Ballots will be sent to all NASW NH Members on April 28th via email.
Vice President
April Mariska
Being a member of NASW has supported my career across multiple states, providing professional guidance with the support of an established community of professionals. NH NASW further offered many opportunities to be an active member, as I am involved with the Celebration Committee and Social & Legislative Action Committee, with previous commitments on the JEDI committee and former Social Media Committee. Over the past two years as a board member at large, I’ve enjoyed having a more active role in supporting social workers and advocating for the needs of our communities. I endeavor to take an even more active role as vice president to give back to the social work community. For this role, I offer the resources, organizational knowledge, and collaborative skills I’ve developed as a social worker at New Hampshire Hospital, an adjunct at Plymouth State University, and 20 years of membership with NASW.
Secretary
Emily Krueger
My name is Emily Krueger. I have been a member of NASW since 2018 and was elected as a BSW Student Representative from Plymouth State University. I have since earned my MSW from the University of New England and have been acting NASW NH Secretary for the past couple of years. I have thoroughly enjoyed my position and am thrilled to have the opportunity to remain on the Board. I enjoy working with like-minded Social Workers and being up to date on the pieces of the Social Work field that I don't get to interact directly with in my job. I now work in the adult shelter at the Upper Valley Haven, where I support guests in finding permanent housing, accessing services in the community, and otherwise supporting their wellbeing.
Board Members at Large (3 positions)
Deborah Ingalls
I am running for At-Large Board Member and I would be honored to be elected. I recently retired from the State of Connecticut Public Defender's Office. My partner and I chose to retire to New Hampshire to be closer to family. I was actively involved with the NASW CT chapter for a number of years until work and family commitments caused me to step away. Now that I am retired I want to become actively involved again with NASW. Being a newcomer to New Hampshire I have a lot to learn about social work needs in New Hampshire. As an At-Large Board Member I would be able to get a better understanding and advocate for New Hampshire residents who are in need of social work services. If elected I promise to be an active and effective Board Member.
Sarah Merrigan
I am a resident therapist at PCS Counseling in Manchester, NH providing outpatient therapy to children, teens and adults. I received my MSW from the Boston College School of Social Work and have been a member of the NASW since 2011. I have served as cochair of the NASW NH Children’s Issues Committee since 2019 and as a Board Member at Large since 2020. I am committed to advancing the needs and interests of the Chapter and it would be an honor to continue to serve on the Board as a Member at Large.
Jorge Santana
Jorge has a masters in social work and has spent the last decade working in program development and redesign. He began this important work as the program director of Friends of Children Boston and Build Boston then as the executive director of Pace Career Academy Charter School. At Pace he was able to grow the program from 15 students to nearly 70 in 3 short years. Jorge has been part of a team which recently received approval to start a new school, with a focus on truly integrating social work and education. Jorge brings his systemic lens to the NASW NH Chapter, Juvenile Justice Reform Council, Juvenile Probation Board, UNH advisory board, and many other committees. He has a passion for helping young people reach their full potential by creating a supportive and nurturing environment. His goal would be to continue to represent the NASW as a board member to these other boards and councils, in order to raise awareness. He would also like to continue the work around Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, connecting the work with other groups through the state working on diversity and equity issues. He looks forward to the opportunity to continue to serve as an at large member of the NASW NH chapter.
Meredith Young
I am honored to have the opportunity to work with NASW NH on behalf of our state’s social workers. I am a 2011 graduate of UNH’s MSW program. I spent 11 years in program development, grantmaking, and fundraising with Granite United Way, leaving the organization in 2022 as their Chief Impact Officer. I began teaching as an adjunct with UNH’s Social Work Department in 2014, and I joined the faculty fulltime there last fall. In my role with the university, I lead our Substance Use Disorder Graduate Certificate and teach courses in social welfare policy, program and practice evaluation, and community organizing. If selected for the NASW NH Board of Directors, I hope to support the organization’s efforts to advocate for key social welfare policies at the state level, as well as encourage integration of efforts across programs, organizations, and disciplines to holistically meet the needs of Granite Staters.
MSW UNH student
Victoria Munoz
My bachelor's degree in Sociology and Political Science from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts has provided me with the critical thinking, research, and advocacy skills needed to enter the social work field. Prior to starting my MSW at UNH, I worked in a community mental health role with children and families in homes, schools, and other community settings. I now work in the research department at the same community mental health center. This year I am participating in the NH-ME Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program. This internship has helped me refine my passion for social justice for women, children, and families. I think I would be well-suited for the MSW Student Representative role due to my interest in addressing complex systemic issues by drawing on research, policy, and clinical practice.
BSW PSU Student- voting
Oliver Fraser
Having worked in childcare for a few years and meeting social workers both through work and firsthand experiences, I became interested in learning how I could better help the people I was working with. I began my studies at UNH Durham before transferring to Plymouth State University where I am currently pursuing a BSW. I think the student representative position would provide me with a wonderful opportunity to gain a firsthand perspective on macro social work, as well as connect with prominent social workers in my state. I hope that as a student representative, I can provide a new and unique perspective in discussions that is still representative of my peers.
BSW UNH Student- non-voting
Jenna Bagdasarian
As a social work student at the University of New Hampshire, I would be a good candidate as a board member during my last few years at UNH. This is because I would bring a fresh, unique perspective to the board. Through my experience working with children through many educational settings, I find myself to be adjusting to their needs and learning through experience. I work incredibly hard through my studies and would love to bring the things I learn in my lectures and work experience to the board. As well as my own experience having just been in high school and working with the school on how to better support students who experience mental health issues and poverty.