Joe Oliver, MSW
President
Biographical Statement: I am currently completing graduate school earning my master’s degree I social work. I have served my practicum with Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and enjoyed the experience. I had an offer for employment within the VHA at the conclusion of my graduation, but this has been put aside due to a national hiring freeze that recently took effect. I am currently looking for opportunities after graduation.
Withing the university I have been included in the graduate Deans Student Advisory Committee and participated in fellowships with AK-IDLC and SUDEALS (both paid stipends focused on leadership in the field of social work). Outside of the university I have worked to become involved with the AK-Chapter NASW, as well as reaching out as a volunteer to serve in my local community’s Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Platform Statement: As a member of the community and a strong advocate for the ethics and values that define the field of social work, I am committed to NASW and its mission. I believe in a unified community of professionals coming together to speak as one voice. NASW provides a platform where students and professionals of all levels have the ability to hear and be heard.
The combination of my lived experience and education have impressed upon me the necessity for social work. Social change cannot happen without people willing to make personal sacrifices and do whatever is in their power to improve the lives of all members of society. Experience, education, passion and commitment are all qualifications that I rely on. They are what give me motivation to participate, and the drive to do everything within my ability to contribute to promoting equality and social justice for everyone.
Sarah Switzer, LCSW
President Elect
Biographical Statement: 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.
Platform Statement: Over my time as a social worker the past 24 years, I’ve realized that a big part of what keeps me grounded in my career is continuing to come back to my social worker roots. This is a foundational part of my fabric, and how I show up in the world, whether at work or in our community. I would like to reinvest energy, time, and space back into this foundation, by serving on the NASW Alaska Chapter Board. I hope to help with our platform of social justice advocacy, learning/continuing education, and building social worker connections in our communities and state. I’m curious how we can keep social workers involved and engaged, provide advocacy opportunities congruent with our Code of Ethics while also honoring time and energy boundaries of social workers, promote health and wellness for our work force, carry forth the four pillars national NASW put forth around pay equity, reproductive/racial/and LBGTQ2+ justice, and help build and grow this professional community for new social workers as well. I’m eager to support NASW efforts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in our current and future chapter work as well.
Angela Jackson, BSW
MSW 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!
Jocelyn Leigh Smith, MSW
Southcentral Representative
Biographical Statement: Employed by Tanana Chiefs Conference, Leigh provides substance use prevention in the rural communities of Interior Alaska, to include Narcan trainings 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 the 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.
Platform Statement: As a dedicated and passionate Alaskan, my desire to remain on the NASW Board comes from my genuine and profound sincerity for happiness and wellness across all walks of life. I feel strongly that change doesn’t occur from corporate entities, and that it’s the grassroots efforts in our way of living that propel us to be and do better. I enjoy being involved, and I believe continued participation on this board will provide me ample opportunities to grow as a student, community member, and social worker. I am passionate about opioid awareness and harm reduction strategies pertaining to fentanyl poisoning, and the revitalization and growth of the Alaska Native culture.
Danielle Willaims, BSW
Southcentral Representative
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.