Oregon State Board of Licensed Social Workers
Term ends: 5/01/2029
Please give a brief biography, including your education, licensure or certification level and employment history:
I am not a social worker, but I am someone whose life was changed because social workers refused to give up on me. Their compassion and honesty helped me move from a trapped and lonely existence into a life filled with purpose and service. Everything I have accomplished since then comes from learning this field piece by piece and from the people who believed I could grow long before I believed it myself.
I worked my way up by understanding every cog and lever in behavioral health systems. Today, I serve as a Public Member on the Oregon State Board of Licensed Social Workers, supporting ethical oversight and accountability for more than 8,000 licensees. Professionally, I have earned leadership roles including Regional Operations Manager, Clinic Director, and Operations & Policy Analyst 3. In these positions, I’ve led rural behavioral health operations, directed large treatment programs, implemented statewide policy initiatives, secured federal funding, and helped modernize clinical and digital systems across multiple sites.
At my core, I am simply someone who owes my life to this profession. I devote my work to ensuring others can experience the same safety, dignity, and hope, I did.
Give a synopsis of your regulatory and professional experience. Please emphasize your involvement with ASWB:
I have extensive regulatory and governance experience across state boards, nonprofit organizations, and behavioral health systems. On the OBLSW Consumer Protection Committee, I review cases, evaluate compliance concerns, and support consistent application of administrative rules. I analyze documentation, apply statutory and regulatory standards, and contribute to fair and transparent decision‑making. I also serve on the WAQRR Housing Board, participating in policy discussions, oversight activities, and governance that supports safe and accountable recovery housing. Professionally, my regulatory background is reinforced by operational leadership roles requiring strict adherence to federal and state requirements. As a Regional Operations Manager, I oversee DEA, SAMHSA, Joint Commission, and state compliance across multiple opioid treatment programs in Oregon and Washington. My previous roles, including Clinic Director and Operations & Policy Analyst III, involved accreditation, policy implementation, and ensuring programs met rigorous regulatory expectations.
Finally, make a brief statement on the major issues you see facing ASWB, and how you would address them:
Finally, considering the position I am slated for, ASWB is facing many major issues such as interstate compacts and alternative pathways, but I would like to highlight a few others. ASWB is entering a period where artificial intelligence and digital service delivery will reshape licensure and workforce expectations. A key issue is ensuring AI supports—not replaces—the human‑centered nature of social work. I would address this by promoting ethical standards, transparency, and clear guidance on safe, appropriate use. Telehealth also presents challenges; while it expands access, it can reduce observation, engagement, and safety for some clients. I would support standards that clarify when telehealth is appropriate and how to maintain relational practice. Emerging concerns about exam validity also warrant attention, including whether multiple‑choice items reflect real‑world decision‑making. I would support ASWB in further investigating assessment methods that strengthen fairness, clarity, and alignment with practice, including exploring scenario‑based formats and technologies that help identify bias and improve consistency.