Ready to Collaborate: Meet SWAA’s New Executive Director

The voices of social workers – unified and amplified. That’s what has Harold Pliszka excited about joining the Social Workers Association of Alberta as its first executive director, and in fact, its first employee.

As a structural social worker interested in non-profit leadership, evidence-based policy, and social justice, Harold (RSW, MSW) brings over 20 years of varied experience to this new role. Here, he shares some thoughts about his path to this position and his priorities as he gets started.

Congratulations on joining SWAA as its first executive director! What has you excited about the job and the creation of the Social Workers Association of Alberta?

I’m most excited about the opportunity to advocate for the profession, and for social justice.

I see strength in local groups, like Calgary Social Workers for Social Justice, of which I was once a member. I think our unified voice is important. To build that, it’s critical that people get involved in the association, so we can make sure our priorities match those of Alberta’s social workers.

How has your past work prepared you for this role?

Before getting my masters in social work, I owned and ran a communications company for 18 years. I also founded a charity that’s provided over 2000 educational scholarships in Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Guatemala. I’ve always looked structurally at how society and governments impact people, and in school, I started thinking more deeply about policy.

I got to put this into practice in one case by collaborating with academics, physicians, nurses, Alberta Health Services, and palliative care associations. We used qualitative research to learn from people who cared for loved ones at the ends of their lives. Outcomes of our final report were included in a health and technology assessment that went to Alberta Health and, I hope, influenced provincial palliative and hospice care policy.

I’m currently managing mental health services for a community health centre that builds resilience for Calgarians facing poverty and trauma. I’ve served on several non-profit boards and done front-line work at a shelter for people experiencing houselessness. Other experiences include working in violence prevention and social inclusion for newcomers.

Why is it important for social workers to be a part of SWAA?

SWAA’s board has collected information on what social workers are looking for in an association – promoting and supporting the profession, professional development, membership in CASW… I think that the key to our success will be coming together to show our value.

I want to amplify the voices of Alberta’s social workers. I often think about how to communicate the wide breadth of work that social workers do. I’ll have to do some digging to get a better understanding of social work’s breadth myself!

Tell us about yourself outside of work.

I’m married with two kids and a dog and have called Calgary home since 1995 after growing up in Manitoba. Something I really enjoy spring, summer, and fall is white water canoeing. My teenage son has recently switched from kayaking to canoeing, so I’m eager to share this with him. My daughter’s passion is baking so she’s on her way to being a pastry chef.

What are you looking forward to as you get started?

I’m a big fan of collaborative leadership – which could be tough as the only staff member right now! I’m excited to work with the board and association members. There’s so much knowledge in a group. I love being able to garner that knowledge and utilize it.