Meet your SWAA Interim Board
SWAA’s Interim Board has been established! These diverse and passionate social work leaders live and work around the province, and brought a broad array of interests and experience to the board.
The Interim Board worked to establish the foundations of the new association. Keith Goertzen, BSW, RSW, was elected president and Rasheal Charles, MSW, RSW, was vice-president.
Rasheal Charles
My name is Rasheal Charles, MSW, RSW, located in Edmonton. I am a Mental Health and Group Based Therapist with Alberta Health Services. Being a part of establishing the new social work association means that there will be tailored opportunities for social workers to receive resources and skills in mental health, which is essential to our practice. While I am passionate about incorporating mindfulness in daily interactions, I trust that my knowledge about women and youth initiatives will highlight my keenness for increased support for social workers serving Indigenous and BIPOC communities.
Darnel T. Forro
I am Darnel T. Forro, MSW, RSW, BA, and I am passionate about helping strengthen the fabric that connects and unites social workers across our province. I strongly believe in the inclusion of diverse and marginalized social work voices and the creation of safe, equitable and critically reflexive spaces within our emerging association. I am a social work educator at Red Deer Polytechnic, former medical social worker with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, and a beginning PhD student at Memorial University’s School of Social Work with a research focus on sexual experiences of migrant and racialized queer men in rural Alberta contexts.
Keith Goertzen
Joining SWAA’s Interim Board and being chosen as their President has been such an honor! I have been a registered social worker since 2010. My experience includes community development, child protection, and 10 years’ experience in Addiction and Mental Health, working at the Boyle McCauley Health Centre and leading policy and program development projects with AHS. Currently, I am the Director, Policy Services at AHS. It has been such an exciting process to help lay the foundation for a sustainable association that will support social workers and magnify their voices in Alberta!
Mickey Ikuta
I am Mickey Ikuta, MSW, RSW, and work at the Women’s Centre of Calgary as a Program Manager. My areas of practice and interests include community development, social justice work for women and girls, community-based research, education and mentorship for social work students. Establishing an association impacts all social workers in Alberta and I feel that joining the interim board is a way to participate in this historic event. 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.
Shauna Livesey
I’m Shauna Livesey, BSW, RSW, Cree/Dene who resides in Grande Prairie. I am the Indigenous Programming Coordinator with the Grande Prairie Public School District. Currently, I am enrolled with UofC completing my clinical MSW. My background includes traditional ways of being, social work, Indigenous health advocacy and family unification. I am driven by the need to make systemic changes in society which in turn create equity and inclusion. I have taken an active role in community change through various committees and collaborations focused on family and Indigenous health, reconciliation, mental health, community change and education.
Darlene Marchuk
I am Darlene Marchuk, MSW, RSW, and I reside in Edmonton. I work at Poundmaker's Lodge Treatment Centres in the capacity of Clinical Director. I specialize in addictions and mental health where best and wise practices are incorporated into the healing journey. My passion continues to be Indigenous ways of knowing and being. I will contribute a wholistic, balanced Indigenous perspective to this professional association in its formation. I look forward to this opportunity to contribute to the new professional association for social workers.
Linda McFarlane
My name is Linda McFarlane and I live in Canmore. I hold a Bachelor and Master of Social Work from the University of Calgary. My career experience includes co-ordinating crisis centre volunteers and promoting the hiring of people with developmental disabilities. After retirement, I volunteered with Action to End Poverty, worked with others to initiate and co-chair Calgary Social Workers for Social Justice and served for 4 years as a public member for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta. I am passionate about advocating for better care in long term care, social justice, anti- oppression, and raising the voice and profile of social workers.
Michael J. Penner
I’m Michael J. Penner. I currently hold a BSW and BAM-YO. I am currently an associate pastor in Edmonton and work with an E4C youth group home. I have a passion for community and front-line work, having experience in High Level, Seabird Island, Calgary, and Edmonton. Having recently been a student, I also have a renewed passion for seeing social workers start their careers well. My exposure to diverse settings and work with multiple groups, along with my own personal history in disability advocacy, gives me a deep passion for seeing professionals supported and properly equipped. I have high hopes for the future of SWAA as we work together for the future of Alberta social work.
Jane Slessor
I am Jane Slessor, MSW, RSW (she/her/hers), a white settler occupier who lives in Amiskwaciwâskahikan, Treaty 6 territory, Métis Region 4. A social worker since 2005, I have spent most of my career working alongside people experiencing houselessness, including supporting survivors of Indian Residential Schools. I teach social work for the University of Calgary and MacEwan University and have recently started my PhD. I am an anti-oppressive social worker focused on social work practice in Indigenous sovereignty. I look forward to working to ensure our new association commits to promoting the diversity of the social work profession and works to support decolonizing and reconciliatory efforts with Indigenous Peoples.