Board Members

President

Ashley Mariano 

Ashley Mariano is the Prevention Coordinator and School Social Worker Supervisor at the Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio. A licensed social worker with a Master of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University, she supports embedded school social work teams across districts, helping to reduce barriers and improve outcomes for students. Her work spans prevention, MTSS, and trauma-informed crisis response — all grounded in her belief that strong school-community connections are key to student success. Before working at the ESC, Ashley was a pediatric social worker and mental health therapist. She lives in the Mahoning Valley and enjoys traveling and cheering on her three sons in sports alongside her husband.

In addition to her district work, Ashley leads professional learning across the region for school social workers, counselors, and administrative teams. She’s passionate about building sustainable systems, elevating the profession, and creating space for collaboration.

As OSSWA President, Ashley brings a systems-level lens and a deep commitment to advocating for school social workers across Ohio. She sees OSSWA as a powerful hub for connection, innovation, and collective voice.

President-elect

Mary Boyd

My name is Mary C. Boyd, MSEd, LSW. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from The Ohio State University and a Master of Education in Community Counseling from Youngstown State University. I am a proud mother of a recent graduate, my son, who earned his degree in Biology from The University of Mount Union, and is currently seeking admission into their Physician Assistant (PA) program.

I have recently embarked on a new chapter in my own life. After retiring from the Youngstown City School District, I continue to serve in the field of social work, which has been my passion for over 25 years. My career has included work a variety of agencies, and I am currently employed as a telehealth therapist with Chrysalis Health.

In addition to my professional experience, I serve as a Mid-Western Regional Representative for the School Social Worker Association of America (SSWAA) for two years, where I gained insight into leadership and advocacy at a national level.

Treasurer 

Brenda Rinkes

Brenda Rinkes graduated with Bachelors (Ohio University ‘74) and Masters Degrees (Ohio State University ’81) in Social Work. She is a Licensed Independent Social Worker and Supervisor in the State of Ohio and a Licensed School Social Worker with the Ohio Department of Education. Brenda has worked 37 years as a School Social Worker, including 34 years in the Bellaire Local School District. Prior to her recent retirement she worked an instructor and field coordinator for the Social Work Program at West Liberty University in West Liberty, West Virginia and as Project Director for a Federal Elementary Counseling Grant in Belmont County, Ohio that employs 2 school social workers and 2 licensed professional counselors. In addition to OSSWA, Brenda is an active member of NASW, CSWE (Council on Social Work Education) and the North Central Social Work Field Directors Consortium.

Secretary 

Kelsey Thelen

A passionate and driven school social worker with Olentangy Schools, Kelsey Thelen holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Social Work degree from The Ohio State University, with focused training in Child and Youth Services and School Social Work. As a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) with a School Social Worker designation (SSW), Kelsey excels at building positive relationships with students and families. She is committed to empowering youth by understanding their individual needs and fostering their development of effective coping strategies. Kelsey demonstrates initiative through the creation of valuable resources, including the Community Resource Hub in her previous district, which connected families with essential community support. Her technical skills and creative problem-solving enhance the impact of school social work services.

In her free time, Kelsey loves being outdoors and enjoys hiking, camping, kayaking, rock climbing, and snowboarding. 

past president

SAMANTHA HESS

Samantha Hess, MSSA, LISW, is currently serving as OSSWA Past President. She attended Kent State University to earn her bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies and went on to study Social Work at Case Western Reserve University. She graduated with her MSSA with a concentration in School Social Work in 2019. Samantha became an OSSWA Board Member after graduating from Case and previously served as OSSWA President and Secretary. She is currently working for the Educational Service Center of Lorain County as a School Social Worker in Midview Local Schools. In her free time she likes to travel, read, do yoga, be outside, kayak, and spend time with friends.

Communications Director

Vacant

Contact us if you are interested in learning more and serving in this position!

Programs Director 

Vacant

Contact us if you are interested in learning more and serving in this position!

Awards Director

Vacant

Contact us if you are interested in learning more and serving in this position!

Legislative Director & SOUTHEAST REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE

brenda rinkes

Brenda Rinkes graduated with Bachelors (Ohio University ‘74) and Masters Degrees (Ohio State University ’81) in Social Work. She is a Licensed Independent Social Worker and Supervisor in the State of Ohio and a Licensed School Social Worker with the Ohio Department of Education. Brenda has worked 37 years as a School Social Worker, including 34 years in the Bellaire Local School District. Prior to her recent retirement she worked an instructor and field coordinator for the Social Work Program at West Liberty University in West Liberty, West Virginia and as Project Director for a Federal Elementary Counseling Grant in Belmont County, Ohio that employs 2 school social workers and 2 licensed professional counselors. In addition to OSSWA, Brenda is an active member of NASW, CSWE (Council on Social Work Education) and the North Central Social Work Field Directors Consortium.

Promotions Director

Martha Glaze

Membership Director

Cassandra Martin

Cassandra J. Martin, PhD., LISW-S, is currently serving as OSSWA Membership Director.  Initially, she earned a Bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University in business in 1991.  It was a few years later that she discovered her true passion and graduated with a Master’s in Social Work (concentration in Educational Settings) and Urban Studies from Michigan State University (1999).  

Cassandra worked for over eleven years in Ghana at the Counseling Center of the University of Education, Winneba.  She earned her PhD. in Guidance and Counseling in 2017 at UEW; this work was centered on the self-efficacy of students representative of marginalized categories. 

After completing 25 years of mental health work in educational settings in the U.S., Zimbabwe and Ghana, she has transitioned into private practice as a therapist. 

In her free time, she enjoys her family, line dancing and Pilates. 

Central Representative

Diana Alexander

Diana Alexander has just started her 7th year as a School Social Worker, and her 4th year in the state of Ohio.  Prior to her move to Ohio, Diana was born and raised in rural Kansas.  Growing up in a family of 9, she has learned that every person is unique, with their own strengths and needs, as well as their own perspective.  Diana appreciates that we are all shaped by our families, friends, communities, opportunities, and our experiences.  Becoming a social worker highlighted these truths for Diana. 

She holds a BA in Theatre Arts, and a Masters in Social Work from Newman University in Wichita, Kansas.  Having a creative background and plenty of experience with improvisation gives Diana the flexibility needed to show up each day and wear the many hats that are needed at Jackson Intermediate School, part of Lakewood Local Schools in Hebron, Ohio.    Diana is passionate about serving the staff, students, and families in her building, as well as collaborating with the one other social worker and three school counselors in her district to build and maintain a strong social-emotional learning program for all grades, and to promote mental health with fidelity.  

As the Central Ohio rep, Diana hopes to continue to grow the community of school social workers in this area.  She wants to ensure that no one feels isolated, but seen, heard, and supported by fellow school social work professionals.  

NORTHWEST Co-REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE

Christina Harper 

For the last 18 years Chris has worked in the educational setting as a School Counselor, School Social Worker, and now Assistant Director of Student Services and Well-Being for Perrysburg Schools. As the first School Social Worker for Perrysburg Schools, Chris designed and built the School Social Work Department. In her current role as Assistant Director of Student Services and Well-Being, she oversees all social work programming for the School District. This includes supervising the School Social Work program, serving as the homeless and foster children liaison, overseeing attendance and truancy, supervising the EL program, and providing support for at-risk youth and the most vulnerable students and families in the district. In addition, she created the Northwest Ohio School Social Work Consortium and works with others around the area to continue to build a network of support for all School Social Workers in Northwest Ohio. Chris has a passion to help youth know they can do “it” in the midst of obstacles; that there is hope, help and support to get past the barriers before them.

Chris graduated from the University of Findlay with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Criminal Justice and from Bowling Green State University with a Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling. She is a licensed professional clinical counselor with a supervision certification, a licensed social worker, and a licensed school counselor.

In her free time she enjoys hiking, running and spending time with her family.

NORTHWEST Co-REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE

Regan Findling

Regan Findling received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Iowa. After graduating, she spent 10 years working in nonprofit agencies in Iowa and Colorado, supporting children and adults with developmental disabilities. She went on to earn her Master of Social Work from Colorado State University and subsequently worked as both a School Social Worker and a Hospice Social Worker in Colorado and Ohio.

Regan has been a School Social Worker for over six years and currently serves as the District School Social Worker for Rossford Schools in Rossford, Ohio. She is passionate about fostering a strong network of support for School Social Workers throughout Northwest Ohio.

Outside of work, Regan enjoys yoga, reading, spending time with her husband and cheering on their daughters at their various sports and music activities.

NORTHEast REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE

Vacant

Contact us if you are interested in learning more and serving in this position!

SouthWEST Regional Representative

Student representatives

• VACANT (2) | Case Western Representative
• VACANT (2)  | University of Cincinnati Student Representative
• Jessica Fitch | OSU Student Representative
• Teneeyah Hale | OSU Student Representative