiring from full time work, Christine continued with a small practice providing individual supervision for social workers working towards licensure. She is a strong advocate for social work, and has mentored many people in the profession.
Midge Levy, LICSW Western Washington Region Midge Levy retired from many years of working in Seattle at Group Health Cooperative as a social work manager in Home Health and Hospice, also as a member of the HIV/AIDS team. She served on the board of NASW WA for many years as well as the board of End of Life WA, and worked on the successful passage of the WA Death with Dignity law in 2008.
Michelle Landrum, LSWAIC Western Washington Region As a Membership Engagement Committee Co-Chair, Michelle would love to spread the word and bring more social workers into this valuable organization. Michelle has been on the Membership Engagement Committee since she began as a MSW Student Rep in the fall of 2019. Michelle currently works within Indian Child Welfare. Michelle earned her BSW from Northern Arizona University and MSW is from UW-Seattle. Go Dawgs!
Vernon Loke, Ph.D. Eastern Washington Region Vernon Loke, PhD, is currently the Associate Dean at the College of Professional Programs, and Professor of Social Work, at Eastern Washington University. Vernon’s practice and research focus on program development and evaluation, financial empowerment, asset building, legislative engagement and advocacy, and consumer protections. He also volunteers on the boards of several social service organizations and advocacy groups.
Allison Weide MSW Student Representative FY 2024
Western Washington Region
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.