Warren Graham, Ph.D, LCSW, ACSW, SIFI, CASAC
President (2023-2026)
Warren Graham currently serves as Associate Dean of Practicum Learning at Columbia University School of Social Work. He has previously held leadership roles in field education at SUNY Stony Brook and Hunter College’s Silberman School of Social Work. A dedicated educator, Warren teaches a range of undergraduate and graduate courses, including Anti-Racist Social Work: Understanding White Fragility and Black Rage, Human Behavior in the Social Environment, Contemporary Social Justice, Advanced Practice with Families and Couples, and Diversity and Oppression in Clinical Social Work Practice, among others. Before entering academia, Warren spent 21 years in direct practice across mental health, substance use, and alternatives to incarceration programs. His forensic experience includes overseeing the Nassau County Family and Juvenile Drug Treatment Courts, serving as an Evidence-Based Interventionist with Suffolk County Probation, and running a court-appointed forensic and private clinical practice, Preferential Peace, LCSW, PC. Warren has been an active member of the National Association of Social Workers for over 20 years and currently serves as President of the NASW-NY Chapter. He is also a board member of the NYS Social Work Educators Association and co-chair of the CSWE Council on Racial, Ethnic, and Cultural Diversity.
German Sanchez, LCSW, RDT
President (2023-2026)
German Sanchez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Register Drama Therapist (RDT) in New York State. German is a graduate of the Catholic University of America National School of Social Services, as well as the New York University Steinhardt Drama Therapy Program. German has worked with clients in various settings from substance abuse clinics, hospital inpatient/outpatient programs to community mental health clinics. German has done individual, group, couples and family therapy in all these settings covering various topics, with various populations to include HIV positive at-risk community, active military, veterans, children, adolescents, adults, older adults, families and couples. German uses various approaches to help clients achieve their goals to include CBT, structural family therapy, CPT, brain spotting, drama therapy, solution focus, psychodynamic, sex therapy and psychodrama in his practice, reflecting a diverse and adaptive approach to meeting his clients' needs.
Patricia Gray, Ed.D., LCSW
President Elect
(2025-2028)
Dr. Patricia Gray, Ed.D., LCSW, earned her MSW from Columbia University School of Social Work in 1990 and her Ed.D. in Executive Leadership from St. John Fisher University in 2019. She is a full-time doctoral lecturer at the Silberman School of Social Work. Recently certified as an Afrocentric Social Work Practitioner, Dr. Gray is deeply committed to ongoing professional development. Her 35+ years of experience span mental health, child welfare, early intervention, homelessness, supportive housing, addiction services, and academia. She provides clinical services, supervision, staff development, training, and case management. Through her private practice, Hyacinth LCSW Services, she offers mental health support, adoption home studies, custody review assistance, and service coordination. Dr. Gray is the recipient of the NASW-NYC Ruby Award (2019) and serves as Co-Section Editor for Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping, an online journal.
Rolanda Ward, Ph.D., MSW, MDiv
Vice President
(2024-2026)
Rolanda has been a macro-trained social worker for almost 27 years. She graduated from Boston University with a Master's in Social Work, a Master's in Divinity, and a Ph.D. in Sociology and Social Work. Rolanda is on the board of MENTOR New York, The Aquarium of Niagara Falls, Community Missions, Inc., the Education Collaborative of WNY, and Catholic Health Systems. She was an assistant professor at SUNY Fredonia, and is currently a tenured associate professor at Niagara University. Rolanda has taught social work for over 15 years and has taught across the curriculum at the undergraduate and graduate levels. At Niagara University, she is the endowed faculty director of the Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center for Race, Equity, and Mission.
Dr. Marina Badillo-Diaz, DSW, LCSW, SIFI
Secretary (2025-2027)
Dr. Badillo-Diaz is an experienced school administrator and counseling director with a demonstrated history of working in community mental health and in education as a social worker. Currently, Dr. Badillo-Diaz is a consultant focusing on the training of educators and social workers with MABD Consulting. She is also an adjunct professor and former board member of the National School Social Work Association of America from 2022-24. She is also the author of the blog, “The AI Social Worker”, a 21st Century Skills and AI guide for Social Workers. Her areas of interest include 21st-century skills, social-emotional learning programming, school social work practice, education, youth mental health, clinical supervision for social workers, AI Applications, data management, and career development.
Gabriela Amaral Lis,
MSW Student
MSW Representative (2025-2026)
Gabriela Amaral Lis is a Master’s student at Columbia University School of Social Work, focused on serving marginalized communities. She earned her Bachelor’s in Multidisciplinary Studies from Stony Brook University with honors and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Phi Alpha, and the National Society of Leadership and Success. Since 2017, Gabriela has worked in a psychiatric office and is a certified ADOS-2 administrator, conducting autism evaluations in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. She has also volunteered as a translator at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. Gabriela presented at the 2025 BPD Conference and was selected to present at the NOFSW Conference. She was also nominated for the 2025 NASW-NY Student of the Year Award. An immigrant herself, Gabriela brings lived experience to her advocacy for immigrant rights and is committed to anti-racist, anti-oppressive social work practices. She aims to support NASW-NY’s mission by engaging in policy advocacy, building leadership skills, and fostering equity in social work education and practice.
Kamilah C. Pasha, BSW Student
BSW Representative (2025-2026)
Kamilah Pasha is a senior Bachelor of Social Welfare student at Stony Brook University, with a focus on human behavior and psychiatry. As Undergraduate Social Welfare Alliance Class Senator, she serves on multiple committees and advocates for student needs. Kamilah leads a student-led research project on racial disparities in youth psychiatric care, funded by SBU’s Center for Changing Systems of Power. She interns with Family Service League’s CAIR program, helping individuals access housing, mental health services, and benefits. Her work is grounded in community engagement, social justice, and the core values of the social work profession.
Gina Corona, LCSW-R
Central Division Director (2025-2027)
Gina M Corona, LCSW-R is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 25 years of post-Masters experience working with children with mental health issues and their families. A 1995 Graduate of Syracuse University, Ms. Corona has remained predominantly in the Central New York area for most of her career. She is an activist for the delivery of quality care, and an advocate for changes in legislation to address budget shortfalls that impact desperately needed services and programs. Over the last 17 years, Ms. Corona has worked in the local state operated mental health clinic, in both inpatient and outpatient programs where she is a Clinical Social Worker. In her practice, Ms. Corona often encounters families in crisis and in need of supportive services to manage both everyday life as well as safety. In addition to her practice as a mental health professional Social Worker, Ms. Corona serves as the Regional Coordinator for the Public Employees Federation’s Region 4, which includes six counties- Cayuga, Cortland, Jefferson, Onondaga, Oswego, and Seneca. The elected leadership position also includes Executive Board Representation, Chair of the Political Action Committee for the Region and serving on other committees. Currently, Ms. Corona lives in Syracuse, NY with her family.
Martha Shultz, LCSW, RN, School Social Worker
Northeast Division Director (2024-2026)
Martha Schultz is currently a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, working for a rural Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) in Upstate NY as a School Social Worker. She also practices as a therapist with families and young children, through the Committee on Preschool Special Education serving rural counties, crisis clinician for the local emergency room, and registered nurse at an addiction treatment and recovery facility. Prior to this, Martha worked as a therapist in mental and behavioral health agencies in Upstate NY, and Montreal, Canada. She remains active in a number of community initiatives, specifically focused on trauma-informed practices and early childhood mental health. Martha received a BSW from SUNY Plattsburgh and an MSW from McGill University, Montreal, Canada. She is currently a doctoral student at Duke University.
Jackie Muller, LCSW-R
Hudson Valley Division Director (2024-2026)
For 27 years, Jackie Muller has made their life experiences my life’s work helping people overcome trauma, and unplanned life events across generations. She has had many leadership and supervisory roles both in practice and in business. During her undergrad, Jackie was proactive on campus in student affairs at CUNY Lehman and worked as a Girl Scout leader trainer during grad school at Fordham University while working as a medical and community mental health provider. Jackie currently leads empowerment and diversity groups while managing a caseload and clinical team. Her mission and vision are to gather community and inspire others to step into their unique power. Her goal is to leave a legacy of empowered clinicians who dream big and deliver bigger. Jackie believes if she touches one life, she changes many, and if we inspire others to do the same the number of lives we can change is exponentially bigger. Be the change!
Ramon Ruiz
CASAC-T , LMSW-LP
Westchester Division Director (2025-2027)
Ramón Ruiz is a first-generation Puerto Rican social worker born and raised in the Bronx, NY. He earned his BSW from Lehman College and MSW from Columbia University School of Social Work, with a specialization in policy practice. Ramón’s work centers on mental health, LGBTQIA+ advocacy, and macro-level policy change. He currently serves as Intake Coordinator and Counselor at the Hetrick-Martin Institute, and sits on both the Bronx Borough President’s LGBTQIA+ Policy Task Force and the Advisory Council for the Justice and Advocacy Alliance at Bronx Community College. In 2024, he founded Prism Pathways Consulting LLC, a firm dedicated to advancing LGBTQIA+ inclusion through training, capacity building, and program development.
Nicole E. Henderson
LMSW
Nassau Division Director (2025-2027)
Nicole E. Henderson is a dedicated social work professional with over two decades of experience spanning clinical practice, policy development, systems-level advocacy, and community leadership. She currently serves as the NASW Nassau Division Director, a middle school social worker, and district mental health coordinator in Roosevelt, NY, as well as maintaining a private psychotherapy practice rooted in holistic, trauma-informed care. Nicole is also an adjunct professor at Long Island University and a sought-after trainer and consultant in areas such as culturally responsive practices, crisis intervention, and SEL implementation. Her career reflects a deep commitment to equity, healing-centered systems, and civic engagement, as evidenced by her leadership roles on the Malverne School District Board of Education and the Lakeview Civic Association. Passionate about uplifting vulnerable communities, Nicole is devoted to building strong, connected networks of social work professionals across Nassau County.
Dawn E. Shedrick, LCSW
Suffolk Division Director (2025-2027)
Dawn E. Shedrick is a clinical social worker, consultant, educator,
and writer whose work focuses on the health and wellbeing of family
caregivers, trauma survivors, and queer people. She is the founder and
principal consultant of JenTex Training & Consulting, a continuing
education and professional development firm for health and human
services professionals. Dawn weaves her extensive experiences as her
mother’s primary caregiver since 1996, mental health practitioner,
trainer, educator, and holistic healer to create experiences and tools
for caregivers to heal from stress and burnout and to help health and
human services professionals develop the skills to support them in their
healing. She is the author of
Courageous Contemplation: A Guided Journal for Family CareGivers of Chronically Ill, Disabled, and Elderly Loved Ones. Dawn has designed and delivered corporate emotional and mental
wellness seminars and workshops for clients such as GE, Canon USA,
Office Depot, NY Mets, JPMorgan Chase, Columbia University, and the
USDA. She has delivered these learning experiences online and in person
in China, Tanzania, Canada, Puerto Rico, and throughout the U.S.
Dawn is a lecturer at the Columbia University School of Social Work
where she was an inaugural recipient of the Steven P. Schinke Teaching
Innovation Award. She is a doctoral candidate studying Adult Learning
and Leadership at Teachers College- Columbia University. Her
participatory action research involves partnering with other caregivers
to create tools to support emotional healing. To manage her own
caregiver stress, Dawn loves spending time near the ocean, knitting,
traveling, watching true crime TV with her two Yorkies, and sharing her
stories of caregiving so her peers know they are not alone.
As the NASW-NY Suffolk Division Director, Dawn is passionate about
building and cultivating community with seasoned social workers,
emerging leaders, and students; professional development for social
workers in all areas of practice; co-creating and supporting the
chapter’s policy agenda; and advancing social work entrepreneurship.
Rachel Suskewicz, LCSW
Brooklyn Division Director (2025–2027)
I am a generalist clinician with a focus in attachment/trauma and a psychodynamic orientation, while at the same time incorporating mindfulness/ACT into my work with individual adults in a private practice setting. I have a background in addictions, working with the homeless and individuals with HIV/AIDS. I particularly enjoy working with people in the creative sector/arts, and incorporating elements of feminist principles into my work.
Riquelmy Lamour, LCSW
Manhattan Division Director (2025–2027)
Riquelmy Lamour, LCSW, is the Director of Behavioral Health & Social Work at SOMOS Community Care, where she leads behavioral health integration across primary care practices serving underserved communities in New York City. She also maintains a private psychotherapy practice focused on trauma and grief and serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Mount Saint Vincent. Riquelmy provides clinical supervision, facilitates trauma-informed workshops for providers and college programs, and conducts psychological evaluations for unaccompanied minors seeking asylum. She has presented on culturally responsive mental health care at conferences, including New York Encounter, the Connect Summit by findhelp, and the SOMOS Puerto Rico Legislative Conference. An NASW member, she was named the 2025 NASW-NYS & NYC Social Worker of the Year. Riquelmy is committed to workforce development, health equity, and community engagement that centers the lived experiences of marginalized populations.
Justyna Rzewinski, LCSW
Queens Division Director (2025–2027)
Justyna is also an educator at John Jay College and Yeshiva University, where she teaches social work and forensic psychology. Her research examines service providers’ knowledge of voting rights for justice-impacted individuals. She actively organizes voter registration drives and advocates for policy reform in mental health and criminal justice. As the Rikers Island whistleblower, she courageously exposed inhumane treatment of incarcerated individuals with mental illness, prompting a formal investigation. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to equity, social justice, and transforming systems that marginalize vulnerable populations.
Gianna Rodriguez, LMSW
Staten Island Division Director (2025–2027)
I am affiliated with the Association for Play Therapy, the Veterans Mental Health Coalition, and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), reflecting my commitment to professional development and holistic, trauma-informed care. Through evidence-based, strengths-focused approaches, I support clients in overcoming complex barriers to stability and independence. In addition to my case coordination work, I am a practicing therapist under LCSW supervision, providing therapeutic services to children, adolescents, and families. I am trained in play therapy, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care, and am actively advancing my clinical expertise in trauma therapy to better serve individuals impacted by adversity.
Govindi Singh, MSW, PhD(c)
Bronx Division Director (2025–2027)
Dr. Govindi Singh is a dedicated professional with a strong educational background in social work. She graduated from LaGuardia Community College in 1999 with an Associate of Science degree, then earned her Bachelor of Science from Stony Brook University. She went on to complete her Master’s in Social Work at Yeshiva University, where her thesis focused on PTSD in adolescents and adults, further deepening her passion for social impact. In 2024, she will continue her journey as a Ph.D. student in Social Work/Social Welfare at Yeshiva University, focusing on advancing the field and advocating for social justice.
Amira Martin-Saltsman, LCSW-R
Western Division Director (2025-2027)
Amira Martin-Saltsman, LCSW-R, is a clinician, educator, and organizational leader with 20+ years across clinical, nonprofit, and academic settings. A CUNY alum (BSW, Lehman; MSW, Hunter), she began in direct practice supporting children, adolescents, and adults through trauma and life transitions. She later led programs at Westchester Jewish Community Services and the Jewish Board, and directed Neptune Family Services in Brooklyn, managing multidisciplinary teams and partnerships with city agencies. In 2011 she founded MA Therapy, LLC—now a multi-division group practice known for culturally responsive care, professional training, and wellness programs. Since 2017 Amira has taught at Columbia University School of Social Work (adult psychopathology; motivational interviewing) and completed MIT Sloan’s Leading Organizations and Change program. Rooted in both NYC and Western New York, her work centers on building strong systems and sustainable programs. As NASW-NYS Western Division Director, she advances member engagement, high-impact professional development, and collaborative advocacy.
Genesee Valley Division Director
Vacant
Mohawk Valley Division Director
Vacant