Board Member Elections
The
Chapter Committee on Nominations and Leadership Identification (CCNLI)
are excited to introduce candidates for the 2022 Board of Directors
Election. Ballots will be emailed to members directly from National.
Ballots will be until September 26, 2022.
President (2022-2023)
Melissa Skarbeck, MSW
Biographical Statement
I graduated summa cum laude from Western Michigan University in 2014 with a bachelor’s in liberal arts. My focus was multi-faceted to include Gender and Women’s Studies, Social Work, Business, Sociology and Psychology. I previously worked for the Office of Children’s Services in both urban and rural offices to include Wasilla, Nome, Bethel, Fairbanks and St. Mary’s. Realizing that I desired a more proactive and person-centered approach within my community, I went back to school and obtained my MSW. I graduated magna cum laude from Arizona State University in 2021. It was then that I joined The Office of Public Advocacy as a Guardian ad Litem. After recognizing my inherent desire for “boots on the ground” social work, I knew I would only achieve that by working for myself. It was then that I resigned from the Office of Public Advocacy and formed Reunify Alaska. With Reunify Alaska, I am nationally certified as a custody investigator, parent coordinator and forensic social worker.
If elected for President, I pledge to utilize my skills in practice, ingenuity, and academic experience for the betterment of our profession, communities and state. I am committed to our work and wholly believe in the mission of our profession. I am eager to work with chapter leadership across the state to address social, environmental and economic injustices that adversely impact our work as social workers, the families we serve and the communities we live in. Additionally, it is also my belief that ensuring our association has an apparatus of skills we need to strengthen our presence in our states socio-political arena is of the utmost importance. With continued association efforts, I believe we as social workers have the strength and ability to construct our profession to fortify effectiveness and tenacity.
President-Elect (2022-2023)
Ruddy M. Taylor, LCSW, Ph.D.
Biographical Statement
I am Ruddy Taylor, graduate from the University of Alaska, Anchorage with a BSW, MSW, master’s in psychology, and most recent with a PHD in Clinical/Community Psychology. I am actively involved in the community serving in both psychology and social work organizations. Additionally, I have served on the Women’s Commission for the Municipality of Anchorage. My involvement in my professional organizations include serving on convention committee, leading the diversity committee, finance committee, and serving on the governing body representing the State of Alaska. My work with Alaska Head Start’s allowed for the opportunity to travel statewide to a number of rural and remote communities. I have been employed by the State of Alaska for 17 plus years in a variety of roles and a resident of the State of Alaska for 35 years. I am married to my best friend and the mother of two amazing children.
I am seeking your vote to serve in the role of President-Elect. I commit to utilizing my training and experience to advance the mission of the Alaska Chapter of NASW. Specifically, using my skills to work with our diverse membership and our state-wide population to address the current needs. In addition, I will continue my work to promote social justice issues while celebrating diversity as it is promoted within our profession. Finally, as part of my platform it is my goal to bring a heighten awareness of the value of mental well-being individually, collectively, and environmentally. If given the opportunity to serve as the Present-Elect, I look forward to meaningful collaboration and enhanced growth in the Social Work field.
Thank you in advance for your consideration as I request your vote to serve as President-Elect for the Alaska National Association of Social Workers.