TheCaliforniaSocialWorkHallofDistinctionisan undertakingoftheCaliforniaSocialWelfareArchives, whichmaintainsitspermanentcollectionattheUSC libraries.Formedin1979,theCSWAobtainsand preservesmaterialsreflectingthedevelopmentofsocial welfareprogramsinCaliforniaandconductsand publishesoralhistoryinterviewswithsocialworkleaders. ThisuniquecollectionofCaliforniasocialwelfarehistory, supportedbytheUSCSuzanneDworak-PeckSchoolof SocialWorkandUSCSpecialCollections,ishousedinthe DohenyMemorialLibraryattheUniversityofSouthern Californiaandhasbeenvisitedbyscholarsfrom throughoutthecountry.Thedigitallibraryofrecorded interviewsandpresentationsisonlineandavailabletoall atTheCSWADigitalLibrary.
Gary Bess Co-Chair
Nancy Lim-Yee ViceChair
James Kelly Member
Wendy Ashley Member
Kimberly Warmsley Member
David Foster Co-Chair
Suzanne Dworak-Peck Member
Peter Lee Member
Victor Manalo Member
Catharine Ralph Member
Anita Harbert Member
Maurice Hudson CSWAPresident
Welcome Hon.VictorManalo
Welcome Song TeresinaObie
Opening Remarks MauriceHudson
Christina Wong PresentedbyJanleeWong
Alan Wong PresentedbyRev.HarryChuck
Mark Courtney PresentedbyDanielWebster
Merris Obie PresentedbyTeresinaObie
Acknowledgements MauriceHudson
GustavoRangel PresentedbySilvioLugo
Dac Viet Vu PresentedbyWilmaLouise
Kris Perry PresentedbyScottShafer
Closing Remarks Hon.VictorManalo
2002
RosterofInductees RosterofInductees
EmoryBogardus
ZdenkaBuben
GardnerBullis
MiltonChernin
NorrisClass
ArlienJohnson
JoeMaldonado
BiddyMason
GeorgeD Nickel
GeorgeNishinaka
LydiaRapoport
CharlesSchottland
2003
BobBenedetto
ThomasBrigham
GenevieveCarter
MarthaChickering
AlFeldman
WalterFriedlander
HarryKitano
MargaritaMendez
MaryO’Day
ElizabethRobinson
VirginiaSatir
HarrySpecht
2004
BerniceAugenbraun
ElsieHerman
RoseKleiner
DorothyMiller
RoyalMorales
EffieRobinson
LorenzoTraylor
2005
ChaunceyAlexander
DanaBartlett
MarsenaBuck
FrancesLomasFeldman
MaryJuliaWorkman
MyldredJones
AnitaMackey
FaustinaSolis
ErnestWitte
2007
DianaMingChan
SimonDominguez
RichardFord
LillianHyatt
MariannePennekamp
JohnWax
2008
NathanCohen
MauriceHamovitch
JamesKarls
MarieMcNabola
HelenNorthen
PatriciaPickford
KurtReichert
MariaSardinas
BeverlyYip
2009
ManuelF.Fimbres
JeffJue
BenJ.Kelley
PercyH.Steele,Jr.
KunitakeMorganYamanaka
2010
TessieA Cleveland
JeanneM Giovannoni
JohnG Milner
JimYukihiroMiyano
DoloresI Rodriguez
BarbaraJ Solomon
JohnM Wedemeyer,Jr
2011
RichardMasatoAoki
RonaldV Dellums
HermanGallegos
EdNathan
JaniceKayO’Donnell
KermitT Wiltse
2012
HelenBoardman
TeresaDeCrescenzo
CelesteStrackKaplan
ConsueloGomezLopez
RinoJ.Patti
AnnShaw
2013
Sai-LingChuChan-Sew
IsmaelDieppa
BarbaraLee
JoeSolis
JudithWallerstein
MarikoYamada
2014
L GeorgiDiStefano
MarilynL Flynn
MarilynMontenegro
AlexJ Norman
HelenRamirez
FernandoM Torres-Gil
2015
SandraBaker
EllenRussellDunbar
NancyA.Humphreys
TerryJones
KenjiMurase
RichardO Salsgiver
2016
JanetE Black
HowardH Carey
DavidKuroda
JaneKurohara
ArmandoTorresMorales
TerrenceJ Roberts
2017
DoreenDer-McLeod
BerniceCatherineHarper
RebeccaAliciaLopez
KenKaoruNakamura
BarbaraNeedell
BennyMaxParrish
2018
Wilfred“Bill”Coggins
KathleenKubota
Dr.JohnOliver
YasukoSakamoto
JuneSimmons
DianeTakvorian
2019
SalvadorE.Alvarez
PeterA.Breen
BenjaminCuellar
JewelleTaylorGibbs
JamesMidgley
LindaL Wang
2020
ShirleyJBetter
JillianJimenez
Robert“Bob”Ketch
AnnetteSmith
TetsuSugi
MonikaWhite
MarleenWong
2021
GaryBess
Chia-ChiaChien
BartGrossman
E JaneMiddleton
LillianIidaMatsumoto
VirginiaRonderoHernandez
JanleeWong
2023
JorjaLeap
JacquelynMcCroskey
JosephA Nunn
SiyonRhee
ArturoRodriguez
2024
MerrisObie
KrisPerry
MarkCourtney
GustavoRangel
AlanWong
DacVietVu
ChristinaWong
Anaccomplishedseniorexecutiveandinfluentialadvocateinbothgovernmentandnonprofitsectors, KrisPerryhasdedicatedhercareertosignificantlyimprovinglivesthroughheightenedinvestmentsin earlychildhoodeducation.Leveragingablendofpublicrelations,governmentrelations,andstrategic communications,Perrymasterfullyledpowerfulgrassrootsandgrass-topscampaignsacrosslocal, state,andfederallevels.Perry'spersonalandprofessionalexperiencesreflectadeepcommitmentto socialjusticeandstrongadvocacyforchildrenandfamilies.Throughherleadership,strategicinsight, andrelentlessadvocacy,shehasplayedatransformativeroleinshapingpoliciesthatenhancethewellbeingandfutureofchildrenandfamilies,notjustinCalifornia,butacrossthenation.
AstheExecutiveDirectoroftheChildrenandScreensInstituteofDigitalMediaandChild Developmentsince2022,Perrydirectspivotalresearchinitiativesandpolicydevelopmentfocusedon theimpactofdigitalmediaonchilddevelopment.Arecognizedspokespersonfortheearlychildhood movement,Perryhasdeliveredcompellingpresentationsthroughmajormediaoutletssuchas MSNBC,CNN,NBC,andNPR.
Previously,Perryworkedinpublicchildwelfareindirectandsupervisoryroles,andwasavaluedfield instructorforseveralBayAreaschoolsofsocialwork.Morerecently,sheservedastheDeputy SecretaryandSeniorAdvisorattheOfficeoftheGovernorintheCaliforniaHealthandHuman ServicesAgency(2019-2022),whichdevelopedastatewideinauguralmasterplanforearlylearning andcare.AsasenioradvisortoGovernorGavinNewsom,Perrywasinstrumentalinimplementing earlychildhooddevelopmentinitiatives,effectivelymanaginglargefederalgrantstosupportpreschool programsandbroadenpolicyandbudgetproposalsthatenhancechildandfamilydevelopment.
In2018,PerrywasPresidentoftheSavetheChildrenActionNetwork(SCAN)inWashington,DC, leadingthepoliticalactionarmofthatorganizationandspearheadingstrategiesthatinfluencedearly educationinvestmentsatbothstateandfederallevels.Whilethere,Perrylaunchedcomprehensive grassrootsmobilizationandgovernmentrelationscampaignstoensureaccesstohigh-qualityearly learningopportunitiesforeverychildintheU.S.
In2013,afterfiveyearsworkingitswaythroughthecourts,Perrywasthenamedplaintiffinthe landmarkU.S.SupremeCourtdecisioninHollingsworthv.Perry,acasethatrestoredmarriage equalityforallCaliforniaresidents.Followingthatvictory,shebecametheExecutiveDirectorofthe FirstFiveYearsFundinWashington,DC,directingateamofpolicy,advocacy,andcommunications stafftoalignthegoalsofmajorphilanthropicfunderswithfederalinitiativesaimedatexpandingand improvinginvestmentsinearlyeducation.
Earlierinhercareer,PerryservedastheExecutiveDirectorofFirst5California(2005-2012),and FirstFiveLosAngeles,whereundertheleadershipofnotablefiguressuchasRobReiner,herpivotal effortsinstigatedgroundbreakingprogramsthatstillsupportCalifornia’schildrenbyleveragingearly interventioninitiativesfundedbya1998voter-approvedtobaccotax.
AlanWongwastheepitomeofaprofessionalsocialworkerwhoengagedinmissionandvisionthrough hisrolesassocialjusticechampion,changeagent,policyadvocate,educator,andpractitioner.His lifetimeofworkmetallconsiderationsforinductionintotheHallofDistinction.
WongearnedbothhisBAinsocialworkin1958andhisMSWin1974fromwhatisnowSan FranciscoStateUniversity.Hemodeledcivicengagementthroughhisserviceinpublicofficeandthe USmilitary.Hebecamealeaderineconomicdevelopmentandpoliticalempowermentthrough grassrootsactivitieswithinSanFrancisco’sChineseAmericancommunity.Heengagedsignificantlyin city-widepartnershipswithothercommunitiesregardingeducation,localfundingforschools, advocacyforwomenandminority-ownedsmallbusinesses,affordablehousingdevelopment,job trainingandpoliticalorganizing.HisworkalwaysincludedtherecognitionofhisguidanceofGod,the presenceofhisChristianfamily,aswellasmanyindividualsofdifferentfaithtraditionsandpractices.
WongwasaChineseAmericanactivistwhousedhiscommunity,political,andfaith-basednetworksto advancewell-beingandcivilrights.Inthe1950sand1960s,hewasinstrumentalinmovingthe NationalConferenceofChineseAmericanChurchestojointheWaronPoverty.Helinkedhisefforts asanAsianAmericanleaderwiththeBlackStudentUniontolaunchtheThirdWorldLiberation Front’sstrikeatSanFranciscoStatein1968,markingthebeginningoftheAsianAmerican Movement.Aspartofthoseprotestefforts,Wongwasarrestedwhiledemandingtheestablishmentof anethnicstudiesdepartment.Suchstudentempowermentofethniccommunitiesledtotheoriginofthe firstAsianAmericanStudiescollegedepartmentinthenation.Later,Wongbecameanadjunct professoratSanFranciscoStateandHaywardStateUniversities,teachingthesubjectmatterhis workhadbroughtforth.
Wong’seffortsenabledhimtolaunchorstrengthenseveralprogramsandinitiativessuchastheAsian League,theChinatown-NorthBeachCreditUnion,ChineseCulturalCenter,Self-Helpforthe Elderly,andtheChineseHospital.Healsochallengedoppressivesystemsandstereotypestocombat gangviolence,gambling,andpovertyintheChinatowncommunity.Hismanyformalleadership positionsincluded:ExecutiveDirectorofSelf-HelpfortheElderly,theChinatownYMCA, ChinatownEconomicEnterprise,andasaSanFranciscoCommunityCollegeCommissioner.His politicalandpolicyinfluencesincluded:BoardMemberforSanFranciscoCommunityCollege (electedandalsoappointedbyMayorDianneFeinstein),PresidentoftheSanFranciscoChinese AmericanDemocraticClub,andResearchandEvaluationAssistantforRonDellums’sSanFrancisco EconomicOpportunityCouncil.HewasalsoappointedtovariousorganizationssuchastheSan FranciscoSocialServicesDepartment,SanFranciscoCommissiononAging,andSanFrancisco’s CouncilofChurches.
TheimpactofWong’saccomplishmentswastrulyunique,ground-breaking,andextraordinary,given hisactivityduringtheCivilRightsera,importanthistoricalperiodsoflocalandstatepolitics,and attentiontotheneedsofAsianAmericansaswellasothermarginalizedandoppressedcommunities.
MarkE.Courtney,anesteemedscholarinthefieldofsocialwelfare,hasdedicatedhiscareerto enhancingthelivesofchildrenandyouth,particularlythoseinthefostercaresystem.Witha distinguishededucationalbackground,heearnedaB.A.inSocialSciencefromtheUniversityof California,Berkeley,followedbyanM.A.inClinicalPsychologyfromJohnF.KennedyUniversity. HelaterachievedanM.S.W.andaPh.D.fromtheSchoolofSocialWelfareatUCBerkeley,where hisdissertationfocusedonthereunificationofCaliforniafosterchildrenwiththeirfamilies.
CourtneynowholdsthetitleofSamuelDeutschProfessorEmeritusattheSchoolofSocialService Administration,UniversityofChicago,andheco-directstheTransition-AgeYouthResearchand EvaluationHub(TAY-Hub)atUCBerkeley.Hisresearchhasbeeninfluential,asevidencedbyhis inclusioninthetop2%ofallscientistsworldwide,rankingsixthamongover7,000socialwork scholars,basedonlifetimeandsingle-yearcitationsinpeer-reviewedpublications.Hisworkhas receivednumerousaccolades,includingthe2020ArticleoftheYearAwardfromtheJournalofPublic ChildWelfare,andthe2015DistinguishedCareerAchievementAwardfromtheSocietyforSocial WorkandResearch
Courtney’spublicationrecordisextensiveandincludesbooksandnumerousarticlesandedited volumesthatexplorethedynamicsofchildwelfareservices,theimpactofmanagedcare,andracial disproportionalitywithinthesystem.Hisrecentresearcheffortsfocusontheexperiencesand outcomesofyoungpeopletransitioningfromcare,aimingtoimprovetheirearlyadultoutcomes throughsustainedsupportiverelationships.
Courtney'scareerisnotonlymarkedbyacademicachievementsbutalsobyhispracticalinvolvement inchildwelfarepolicydevelopment.Hisresearch,includingtheMidwestStudyandtheCalifornia YouthTransitionstoAdulthoodStudy,hashadadirectimpactonpolicyandpracticeacrossthe UnitedStates.Hisworkhasinformedfederallegislationandcontributedtotheimplementationof extendedfostercareprogramsinmultiplestates,benefitingcountlessyouth.
Anactivememberofseveralacademicandprofessionalcommunities,Courtneyisafellowofthe AmericanAcademyofSocialWorkandSocialWelfareandtheSocietyforSocialWorkand Research.Hisleadershipandadvocacyeffortshavesignificantlyshapedpublicchildwelfarepolicies andpractice,earninghimrecognitionfromnationalorganizationsandmakinghimabelovedmentor andleaderinthesocialworkeducationcommunity.
Overall,Courtney'sillustriouscareerreflectshisdeepcommitmenttoimprovingthewelfareof childrenandyoungadultsthroughrigorousresearch,policyinfluence,anddedicatedadvocacy,leaving anindelibleimpactonthefieldofsocialworkandthelivesofmany.
Merris D. Obie is a highly-respected Child Welfare Operations Administrator for the Karuk Tribe of northwestern California, with over two decades of extensive experience in program management, grant writing, and policy development, primarily with local tribal governments. With a specialized certification as a Chemical Dependency Counselor, she has a profound understanding of the complexities involved in chemical dependency treatment and case management practices.
Her leadership and managerial capabilities are evident through her history of successfully applying for and managing substantial agency grants and budgets, ranging up to $6,000,000, and overseeing staff of up to 60 people in tightly-knit communities. Obie's approach is deeply influenced by decolonization, culture- and trauma-informed strategies, particularly in her work with tribal communities. There, she has focused on child welfare, youth violence prevention, program development, and drug and alcohol prevention programs.
Obie's commitment and contributions to her field have not gone unnoticed. She has been recognized by significant national figures: former First Lady Hillary Clinton honored her at the White House as one of only two Outstanding Native American Women Managers during the Honoring of Indigenous Women of America ceremonies in 1999, and in 2020, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg hosted her as a guest of the Supreme Court. She maintains consultative ties with Yurok tribal court judge Abby Abinanti.
As an enrolled member of the Yurok nation and with extensive lived experience, Obie possesses deeprooted connections and understanding of the local tribal governments in her northwest corner of California, which include several indigenous lineages. Her academic journey, including a BA and an MSW from CSU-Humboldt (now Cal Poly Humboldt), was richly integrated with studies of the cultural and historical origins of the indigenous peoples of California’s Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity, and Siskiyou counties.
During her tenure as a student member of the NASW-CA Chapter board in the early 2000s, Obie was instrumental in educating her board colleagues about significant tribal traditions. There, she was pivotal in establishing the Chapter’s annual Bird Woman Scholarship program for indigenous social work students, a legacy that continues to support social work education and awareness, and advance career opportunities statewide for indigenous students.
Raised on the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation and hailing from the village of Katamiin, Obie possesses first-hand knowledge of the challenges and cultural significance faced by tribes in her locality, including the Hoopa, Yurok, Karuk, Wiyot, and Tolowa nations. Her personal experiences and professional expertise align to make her a formidable advocate and leader in her community, dedicated to enhancing the welfare and recognition of tribal peoples through her compassionate and culturally informed work.
GustavoRangelisadistinguishedsocialworkerandformerUnitedStatesMarinewhohasdedicated hiscareertoservinghiscommunityandcountrywithunwaveringdedicationandcompassion.His journeyofservicebeganimmediatelyafterhighschoolwhenhejoinedtheMarineCorps,servingfrom 2001to2009asasquadleader.Duringhistenure,Rangelwasdeployedfivetimes,includingfour toursinIraq,experiencesthatnotonlytestedhisresolvebutalsohonedhisleadershipandcrisis managementskills.Followinghishonorabledischarge,Rangeltransitionedtoacareerpreparation thatwouldallowhimtocontinuehisserviceindifferentcapacities.
HepursuedhighereducationatSanDiegoStateUniversity,earningaBAdegreeinCriminalJustice, followedbyaMasterofSocialWork,andlater,statelicensure.Theseacademicandcareer achievementsequippedhimwitharobustfoundationtopositivelyimpactliveswithinthefostercare andcriminaljusticesystems.Rangelislaudedforhisexceptionalpost-militaryleadershipasanethical socialworkerservingmarginalizedindividuals,supportingfosteryouth,confrontingorganizational racism,anddivertingarrestedpeoplefromtheharmfuleffectsofincarceration.Hisearlylived experienceinadisadvantagedcommunityinstilledinhimalivelyappreciationofwhatdifficulties peoplefacewhentheymakelife-alteringchoices.
Since2019,RangelhasbeeninstrumentalasaPretrialServicesOfficerfortheUSDistrictCourt.In thisrole,heassiststhecourtwithbailinvestigationsandsupervisesindividualsreleasedonbailwithin thecommunity.Heisdeeplyinvolvedinthecourt’salternatives-to-incarcerationprograms,addressing thewhole-personneedsofindividualswhohavenotrespondedtotraditionalsupervisioninterventions. Inthisposition,RangelalsopioneeredandexpandedtheMSWForensicStudentInternshipProgram, atestamenttohiscommitmenttorecruitingandmentoringthenextgenerationofsocialworkers.This programprovidesinvaluablepaidhands-onexperienceandguidancetostudents,enhancingtheir abilitytoserveeffectivelywhilecontributingtotheimprovementofprogramservicedelivery.
Earlier,RangelworkedattheSiliconValleyLawFoundationasasocialworkerintheirLegal AdvocatesforChildrenandYouthdivision,supportingyoungpeopleandfamiliesastheynavigatedthe fostercaresystem.Awell-roundedprofessional,Rangel’sexperiencealsoincludedrolesatUplift FamilyServicesandattheMarineCorpsCommunityServicesatitsRecruitDepotinSanDiego, wherehewasinvolvedinSubstanceAbuseCounselingandPersonalandProfessionalDevelopment departments.
Throughhisprofessionalrolesandevenpersonalengagementssuchascoachinglittleleaguebaseball, Rangelembodiesleadershipandcommitmenttoservice,utilizinghisextensiveexperiencetoinfluence andtransformlivesinprofoundlyimpactfulways.Hisinnovativeapproachtosocialworkand programdevelopmentcontinuallyenhancesthesupportsystemsforindividualsfacingsignificant challenges,makingmeasurabledifferencesinthelivesofthoseheserves.
DacVietVuisadistinguishedsocialworkerwhoseimpactfulcareerbeganintheearly1970s.Vu relocatedtoSanFrancisco,wherehiscontributionstothecommunityandvaluetotheCity’s CommunityMentalHealthDepartmentearnedhimalifetimeachievementaward.There,heworked withyouthandfamilies,specializinginmentalhealthservicesandtreatmentforimmigrantsand refugees,particularlythosefromSoutheastAsiancountries.
BorninNorthVietnamin1931,VuearnedalawdegreeattheUniversityofSaigonbutleftduringthe firstexodusthatwaspromptedbythedivisionofVietnambytheParisAccord.Vubecameself-taught inEnglishandlatersecuredascholarshiptostudyforeignpolitics.Hisacademicpursuitsledhimto specializeininternationalrelations,earningaMasterofArtsinPoliticalSciencefromSanDiego StateUniversity.In1970,hereturnedtohiscountryandjoinedtheVietnamDiplomaticCorps;in early1972,hewasassignedtoJapanasaculturaleducationattaché.ThereattheEmbassy,he managedalltheculturalexchangeaffairsofVietnamesepeopleinJapan,andJapanesepeople interestedintraveltoVietnam,suchasstudentvisas,businessventures,andmusicandlanguage events.HisservicewasrecognizedinaformalphotographicportraitwiththeJapaneseEmperorand consularstaff.
TheendoftheVietnamWarin1975markedasignificantturninVu'slife.Heemigratedpermanently totheUnitedStateswithhisfamily,Therehefacedthechallengeofadaptingtoanewsocietyalong withmanyotherVietnameseimmigrants.OnceagaininCaliforniaandafterrecognizingtheneedto assisthisfellowcountrymenintheirtransitiontoAmericanlife,heearnedanMSWaftertakingnight coursesatSanFranciscoStateUniversity.Beginningtoworkforthecity’sDepartmentofCommunity MentalHealthServices,Chinatown/NorthBeachServicesbranch,heappliedhisdeepunderstanding ofculturalnuancesandinternationalrelationstohisnewroles.Whilethere,heearnedhisLCSW licenseandcontinuedtoprovidecriticallyneededskillstothelocalimmigrantcommunities.After19 yearsinthatdepartment,VuwasawardedaCertificateofAppreciationfromtheCityofSan Franciscotomarkhisvaluedcontributions.
InSanFrancisco,Vudedicatedhimselftohisfamilyofhiswifeandelevenchildren.Hemadehis careerasacityemployeewhereheplayedacrucialroleduringtheinfluxofVietnameseimmigrants. HiseffortswerenotonlyinstrumentalinhelpingmanyfamiliesintegrateintoAmericansocietybut alsohighlightedforhiscolleaguestheongoingandsignificantchallengesanddisparitiesfacedby immigrants.
Vu’sdedicationtohiscommunityandhisprofoundimpactonsocialworkhavebeenrecognizedand celebratedbyothers,cementinghislegacyasacompassionateandeffectiveleaderinsocialservices. WenowcommithisaccomplishmentstomemoryinourSocialWorkHallofDistinction.Hiswork hasleftalastingimpressiononthelivesofmany,ensuringthatimmigrantsandtheirfamiliescontinue toreceivethesupporttheyneedtothriveinanewenvironment.
Christina Wong established herself as a highly accomplished and dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a practitioner and policy change agent with over three decades of experience, primarily in mental health services and social work education. Throughout her career, Wong demonstrated an unwavering commitment to enhancing the well-being of individuals and families, both nationally and internationally, with her expertise in counseling, program development, and strategic policy advocacy. She has also contributed to the establishment of NASW membership and leadership as important in the professional lives of her students and colleagues.
Educationally, Wong earned her MA in Social Work from the University of Hull in the United Kingdom, after completing a Diploma in Social Work at Hong Kong Shue Yan College. She is fluent in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, all of which enhance her ability to serve and advocate effectively with diverse Asian American communities.
Wong's professional journey is marked by significant leadership roles, highlighted by her 10year tenure as the LCSW Member of the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, appointed successively by Governors Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom. Serving there from 2011 to 2021, she played a pivotal role in advancing major regulatory changes that improved consumer protections and license portability for mental health professionals, helping the board move from talking to doing. This included long-needed attention to streamlining the licensing process for applicants from other states and improving continuing education requirements to ensure high-quality mental health treatment statewide. Her efforts in this capacity earned national recognition, particularly at the Association of Social Work Boards annual meetings, where she shared insights from California's experiences to assist other states in implementing similar improvements.
In her roles at the Glenn County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), Wong was a Senior Mental Health Counselor from 2002, she coordinated children’s mental health care. Since August 2010, she has overseen a variety of mental health programs and grants, demonstrating a profound capacity for strategic planning and budget oversight. Her leadership extends to developing critical initiatives such as a behavioral health internship program. She served social work students from Cal State Chico University for many years, earning a 2015 Field Instructor of the Year award, and a 2013 NASW California Chapter Chico Unit Social Worker of the Year honor. This honor reflected on her exceptional contributions to the field and her effectiveness as an educator and mentor to emerging social workers.
Her background also includes impactful roles internationally, notably as Dean of Student Affairs and MSW Program Coordinator at Hong Kong Shue Yan College, linking Eastern and Western perspectives in social work education and practice.
In addition to her full-time roles, Ms. Wong continues to impact the field as a mental health therapist with Empathia Pacific, Inc. Her dynamic career is a testament to her skillful integration of clinical expertise, educational endeavors, and policy advocacy to improve the mental health landscape.
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Cal State East Bay San Jose State University
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Nancy Lim Yee
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UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare
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CONGRATULATIONS KRIS PERRY
Congratulations Kris! When you aren't busy inspiring others, you inspire us. From parenting five children, to restoring marriage equality in California by overturning Prop 8 in Perry v Schwarzenegger, you continue to do the hard work of making the world a better place. We are so proud of you for winning this award, and honored to be in your family. We love you!
In Honor Of This Year’s Inductees
SchnebergLawPracticewouldlike tocongratulatethisyear’sinductees:
MARKCOURTNEY
ALANWONG
MERRISOBIE
KRISPERRY
DACVIETVU
GUSTAVORANGEL
CHRISTINAWONG
FIGHTINGFORJUSTICE,TOGETHER
Congratulations to the California Social Work Hall of Distinction Class of 2024 Inductees.
We are proud that Alan Wong, former Executive Director of the Chinatown YMCA, is selected for this honor.
Thank you to all those who contributed to our student engagement fund for this year’s Induction Ceremony!
Partners in Care Foundation is proud to congratulate the inductees for their efforts to promote and uplift social welfare in the profession of social work.
These dedicated professionals transform lives and uplift our most vulnerable communities across the nation. Partners addresses the social determinants of health by aligning social care and healthcare Our vision is a world where every person has equitable access to affordable high-quality health and social care. Join us in making a lasting impact. To learn more, visit Partners in Care Foundation at www.picf.org
Know an outstanding social worker whose work deserves recognition in the California Social Work Hall of Distinction? Submit a nomination!
Nominees must have an MSW to be considered for induction.
Northern California residents are inducted in even-numbered years.
Southern California residents are inducted in odd-numbered years.
Step 1:
See website or packet for detailed guidelines and procedure. Visit swarchive.org/nominations or request a physical nomination packet.
Step 2:
Step 3:
Procure a CV, letters of recommendation, and other evidence of the nominee’s impact.
Submit your materials by January 15th to be considered for that calendar year!
Sight and Sound Audio Visual
Bay Field Floral
Frank Jang Photography
Catering at Marriott Oakland City Centre
A special thank you to all our volunteers, including the NASW-CA
API Social Work Council, CSWA Board and committee members, and student volunteers at USC, UC Berkely, and Cal State Northridge's AAPI Social Work Collective
