Frank Bayles

President

My name is Frank Bayles, my family and I relocated to Ketchikan in 2021 from Vermont to be closer to our daughter and grandchild. I currently work for the Ketchikan Gateway Borrow School District from 08-2022, as a LCSW and clinical supervisor. Prior to this I worked in Ketchikan for Community Connections as a child and family therapist. I am and have been a NASW member since 2015 in good standing. I am a military combat Veteran of the Iraq war. I attended and graduated from Smith College for Social Work in 2014 and earned my LICSW in Vermont in 2016. My theoretical approach is third phase CBT, specifically Acceptance Commitment Therapy. I am a member of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, School Social Work Association. I am a current master’s level student at UAA obtaining my school social work certification. I love being a social worker and a helping professional, meeting individuals where they are and being an active listener. The key aspects to be successful in my social work career is to assume positive intent and remaining curious. I am looking for an opportunity to continue to learn and grow as a LCSW in Alaska and would like to be more involved with the Alaska NASW chapter.

I graduated from Smith College of Social Work in 2014, I attended Smith College through a Veteran scholarship. I served almost 15 years in the active-duty US Army, USAF and part time in the Army National Guard and USAF National Guard pre and post 9/11. I have a passion for social work both from the micro and macro levels. I have and continue to focus on trauma work through working with war Veterans and children with traumatic experiences. I am trained as a forensic interviewer and have worked as a child abuse investigator and permanency LCSW. I have held leadership roles within State prison mental health systems and more recently with the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District. I continually seek to advocate for individuals and systems work focused on equity and inclusivity. As a member of the Alaska NASW chapter, I will actively listen, learn and contribute by attending meetings and participating to strengthen social work in the state of Alaska.

Sarah Switzer, LCSW

President Elect

My name is Sarah Switzer and I’ve been a social worker since getting my BSW in 2000. Following that, a volunteer year of AmeriCorps*VISTA brought me to Sitka, doing domestic violence advocacy, and then working at SEARHC Raven’s Way. I volunteered for Planned Parenthood over many years and in three cities. During grad school, I received the Virginia Insley Award for Academic Excellence in Child, Adolescent and Family Health. Upon moving to Anchorage, I’ve worked at Southcentral Foundation for the past 17 years in primary care doing integrated behavioral health continuing my passion with serving the AN/AI community. While at SCF I’ve received Living Our Values and Honoring Our Successes awards. I received my LCSW in 2007 and my Board Approved Supervisor in 2009, providing supervision for dozens of clinicians. After serving on my first board, the municipal Library Advisory Board, I wanted to serve my social work community and joined the NASW-AK Board as Vice President for the past two years and would like to continue to serve in this capacity for the next term.

Heather Schimanski-Lee, BSW

Secretary

As the Director for Community Housing at JAMHI Health & Wellness, Inc., I play a pivotal role in providing vital support to individuals with Serious Mental Illness (SMI). Additionally, I oversee a dedicated team of peer support and reentry staff, ensuring that our services are tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual we serve. Recently, I had the privilege of participating in LEAD day alongside my field practicum supervisor. Together, we passionately advocated for parity in mental health services, striving to ensure that individuals facing mental health challenges receive equitable access to the support and resources they deserve. Beyond my role at JAMHI, I am deeply committed to fostering positive change within the community. Collaborating with various social service agencies, I actively advocate for the expansion and enhancement of peer support services, recognizing the invaluable role they play in promoting recovery and empowerment. Furthermore, my dedication to advancing peer support extends to my role as a certified trainer for peer support training. By sharing my expertise and knowledge in this area, I aim to empower others to become effective advocates and allies in the journey towards inclusivity.

Jennifer Kiser-Brower

Northern Regional Representative

Jennifer "Jen" Brower is a dedicated and accomplished Director of Community Services with a Master's in Social Work from the University of Alaska Anchorage. With over 20 years of experience in the social services field, Jen has developed a reputation for being a confident, competent, and organized service provider and manager. Her extensive career spans a wide array of roles, including mental health services, grant writing and administration, case management, teaching, and program management.

Since 2002, Jen has called Utqiagvik home, where she has built a significant professional and personal life. In 2013, she married Eben Brower, and together they are raising three children. Her professional journey includes notable positions such as a Grant Writer and Administrator, Case Manager, School Counselor, Deputy Director of the North Slope Borough Health Department's Community Services Program, Adjunct Instructor at llisagvik College, NASW Northern Regional Representative, Statewide Independent Living Council Northern Representative, and Alaska Association of School Social Workers Vice President.

Her commitment to improving community services and her ability to manage and coordinate across multiple agencies reflect her deep understanding of diverse client needs and systemic operations. Jen's blend of professional expertise and personal dedication makes her a pivotal figure in advancing social services in her community.

Vanessa Meade, PsyD, LCSW

Southcentral

Vanessa Meade, PsyD, LCSW, is an assistant professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage in the School of Social Work. She is also a U.S. Army/Gulf War Veteran and former Alaska State Trooper.

Dr. Meade is a licensed social worker and licensed psychologist in Alaska and has worked as a clinician/therapist in rural community mental health agencies and juvenile justice.

She is a certified mindfulness teacher and facilitates mindfulness programs at UAA with students, faculty, and staff and military veterans online and in-person residential retreats throughout the United States. She founded Alaska Veterans Organization for Women (A.V.O.W.) and is the project coordinator for Operation Mary Louise, a state-wide women veterans outreach program. She serves on several national advisory committees and boards including the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans’ Rural Health Advisory Committee and the NASW National Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer+ Issues.

Christine Schultz, LCSW

Southwestern Region Rep

My name is Christine Schultz. I am currently the Director of Patient Support Services for Norton Sound Health Corporation in Nome, where I have worked for the past 25 years. I received the NHSC “Compassion Value Award” in 2014. My professional experience in Alaska also includes working at Maniilaq Association in Kotzebue and at the Alaska Kidney Center in Anchorage. I have worked as a Medical Social Worker since 1991, after receiving my MSW from UNC – Chapel Hill. I am an LCSW in Alaska, and I am credentialed through NASW as an ACSW, QCSW, DCSW and C-SWHC (Certified Social Worker in Health Care).

I am active in the national Society for Social Work Leadership in Health Care and was Alaska Chapter President for many years. I serve on the state’s Maternal & Child Death Review and participate in state dementia-focused work groups. I’ve been a Field Instructor for MSW/BSW students.

Jocelyn Leigh Smith, BSW

Interior Region Rep

Employed by Tanana Chiefs Conference, Leigh provides substance use prevention in the rural communities of Interior Alaska, to include Narcan training and wellness activities. In addition, Leigh is involved with implementing prevention projects to increase awareness and resources, as well as implementation of policy and protocol related to behavioral health. Leigh has been involved with NASW for nearly two years; first, as the BSW Representative and now as the MSW Representative. In March 2023, she attended LEAD Day in Juneau and spoke with legislatures on hot topics such as opioid awareness, education, and mental health. Leigh received NASW Alaska Chapter BSW Student of the Year in 2023 and was awarded a NASW scholarship for her graduate school journey. Leigh is also on the Policy Committee for the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, and looking to be more involved with community efforts once she graduates.

Danielle Williams, BSW

Southeastern Region Rep

My name is Danielle Williams, and I am a BSW stationed here in Sitka, AK at the SEARHC LTC. I am the intake social worker for both Wrangell and Sitka locations. I relocated here from Connecticut in September and have been enjoying my stay here thus far. I was most recently affiliated with the Hartford chapter of the National Association of Black Social Workers, and I really enjoyed making changes in my community. I have worked as a Psychiatric Social Work discharge planner from Yale New Haven Hospital and a Juvenile Detention Officer for the State of CT most recently. I have been a mentor for the local YMCA for the last 9 years and have enjoyed connecting with and working for all age groups.