NASW-Wisconsin Chapter 2025 Board Election Candidates

STATEWIDE CANDIDATES

PRESIDENT-ELECT

Marc Seidl

 Biographical statement:
My name is Marc Seidl, and I currently serve as a supervisor in the Child Protection Initial Assessment Unit at Brown County Health and Human Services. I earned both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay. I’ve worked in child protection for 17 years — 12 with Brown County and 5 in Outagamie County. In 2022, I was honored with the NASW-WI Distinguished Social Worker Award for my commitment to the profession. I grew up in Algoma and now live in Allouez with my wife and nine-year-old daughter. I also serve on the Village’s Parks, Recreation & Forestry Committee and its Ethics Board.

Position Statement:
Giving back to the social work profession is essential to ensuring its continued strength, relevance, and impact. I believe there is no better way to do that than by serving as President-Elect of the NASW-WI Board of Directors. Throughout my career, I’ve seen that the most meaningful client outcomes come from collaboration rooted in mutual respect and shared purpose — values that lie at the heart of social work. I’m committed to ethical leadership, advancing social justice, and supporting the professional growth of social workers across Wisconsin. I view this role as an opportunity to uplift our profession and help ensure it continues to serve individuals, families, and communities with compassion and integrity.

Cleopatra Castenada 

Biographical Statement:
Cleopatra Castaneda, obtained a Graduate Degree from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and is a lifelong resident of the City of Milwaukee. Cleopatra has held direct service, volunteer service as well as leadership roles in the field of social services (publicly and privately) during a 20 plus year career. A career which includes experience in child welfare, adult protection services, contract monitoring, corrections, AODA individual/group counseling as well as community organizing. Always working in an effort to impact the stability, well- being, and growth of families, adopting a trauma informed, strengths-based approach when providing service. Cleopatra believes that positive growth and stability of a community starts with the growth and stability of each person in that community.

Position Statement:
As a current member of NASW it has been a pleasure to collaborate with so many amazing professionals in moving the needle to support the current and future pool of Social Workers in Wisconsin and across the country. As a member of the NASW I have been instrumental in ensuring we have space for our March Social Work Event, Vendors in attendance as well as Encouraging membership involvement.

I would like to increase my involvement in the NASW WI Chapter. I believe It will give me an opportunity to continue to support the mission, increase my knowledge and challenge me to be more intentional about the discussions I am having about Social Work, and the impact various circumstances in the world have on Social Workers and the practice.

I’ve been employed in various positions in Social Services over the last 25 years and believe my experience with various populations as well as my leadership skills would serve me well as the president elect of the NASW WI Chapter.

I am honored to be a current member of this chapter, and I am excited to be nominated to serve. If elected, I will continue to learn, collaborate and advocate for the profession.

Thank you for your consideration,

Cleopatra Castaneda MSW APSW

VICE PRESIDENT 

Wendy Volz-Daniels

Biographical Statement:
Wendy is the Multidisciplinary Internship Coordinator in the Social and Cultural Science Department at Marquette University. In addition, she teaches Social Welfare Policy and teaches in Marquette’s Educational Preparedness Program  inside Racine Correctional Institution (RCI) where Marquette degree-seeking undergraduate students complete the course alongside incarcerated students.  She is the Chair of the Felmers O Chaney Advocacy Board FCAB) advocating for the rights and needs of incarcerated and previously incarcerated citizens. She has testified at legislative hearings and coordinated press conferences on matters related to Wisconsin’s criminal/legal system. Wendy received the Fr. Pedro Arrupe, S.J. Faculty Colleague Award in 2022 and was named an Ignatian Educator of Distinction in 2025; both from Marquette University.

Wendy has been an active member of NASW-WI for nearly 30 years; serving as chair of the Southeast Branch for two terms, a member of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee, the Legislative and Social Policy Committee and is a frequent conference presenter. She is the chair of the Wisconsin Social Workers Political Action Committee, (WI Social Workers PAC) the political action arm of NASW-WI. In addition, Wendy served as the Federal Legislative Liaison in which she lobbied on behalf of NASW-WI regarding federal legislation. Wendy previously served as the chair of the Wisconsin School Social Work Association’s (WSSWA) Legislative Committee. She also was elected as Trustee on the Campbellsport Village Board for three terms. In 2005, Wendy received the NASW-WI Distinguished Social Worker Award for her commitment to legislative and social justice advocacy.

Position Statement:
I am seeking the position of Delegate Assembly to represent Wisconsin social workers.I have experience representing Wisconsin social workers and/or serving as the Midwest coalition chair of the Delegate Assembly since 2005. The NASW Code of Ethics and Policy Statements published in Social Work Speaks guide my teaching in the social welfare policy class. I affirm NASW’s strong and unwavering commitment to social and economic justice. I believe that advocating for more just public policy is our ethical responsibility as social workers. My volunteer work has always involved serving/accompanying those who have been marginalized in our society; frequently by unjust or inadequate public policy. Anyone who knows me knows that I’m all about P.O.L.I.C.Y!The position of Delegate Assembly is a natural extension of the advocacy and activities I am already involved in. I would be honored to serve Wisconsin NASW members at the Delegate Assembly.

Kristi Wood

Biographical Statement:
Kristi Wood, (she/her/hers) MSW, CAPSW
I am a fierce advocate for the social work profession and the people we serve. I have thirty years of experience in human services, in residential treatment, group home, and foster care environments. My partner and I have fostered over forty teen boys, helping them transition to adulthood. My beautiful foster daughter is now a LCSW. I am a professor in the UW-Whitewater Social Work department, and also enjoy being a WCWPDS foster parent trainer. I have served for a total of ten years on the NASW-WI Chapter and NASW national boards.

Position Statement:
I am excited for the opportunity to serve on the NASW Delegate Assembly. As a former president of NASW-WI, as well as former Director of Region VIII on the NASW Board of Directors, I have seen firsthand the importance of the role of the Delegate Assembly in developing program priority goals. The Delegate Assemble also reviews changes to the NASW Code of Ethics. As a social work educator, I teach my students about the importance of revising the Code of Ethics to meet the challenges of a quickly changing world. We need all NASW-WI members to be engaged in an advocacy role whenever possible. I would be proud to serve if elected to this role.

Rick Valdez

Biographical Statement:
My professional experience includes work as a Law Enforcement Officer for the City of Beloit, a career I took a disability retirement from. Prior to my police experience, I worked for Rock Valley Community Programs in Janesville, WI. There, I was an Assistant Director and Case Manager for residential programs serving criminal justice-connected individuals and homeless veterans.

Today I am a full time Social Work Student at UW-Whitewater, and will be graduating this May, then beginning my MSW coursework this summer at UW-Whitewater. My undergraduate minor is in Criminology. For recognition of my academic excellence in my Criminology and Sociology coursework, I was inducted into Alpha Kappa Delta-International Sociology Honors Society, Eta of Wisconsin Chapter. During my BSW internship, I was placed at Youth Services Network, advocating for high-risk youth connected to the Juvenile Justice system in Rockford, IL. I am also an alum of Blackhawk Technical College, earning an AAS in Human Services in May 2023.

Position Statement:
In the coming years, we can expect to see the need for more social workers with advanced skills who are committed to helping communities in every corner of Wisconsin. As a member seeking to represent MSW students, I will advocate for the needs of my fellow and future students to have access to training and education that will build a large and diverse workforce. Issues like paid internships and student loan forgiveness/assistance are issues I will keep the NASW-WI to continue leading the advocacy for. I also want to bring my non-traditional student experience to the board to explore how NASW-WI can recruit people who may have never thought of joining the social work profession, using outreach with our student members, and on-campus student organizations.

SOUTH CENTRAL BRANCH REPRESENTATIVE

Neil O'Connor

 Biographical Statement:
Neil O’Connor, ACSW, LCSW, became a member of NASW-WI in 1977, while completing his MSSW at the Kent School of Social Work, University of Louisville. Graduating in 1978, he worked briefly as a community organizer in Louisville, then began a 30 year career in health care social work in Sheboygan, WI. In that career, he worked in the areas of emergency/critical care, domestic abuse victim services, renal dialysis, discharge planning, and department management. He worked the last 18 years of that phase as the clinical social worker in the UW Health Oncology Clinics. Simultaneously, Neil served as a social work officer in the US Army Reserve, commissioned in 1982, and retiring in 2012 as a Colonel, Medical Service Corps. His military experience includes staff social work, operations and logistics, executive officer, and trainer-evaluator; he also deployed to Iraq in 2004-05, supervising a military community mental health clinic at the US Army base in Balad, Iraq. In 2008, Neil joined the Department of Veteran’s Affairs’ Madison Vet Center, where he worked with war veterans and their families around issues of PTSD and post service re-integration. Retiring from active social work practice in 2017, Neil continues to work with the profession on NASW-WI’s Continuing Education Committee, and currently serves as a South Central Branch representative on the NASW-WI Board of directors. In retirement, Neil continues personal interests in music, cabinetry, and grandparenting.

Position Statement:
Since being named to the Board to fill a vacancy, I have welcomed the opportunity to observe and support the operations of the NASW-Wisconsin Chapter. If elected to a new term, I will continue to work with the other Board members, and the Chapter’s committees, towards accomplishing the Chapter’s important goals, especially the interstate Licensure Compact, Alternative to Licensure, Student Loan Forgiveness, and reinstating the conversion therapy ban. I hope to hear from South Central/Southwest Region members about their professional concerns and objectives, and how they believe the State Chapter can help them further their careers. I intend to represent the Region’s members’ views at the Board level, and would like to earn your vote for a new Board term.

Steven J. Miller

Biographical Statement:
Steven J. Miller is a dedicated APSW social worker and mental health advocate. He recently completed his MSW at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, building upon a strong academic background, including a Master’s in Experimental Psychology from Northern Michigan University. With over a decade of experience supporting individuals facing mental health challenges, disabilities, infertility, and crisis, Steven has held roles ranging from Crisis Stabilization Case Manager to Therapeutic Mentor. He currently serves as Research and Development Chair for the Men’s Helpline nonprofit, where he oversees peer support programming and hosts The MILES Podcast , shedding light on the male experience with infertility and pregnancy loss. Steven is actively involved in several professional organizations, including ASRM and NAPSW, and has presented at various conferences, including NASW-WI, CSWE-WI, and NAPSW.

Position Statement:
I am seeking election to the NASW Board to broaden the scope of reproductive rights advocacy within our profession. While access to abortion care remains a vital issue, I believe it's imperative also to address the often-overlooked challenges surrounding access to fertility treatments. Since beginning my social work career in 2009, I've gained extensive experience across various county mental health programs, including Crisis Stabilization, CLTS, and CCS. This background has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of social work systems at both micro and mezzo levels. I am committed to applying this knowledge to a macro perspective, aiming to influence policy and advocacy efforts that ensure equitable access to all facets of reproductive healthcare.

SOUTHEAST/RACINE/KENOSHA BRANCH REPRESENTATIVE

Antoinette Davis 

Biographical Statement:

I am a lifelong learner who deeply values a holistic approach to well-being, encompassing self-healing, mental wellness, and physical health. I believe that fostering resilience and promoting wellness in others is not just a profession, but a calling—one that I have passionately pursued for over 20 years.

I hold a master’s degree in social work from Loyola University Chicago, and have dedicated more than two decades to supporting children and families impacted by intergenerational trauma. My professional journey has centered on creating safe spaces for healing,empowering individuals to build healthier relationships, and breaking cycles of adversity through therapeutic engagement. In addition, February 2023, I completed a Postgraduate Training Certificate through Aurora Family Services Family Therapy Training Institute, which supported me in developing my skills in becoming an effective therapist working with individuals, couples, and families.

Through my volunteer service, I have demonstrated a deep commitment to promoting mental health awareness and strengthening family systems within underserved populations. At the Salvation Army, I facilitated mental health support groups and delivered parenting education to families residing in shelter environments, with a focus on fostering emotional resilience, stability, and long-term well-being. Additionally, in collaboration with House of Kings and Priests, I have been involved in structured mental health discussion groups addressing the unique challenges faced by today’s youth, creating spaces that encourage healing, empowerment, and personal growth.

Currently, I am the founder and lead therapist at Generational Cycle’s Moving Forward, LLC, an organization committed to promoting hope, wellness, and healing through psychotherapy. Our mission is to equip individuals with the skills necessary to establish safety, build resilience, and foster positive behavioural and relational patterns.

Position Statement:
I am an active member of the NASW-Wisconsin Chapter. Currently, I am the Co-chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

Thomasina Jenkins

Biographical Statement:

Thomasina Jenkins is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Field Liaison in the Social Work Department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor, and an Independent Clinical Supervisor. Thomasina received her MSW from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

As a Clinician-Advocate Thomasina has worked with diverse populations in a variety of medical and mental health settings. Thomasina currently serves on NASW-WI’s DEI Committee. Thomasina has maintained a private mental health practice since 2012, and is a co-founder of Black Clinicians Milwaukee, LLC, a professional network group and mental health referral system developed during covid-19 to respond to the requests for black clinicians.

Position Statement:
I am very passionate about the field of social work, the opportunities available in this field of practice, and the opportunities that are to come. I realize that this is a very crucial time for social workers and the individuals we serve in terms of social work licensing, student loan debt, health care, and the social work licensure compact. Serving on the NASW- WI board will allow me to use my personal and professional experiences and skills to collaboratively advocate for and facilitate changes in these areas and others.

Amy Kirby

Biographical Statement:
Amy Kirby (she/her) serves as the Director of the MSW Program through the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Amy has been an NASW member since 1997, participating in recent years in the Professional Standards and Regulation committee. Amy is the incoming Vice President of the Wisconsin Council on Social Work Education (WCSWE).She is a Wisconsin licensed clinical social worker, who has worked in various social service settings including outpatient mental and behavioral health, child welfare (treatment foster care, foster care, kinship care, caregiver support), juvenile justice and community-based services. Amy earned her MSW from UWM in 1998 and a BS in Psychology from the University of Iowa in 1995.

Position Statement:
Now is a crucial time for social workers to pay attention and be active voices given the variety of state and national initiatives and policies that may have important impacts on the future of our profession. If elected to serve with the NASW-WI Board of Directors during these times, I believe I can help bridge the sometimes-existing-gap between social work higher education and social work professional practice in Wisconsin. With some tighter connections across how social workers are educated and prepared for practice in the real world, we can best position the next generation of the social work workforce for enduring careers in a challenging, yet rich and rewarding profession.

WEST CENTRAL/NORTHCENTRAL/NORTHEAST BRANCH REPRESENTATIVE

Kendra Schmidt 

 Biographical Statement:
I earned my bachelor’s in social work from Carroll (College) University in 1998 experiencing work in domestic violence, addictions, and a residential treatment facility for juvenile sex offenders. Post-degree, I began working in the Milwaukee area with the elderly and dementia populations as well as children and families in the Milwaukee Wraparound program. I later returned to the Fox River Valley where I worked several years for Winnebago County in juvenile justice and non-profits serving adolescent girls, individuals and families experiencing food insecurity and those in the bleeding disorder community.

In the summer of 2023, I began my graduate program at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh where I will graduate May 17, 2025, and will begin working at Generations Hospice in Fond du Lac beginning early June. At the graduate level, I was a student intern at NASW-WI from January 2023 – June 2024 and worked diligently to secure funding for the political organizer position for the 2024 election and was awarded one such grant.

I am a volunteer and area coordinator for a non-profit organization based in the Milwaukee area called The Right Relief, Inc. This organization provides meals, respite, and other supports to family caregivers to help reduce burnout, stress, and financial burden on families caring for aging parents, ill spouses or children, and to new parents. After a chance meeting with the founder of the program, I felt strongly that the Fox Valley could benefit greatly from this organization’s mission.

My membership with NASW began in 1996 as a student at Carroll. I am a strong advocate for the benefits of membership to the organization and have continued to support the work the Wisconsin Chapter does by participating in the Annual Conference as well as Advocacy Day, offering to volunteer and help staff and interns where I can.

Position Statement:
As a hospice and gerontological social worker, I have focused my advanced standing year on the ever growing aging population’s needs and those of their formal and informal caregivers. As the aging population grows, birth rates decline, and health care needs increase, it is imperative that NASW-WI works to support social workers in this area through education and policy work at the state level. I have made the commitment to continue working with this population for the foreseeable future and would work to help NASW-WI continue their focus in this area as well.

I am eager to participate in the Legislative and Social Policy Committee meetings as well as any other committees NASW-WI feels best suit this area. Northeast Wisconsin is a growing area that still faces many hurdles regarding the inaccessibility to services in rural settings. As a longtime resident of this area, I have strong connections with non-profit organizations and county agencies. I have also worked to build relationships with local government officials as well as my state representative and senator to help educate them on the issues affecting their constituents.

I look forward to supporting my fellow social workers in their efforts to serve.