Board Members

President

Ashley Mariano 

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

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

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Awards Director

Vacant

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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

Central Representative

Diana Alexander

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 MSW, LISW 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 affected by developmental disabilities. She then received her Masters in Social Work from Colorado State University and worked as School Social Worker and Hospice Social Worker in Colorado and Ohio. Regan currently works as a School Social Worker at Penta Career Center in Perrysburg, OH. Penta Career Center is a career tech high school which supports 16 member high schools covering 5 counties in northwest Ohio. Regan is working to build a network of support for all School Social Workers in Northwest Ohio.

Regan enjoys spending time with her husband and watching their daughters at their various sport and music activities.

NORTHEast REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE

Megan OSBORNE

Hello! My name is Megan Osborne and I am a School Social Worker in the Cleveland Heights University Heights School District. I found my passion for Social Work as an undergraduate student at Penn State University where I majored in Rehabilitation and Human Services. Although I am a proud Nittany Lion, I continued my education at The Ohio State University in the Master's of School Social Work program. Directly following my Master's I participated in an international Social Work conference in Cucuta, Columbia where we discussed the effects of migration on surrounding communities. Additionally, I spoke in Bachelor level classes at the Universidad Simon Bolivar on the topic of Social Work in the United States. I have had the privilege of working as an English teacher in Spain, an intake coordinator, Clinical Therapist at Nationwide Children's Hospital and now as a School Social Worker at Monticello Middle School here in Cleveland. I am so excited to get involved in social work advocacy here in Northeast Ohio! I hope that my experience can bring a new perspective to the OSSWA.

SouthWEST Regional Representative

Joyce Hall-Thompson

Student representatives

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