Alumni Board

Malaysia Harrell is a spiritual transformation coach, veteran, keynote speaker, and author who helps people find freedom and fulfillment. She is a distinguished leader whose dedication to public health has left an indelible mark on the United States Public Health Service and the United States Air Force. She had the honor of serving as the Special Assistant to the Surgeon General of the United States as well as the Director of Addictions Medicine for the Department of Defense. Malaysia was also appointed by the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs and detailed to coordinate the White House Cross-Agency Priority Goals/Interagency Task Force initiatives to improve mental health outcomes for 9.6 million beneficiaries. She represented

the DoD as a member of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Treatment Committee and the Interagency Coordinated Council for Underage Drinking. CAPT Harrell's tenure at the White House further underscored her impact on public health policy.

After retiring after over 20 years of service, Malaysia Harrell embarked on a profound journey of healing and empowerment. Drawing from her personal experiences and deep commitment to mental health advocacy, Malaysia founded Blissful Life Consulting LLC. Her vision is to empower individuals and communities through transformative mindset coaching and holistic wellness practices. As a licensed psychotherapist and board-certified clinical social worker, Malaysia blends clinical expertise, spiritual wisdom and intuitive guidance to help women overcome their past trauma, heal their hurts and define their vision for their lives. With a mission to foster authenticity and resilience, Blissful Life Consulting is dedicated to equipping individuals with the tools to lead fulfilling lives.

Malaysia Harrell, LCSW-C, LICSW, BCD, graduated from University of Maryland School of Social Work in 2002.

Brittany Brendel, MSW ’13, LCSW-C, graduated from the University of Maryland School of Social Work in 2013 with a concentration in Clinical Social Work, Families and Children. While pursuing her MSW, she received training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Strengthening Families Coping Resources (SFCR), building a strong foundation in trauma, child welfare, and intimate partner violence. 

After graduation, Brittany worked as a school-based therapist in Baltimore City before joining the Baltimore County Department of Social Services (DSS) as a Child Protective Services Social Worker, where she was trained in ChildFirst Forensic Interviewing. Over the past decade, she has advanced through several leadership roles and currently serves as the Integrated Practice Coordinator. In this role, she leads multidisciplinary teams, oversees a behavioral health program, implements evidenced based practices, and works to strengthen services that promote child safety, family preservation, and permanency. She is passionate about improving child welfare systems through innovation, workforce development, and trauma-informed practice. 

Throughout her career, Brittany has been a dedicated advocate for both children and families and the social work profession. In 2017, alongside two colleagues, she spearheaded a successful statewide initiative to increase compensation for licensed child welfare social workers in Maryland. She was recognized with the Department of Human Services Customer Service Excellence Award and the Baltimore County Field Instructor of the Year Award in 2018. In 2023, she was selected for the Department of Human Services Leadership Development Initiative and received the Emerging Leader Award upon completing the program. 

In addition to her work with DSS, Brittany serves as a Call Center Clinician with The Santé Group's Baltimore County Crisis Response program, providing real-time behavioral health intervention through the county's innovative 911 diversion program. She helps de-escalate mental health crises, connect individuals with community resources, and reduce unnecessary law enforcement involvement whenever appropriate. 

Brittany is committed to advancing the social work profession through leadership, mentorship, and professional education. As Vice President of the University of Maryland School of Social Work Alumni Board, she looks forward to strengthening alumni engagement, supporting students and emerging professionals, and fostering meaningful connections within the social work community. Throughout her career, Brittany remains dedicated to improving outcomes for children and families while empowering the next generation of social work leaders. 

Shanda is a licensed Social Worker with clinical expertise who is committed to advancing vulnerable and oppressed communities. She has provided services to vulnerable individuals for over 20 years. She currently works as a Regional Community Life Director for The Community Builders -- a nationally recognized non - profit developer that owns, develops and manages affordable housing communities. In this role, Shanda is responsible for operational excellence in the Mid - Atlantic Region (MD, NY, DC, VA, and PA) and works to ensure the communities within her region move toward: economic mobility, community cohesion, reach generational milestones and have access to healthy housing, and family centered care and services. Shanda also has an extensive history in permanent supportive housing, homeless youth, foster care, and aging services.

Shanda is invested in supporting current and future Social Workers as they embark on their social work journeys. She is currently a Field Instructor for the University of MD School of Social Work where she has received the 2022 Field Instructor of the year award and also coaches Social Work students across the Mid-Atlantic region. 

 

Megan Tracy Benson MSW ’06, LMSW, is a licensed social worker and ADHD/executive function coach with experience in neurodiversity, intergenerational engagement, and nonprofit/small business leadership. She is the founder of Unstuck Coaching LLC, a private practice supporting adults with ADHD and executive function challenges through a shame-free, strengths-based approach.  She previously served as cofounder and deputy director of Empowering the Ages (ETA), a Maryland nonprofit dedicated to connecting younger and older generations to strengthen communities and enhance wellbeing across the lifespan.  

In her years at ETA, she helped design and oversee intergenerational initiatives focused on school readiness, workforce development, civic engagement, and reducing social isolation among youth and older adults. ETA has impacted thousands of people and earned recognition by organizations including Montgomery County agencies, AARP Livable Communities, and regional media outlets. Benson remains an active volunteer and advisor to ETA and has been an active public voice in the field of intergenerational practice. She has been featured in community forums and interviews including Montgomery County Media's Solutions and 50+ in Montgomery County, speaking about the importance of multigenerational connections in building resilient, inclusive communities. 

Benson maintains longstanding membership in the National Association of Social Workers, as well as ADHD-related organizations CHADD, ADDA, and ACO; she remains engaged in regional nonprofit and aging sector networks. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Arts from Brown University, grounding her work in both liberal arts and clinical community social work training. 

Jessica Contreras, MSW ’00, LCSW-C is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical whose career reflects two decades of leadership across healthcare, government, and nonprofit settings in Maryland. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. 

Jessica currently serves as a Programmatic Social Worker with Howard County Public Schools, where she provides direct services and case management to students and families, addressing social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs, and connects students to school-based and community mental health resources. In addition, she facilitates a group with Centro Sol, part of Johns Hopkins Bayview, where she works with immigrant families to promote mental wellness. 

Her career includes work with Johns Hopkins Bayview, where she provided clinical services in a primary care setting and served as Interim Social Work Supervisor for the department. Prior to that, she spent several years at Baltimore Medical System as a Social Worker and Behavioral Health Lead, providing crisis intervention, psychotherapy, and case management services across the lifespan. She received the Outstanding Service Award from Baltimore Medical System in 2015. 

Jessica also served as the Hispanic/Latino Community Liaison for the Baltimore Mayor's Office of Neighborhoods, where she coordinated the city's first Hispanic Commission, conducted staff training on serving Baltimore's foreign-born population, and worked closely with city agencies and community organizations. Earlier in her career, she spent several years with Casey Family Services, where she developed educational programming, facilitated parenting groups, and helped launch the city's first free bilingual tax assistance program, and also worked as a parenting support worker with the Annapolis Family Support Center. 

She is a founding board member and former President of the Board of Directors of the Latino Providers Network, and has served on the boards of Behavioral Health System Baltimore, the Maryland Attorney General's Consumer Council, UMBC's Black and Latino Alumni Committee, and the Springfield Hospital Community Advisory Board, to which she was appointed by the Governor of Maryland. 

Jessica is a Board-Approved Supervisor and Field Instructor through the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners and previously served as Adjunct Faculty at Morgan State University In 2025, she received the Whitney Young Alumni Award from the University of Maryland School of Social Work. In her free time, Jessica enjoys the outdoors and spending time with friends and family. 

Dr. Oswald “Ozzie” R. Elie, Jr., PhD, MSW ’06, MBA, MHA, MAC, is a 2006 graduate of the University of Maryland School of Social Work and currently serves as Division Chief for Military and Family Readiness at the National Guard Bureau. In this executive leadership role, he provides oversight for 17 national programs supporting Service Members, families, survivors, and communities across 54 states and territories. 

Dr. Elie is also President and CEO of O.R.E.A., LLC, a Maryland-based counseling, education, and treatment organization dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based behavioral health and substance use services. He brings more than 15 years of leadership experience across federal, military, healthcare, clinical, and community-based settings. 

After earning his Master of Social Work degree with a specialization in clinical social work, substance abuse, and mental health, Dr. Elie obtained his LCSW-C credential and went on to earn graduate degrees in Business Administration and Healthcare Administration. He also holds a PhD in Psychology with a focus on military suicide prevention and is nationally certified as a Master Addiction Counselor. 

Dr. Elie began his clinical career at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where he was nominated for Social Worker of the Year. He later served in key leadership roles at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Naval Support Activity Bethesda, and Marine Corps Community Services Henderson Hall, where he led programs supporting behavioral health, military family readiness, and quality-of-life services. 

Throughout his career, Dr. Elie has remained committed to service, mentorship, advocacy, and strengthening systems of care for individuals, families, and communities. His work reflects a deep commitment to social work values, behavioral health, and advancing support for those who serve and their families. 

Mr. Fielding has worked in the human services field for over 25 years. He is a Baltimore native and a product of the Baltimore City Public School System. Fielding attended Morgan State University, where he declared a major in Social Work because it connected him to his passion for helping others. Mr. Fielding attained his bachelor’s degree in social work from Morgan State University in 2003. With an exceptional GPA, Mr. Fielding was eligible for the University of Maryland School of Social Work’s accelerated master’s degree program. Mr. Fielding enrolled in the accelerated program and attained his master’s in social work degree with a concentration in children and families in one year.

Mr. Fielding is currently the Co-founder and Program Director of Leading By Example, a mental health services and family strengthening institute that was founded in 2009. Leading By Example is a derivative of Mr. Fielding's passion for helping others and his ambition for business and leadership. Leading by Example provides a plethora of mental health and family-strengthening services to adults and youth in the Baltimore Metropolitan area. Leading By Example has over 100 staff members and three offices, which are in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Harford County. In addition, Leading By Example has two residential treatment facilities in Baltimore City.

Donna Folkemer, MCP ’74 graduated in 1974 with a Masters in Community Planning. During her 40-year career, she worked on a variety of state health policy issues while employed by state government, non-profit organizations, and university research centers.  

Donna's favorite job was at the National Conference of State Legislatures where she led a team supporting legislative health policy leaders across the country. That group brought together Chairs of Health Committees from various states to discuss Medicaid, children’s health, long term services and supports, and other issues and to consider bipartisan policy options. 

Donna began her career at the Maryland Office on Aging where she led the planning and policy unit and then managed a variety of programs, including Public Guardianship and Medicare Counseling.  

At George Washington University, Donna was part of a group analyzing proposed state health legislation for clients.  Her focus was Medicaid and long-term services and supports. At the District of Columbia Medicaid Program, Donna led the agency's policy unit during the implementation of the Children's Health Insurance Program. 

While at the National Association of State Units on Aging, Donna worked to support state governments as they implemented community care programs. Donna's most recent employment was at The Hilltop Institute at UMBC where she led long term services and supports research activities.  

Donna lives in Baltimore City with her husband John. 

Lisa Gudavich is a Program Director at St. Vincent’s Villa, where she has administrative and clinical oversight for the Diagnostic Evaluation and Treatment program providing trauma informed assessments and treatment for children and their families. She has served as a field instructor for social work students through UMB SSW since the late 90’s.

Mrs. Gudavich came to Maryland after growing up in Western New York and then majoring in psychology at Bucknell University. Upon obtaining her MSW, she served first as unit therapist in their specialized girls’ sexual abuse treatment unit at St. Vincent’s Center as well as an outpatient therapist for several years through Catholic Charities. Subsequently, she held several management positions related to programming at St. Vincent’s Center (now St. Vincent’s Villa) such as Unit Director, Clinical Director, and providing oversight of the Child Safe Program, which delivered child abuse prevention programming to students to non-public schools in the Baltimore area.

Elizabeth KonKolics, MSW ’17, LCSW-C earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland School of Social Work in 2017, completing dual concentrations in Clinical Social Work and Macro Practice. During graduate school, she was selected as a Behavioral Health Workforce Integration in Social Work and Nursing (BHWISE) Fellow and served on the School of Social Work Student Council, representing the school on the University of Maryland, Baltimore Student Council. 

After graduation, Elizabeth joined Catholic Charities Villa Maria Behavioral Health as an school-based outpatient mental health therapist and was promoted to Clinical Supervisor in 2022. In her current role, she provides clinical supervision, training, and leadership while continuing to maintain a clinical caseload, allowing her to remain grounded in direct practice while supporting the development of high-quality behavioral health services. 

Elizabeth is trained in several evidence-based practices, including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), AFFIRM practices for working with LGBTQ+ youth and families, the Partnering for Success CBT+ model, and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). She is also completing Within-Agency Trainer (WAT) certification in PCIT, allowing her to train and mentor future PCIT clinicians. 

As a clinician and supervisor, Elizabeth is deeply committed to developing exceptional therapists who recognize both the responsibility and the privilege of walking alongside children and families during times of need. She is passionate about family therapy, evidence-based practice, and cultivating clinicians who approach their work with curiosity, compassion, humility, and clinical excellence. Through supervision, training, and mentorship, she strives to strengthen the next generation of behavioral health professionals while improving outcomes for the children, families, and communities they serve. 

Stephanie Johnson Pettaway, Adoption Consultant at Adoption Exchange Cooperation, began her career in public welfare in 1975 when she was hired in child welfare in the adoption unit at the Baltimore City Department of Social Services. Stephanie has worked with children and birth, adoptive, foster and kin families through the adoption process. In 1982, Stephanie became a lead worker and supervisor of the treatment foster care and adoption program in Baltimore County Department of Social Services. This experience increased her knowledge of not only child welfare but also adoption.

In 1987, Stephanie was hired by the Maryland Department of Human Resources, Social Services Administration as a licensing specialist. In this role she licensed and monitored child placing agencies as well as residential programs throughout Maryland.

Subsequently, Stephanie was promoted to Adoption Specialist, Adoption Manager and then to the Director of the Office of Child Welfare Policy and Practice, from which she retired June 30, 2008. During her tenure, Stephanie worked with the Association of Administrators Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, and served on the Boards and as President of the Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance and National Association of State Adoption Programs.

She supervised the staff of the Maryland Adoption Resource Exchange and the adoption search contact and reunion programs. She has worked with the Maryland One Church, One Child Program from its inception. Stephanie was a member of the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) adoption advisory committee and the Multicultural Advisory Committee for the National Resource Center for Adoption. Stephanie has been an approved consultant for the National Resource Center for Adoption and the National Resource Center for Diligent Recruitment at AdoptUSKids.

In January 2009, Stephanie joined AdoptUsKids as the National Recruitment Campaign Fulfillment Director. This is a great compliment to the work she has done over the years. It allows her to utilize all her previous experiences to work with persons from the states, territories and tribes as they work to place children in the forever families.

Stephanie is a very active church and community volunteer. Stephanie serves in her church in many positions. She is a certified Lay Servant and Lay Leader. She is also active in the following:

Presidents Committee, Morgan State University Fine Drawings Department 1997 - present, currently serving as Chair of the Committee

Harlem Park Metropolitan Community Development Association, Chair Board of Directors; 2017-2021

Light Health and Wellness Comprehension Services and Child Care Program, member 2016, Secretary of Board of Directors, 2016-2019, Vice Chair 2019- present

University of Maryland School of Social Work Alumni Association Board, November 2019- present

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Clinical Therapist for the CARE for Newcomers Program
Lutheran Social Services of the North Capital Area

Barbara Pulgar, LCSW-C, is a Clinical Therapist for the CARE for Newcomers Program at Lutheran Social Services of the North Capital Area.  Ms. Pulgar graduated from the University of MD School of Social Work in 2005 with a dual concentration: Children and Family-Clinical and Management and Community Organizing.  She has worked with children and adults providing bi-lingual mental health services in direct practice and for many years, in management since graduation.  She worked as a clinician and later as a Director of CORE Services at YMCA Youth and Family Services in Montgomery County, MD.  Later, she moved to Montgomery County Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health in Silver Spring, MD where she provided therapy to uninsured children and adolescents in the area. In her current role, she is providing trauma informed care to asylum seekers involved in a monitoring program with ICE. 

 

LaShawn D. Scroggins, MSW ‘95, LMSW, is the Chief of the Division of Incident Response within the Office of Refugee Resettlement at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She provides leadership for national child welfare initiatives that promote the safety, wellbeing, and protection of unaccompanied children, leading multidisciplinary teams responsible for incident response, quality assurance, and continuous systems improvement. 

A proud graduate of Coppin State University, where she was a McNair Scholar and Honors Program student, LaShawn earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland School of Social Work. Throughout her career, she has held leadership positions in child welfare, child support, and human services at the local, state, and federal levels, building a reputation for strategic leadership, collaborative problem-solving, and advancing policies that strengthen outcomes for children and families. 

Beyond her professional career, LaShawn is deeply committed to service and leadership. She serves on the Board of Directors for Securityplus Federal Credit Union and the Baltimore County Community Reinvestment and Repair Commission. She is also a Certified Professional Life Coach and the founder of eLevation Professional Services, LLC, and. 

As a member of the University of Maryland School of Social Work Alumni Board, LaShawn is passionate about giving back to the institution that helped shape her career, supporting alumni engagement, mentoring emerging social workers, and strengthening connections between graduates and the School’s mission of advancing social justice and improving the lives of individuals, families, and communities. 

Alan Shugart, retired, graduated from the University of Maryland School of Social Work and Community Planning in Social Administration in 1976 after moving from Detroit in 1974.

Alan began his State of Maryland career at the Department of Human Resources working on the CETA program before joining the Department of Health and working in management and leadership positions for 26 years in Medicaid Systems and Operations. Selective accomplishments included directing the system implementations of State Medicaid program policy changes including mandatory managed care (HealthChoice) program and Medicaid Children’s Health Program expansion. He also directed the implementation of the required national standards for healthcare (HIPAA). Alan served nationally on the National Medicaid EDI Healthcare (NMEH) workgroup leadership team, the Medicaid Directors representative to CMS HCPCS workgroup and on the CMS Systems Technical Advisory Group as well as presenting at national Medicaid Enterprise System and HIPAA conferences.

Alan then went to work at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) where he worked in the Division of State Systems on improving State Medicaid Enterprise Systems and implementing HIPAA standards, Medicare Modernization Act and Medicare Coordination of Benefits.

Alan finished his career in the private sector working to replace and improve the Maryland Medicaid System and Operations and improving the company’s Medicaid Enterprise Systems solutions. Alan earned his Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Alan lives in Timonium with his wife.

Nichole M. Wallace is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. Nichole is a graduate of Coppin State University and the University of Maryland School of Social Work. Nichole is both a Licensed Certified Social Worker- Clinical and a Board Approved Supervisor by the Maryland State Board of Social Work Examiners.

Having over 30 years of experience working with family and children via direct care, training, and consultation services, Nichole is currently a Supervisory Program Specialist for the Health and Human Service’s Office of Refugee Resettlement in Washington, DC. In addition, she serves as the Clinical Supervisor for The Renaissance Center in Gwynn Oak, Maryland.

An advocate at heart, Nichole specializes in restoration, recovery, and reconciliation for those impacted by trauma associated with child maltreatment, domestic violence, and divorce and separation. She is also well trained in the areas of human trafficking and LGBQT. In 2021, she launched Rooted In Promise L.L.C. Rooted In Promise offers trauma-based training and consultation services for those seeking restoration from life’s adversities. She is also a featured writer in Straightening Her Crown Anthology.

Nichole considers all that she does as an opportunity to be the hands and feet that are used to equip others for change.

 

Jonathan William, MSW ’19, LCSW-C, is a licensed clinical social worker, child welfare leader, and mental health therapist dedicated to empowering children, families, and communities through compassionate leadership and evidence-based practice. A graduate of Oakwood University (BSW) and the University of Maryland School of Social Work (MSW), Jonathan currently serves as a Child Protective Services Extended Hours Supervisor with the Baltimore City Department of Social Services while also providing psychotherapy in private practice. 

With experience in child welfare leadership, clinical mental health, crisis intervention, and community outreach, Jonathan is passionate about mentoring future social workers, advancing behavioral health equity, and improving outcomes for underserved populations. His work is grounded in service, integrity, collaboration, and social justice. 

As a member of the Alumni Board, Jonathan is committed to strengthening alumni engagement, supporting student success, fostering professional mentorship, and helping prepare the next generation of social work leaders to make a lasting impact in their communities. 

Kathryn Zimmerman, MSW ’20, LCSW-C, is the first SSW graduate to serve on the Alumni Board of Directors who completed the UMB SSW program at the Universities at Shady Grove campus in Rockville, MD. 

Kathryn spent 20 years in a prior career as a healthcare administrator in Montgomery County, MD. While she found that serving her community by developing new health care programs and services to be fulfilling, she had what she calls “clinician envy.” Kathryn was drawn to clinical behavioral health, and believed that becoming a therapist was what she was meant to do with the remainder of her productive life. She considers it an honor and privilege to be in an important conversation with clients about what really matters in their lives, and could not think of anything else she would rather be doing. Supporting clients in this way has become her daily motivation.

Kathryn is a clinician and a clinical supervisor at an outpatient mental health practice in Bethesda, MD. Prior to joining this practice, she worked as an outpatient therapist at a community mental health agency, as a first responder for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, and as an individual and family therapist in a DBT intensive outpatient program for adolescents and young adults.  She also serves as a disaster mental health volunteer for the American Red Cross.