Chapter Board of Directors

Current Board Officers

Featured below are the current NASWCO Chapter Board Officers.  You may find information on additional board members at Region/Student Representatives and Committee Chairs.

To reach a Board Officer please contact the Chapter Office via the Contact Us form on this website.

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President  (2022 - 2024)

Saira Malhotra, MSW, LCSW (she/they)

Saira is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with their own psychotherapy practice in Denver, CO. She obtained her Bachelor's degree at Boston University, where she explored her interests in systems and mental health through research and direct service. This work motivated her to pursue training as a psychotherapist through a Master's degree in social work. She has since trained and practiced with clients from a wide range of backgrounds, in a variety of settings throughout the Greater Denver Area. She is also co-leading a study about the decolonization lens for psychotherapy.

While she enjoyed her work as a researcher and psychotherapist, Saira was yearning for a meaningful way to address the impact of systems on clients' lives. Clinical training had always seemed overwhelmed by this topic, and rarely offered a space for collaboration and guidance. Saira's desire became even more pressing throughout 2020 and 2021, during which systemic failures were intensifying. She began challenging systemic narratives with her clients, which opened up possibilities for healing she had not thought possible thus far in her career. By interacting with systems in clients' lives, she began to develop insights relevant for addressing the country's ongoing mental health crisis.

Saira ultimately hopes to apply these insights through a position as NASW CO's Board President. Her ultimate goal is to create a platform for social workers to contribute to public discourse about the impact of systemic failures on our collective well-being. They also intend to specifically advocate for social workers' needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, and beyond.

Vice President (2022 - 2024)

Danielle Willis, MSW, LCSW, LAC (she/her)

Danielle Willis (she/her), MSW, LCSW, LAC is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Addiction Counselor. Danielle is currently on faculty at Colorado State University’s School of Social Work program as a Senior Instructor within the department and she previously earned her MSW from Colorado State University. She has a background working with individuals living with HIV/AIDS, chronic illness and addictions, and has also worked in school social work settings. Willis’ teaching is infused with inclusive and socially just ways to address addictions, groups, and practice. In addition to being a full-time member of faculty, she has a private practice focused on clinical supervision, resilience, and addictions treatment. Danielle has served as the Northern Region Representative for NASW Colorado’s Board of Directors for the last 4 years and is excited about the possibility of continuing her Board service in the role of VP. She believes in serving her community and is currently supporting the Inclusive Health Collaboration to ensure access to care for those who are unstably housed. Willis received the CSU College of Health and Human Services Non-Tenure Track Early Career Teaching Award for 2019. She has had the opportunity to share her addictions work through many presentations at Colorado State and the larger community level, and she looks forward to serving the Colorado social work community as Vice President of the NASW-CO Board of Directors.

Secretary (2021 - 2023)

Vanessa E. Alarcon, MSW, LCSW (she/her)

¡Hola! I have lived in Colorado since 2006 and currently reside in Broomfield County. I attended Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI where I received my BS in Psychology and my Masters in Social Work with concentrations in mental health and marriage and family therapy. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and have been working in an outpatient setting for the last four years. I am currently working towards becoming a Licensed Addiction Counselor and obtaining the Academy of Certified Social Workers credential through the NASW. Outside of my clinical work, I have participated in advocating for marginalized groups through campaigns with a variety of organizations, including the Broomfield Public Health Department, the Mexican Consulate of Denver and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. I have accepted invitations to provide workshops and seminars focused on mental health to schools, faith communities, and community organizations in Colorado and across the country. I am honored to serve as the Board Secretary for the NASW-CO Chapter and am looking forward to enhancing our professional development and advocating for social change through this role.