Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners
Term ends: n/a
Please give a brief biography, including your education, licensure or certification level and employment history:
I am serving as the Executive Director of the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners, a role I have held since July 2014, having joined the agency in 2010 as Assistant/Deputy Director. As of July 1, 2025, I also serve as the Executive Director for the Massage Therapy Board. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Arizona State University and I identify as a “macro social worker,” a perspective I apply to my regulatory work.
Give a synopsis of your regulatory and professional experience. Please emphasize your involvement with ASWB:
In my role leading a composite board that governs counselors, marriage and family therapists, social workers, and addiction counselors, I am committed to advancing public protection and equity. My work centers on driving operational excellence while providing robust support and education for our licensees. My leadership extends beyond my regulatory role through active engagement with various state and national professional associations. I am currently the commissioner for both the counseling compact and the social work compact. Specifically with ASWB, I have been actively engaged since 2010. I have attended over 30 in person meetings, served on the REAL committee and later became chair. I also held a temporary appointment to the Board of Directors at Large to address a vacancy. I have served as a presenter for ASWB, speaking on topics including supervision and the collaboration between regulators and legislators.
Finally, make a brief statement on the major issues you see facing ASWB, and how you would address them:
In my current candidacy, I want to emphasize several key strategic priorities for ASWB:
- The Social Work Compact: Prioritizing the development and implementation of the compact, including state legislative adoption and database development.
- DEI Initiatives: Working with ASWB to provide education that assists jurisdictions in applying a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion lens to their policies.
- Composite Board Leadership: Continuing to advocate for ASWB to lead the way in supporting composite boards.