| Board of Directors |
President Stephanie K. Starks She/her Stephanie K. Starks, MSW, LISW-S is the CEO of Starks Counseling and Consultation Services, LLC in Columbus, OH. She has been providing hope and health to children, adults and families for 20 years. In 2022 she was named Social Worker of the Year in 2022 by NASW-OH and she completed a TEDx talk on trauma. 
1st Vice President Rebecca Prather She/her Rebecca began her NASW Ohio journey as a BSW Student Board Member in 2014 and later served as Regional Director. She holds a BSW and MSW in Social Work from The University of Akron and an MBA in Healthcare Management from Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of Management. With 10 years of social work experience focused on youth and families, she is currently the Clinical Director of six programs at Bellefaire JCB within the Unsheltered, Missing, and Transitional Youth Services Department. Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys trail running, time with her family and pets, and building meaningful one-on-one connections. 
2nd Vice President Dr. Cynthia Tyson She/her Cynthia Tyson, Ph.D., MSW, LISW-S, is a professor at The Ohio State University and a licensed clinical social worker at Focus Counseling Clinic in Columbus, Ohio. She is certified as a Death Doula through the National End of Life Doula Alliance (NEDA) and as a Grief Recovery Method Specialist. Dr. Tyson's academic work focuses on justice, access, and representation in education. In her clinical practice, she specializes in grief, bereavement, end-of-life planning, racialized stress, trauma, and life transitions. Using a culturally responsive and relationship-focused approach, she supports individuals and communities in healing from loss by integrating mental health and education throughout their lives. Her work connects education and mental health to provide comprehensive care over the lifespan. 
MSW Student Representative Aaron Thomas He/him Aaron is pursuing his MSW degree at The Ohio State University with a goal of providing adolescent members of our community, and their families, support through talk therapy. He has spent the majority of his career working with historically excluded undergraduate college students. In his free time Aaron enjoys creating art, building lego sets, or watching a film at The Gateway Film Center with his movie club! 
BSW Student Representative Janae Christopher She/her Janae Christopher (she/her) is an undergraduate student at the University of Cincinnati. She holds associate degrees in social work and political science from Sinclair Community College and is rooted at the intersection of social and environmental justice. With just a year left at UC, Janae plans to go straight into a master's program in social work with an emphasis in policy. She is a recent graduate of Dayton's Neighborhood Leadership Institute, fundraises and collects resources for essential seasonal items to assist Daytonians who are unhoused, and participates in local civic events. 
Region 1 (Toledo Area) Co-Director Linda Rowlett She/her Ms. Linda Rowlett is an independently licensed social worker serving in Ohio. She attended Bowling Green State University, where she obtained a bachelor's degree in Social Work with a minor in Gerontology. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, Ms. Rowlett attended Case Western Reserve University where she received a Master of Science in Social Administration degree with a focus in Children Youth and Families.For the last 15 years, Ms. Rowlett has worked with young children, teens, adults and families. This work has been offered in a variety of environments including; hospitals, community mental health agencies, nursing homes, inpatient psychiatric facilities, childcare centers, school based settings private practice and home health agencies. Though the location has changed, Ms. Rowlett's commitment to serving the community has remained solid. 
Region 1 (Toledo Area) Co-Director Dr. LaShardae Scott She/her Dr. La'Shardae Scott, DSW, MSW, CHES, is a dedicated leader who serves as the President and CEO of the Scott Center for Observation, Treatment, and Transition. There, she spearheads initiatives focusing on infant mortality, mental health, and the transition of sickle cell patients from pediatric to adult care. Dr. Scott has secured funding for her organization, ensuring impactful interventions. In addition to securing funding, Dr. Scott has played a pivotal role in collaborating with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop the groundbreaking manual, "Oral Health Management in Sickle Cell Patients." Moreover, her strategic partnerships with Ohio's local hospitals are instrumental in providing a seamless transition from pediatric to adult care for sickle cell patients. These alliances have facilitated the delivery of comprehensive services and significantly enhanced the quality of care for vulnerable populations. As a devoted advocate for individuals with sickle cell disease, Dr. Scott's passion is deeply personal, as she is the mother of two warrior children who are thriving and surviving sickle cell disease. She actively serves on boards and committees dedicated to addressing health disparities, exemplifying her commitment to improving healthcare outcomes for all. Furthermore, Dr. Scott contributes her expertise to the National Association of Social Workers-Ohio (NASW-OH) as a valued member of Region 1's Board of Directors. Her academic journey includes earning her bachelor's and master's degrees from Eastern Michigan University and her Doctorate of Social Work from the University of Kentucky, where she focused on Administration and Leadership. 
Region 2 (Akron Area) Co-Director Salima (Sam) Dunn She/her Salima R. Dunn, MSSA, MPA, LISW (she/her) is currently employed in the Adult and Pediatric Burn Institute at Akron Children's and she is employed at United Disability Services. She was born and raised on the East Side of Youngstown, Ohio and received her Bachelor of Social Work from Youngstown State, her Master of Public Administration from The University of Akron and her Master of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University with a focus on Adult Mental Health. Salima has over 20 years in the social work field including being a supervisor in child welfare and a diversity and inclusion specialist. She is a proud mother of 3 adult children, 1 granddaughter and also a cat mom. Please reach out to Salima for suggestions on how Region 2 can better serve you and if you are in need of assistance in passing the ASWB exam. 
Region 2 (Akron Area) Co-Director Renee Leber She/her Renee Leber born and raised in rural small town Ohio received her Bachelor's in Social Work from Defiance College. Upon graduation she attended The Mandel School at Case Western Reserve University to receive her Master's in Social Science Administration with a focus in Children, Youth and Families. While working and living in Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo for several years she focused her attention on providing trauma-informed psychoeducation and clinical treatment serving at-risk populations within residential, child protective services, outpatient, community mental health, and legal systems. For the past 10 years Renee and her husband along with their three children and two dogs live in the community where they grew up. Renee continues to provide clinical therapy to children and adults as a trauma-based therapist in addition to her role as the Behavioral Health Executive Director at a Federally Qualified Health Center integrating primary care, dental, behavioral health, nutrition, and school-based services. Renee is very passionate about empowering others while advocating for self-care and boundary setting. She was the recipient of the NASW Ohio Region 2 Social Worker of the Year award and represented Family Health Services of Erie County as the NASW Ohio Statewide Agency of the Year in 2023. Renee was the NASW Region 2 Executive Representative for Erie and Huron County for about five years before becoming the current Region 2 Co-Director. 
Region 3 (Cleveland Area) Co-Director Stephanie L. Ash She/her Stephanie L. Ash, MSW, LSW, Esq (she/her) serves as the Region 3 Director on the NASW Ohio Chapter Board of Directors and is a member of the Social Work Criminalization Task Force. She enjoys blending her law and social work backgrounds in her advocacy. 
Region 3 (Cleveland Area) Co-Director Ashley Dudinsky She/her ashleyldudinsky.sw@outlook.com Ashley Dudinsky, MSSA, LSW (she/her) serves as the Region 3 Co-Director for NASW-OH. She is actively involved with the PACE Committee, Social Work Criminalization Task Force, and the Legislative Advocacy Committee. Ashley is a passionate educator and instructor in the School of Social Work at Cleveland State University, where she is committed to student-centered teaching, online learning practices, and professional development. Her research interests focus on leadership, higher education, and advancing social work through systems-level change. 
Region 4 (Youngstown Area) Co-Director Sonnie Mikulka She/her Sonnie Mikulka, MSW, LSW, is the Director of the Family Success Network at Help Network of Northeast Ohio. A 2024 graduate of Youngstown State University's MSW program, she brings over seven years of experience supporting individuals and families impacted by trauma, mental health challenges, and substance use. Sonnie is passionate about prevention, empowerment, and building stronger communities through compassionate, strengths-based care. 
Region 4 (Youngstown Area) Co-Director Rosalynda Dina She/her Rosalynda Dina works in a private practice in East Liverpool, Ohio, and surrounding areas, with a focus on serving the LGBTQ population and supporting individuals struggling with personality disorders. She has a background in working with substance use disorders and mental health counseling, utilizing both evidence-based and nontraditional interventions to help clients overcome their primary concerns and achieve their personal goals. 
Region 5 (Columbus Area) Co-Director Ray Mathew-Santhosham They/them mathew-santhosham.1@buckeyemail.osu.edu Ray is a doctoral student at the Ohio State University, focusing on culturally responsive treatment for trauma as they pursue a career in academia. During undergraduate and graduate programs at OSU, they led the Art & Resilience student organization which cultivated their passion for employing the arts in social work and fortified their research. Ray continues their commitment to community healing by facilitating art-based support groups for the LGBTQ+ community and hosting collage art trauma narrative workshops with diverse local partners. Previously the MSW student representative, they are honored to now represent and support all social workers in region five! 
Region 5 (Columbus Area) Co-Director Zaymetrius Jones Any pronouns Zaymetrius Jones is a licensed social worker and behavioral health therapist. They are a first-generation alumnus from The Ohio State University. After obtaining a Bachelor's in Psychology and African and African American Studies in 2020, they completed a Master's program in Social Work in 2024. Currently, they specialize in trauma recovery, PTSD treatment, and LGBTQIA+ affirmative care. They are trained in DBT, CBT, and LGBTQIA+ Affirmative CBT. 
Region 6 (Cincinnati Area) Co-Director Emily Resnik She/her Emily Resnik, LISW-S (she/hers) has been an NASW member since 2012. She graduated with her MSW in 2014 from the University of Cincinnati, and received the NASW Ohio regional and statewide MSW Student of the Year award. Emily currently works at the Cincinnati VA as a Suicide Prevention Coordinator & Outreach Specialist and is Co-Chair of the Suicide Postvention Team. 
Region 6 (Cincinnati Area) Co-Director Dr. Niara Morrow She/her Dr. Niara Morrow is a dedicated social worker with experience in diverse areas including mental health, care management, and child welfare. She received her MSW from the University of Cincinnati, and DSW from the University of Kentucky with a focus on leadership and administration. Dr. Morrow is the owner of a private practice where she specializes in perinatal mental health. She is also the founder of a nonprofit focused in promoting holistic, culturally responsive care and addressing the social determinants of health in maternal healthcare. With a strong commitment to social justice and equality, Dr. Morrow is driven to make a positive impact in the lives of those she serves. 
Region 7 (Dayton Area) Co-Director Shawnieka Pope She/her Shawnieka E. Pope, MSW, LISW-S, LCSW, is an Assistant Professor Educator and Director of the School Social Work Certificate and BSW Distance Learning Programs at the University of Cincinnati. With over two decades of experience as a consultant, therapist, educator, crisis clinician, and school social worker, she is also the founder of Shawnie Speaks Social Work, LLC. Shawnieka is a 4th year Ph.D. student researching suicide among Black girls and a nationally recognized leader in mental health, trauma, and equity-focused care. Above all, she is the proud mother of three adult children. 
Region 7 (Dayton Area) Co-Director Dr. Carmela Daniels She/her Dr. Carmela G. Daniels, DSW, LISW-S is a clinical social worker, educator, and consultant with over 20 years of experience serving diverse populations. She is the founder of Dr. Carmela Daniels Mentoring & Consulting, LLC and the creator of The Warmth of Leadership, a framework that centers humanity and purpose in leadership. Dr. Daniels teaches in social work, mentors emerging social workers, and develops equity-driven initiatives across community and organizational settings. Her work blends advocacy, education, and intentional leadership to empower professionals and communities alike. 
Region 8 (Canton Area) Co-Director Nicholas Milburn He/him Nicholas Milburn, MSW, MNO, is the Region 8 Director of NASW Ohio. A dedicated social worker and nonprofit leader, Nicholas brings years of experience in case management, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and community organizing. He holds master's degrees in Social Work and Nonprofit Organizations and has been instrumental in advancing equity and resilience within both local and statewide initiatives. Nicholas has a strong record of union leadership, Pride event coordination, and nonprofit board service, and is committed to empowering social workers and the communities they serve 
Region 8 (Canton Area) Co-Director Carrilyn Stevens Long She/her Carrilyn Stevens Long, PhD, is an educator and social worker with degrees from The Ohio State University, Case Western Reserve University, and Walden University. Her career includes work as a teacher, adoption supervisor, and Head Start director. She spent 20 years at Stark State College as dean, later teaching at Walsh University and now serves as Program Manager for OSU’s LSAMP-STEM and President of Urban Education Consultants, LLC. Dedicated to leadership and equity, Carrilyn has guided numerous student organizations and led anti-racism initiatives. Her motto, “Be a leader that others want to follow,” reflects her lifelong commitment to service and education. |
