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    • home
    • About the Chapter
      • About us
      • Board of Directors
      • Regional & Student Reps
      • Staff
      • Committees
      • Student Unit
    • Advocacy
    • CEU Approval
    • EVENTS
    • Classifieds
    • Legislative Updates
    • NM Board of Social Work
    • Annual Conference
  • home
  • About the Chapter
  • Advocacy
  • CEU Approval
  • EVENTS
  • Classifieds
  • Legislative Updates
  • NM Board of Social Work
  • Annual Conference

Staff

Executive Director - Mika Tari, LMSW

Marketing & Communications Coordinator - Kelly Watson

Marketing & Communications Coordinator - Kelly Watson

 I was born in Korea and was  adopted by a second generation Ukraine. I came to the US when I was  about 4yo. and grew up on Long Island NY, in a single parent household.  As a poor Asian kid in a very homogenous, affluent area my childhood was challenging to say the least. 


I have my MSW from New Mexico State University and have lived in

 I was born in Korea and was  adopted by a second generation Ukraine. I came to the US when I was  about 4yo. and grew up on Long Island NY, in a single parent household.  As a poor Asian kid in a very homogenous, affluent area my childhood was challenging to say the least. 


I have my MSW from New Mexico State University and have lived in NM  for more than 23 years. Though a late bloomer to higher education, I  can safely say that I have worked in areas which could be considered  social work for decades. The first 15 years of anything resembling a career path was working in group homes for those  with IDD and on the autism spectrum. When I moved to NM I continued with  non profits that did similar work, also in programs such as supported  employment and early childhood. Most recently I was in state government with the NM Human Services Department (HSD)5  years in the Medical Assistance Division and  the last five years with  the Behavioral Health Services Division (BHSD) as a Deputy Director and  briefly as the Interim Director. 


My goals as the NASW-NM Executive Director are to support our  profession and professionals, to help grow the next generation of quality social workers, and to influence policy that promotes social  justice and equity. For those that have heard me make a pitch, my tag line is “To make NASW-NM relevant to the State again".

Marketing & Communications Coordinator - Kelly Watson

Marketing & Communications Coordinator - Kelly Watson

Marketing & Communications Coordinator - Kelly Watson

I was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I credit my family, many of whom work in helping professions, in being the catalyst for my choice of career and instilling me with important values. During my time in high school, I developed a particular interest in the way social issues intersect with sports, which led me to wanting a ca

I was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I credit my family, many of whom work in helping professions, in being the catalyst for my choice of career and instilling me with important values. During my time in high school, I developed a particular interest in the way social issues intersect with sports, which led me to wanting a career in sports journalism. However, by my second year of college, my passion for social justice issues took precendence. I graduated  Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of New Mexico in 2018. After a gap year, I graduated with honors in May 2021 with my MSW from New Mexico State University. I was an intern for NASW-NM during the 2020-2021 school year where I helped coordinate and lead Student Legislative Advocacy Day (SLAD). During my time as an intern I also worked closely with the Legislative Committee, ran the NASW-NM social media pages, and helped during the annual conference. My prior work experience includes internships with community schools and family service agencies, as well as a tennis coach and eight years in sports radio. I am particularly interested in policy and advocacy-based social work with an emphasis on criminal justice reform and drug laws. During my spare time, I enjoy playing tennis and traveling. 

Chapter Administrative Support -Daniela Romero

Marketing & Communications Coordinator - Kelly Watson

Chapter Administrative Support -Daniela Romero

I am Daniela Romero, born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I have a passion for serving others! That is why I have dedicated my professional and educational experience accordingly. In 2015, I received a Bachelor of Science, Cum Laude, as a double major in Psychology/Criminology with a Minor in Evolutionary Anthropology from the Univ

I am Daniela Romero, born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I have a passion for serving others! That is why I have dedicated my professional and educational experience accordingly. In 2015, I received a Bachelor of Science, Cum Laude, as a double major in Psychology/Criminology with a Minor in Evolutionary Anthropology from the University of New Mexico. I have many years working in the non-profit sector, as well as volunteer work with vulnerable populations. My professional experience has been working with adults re-entering society from the prison system, dual diagnosis and providing case management. I have also worked in treatment foster care with children and youth who have extensive trauma histories. I have recently graduated with my Master of Social Work from New Mexico Highlands University. I love the field of Social Work because it is about people and that’s what I am about. My motivation has been to make a positive impact, be an example and create change for our future generations. 

INTERNS

Karlene Anderson

I am Karlene Anderson. I am a Black, cisgender, bisexual woman with lightness privilege and supermom of three exceptional children. Since I was one year old, I have lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I dream of becoming a social worker to help uplift and enhance the well-being of our communities within New Mexico. I am a full-time, first-y

I am Karlene Anderson. I am a Black, cisgender, bisexual woman with lightness privilege and supermom of three exceptional children. Since I was one year old, I have lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I dream of becoming a social worker to help uplift and enhance the well-being of our communities within New Mexico. I am a full-time, first-year Master of Social Work student at New Mexico Highlands University. I received my bachelor's from the University of New Mexico in 2018. My major was sociology, with a minor in psychology. My background and education have aided me in understanding people's cultures and social influences, family and friends' social dynamics, and religions while expanding my care and respect for other vulnerable populations. I believe that social work can help create safe, healthy, and creative solutions for the people of New Mexico, from our clinical practice to the halls of the state capital. 

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