Alice "Cookie" Noel, ACSW, LCSW

East Region Representative

Cookie has been a professional social worker for over 40 years.  Her areas of practice include chemical dependency treatment, psychiatric social work, hospice, and home care teaching and  research. Practice  settings  included  both public and private.  Cookie has been on NASW Chapter Boards in Missouri and Georgia.

Eunice Malavé de León, MSW,  ACSW, LCSW, Ed.D.

East Region Member-at-Large

Eunice Malavé de León is an Independent Clinical Social Worker in the city of Augusta, Georgia. For the past four years, she has been working with the immigrant population on sexual abuse, human trafficking, domestic violence, among other situations. She is bilingual, a community activist promoting equity for African American and Latinx populations in access to health, mental health, and food services. Eunice has a doctorate in Education from Nova Southeastern University, a master's degree in Social Work from  the  University  of  Puerto  Rico,  and  a  gerontology  certification

from the UPR Medical Sciences Campus. Her interests are mainly in educational, spiritual, equity, and socio-cultural aspects. She enjoys diversity, new relationships, travel, music and is married to Dr. Richard F. Camino Gaztambide.

Calvin D. Whitehead is a licensed clinical social worker who earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1999. After graduation, Calvin worked in the field of mental health and substance use disorders until he returned to school in 2002, where he earned his Masters of Social Work in 2004, graduating from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, and  later,  obtained  his  clinical  license  in 2008.  After relocating

to Georgia, Calvin’s ongoing dedication to the field of social work was recognized by his peers when he was nominated and presented with the NASWGA South Unit 2014 Social Worker of the Year award. That same year, he began working as an adjunct professor at Valdosta State University’s Social Work Department. As a 21 year memberof the National Association of Social Workers, Calvin decided to run for and was elected as one of the NASW Georgia Chapter’s Board of Directors. He currently holds the position, for a second term, as the West Region Representative. Calvin continued to advance in his practicewithin the areas of mental health and substance use disorders, and in 2016 he was certified as a Master of Addictions Counselor. Also, because of his ongoing work with social work interns, Calvin was honored by Valdosta State University’s Department of Social Work as the 2016 Field Instructor of the Year.

Charles "Chuck" Coker, LCSW, MBA

West Region Member-at-Large

am also a certified Equine Therapist and enjoy utilizing horses in my treatment modality Currently, he owns and operates a home care business called Home Instead Senior Care and employs 80 people who are blessed with the opportunity to go into the homes of seniorsand assist them with their daily living skills.

Chuck Coker has been a member of the NASW for 9 years while working as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Alabama, Georgia and Florida. After owning a business in Panama City Fl and earning an MBA from Florida State University, he returned to school  in  order  to  earn an MSW
from Florida State University and begin a “bonus” career. His LCSW career has included working in community health as a therapist working with both adults and adolescence as well as in the Addictions Industry as a therapist and eventually as a Program Director and Executive Director. I 

Will Ard is a second year Master of Social Work and Master

of Business Administration student at Kennesaw State University. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a marketing concentration from the Georgia Institute of Technology, as well as two specialist certificates in music production from Berklee College of Music.  Will founded the Georgia Tech Chapter of Active Minds during his final year of undergrad and currently serves as the President of the Society of Social Workers at KSU. He has served twice as a Graduate Research Assistant, studying entrepreneurial orientation  and connecting individuals

online with mental health resources. He interned last year with the Fulton County School System. His clinical placement is with the Cobb County DA Counseling Center, providing therapy for victims of crime, assault, abuse, and more. He is additionally a team member of DigitalSponsor, a mobile application for individuals with cravings and addiction. In his free time, Will enjoys creating music, playing and learning about retro video games, reading non-fiction, creating stop-motion PowerPoint animations, and spending time with his family, their doggos, and his wonderful new nephew.

and dogs in their home in Forsyth. She retired in 2016 ; however, involvement in various volunteer activities and hobbies keep her active and challenged.

Jan N. Yates has over 40 years of experience working in Social Work. She has worked in Inpatient Mental Health, O/P Therapy, Hospice and Crisis Services as a clinician, supervisor and administrator. She has held faculty positions at Tift College, Wesleyan College and University of Georgia School of Social Work. She has provided consultation for nursing homes, dialysis centers as well as supervised social work staff and interns. Jan is married to Ed Leysath, a retired Rehabilitation Counselor.  She and   her  husband  have a menagerie of rescued cats

Jeanie Witcraft-Shiau, LCSW is originally from Oklahoma and passionately advocates for those who are frequently not heard. She has expertise in a wide range of populations and settings, though most recently has focused on postpartum mental health for families.  You can find her work at or communicate professional concerns to jeanie@witcraft.com.

Jill worked in IT and accounting before making a mid-life career change and enrolled in an MSW program at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.  Following graduation, she took a position as a crisis counselor in Green     Bay,     WI.    She   then worked as a home health social worker for 9 years in Georgia, where she was responsible for  assessing the needs of patients and families, providing counseling and support, and    arranging  for  appropriate resources.  She  said  it  was  hard  work  but  the most rewarding

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 she has  ever done.  In addition  to  Board  duties , Jill  assists  with  the   development  and maintenance of the Chapter's website.

Trenese Johnson, LCSW

North Region Representative

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Trenese Johnson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker residing and working in the Metropolitan Atlanta area specializing in mental health, school social work, mobile crisis and clinical supervision. Ms. Johnson has 24 years of experience in the field and is passionate about promoting social work through advocacy, empowerment transformation and social justice initiatives. She holds a Master’sDegree in Social Work and a Leadership Certificate (L-5) 

in Education.  Ms. Johnson is a certified Teen Mental Health First Aid Instructor, Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor, Crisis Intervention Training-Youth, and Ending The Silence presenter. She is an active member of Changing A Generation Full Gospel Baptist Church and serves on the Youth Parent Steering Committee and in the following professional organizations: (NASW) National Association of Social Work, (NAMI) National Alliance on Mental Health, (SSWAG) School Social Work Association of Georgia and (PAGE) Professional Association of Georgia Education. As a professional social worker, Ms. Johnson aligns herself with the NASW preamble which states that the primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed and living in poverty.

Tiffany Taylor is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who resides in and is employed by the State of Georgia. She received her Masters in Social Work from Clark Atlanta University (2004).  Ms. Taylor has over 15 years of clinical experience in the field with specializations in working with individuals with developmental disorders, community mental health, medical social work and forensic social work. Ms. Taylor is also currently a  Behavioral  Health  Officer  in the  United  States  Army  Reserve.  She 

recently returned from deployment in Southwest Asia where she and her team where responsible for the mental and emotional well being of over 7,000 Soldiers. In addition, to her duties as a Behavioral Health Officer, Ms. Taylor is a Sexual Assault Victim Advocate credentialed through the Department of Defense. She is a Board-Certified Diplomate Social Worker credentialed through American Board of Examiners and is a member of the following organizations: National Association of Social Workers and National Association of Black Social Workers. Ms. Taylor also has a private practice in Henry County where she provides individual, couples, and family counseling.

Barbara Griffin, LMSW

South Region Representative

Barbara Griffin is a graduate of Brooklyn College in NYC and the University of Georgia School of Social Work. She has worked with emotionally disturbed children through the Psychoeducational Center Program, substance abuse and mental health treatment with the State of Georgia, hospice, and as a dialysis Social Worker. She has been in Ware County since 1980 where she initiated the formation of a Big Brother/Big Sister program, served as Chair for the Ware County Democratic Committee, Vice-President of the Waycross NAACP, supported the local 

 humane society, and participated in productions with the Waycross Area Community Theater. In 2015 She helped create a new non-profit theater company, Purlie Productions, which has as its motto “To elevate, educate and inspire.” She is a proud member of the National Association of Social Workers and participated in candidacy endorsement with the PACE Committee. Barbara is currently employed with DaVita as a dialysis Social Worker in the Southeast Georgia area.

Shauna Mattingly is a licensed clinical social worker and the owner of Anchored in Wellness, LLC where her team of providers help treat clients from a holistic perspective for mind, body and spiritual healing. She is an active leader within her community and serves as the chair of local groups working on mental health and substance abuse awareness and treatment.  She serves as the Chair for the Wayne County Substance Abuse Coalition as well as the Chair for the Wayne County Mental Health Task Force.  Shauna actively  serves  as  a   clinical   supervisor,   preparing   other social 

workers for clinical licensure.  Shauna currently resides in Jesup, Ga with her husband of 17 years and two children, Emree and LC.  She and her husband are active in local ministry involving community collaboration, food ministry, homelessness and recovery.  Shauna spends free time being available to her children and finds great joy in celebrating life in every hobby that they pursue.