Before any formal education, I have always been a social worker - connecting with anyone struggling, ensuring all voices are heard, and being a leader for change. I attended Hope College where I obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Social Work followed by my Masters in Social Work from the University of Michigan. I have now been a social worker for ten years and a practicing clinical social worker for seven years. I am licensed in both Colorado and Michigan. In Michigan, I am also a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC). I recently transitioned into non-public work where I own my own practice in Lafayette, CO and provide therapy to children, teens, adults, and couples. Previously, I have worked in case management with adolescents, at an outpatient addiction clinic, and in community mental health. My passion lies in offering specialized care to those struggling with trauma and PTSD through the use of somatic approaches.

Although much of my work has been in a clinical setting, macro social work has always held a special place in my heart. I am finally settling into my career and finding that I have the time and energy to invest into the community and advocacy with NASW-CO. I hope to serve as the Boulder/Broomfield Region Representative where I can engage with NASW-CO initiatives on policy change, equity, and quality of care strategies as well as connect with other social workers in the community to support with professional growth and upholding enthusiasm for the work.

As a social worker with nearly a decade of experience serving children, youth, and families—particularly in foster care and community-based settings—I’ve seen firsthand how policy decisions shape the lives of those we serve. This has deepened my commitment not only to direct service, but to advocacy and systemic change. My roles at Savio House and The Bridge Project have taught me the power of relationship-building and coordination across systems, but they’ve also highlighted the urgent need for policies that reflect equity, trauma-informed care, and the lived realities of marginalized communities.

I’m drawn to NASW’s work because I believe social workers should be at the forefront of shaping policies that protect and empower vulnerable populations. I’m especially passionate about increasing access to services, supporting culturally responsive practice, and ensuring social workers have a strong voice in legislative advocacy. With a foundation in family systems and a Latinx Certificate from the University of Denver, I bring both clinical insight and a strong desire to influence change at the macro level. Serving on the NASW Board would be an opportunity to work alongside fellow social workers to help shape a more just, inclusive, and impactful future for our profession and the communities we serve.

My interest in serving as the NASW Colorado Mountain Region Representative stems from a passion for advancing the social work profession, raising awareness and representing the special needs presented in the mountain/rural communities, and learning more about NASW Colorado leadership and impact. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, fur kids, turtles, going on adventures, and reading.

Hello, my name is Jacque Penfold. I am a graduate of the BSW & MSW programs at CSU and obtained my LCSW in 2003. I was a mental health provider for Summitstone Behavioral Health Center for 14 years on a team embedded at Foothills Gateway, and had a private practice at the same time. I left to work for the Cheyenne VA as a PACT (outpatient medical) social worker. After 7 years of working across several locations in WY and CO I retired.

Although retired, I continue to be involved in community activities. These include being chairperson for the Larimer County Agency on Aging Advisory Council, serving on Larimer County and Northern Colorado Mobility Committees as a community member, and participating in gatherings of the Northern Colorado Region of the NASW Colorado Chapter. This is in addition to a very active social life and working on my travel destinations bucket list.

I was the representative several years ago and social workers that I met and interacted with during that time I continue to encounter in a variety of settings. I look at myself and life in general as a jigsaw puzzle. There is a final picture of what it is to look like but until all the pieces are in place we keep adding, turning the pieces, trying to fit in a different piece, etc. until we find the piece that fits. I believe that all of those chance encounters and this position are pieces needed to complete the puzzle that will make me complete.

My name is Faith McNitt, and I am honored to seek re-election to the NASW–Colorado Board of Directors. It has been a privilege to serve as a passionate advocate for social workers, students, and the communities we support. My continued commitment to this role is grounded in a deep belief in the transformative power of social work and the need for strong, ethical leadership within our profession.

Originally from Wyoming, I relocated to Colorado and quickly fell in love with the Colorado Springs community. As a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and LCSW candidate, I bring a unique combination of academic training, lived experience, and clinical insight to my work. I have dedicated my career to advancing the wellbeing of children with special needs, particularly those with complex disabilities, and to promoting inclusive, trauma-informed practices across healthcare, educational, and community-based settings.

Over the past term, I have worked collaboratively with fellow board members to uplift student and regional voices, advocate for equitable policy change, and champion practices rooted in dignity, justice, and client-centered care. My professional background spans hospice, pediatric home health, and school-based social work, where I have consistently applied evidence-based and trauma-informed approaches to support children and families.

In addition to clinical practice, I have contributed to program development, community education, and research. I designed and led grief support groups for older adults, conducted research on access to services for children with rare disorders, and facilitated public presentations on gambling addiction prevention. I remain deeply committed to advancing the core values of our profession and strengthening systems of care through collaboration, education, and advocacy.

I will continue to advocate for professional development opportunities, support student engagement, and uplift the voices of underrepresented communities in our region. I am eager to continue working alongside fellow board members to advance the mission of NASW and ensure that Colorado’s social workers are supported, empowered, and equipped to lead meaningful change.

I am a Colorado Native, NASW member, and practicing licensed clinical social worker that understands the challenges facing the social work profession in Colorado. With an extensive history working in the realms of administration, clinical practice, education, healthcare, interdisciplinary work, and trauma-informed practice, I remain dedicated to serving the mental health needs of Colorado citizens and our military communities while working to advance the goals of the social work profession within our state. With expertise in acute clinical, school-based social work, and trauma-informed practice, I serve as a clinical consultant and supervisor, private practitioner, and social work educator. I carry additional credentials as an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Level II (CCTP-II), differentiating myself as an expert in the fields of acute and complex trauma, crisis intervention, grief and loss, parenting and school challenges, suicidality, and social work supervision.

I work to help my clients to navigate and overcome complex systems to reach their therapeutic goals while serving with a strong commitment toward helping to develop current and next-generation social workers with their current educational and post-secondary pursuits, particularly as the profession moves into a new and exciting territory with the national Social Work Licensure Compact. To help meet the increasing need for trained clinical supervisors in social work, I use my clinical experience and expertise as an Approved Clinical Supervisor to help current social work students, new BSW and MSW graduates, and post-secondary social work practitioners to reach their professional goals and work towards state licensure. I serve as an educational leader by working as full-time social work faculty in the positions of MSW Lecturer and Field Practicum Liaison with my alma-mater of Colorado State University-Pueblo. I am currently pursuing my doctorate in social work practice to advance my ability to be an ongoing expert and leader in helping to advance the goals of clinical social work practice and supervision within our state. I am seeking your vote to help me lead as part of the National Association of Social Workers to advance the ongoing discussion to address and meet the needs of Colorado social workers regarding clinical supervision.

I am a proud native of Western Colorado, raised in Montrose and Durango, with my college years spent in Alamosa. Over the course of my social work career, I have also lived and worked in Colorado Springs and Denver, gaining a wide range of experience before returning home this supper to the Four Corners region, in Cortez. As a licensed clinical social worker and addictions counselor, I have focused my work on trauma-informed mental health and addictions services, with a strong commitment to bilingual and culturally responsive care. I also serve as an adjunct professor at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work, where I am grateful to continue to learn alongside the next generation of social workers with an emphasis on equity and inclusion.

In addition to my clinical and academic work, I am one of the organizers of the Sazonando La Salud Mental conference, a bilingual and bicultural event dedicated to enriching mental health practices in our communities here in Colorado. I am deeply passionate about increasing the presence of bilingual social workers in rural Colorado and believe this is a vital step toward improving access and outcomes in our field. As the Western Colorado Region Representative, I would bring a locally rooted and statewide-informed perspective, and I am committed to advocating for our region, fostering professional growth, and building a strong, inclusive network of support for social workers across Western Colorado.

I believe community power-building is essential to creating equitable and interconnected systems that support resilient and thriving communities, and I prioritize authentic relationships with community members, organizational partners, and traditional decision-makers to achieve systemic solutions to complex challenges. As the Western Region NASW-CO representative, I will use this focus on connection and relationship to help deepen the influence of social workers in Western Colorado, and to leverage the growing momentum generated by CMU's and the University of Denver's Western Slope-focused MSW programs. 

I believe that shaping national policy must be grounded in the lived realities of those most impacted by systems we seek to change. As a Latine, queer social worker, I carry cultural wealth rooted in advocacy and community—perspectives that are essential in today’s times full of tension. My work across community mental health, immigrant policy advocacy, and participatory research has shown me how deeply national decisions affect our day-to-day practice as social workers, especially for the underrepresented communities we are working alongside or are a part of ourselves. I am to ensure that the priorities and lived experiences of our communities are meaningfully reflected in the decisions that shape our profession.

As a representative for the NASW Colorado Chapter, I am focused on amplifying the voices of diverse communities and advocating for policies that enhance mental health services. I am committed to promoting accessibility by accepting a wide range of insurances, and continuing to ensure community members gain access to quality care. I believe that everyone deserves access to quality mental health care, and I am driven to ensure that our chapter reflects this principle. If elected, I will work diligently to foster collaboration among social workers, advocate for resources, and support initiatives aimed at improving mental health care for all Coloradans. Together, we can shape a future where every individual receives the understanding and support they need to thrive.

In my "human" time when I am not practicing as a social worker, I am a mom to two wonderful children (6 & 8), I enjoy going backpacking and kayaking, and I spend as much time around nature or art as possible.

I am a licensed social worker and educator with over 15 years of combined experience in military medical operations, nonprofit leadership, and direct clinical practice. As the Department Chair and Assistant Professor of Social Work at Pikes Peak State College, I am dedicated to shaping the next generation of ethical, culturally competent social workers. Additionally, as a licensed therapist in intensive and enhanced outpatient programs, as well as in community mental health, I have further refined my commitment to client-centered care and trauma-informed practice.

My systems-level perspective developed during my doctoral studies as a current DSW candidate is complemented by my experience in military instruction and leadership in nonprofit operations. These perspectives help me maintain balance and alignment between my graduate studies and real-world applications. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to serve in this position, not only to offer my assistance and support, but also to learn from and with social workers and justice advocates.