2026 NASW-Illinois Chapter Election Results

Thank you to our members who participated in this year's 2026 NASW-Illinois Chapter elections. Your engagement with the chapter makes this community stronger.

We are proud to introduce the dedicated professionals who will begin serving on the NASW-Illinois Chapter Leadership Council beginning July 1, 2026. Please join us in welcoming our newest members and celebrating those returning to continue their important work.

2026 NASW-Illinois Chapter Leadership Council

PRESIDENT-ELECT (One-year term followed by two-year term as president)

Jennifer Gazda, DSW, LCSW, NCG, CMC, CDP, (she/her) is director of care management and integrated services for Arosa, a provider of exemplary care management and home care services throughout the United States.

Dr. Gazda has over 20 years of experience as a social worker in the Chicagoland area and brings extensive expertise in care management as well as clinical supervision for case managers new to the field. In addition to her role at Arosa, she serves as adjunct professor of social work at Aurora University in Illinois where she is dedicated to educating master’s-level social workers entering the profession.

Dr. Gazda is highly involved in numerous professional organizations. She is an active member of the Aging Life Care Association (ALCA), currently serving as unit leader for the Illinois Unit and as board member for the Midwest Chapter. She is also director on the board for the Case Management Society of America (CMSA) Chicago Chapter and serves on the Editorial Board for CMSA Today. Additionally, she is vice president of budget and finance for the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Illinois Chapter's Advisory Board of Directors, and participates in the organization’s Older Adults Special Interest Group.

Over the past 15 years with Arosa, Dr. Gazda has served as a care manager, clinical supervisor, area director, and regional director. She is deeply committed to the clients served by the organization, including older adults, individuals with mental health disorders, individuals with developmental disabilities, and individuals with traumatic brain injuries.

SECRETARY (Two-year term)

Diane D. Williams, AM, MSW, PhD, (she/her) serves as secretary on the NASW-Illinois Chapter Advisory Board of Directors where she helps guide board governance, strengthen professional leadership, and support policy dialogue that advances the social work profession across the state. A social worker, educator, and policy scholar, Diane brings extensive experience working on issues affecting older adult populations, including retirement security, social integration, and equity in aging. Her research examines how social support, discrimination, and community engagement influence well-being and life-course outcomes, with particular attention to immigrant and diverse communities.

Diane is adjunct faculty member and fellow at the China Center for Social Policy where she teaches and contributes to research connecting social work practice with public policy and global social welfare discussions. She earned her PhD in social work from Loyola University Chicago, with research focused on productive aging and retirement. Her policy work includes contributions to the AARP Disrupt Disparities Illinois Report, addressing racial disparities affecting older adults in areas such as economic security, health equity, and digital access.

Diane holds a master's of social work from Columbia University and a master's of public policy from the University of Chicago. Through her leadership, scholarship, and service, she remains committed to strengthening the social work profession and advancing policies that support dignity, inclusion, and well-being across the life course.

MEMBER AT-LARGE (Two-year term)

Kimberly Keenan, PhD, LCSW, (she/her) holds an MSW from the University of Illinois as well as a master’s in psychology and a PhD in Applied Ecopsychology from Akamai University (ASIC accreditation). A licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with over 25 years of experience, Dr. Keenan has an extensive background in community health, mental health, research, project management, and nonprofit leadership. For over 15 years she has taught both undergraduate and graduate social work courses at the University of Illinois campuses in Urbana-Champaign and Springfield.

In 2008, Kim founded a 501(c)(3) organization where she managed local, state, and national grants to establish the Regional Fresh Food Council and a food pantry network, driving research and initiatives to combat food insecurity in Central Illinois. Seven years ago, she created the Central Illinois Social Work Hub, a professional Facebook group dedicated to providing internship opportunities, job openings, and training for students and social work providers.

Building on the partnerships developed within this online community, she founded the Illinois Center for Social Work Development, LLC. This organization focuses on strengthening the social work pipeline and increasing the quality and quantity of social workers serving Central Illinois and its rural communities. Additionally, she is an active member of the BHWC of Illinois Supervision ECHO group and the BHWC Curriculum Enhancement Initiative. Dr. Keenan has dedicated her career to addressing mental health challenges and the social determinants of health within Illinois' rural populations.

GRADUATE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE (One-year term)

Amber Parkinson (she/her; MSW student at Aurora University) is a current student at the Aurora University Master of Social Work program and serves as practice manager at a private mental health practice where she supports clinical operations while remaining closely connected to direct service and ethical practice. Her professional interests include trauma-informed care, survivor advocacy, and expanding access to mental health services for historically marginalized populations.

Amber is currently completing her clinical internship at a women’s domestic violence and sexual assault crisis center where she provides therapeutic support to women navigating complex trauma, safety concerns, and systemic barriers. She brings a survivor-centered and empowerment-based approach to her work, informed by both clinical training and lived experience within child welfare systems.

In addition to her clinical work, Amber is a co-founder of Harvest Hope Collaborative, a nonprofit initiative focused on poverty education, mental health awareness, and community collaboration. Through this organization, she facilitates poverty simulations and supports group-based interventions in a women’s correctional facility and a women’s homeless shelter, working with individuals impacted by incarceration, housing instability, and trauma.

Amber has also served as a foster parent for seven years, an experience that deeply informs her understanding of child welfare, family systems, and policy-level decision-making. She seeks to serve on the NASW-IL Advisory Board to elevate graduate student voices, contribute practice-informed insight, and advocate for policies that advance equity, dignity, and social justice.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE (One-year term)

Cameron Purnell (she/her; BSSW student at University of Phoenix) is a youth development leader and emerging social work professional dedicated to advancing equity, safety, and opportunity for young people. She currently serves as lead youth development specialist where she provides trauma-informed support to "at-risk" youth and helps create safe, structured environments that promote stability, accountability, and personal growth. Cameron previously served as program manager, leading youth initiatives focused on violence prevention, skill building, and community engagement. Her experience includes developing programming, managing partnerships, and supporting youth and families through crisis, transition, and long term goal-setting.

Cameron is currently developing Arts Against Violence, an initiative that will use creative expression, leadership development, and mentorship to address trauma and reduce youth violence. Her work is grounded in the belief that art, storytelling, and community connection can be powerful tools for healing, prevention, and empowerment. Through this effort, she is building partnerships with schools, community organizations, and faith-based leaders to create safe spaces where young people can process their experiences, build confidence, and develop pathways toward education and career success.

Cameron is passionate about bridging frontline practice and policy reform. She is committed to amplifying youth voices, strengthening connections between social work education and real world practice, and encouraging the next generation of social workers to engage in advocacy, leadership, and systems change early in their careers. She brings both lived and professional experience, a collaborative mindset, and a strong commitment to ethical and anti-oppressive practice.

CALUMET DISTRICT CHAIR (Two-year term)

Terri T. Davis, BS, MA, LSW, is a lifelong resident of the Chicago area, born in Brinkley, Arkanas. She is a retired social work administrator. Her last employment was with the Illinois Department of Human Service Medical Field Operations, working with emergency medical card and long term care services for several months. Prior to that she worked for the Department of Children Family Services, 37 1/2 years. Her last position was as public service administrator, manager of the Cook County's 24-hour Emergency Reception Center (ERC) intake for childrens' shelter and resource service. She also managed the evening, midnight, and weekend Child Protection Investigative Service Unit. Ms. Davis worked 14 years with the DCFS Division of Training, creating curriculm, providing continuing education units to child welfare staff from annual conferences and workshops that were coordinated and/or developed. She was a certified trainer, participated as a peer reviewer with Council on Accreditation (COA). Ms. Davis will be a valuable asset to the NASW-IL Calumet District, she's accustomed to working with diverse people and points of view.

CHICAGO DISTRICT CHAIR (Two-year term)

Hillary Douin, BA, MSW, LCSW, ICDVP, (she/her) is a mission-driven social worker and strategic leader with progressive leadership experience in the gender-based violence sector. Over the course of her career, she has advanced through increasingly senior roles, leading multidisciplinary teams, strengthening survivor-centered programs, and guiding organizational growth to expand access to safety and support. Her leadership is rooted in a deep understanding of trauma-informed practice, systems advocacy, and cross-sector collaboration, enabling her to align operational strategy with meaningful community impact. She is currently executive director of the oldest Chicago-based domestic violence agency.

In addition to her executive and program leadership, Hillary has maintained a private clinical practice for the past decade. This ongoing work keeps her closely connected to the lived experiences of individuals and families, ensuring that her strategic decisions remain grounded in frontline realities.

Due to a love and belief in the important of continuous learning, she continues to provide clinical supervision to student social workers as well as those seeking clinical licensure as well as attending ongoing clinical training. She is certified in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Level II.

By staying engaged in direct service, she brings a rare combination of leadership-level perspective and clinical insight. Her ability to balance compassion with strategic rigor makes her particularly well-suited for board service. She brings thoughtful oversight, a strong equity lens, and a steadfast commitment to ethical leadership.

JANE ADDAMS DISTRICT CHAIR (Two-year term)

Patrice Bonner, MSW, LSW, (she/her) is a community-based mental health clinician on a Crisis Response Team with over three years of experience in community mental health. Her work centers on trauma-informed care and community-based services, supporting individuals and families during times of acute stress and instability. Patrice is known for her compassionate, client-centered approach and her commitment to helping families achieve long-term stability. She currently serves in the community where she was born and raised and is passionate about empowering others through education and advocacy. In addition to her crisis work, Patrice has spent the past year working part-time as a virtual EAP Counselor, providing accessible mental health support to employees and their families.

SOUTHERN DISTRICT CHAIR (Two-year term)

Staci M. Knox, LMSW, LCSW, (she/her) serves as manager of psychological services at OSF Saint Anthony Health Services in Alton, IL, where she leads a department of more than 10 staff (therapists, counselors, support personnel) providing individual and group therapy programs. She has more than 17 years of experience working with individuals, couples, and families in New York, and as a licensed therapist in Missouri and Illinois. In addition to providing psychotherapy and serving in leadership positions, her special interests encompass working with children and adults who have experienced trauma, family violence, food insecurity, poverty, impact of addiction on systems, foster care, criminal justice reform and cultural competence. As a lifelong learner, Staci has completed numerous specialized post-graduate trainings and enjoys keeping abreast of research and active work in the social work field. Staci served as the Long Island Division Director for National Association of Social Workers, New York State Chapter from 2011–2013, which included a position on the board of directors.