President
Carol Sobelson
After graduating from Boston College, I attended Columbia University School of Social Work. I moved to Concord in 1984, I taught at Connecticut University School of Social Work on the Concord campus while maintaining a private practice. Although I do not teach at the present time, I maintained a private practice in NH for over 40 years and I recently retired in May 2020. I have had the honor to participating on many nonprofit boards over the years : The Circle Program, a non profit organization for disadvantaged young girls in NH through a residential summer camp and year-round mentoring program, CATCH (Concord Area Trust for Community Housing) a non profit that creates affordable workforce housing in the Concord area, and currently Riverbend CMHC and NASW NH. Living in Concord has allowed me to remain active on board projects and being able to attend legislative hearings on issues that effect NH citizens as well as social workers in our state. Over the last 7 years during my tenure on the NASW NH board, I have enjoyed being a part of a vibrant organization. It is my hope to continue my commitment to NASW NH as President elect . The prior presidents have mentored me well by their dedication to social issues and their investments towards making NASW NH a powerful and influential organization in our state. I am honored to work alongside a group of highly talented and skilled social workers on the NASW NH board. My colleagues and I strive to enhance professional growth and development through offering professional learning opportunities sponsored by our chapter, create and maintain professional standards for social workers, and to advance sound social policies in our state. My investment in working on the board has become a highlight of my professional career.
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Vice President
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Kevin Keefe, LICSW, CAI is the Chief of Service Excellence & Compliance with WestBridge, which means he is the Chief of first impressions and assures that WestBridge is in compliance with ethical standards as well as internal and external regulatory requirements. Having worked at WestBridge for more than 16 years, he has utilized his skills in almost every department of WestBridge. He is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), a Certified ARISE Interventionist (CAI), Trainer & Intern Supervisor as well as a NAMI-trained Connect-Suicide Prevention trainer. Kevin supports WestBridge in direct clinical care & family work, as a member of Leadership, and in overseeing all licensing, compliance, and facility management for WestBridge. Kevin believes in the power of Social Work and has supported the supervision of social workers for over 20 years. As a Social Worker, Certified ARISE Interventionist and Connect-Suicide Prevention trainer, Kevin understands and values that connections allow for greater protection and wellness for individuals, families and communities.
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Secretary
Emily Krueger, MSW Emily has been a member of the NH NASW since 2016, she was previously a Student Board Member when she was a second-year student at Plymouth State University, and is now very excited to be on the NH NASW Board again, now as Secretary. Emily attended the Advanced Standing MSW program at the University of New England in Portland, ME where she received the Training in Aging Diversity (TRIAD) stipend to pursue an interest in the aging population. She graduated in May 2020. Prior to graduate school, Emily received her BSW in May 2019 from Plymouth State University with a minor in Gerontology. Emily is currently employed as a Service Coordinator at the Upper Valley Haven in White River Junction, VT. The Upper Valley Haven helps individuals of all ages, as well as families who are experiencing homelessness become connected to community resources, shelter and food. Emily is proud to say she works at the Haven and is enthused that this is where she is starting her social work career.
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At Large
Courtney Porter, MSW Courtney currently works as the School Social Worker in Claremont, New Hampshire. As the first to hold this position in her school district, Courtney has used her 17 years of experience as an educator to work with other school professionals to create a program that brings social work services and supports to the students and families of her community. Courtney also serves as the President of the New Hampshire School Social Workers Association.After graduating with the first cohort of online MSW students at UNH in 2016, Courtney immediately enrolled in the M.Ed program. Courtney enjoys volunteering in her community and currently serves as the Vice President of the Kiwanis Club of Claremont.
Jorge Santana, MSW Jorge Santana, MSW, is the Executive Director at PACE Career Charter High School and has been serving youth and families for two decades. His years of direct experience with mentoring, child welfare, in-home therapy, and crisis response informs his innovative and adaptive approach to programming and community building. Jorge specializes in helping organizations with unique models overcome the obstacles they face and fulfill their mission and potential. A strong believer in leadership development for both his teams and those he serves, Jorge's ultimate goal is to work himself out of a job.
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Gina Apgar, MSW UNH Gina Apgar is a graduate social work student at the University of New Hampshire. She earned an associate degree in Early Childhood Education, a bachelor’s in Human Service and Early Childhood Development, and recently completed the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program. Gina has over 12 years’ experience working with diverse populations in the fields of early education and human services. She has held roles in early education, home visiting, family support, and advocacy. She is focused on cultivating resilience and improving systems of care to promote optimal outcomes for children and families, with a particular interest in adverse childhood experiences.
Sarah Merrigan, LCSW Sarah received her MSW from the Boston College School of Social Work and has been a
member of the NASW since 2011. As a clinician, Sarah has worked with children and families
in crisis, as well as adults in an outpatient setting. Sarah has served as co-chair of the NASW
NH Children’s Issues Committee since 2019. In September, Sarah will begin working as a
Postgraduate Resident at PCS Counseling in Manchester, where she will work with teens,
adults and families.
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April Mariska, MSW, LICSW April Mariska is currently employed as a Senior Psychiatric Social Worker at New Hampshire Hospital. In addition, April is also an adjunct professor at Plymouth State University. A member of the NASW since 2003, April has been active in several state chapters over the years through several moves. Professional memberships also include the NH Providers Association and the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science. Recent community involvement has included volunteering with the NH Pandemic Response Team and the NH
Disaster Behavioral Health Response Team.
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Jenna Tewksbury, MSW Jenna Tewksbury, MSW, a NASW member since 2017, graduated from the University of New Hampshire’s Social Work Program. She earned a bachelor’s degree in studio art from Wheaton College. Jenna has experience in a range of fields spanning school social work, medical social work, oncology, and palliative care. Jenna is currently employed as a mastered social worker at a continuing care retirement community in Concord.
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Student Board Members
Elizabeth Robinson, MSW Student Representativeis a graduate social work student at the University of New Hampshire. She
earned a bachelor’s degree in history and sociology from Colby-Sawyer College and a master’s
degree in French Cultural Studies from the University of London in Paris. Elizabeth previously
worked in the arts field, focusing on equal access to the arts. She also focused on history
education through experiencing immersive historical environments. Elizabeth found a passion
for social work after her work at Krempels Center, a local nonprofit supporting brain injury
survivors, which inspired her to begin her MSW. She is working towards the participation of
social work students and emerging professionals in NASW and macro level policy. Elizabeth is
passionate about the impact of systemic sexism on domestic violence and addressing the
trauma that it produces.
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Zach Marx, UNH BSW Student Representative Zach Marx is a senior in the BSW program at the University of New Hampshire. Zach has done extensive volunteer work regarding mental health awareness and program improvement. Zach is currently an intern at Strafford CAP, working with the homelessness programs. After graduation, Zach will be continuing his education at UNH to receive an MSW. To reach out to him, please email zam1007@wildcats.unh.edu
Julianna Labul, PSU BSW Student Representative
Past-President
Becky Parton, MSW, LICSW is currently employed by the Dartmouth Trauma Interventions Research Center. She is a Project Director on several grants, many of which focus on trauma-informed practice, prevention of abuse/neglect, and cultivating relationships with community partners. Her current grants include Upper Valley Project Launch, which is focused on screening and early identification for children ages 0-8 to connect them to services early and prevent the need for later mental health treatment, and Project TIDD, which is focused on training and consultation for professionals working with children and youth who have experienced trauma, youth who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, and trangender youth. Becky is an active participant in her Department's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. Becky previously worked in community mental health providing family and child therapy. She is trained in Child Parent Psychotherapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Becky’s early career was working for child protection. Becky is the co-chair of the Children’s Issues Committee for NH NASW. In the past she was part of the CEU committee, the Ethics Committee, and SLAC. Becky is an Adjunct Professor for the University of New Hampshire in the MSW program. Becky’s passion is working with children and families and she has been involved in statewide efforts to increase awareness and prevention of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).