Leadership changes took place recently for NASW Assurance Services Inc., the wholly owned subsidiary of NASW responsible for designing, securing and overseeing high-quality, competitive insurance, financial and other programs and services for social workers.
A. Elizabeth “Betsy” Cauble, head of the department and associate professor of Social Work at Kansas State University, has served on the ASI board for three years. She was approved by the NASW National Board of Directors to serve another term on the ASI board. She was also elected by ASI’s board as president and chair for the next three years.
“I have had the privilege of working with Betsy Cauble during her last term,” said Tony Benedetto, executive vice president of the ASI board. “She will be a terrific leader and I look forward to working with her in the coming years.”
Cauble said she is serving in the position previously held by Richard Jones, who recently retired as president and CEO of Metropolitan Family Services in Chicago.
Since joining the ASI board, Cauble said she has learned a great deal about how for-profit and nonprofit boards differ and she has witnessed ASI’s growth during her first term.
“Not only do I hope, but I know, that we will continue to look for and develop new, innovative products for our members and explore ways we can continue to support NASW members,” Cauble said.
Two new members, Suzanne Dworak-Peck and Willie “Bo” Walker, were approved by the NASW national board to complete terms in positions left vacant by Jones and ASI board treasurer Yvonne M. Chase, president and CEO for Denali Family Services in Anchorage, Alaska.
Dworak-Peck is a former president of NASW and of the International Federation of Social Workers. She is now IFSW’s ambassador. She is the founder of NASW Communications Network Inc., which provides the media and entertainment industries with resources related to social workers and social issues.
Walker is chief operating officer of Partnership for Family Services Division, which helps the people in the Tennessee Valley build better lives through professional counseling, crisis intervention and education and prevention services. Walker, a previous Tennessee Chapter president, has served on several NASW boards and committees, including the NASW National Board.
Benedetto said ASI formed a board development committee whose members conducted a substantial search process for new board members.
Adding to the new faces on the board is Jeane Anastas, NASW’s new president who took office in July. She will continue the term of the previous NASW president, James J. Kelly.
“Becoming a voting member of the ASI Board of Directors is an important part of my new responsibilities as the new NASW president,” Anastas said.
Board member Linda W. Shearer, associate executive director of the Immanuel Lutheran Communities, was appointed to serve as the new treasurer for the remainder of her two-year term.
The remaining ASI board members are Elizabeth J. Clark, NASW executive director; Paul D’Agostino, executive director of the Child Abuse Council; Jean Parr, program director of the American Chemical Society’s Member Insurance Program; and Deborah A. Reyes, president of Capital American Mortgage Company and Deborah A. Reyes Consulting and Training Group.
Get more information: NASW Assurance.