2025 NASW-Illinois Chapter Election Results

Thank you to those who took part in this year's 2025 NASW-Illinois Chapter Elections during the month of April. Below are the individuals you voted for who will work to represent and serve you on the NASW-Illinois Chapter Board of Directors starting July 1, 2025.

Welcome to our new and returning board members!

2025 NASW-Illinois Chapter Advisory Board of Directors

VICE-PRESIDENT FOR BUDGET AND FINANCE (Two-year term)

Jennifer Gazda, DSW, LCSW, CMC, CDP

Jennifer Gazda (she/her), DSW (Aurora University), LCSW, CMC, CDP, is regional director for the Midwest territory of Arosa, a provider of exemplary home care and care management services throughout the United States. Jennifer Gazda has over 20 years of experience as a social worker in the Chicagoland area and has vast experience in care management as well as clinical supervision to care managers new to the field. In addition to her role at Arosa, Jennifer is adjunct professor of social work at Aurora University in Illinois. She has previously served as member at-large for the National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Capter, as well as a delegate representing Illinois on the NASW Delegate Assembly. Jennifer is a member of the Case Management Society of America (CMSA) where she serves on the editorial board to ensure ongoing education for all members through their publication. Jennifer is also a member of the Aging Life Care Association (ALCA) where she serves as unit leader for the ALCA Illinois Chapter for 2025.

Jennifer Gazda has worked as a care manager for the past 15 years. Her clients have not only included the geriatric population, but also individuals with mental health disorders, developmental disabilities, and traumatic brain injuries. While Jennifer’s direct practice in care management has reduced with her role as director, her oversight of multiple team members allows for close collaboration and clinical consultation with care managers working throughout the country for Arosa. Jennifer enjoys volunteering her time to serve with various professional groups to share her knowledge and build relationships and would feel honored to be elected for this role.

MEMBER AT-LARGE (Two-year term)

Lorraine Guerrero, MSW, LCSW, CADC, PEL

Lorraine Guerrero (she/her), MSW (Aurora University), LCSW, CADC, PEL, is a dedicated advocate for social work and social justice, earning a reputation as a “Social Worker’s Social Worker.” With a deep commitment to vulnerable populations, Lorraine has made it her mission to raise awareness about the vital role social workers play in supporting communities. As senior trauma therapist at the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center, a division of the Will County State's Attorney’s office, Lorraine facilitates all LCSW supervision and manages the social work intern program.

Since joining NASW in 2006, Lorraine has become an influential voice, locally, advocating for social workers’ involvement in critical community services. She has served as trainer and speaker, sharing her personal story as a former foster child. This lived experience drives Lorraine’s passion for educating others about the impact social workers have.

Lorraine's community involvement extends beyond her clinical work. She serves on the board of directors for Guardian Angel Community Services where her career as a sexual assault advocate began, and as VP of the Joliet Township High School Board where she advocated for increased social work staffing and the expansion of social-emotional learning programs. Lorraine’s other leadership roles included serving as housing authority commissioner, school social worker, precinct committeeperson, director of social services for the Spanish Community Center and, most recently, co-founder of the Will County Latinx Caucus and opening Healing Place, her private practice in 2023.

Lorraine’s multifaceted career reflects her belief in the power of community engagement with her ongoing advocacy for social workers.

GRADUATE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE (One-year term)

Josephine Vachachira, MSW Student, DePaul University

Josephine (she/her) is a first-year MSW student at DePaul University. She has a strong interest in working with and advocating on behalf of various populations such as adolescents, immigrants, and refugee communities. Her experience working with students at Chicago Academy High School in the Belmont-Cragin neighborhood of Chicago revealed to her the lack of support that many adolescents experience, especially those from minority communities. Josephine currently holds an internship position with Take Back the Halls where she facilitates lessons around the prevention of teen dating violence to various Chicago Public Schools. Her work involves teaching students emotional regulation skills, conflict resolution, and coping strategies in order to build healthy relationships. She is a strong advocate for the importance of an anti-oppressive approach throughout social work. As a daughter of immigrants, she has seen first-hand the continuous lack of support that these communities struggle with, amongst the multiple barriers faced when acclimating to this country. She believes that this position will provide her with a unique opportunity in continuing to unlearn her own biases, in order to best practice culturally competent work.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE (One-year term)

W. Winston Scott, AA, Undergraduate, Southern Illinois University

Winston (he/him) became a single father of three in 2016. Motivated to become a first-generation, he returned to college in 2024 to pursue his BSW and MSW. Raised in a community marked by racial disparity, Winston struggled in behavior disorder classes from 6th grade until he dropped out of high school at age 15. Despite these obstacles, he has remained dedicated to personal growth and giving back to his community. He is an insurance agency owner and, before being accepted to Southern Illinois University, Winston was an adjunct instructor of CDL prep at Rend Lake College. For over two decades, Winston has worked and volunteered with youth. His experience includes five years in outdoor education, serving as a full-time conflict resolution educator with CityYear Philadelphia, and holding leadership positions as a policy council chair and board member for the Urban League of Metro St. Louis. A passionate activist, advocate, and rapper, Winston played a key role in organizing 60 days of demonstrations following the acquittal of a St. Louis police officer. He also worked closely with Missouri legislators to advocate for SB 777, a bill that allows students in virtual institutions to access the Missouri Access Financial Assistance Program. Winston is deeply committed to social justice and community empowerment. He values continuous learning and is driven by a desire to make a positive impact on the lives of others. His journey reflects his resilience and dedication to helping those in need. He received his AA in 2024 and will receive his BSW in 2026. He’s received certifications in Dialogue Facilitation from The Sustained Dialogue Institute, and Mental Health First Aid.

NORTHEASTERN DISTRICT CHAIR (Two-year term)

Lita Simanis, LCSW, PMH-C

Lita Simanis (she/her), MSW (University of Illinois at Chicago), LCSW, PMH-C, has been coordinator of the pregnancy and postpartum mood and anxiety disorder program since 2014. She collaborated with Ascension Illinois/Alexian Brothers staff and other stakeholders to develop the first perinatal intensive outpatient program in the state of Illinois that opened its doors in August of 2015. She is also perinatal crisis counselor for the Illinois Mom’s Line, and a therapist with Partum Health. Lita is a former board of directors member for Postpartum Support International. She is co-coordinator of the Postpartum Depression Illinois Alliance. Lita has lectured on perinatal mood disorders in local, state, national and international settings. She has been involved in advocacy, providing expert testimony in support of Illinois House Bill 1764 that allows for perinatal mood disorders to be considered as mitigating factors for sentencing in crimes. Lita is a member of the Illinois Department of Public Health Maternal Mortality Review Committee on Violent Deaths. She was part of the team of subject matter experts that developed the Perinatal Mental Health Certification exam.

THREE RIVERS DISTRICT CHAIR (Two-year term)

E. Cordelia Miller Muhammad, MSW, LCSW

E. Cordelia Miller Muhammad (she/her), MSW (Grand Valley State University), LCSW, is a seasoned behavioral health professional with over two decades of experience. As the owner of Shifa Living, PLLC, in Oakbrook Terrace, IL, since 2005, she leads a virtual practice providing psychotherapy, EAP, and psycho-educational services for older adolescents and adults struggling with anxiety having a special focus on social anxiety.

Prior to transitioning to full-time private practice work in 2020, she worked in various human services organizations including community mental health agencies, hospitals, schools and a federally qualified health center.

From 2013 to 2020, Cordelia played a pivotal role at Columbia College Chicago, progressing from Staff Therapist to Director of Counseling Services. She provided counseling, crisis intervention, group therapy, managed daily operations and implemented trauma-informed practices, significantly impacting student mental health.

Her clinical leadership extends to her tenure at the Counseling Center of Lakeview, where she served as Clinical Project Director and Clinical Supervisor, overseeing programs for homeless adolescents and facilitating training in evidence-based practices. Earlier in her career, she provided clinical social work services at Christian Community Health Center, Aunt Martha’s Youth Service Centers, and Kalamazoo Michigan’s Bronson Hospital, demonstrating her commitment to integrated care and vulnerable populations. She also supervised maternal health programs in Kalamazoo County, MI. Cordelia's career reflects a strong dedication to providing comprehensive and compassionate mental health services as a social worker.

WEST CENTRAL DISTRICT CHAIR (Two-year term)

Hannah Rovey, LCSW

Hannah Rovey (she/her), MSW (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), LCSW, works at SIU Center for Family Medicine, a Federally Qualified Health Center, serving medically and socially complex patients for the last 8 years. She serves as administrator for the SIU SOM Student Hotspotting Program, provides education to medical students and residents, is the current supervisor for the Behavioral Health Intern Program, and provides therapeutic services to patients within the FQHC. Hannah was the recent recipient of the 2024 NASW-Illinois Chapter Statewide Social Worker of the Year award.