Meet your SWAA Team

Board Member, Co-Treasurer

I began my career in social services in 2015, working in a variety of roles in Calgary's homeless serving sector. After 5 years of front-line practice and in the hopes of shifting my career focus to upstream and policy practice, I pursued a Master of Social Work at the University of Calgary, specializing in Leadership in the Human Services. Currently, I am a Project Manager of Policy at Calgary Housing Company, the largest affordable housing provider in the province and a fully owned subsidiary of The City of Calgary. I feel passionately about housing as a human right, providing support and opportunities to fellow social workers and am a strong advocate for social workers being employed in non-traditional practice spaces. I look forward to serving on the Board of Directors to SWAA and am confident we will collectively raise the voices of social workers across the province!

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Board Member, President

My name is Rasheal Charles, MSW, RCSW, located in Edmonton. I started my Social work journey in 2012. My interests are in leadership, spirituality, mental health and mindfulness. I currently serve as a Director at Covenant Health for Mission, Spirituality and Volunteerism. While I am passionate about incorporating mindfulness in my daily practice, my hope is that my acquired knowledge about older adults, women, youth, and restorative justice practice will highlight my keenness for increased support for social workers. I hope that the skills and talents that Social workers have will lend itself for healing and serving Indigenous, Black and racialized communities. Being a part this Social work association means I am able to serve and hopefully shape the future for all members to feel valued seen and heard to amplify our voices as a collective in Alberta.

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Board Member

Cardinal Fomradas has a BEd from the University of Calgary, a BSW from Dalhousie University, and an MSW from the University of Windsor.

He is a Registered Clinical Social Worker (RCSW) and an Approved Clinical Supervisor with the Alberta College of Social Workers. He also holds the SHRM-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) credential from the Society of Human Resources Management.

He has been a Social Worker with Alberta Health Services (AHS) for 16 years and is currently the Clinical Leader for the South Zone Social Work Department of AHS.

Board Member

My name is Levis, I am a Black Queer immigrant, BSW, RSW. I currently reside Red Deer which is located on treaty 6 & 7 territories.  I am excited to join SWAA and be part of an organization that is committed to advancing our profession and making meaningful effort to dismantle oppressive systems. I am passionate about social justice, and advocacy. I hold a BSW from the University of Calgary and a diploma of social work from Red Deer Polytechnic. My social work experience ranges from frontline social work, working in harm reduction as a frontline social worker, community addiction and mental health and medical social work in the Emergency department.

I serve on the board of Ubuntu-Mobilizing Central Alberta, a non-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing, centering the experiences of racialized community members through advocacy, engagement, community building, creating and fostering safe spaces.

I am excited to work along side the board members, to learn from this diverse group and collaborate with them to make change.

Board Member

Arlene Eaton-Erickson is a passionate and engaged social worker, leader and educator with 28 years of social work experience, and 15 years of teaching experience at a postsecondary level. Arlene has direct front-line experience with young people in the child welfare and youth justice systems, and has significant management and leadership experience. These roles have given Arlene the opportunity to provide and engage in both individual and systemic advocacy, and provide strategic direction and policy guidance to organizations.

Arlene is currently the Academic Program Manager at NorQuest College working with the Social Work Program and the Child and Youth Care Program. This role brings together the skills she developed during her 19 years at the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate, and the teaching she has done at both MacEwan University and the University of Calgary. Arlene is passionate about the people she works with – and for. Relationships are at the center of her practice, and she believes that these relationships can be transformative, healing and can impact lasting change.

Board Member

I am Victoria Ige Onah, BSW, MSW, RSW and I am excited about the opportunity to serve the Social Workers Association of Alberta and to further dedicate myself to advancing the profession and making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve. As a passionate advocate for social justice, equity, and representation, I am honored to join the esteemed team at the Social Workers Association of Alberta as a new board member. I am a Social Worker who is passionate about education and research. I am currently working with a non-profit organization based in Edmonton that supports a diverse population in gaining employment.

Board Member, Co-Treasurer

Hello, my name is Mickey Ikuta. In my years as a community-based social worker, I worked for the Women’s Centre of Calgary and the United Way of Calgary. My areas of practice and interests include social justice work for women and girls, community-based research and development, and education and mentorship for social work students. Currently I work as a research analyst and a sessional instructor for the University of Calgary.

SWAA was founded less than 2 years ago and as such, we are still in our early years of development. Since joining the interim board in 2020 and the inaugural board in 2023, I continue to be committed to building a strong foundation for the sustained success and growth of our Association. I bring board, committee and other leadership experiences, a collaborative approach to work, and the perspective of a racialized woman with a range of professional and lived experiences. Besides learning many valuable skills, my highlight of being on the board is the shared experience of working with other like-minded directors. Leading a fledgling organization is hard work but the synergy and the sense of comradery with the other directors are invaluable.

Board Member

Since graduating from New York University in 2017, I have devoted my career to the fields of immigration and community support, driven by a deep passion for assisting those in need. With a professional background as a registered social worker based in Calgary, I proudly wear three distinct hats.

By day, I serve as a full-time Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program Facilitator at the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS), where I provide crucial resources and support for temporary foreign workers in Calgary and its surrounding areas. In this role, I am committed to ensuring that newcomers find the resources and assistance they need to thrive in their new environment.

In my second full-time role (volunteer), I proudly hold the positions of president and founding executive director at the Korean Social Services Centre (KSSC). Here, my primary focus is on dismantling language, cultural, and systemic barriers that Korean and other community members may encounter while living in Calgary. By establishing a foundation of understanding and support, I am dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and where equity is not just a goal, but a reality.

In addition to my primary roles, I co-founded MindLab, where I work as a mental health counselor (pre-supervision stream approved). This role allows me to provide counseling services and educational resources in both Korean and English. I am deeply committed to destigmatizing mental health discussions and providing accessible support for those who need it.

As I embark on my journey as a Board Member with SWAA, I am particularly thrilled about the opportunity to collaborate with the dynamic and vibrant community of social workers from across Alberta. I look forward to sharing my experiences and expertise, as well as learning from others with diverse backgrounds and specializations. Together, I believe we can make a meaningful impact in our field.

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Board Member, Secretary

Krista Osborne (she/her) is an Assistant Professor with the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary. There is part of the Field Education team as well as a Team Lead for the Trauma Informed Practice Specialization for the MSW program. She has a special interest in helping students develop clinical skills from an EDID (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Decolonizing) lens. She believes education is how we transform the social work profession with the goal of reconciling our complicated past and becoming better stewards for social justice into the future.

Krista is a Registered Clinical Social Worker and Approved Clinical Supervisor with the ACSW. She has worked in a variety of settings including grief, trauma recovery, crisis intervention, suicide prevention, health, mental health, and inpatient psychiatry. She has maintained a private practice in St. Albert for the past 10 years with a focus on mental health, grief, trauma, and life transitions. She has a special love of working with adolescents, First Responders, and their families.

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Board Member

Hi! I am Selena Sliger (she/her), white, settler female residing on Treaty 8 Territory, Metis Nation 6. I am an RSW who holds a Diploma of Social Work from Northern Lakes College, a BSW and an MSW with Clinical Specialization, both from the University of Calgary. My experience is from a rural, northwest context in community development, children’s services, income support, research, mental health therapy and serving Indigenous communities and individuals. I am currently a Mental Health Therapist with Aspen PCN and DiveThru, a research assistant with University of Calgary and operate a private practice. My goal is to bring a rural, northwest voice and perspective to association activities as well as advocate for rural social workers and marginalized communities to ultimately promote positive systemic change. I am excited to work alongside this new team to learn from their depth of experiences and diversity to continue the momentum and progress of the Interim board.

Board Member

Julia Nicholls (she/her) is a dedicated Registered Social Worker with a Master of Social Work in Leadership in Human Services from the University of Calgary. She began her education at Mount Royal University, earning a Social Work diploma before completing a Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Calgary. Julia's diverse background includes leading and developing high-performing teams, managing programs and projects, and providing specialized supervision in both team leadership and social work practice. She has extensive experience in areas such as poverty reduction, financial empowerment, and crisis intervention. 

Currently leading as a Program Coordinator at Mount Royal University, Julia fosters a supportive and inclusive environment for all students. Her practice is grounded in transformational and servant leadership, emphasizing coaching, capacity-building, and collaboration. Julia values humor, respect, education, community, and wellness, and is committed to innovating within the field of social work. Her goal is to elevate the social work profession and enhance the quality of life for both current and aspiring social workers by driving systemic change and fostering empowerment. 

Board Member

Roshan Kunjachan is a committed and accomplished social worker with over five years of professional experience in clinical and community practice, specializing in adult mental health, geriatric care, and addiction services. He holds a Master of Social Work with a specialization in Clinical and Community Practice from Christ University, India, and a degree in Gerontology from Sault College in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada.

Roshan has worked extensively with young adults and adults facing addiction challenges, utilizing harm reduction strategies and interventions. He has demonstrated excellence in crisis intervention, behavior management, and community outreach, working with diverse populations in both Canada and India. Roshan’s holistic approach, combined with his proven ability to navigate complex cases, positions him as a strategic and impactful force in driving meaningful change within any organization.