Ruddy Taylor, MSW, PhD
Delegate Assembly
Angela Jackson, BSW
MSW Student Representative
My name is Angela Jackson(she/her). I am married and mother of 3 children and two stepchildren. I am an Alaska Insurance Counselor for (End Stage Renal Dialysis) Patients and a religious volunteer at the women’s prison. I have worked in this field for 15 years. I have assisted and advocated for many patients/clients over the years. Healthcare has many complex issues, and I have worked consistently to address them one at a time, but challenges still exist. Through many years of advocating, I decided to pursue social work to work further and advocate inclusion for all!
Amorie Weekley
BSW Student Representative
I, Amorie Weekley, am Currently working at True North Recovery. TNR is a residential, and
outpatient facility that helps addicts. I work as a case manager helping them achieve life goals
that will help them in recovery and the community network once done with recovery. Currently
am not involved in any NASW affiliated activities but willing to start. I don't have any
professional associations with any local companies but I am eager to get my foot in the door. I
have not received any rewards as of yet but plan on being an honor student when I graduate.
Joe Oliver, LMSW, CDC-I
SHARP Council
My name is Joseph David Oliver. I moved to Alaska in 1998, a year after graduating high school. I worked throughout the state in the construction industry while raising my four children until I returned to college in 2019 for a second career in social work. As a single father, my sons are the highlight of my life. Two still live in the home and we enjoy camping and exploring the outdoors as much as possible. As a full-time student at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, I graduated with a BSW degree in 2022, and completed the MSW program graduating after spring semester, 2024. Throughout my studies, I have learned a great deal about myself and the world we live in. My primary interests are in the fields of research, trauma, and grief.
During the years I worked in construction as an employee and a contractor, I had the privilege to travel and work in most regions of our state. I was able to experience daily life along the Aleutian Islands, the Southeast, Southwest, West Coast, North Slope, Interior, Prince William Sound, Northeastern Arctic Islands, and my home in Southcentral Alaska. With every new experience I have been amazed at the beauty and diversity of both our natural world and those who live in it. I also was witness to many of the disparities that exist throughout our state as well. These experiences, along with being confronted with the reality of our healthcare system caring for my elderly father through cancer and hospice, are what inspired me to pursue a career in social work.
While studying for my degree, I gained experience working in multiple environments. These include intensive case management working to support the most underserved members of the Anchorage community, housing support services, Veteran support services, and as a substance abuse treatment counselor in both abstinence and harm reduction treatment centers. Each position increased my passion for social work. I enjoy social work at every level, from micro clinical work to legislative advocacy for issues that support social justice. Having recently graduated with my MSW, I look forward to continuing research, social advocacy, and working in hospice care in the Mat-Su Valley.
Tonie Protzman, MS, LPC, CDC, PSP III
Executive Director
Tonie Protzman, whose Native name, Yethnhahnilats, means “makes her life strong,” is an enrolled descendant in the Turtle Clan of the Oneida Tribe in Oneida, WI. Tonie was raised and remains in Anchorage, Alaska with her Iñupiat Eskimo daughter, Paisley. ;
Protzman, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), holds a Master of Science (MS) degree in Clinical Psychology and a bachelor’s degree in justice and psychology, both degrees from the University of Alaska Anchorage. She was a PhD Candidate with the University of Alaska Fairbanks Clinical Community Psychology Program with rural and indigenous emphasis, as well. Since graduating with her MS, Protzman has worked in the nonprofit and public sectors of behavioral and mental health. Protzman owns a consulting business, where she consults on behavioral and mental health needs and potential ethical issues around the state of Alaska. She also serves as the Executive Director of the Alaska Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Prior to NASW, Protzman was the Executive Director with the Alaska Psychological Association (AK-PA) for a decade.
Protzman shares that she is passionate about reducing stigma associated with receiving behavioral and mental health services and encourages disseminating information/access to alcohol use disorder services and care to Alaska communities. Protzman is a Governor Dunleavy appointee to the State of Alaska Mental Health Board. She serves in a Providers seat.
Protzman’s role as NASW Executive Director will be to increase membership, develop the chapter’s strategic/succession plans and to advocate for social workers in both traditional and non-traditional roles in Alaska and Washington, D.C. She plans to expand continuing training resources that address cultural trainings specific to social worker licensing requirements and to strengthen local presence and impact around the state of Alaska through development of relationships with statewide prevention program partners.
As a first-generation college graduate, Protzman is a devoted mentor, supporting historically underserved populations in Alaska studying higher education. Protzman mentors’ students and professionals new to the behavioral health field with the University of Alaskan Anchorage.
Protzman is a dynamic and powerful American Native woman who is passionate about reducing stigma in Alaska communities regarding receiving behavioral/mental health services. She dreams of one day to have a world stigma free of receiving such services – “it should be the same as going to your routine medical appointment.” Protzman has solid business expertise serving in association management and advocacy while networked throughout the State of Alaska and beyond. Tonie is active in her community, serving on several national and statewide boards and committees that address stigma associated services related to mental and behavioral health issues.
Publications (PEN NAME: Quaintance)
Rivkin, I.D., Lopez, E., Trimble, J., Johnson, S., Orr, E., & Quaintance, T. (2018). Cultural values, coping, and hope in Yup’ik communities facing rapid cultural change. Journal of Community Psychology, 45(1), 1-17.
Rivkin, I., Johnson, S., Lopez, E., Trimble, J., Quaintance, T., & Orr, E. (2017). Yup’ik understanding of stress within the context of rapid cultural change. Journal of Community Psychology, 45(1), 33-52.
Rivkin, ID, Lopez, EDS, Quaintance, TM, Trimble, J, Hopkins, S, Fleming, C, Orr, E, & Mohatt, GV (2012). Value of community partnership for understanding stress and coping in rural Yup’ik communities: The CANHR study. Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice.