Leadership Council

LeAnn Lawlor, MSW, LCSW, is a Medical Social Worker at Liberty Hospital and currently serves as President of NASW-Missouri. She has been actively involved in NASW leadership for over 3 years, serving on the Board of Directors and contributing to advocacy, professional development, and political action initiatives that advance the social work profession.

LeAnn is passionate about empowering social workers, strengthening professional connections, and advocating for policies that improve the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. As President, she is committed to fostering transparency, collaboration, and meaningful member engagement while ensuring Missouri social workers have a strong voice within NASW's regional structure. 

Dori is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice in the St. Louis area. Much of her career has focused on advocating for change within the criminal justice system — providing crisis intervention, case management, therapy, and advocacy for survivors of intimate partner violence and trauma. She has also worked with people who have caused harm, grounded in a deep belief in accountability, healing, and restorative practices. 

Being part of NASW-MO keeps Dori connected to the macro- and mezzo-level issues that shape the world we all navigate each day. Though her day-to-day work focuses on micro-level concerns, being a board member allows her to focus on the bigger picture: amplifying the voices of social workers and community members across Missouri and advocating for policies that advance social, racial, and economic justice. 

A recent transplant to Missouri, Dori began her career in Brooklyn, NY. She holds an MSW from Columbia University and an undergraduate degree in Theatre from Northwestern University. 

Carly Mitchell is a social worker, advocate, and community leader dedicated to advancing equitable systems and expanding access to mental health and social services across Missouri. She is currently completing her Master of Social Work at the University of Missouri with an emphasis in Policy, Planning, and Administration, along with a graduate certificate in Organizational Change and Conflict Management.

Drawing on more than a decade of experience in direct service, community engagement, and systems advocacy, Carly has worked alongside schools, nonprofit organizations, justice-involved individuals, and neighborhood communities to promote trauma-informed, restorative, and evidence-based approaches. Her work is grounded in the belief that lasting change happens through collaboration, compassion, and meaningful policy reform.

As Secretary of the NASW Missouri Chapter, Carly is honored to support the profession of social work and advocate for policies and practices that strengthen individuals, families, and communities throughout the state.

Anna Fairchild is an MSW student at the University of Missouri Saint Louis. She has held the NASW-MO MSW Student Representative position for two years. Being involved with NASW-MO helps Anna put the learnings from the classroom into practice as well as maintain motivation to advocate for the needs of social workers and stakeholders in Missouri. Anna has over three years of experience as a credentialed community health worker and maintains strong relationships with St. Louis organizations serving underrepresented populations. She has worked with clients from all backgrounds and advocates for bridging the gaps in care. Her current work consists of working with students at the Saint Louis Community College Access Office, aiding students with disabilities who need accommodations, and working to de-stigmatize advocating for help. Anna is also nearing the end of her foundational MSW practicum at Aging Ahead, providing SDOH-related services to older adults in the community. As a part of her practicum experience, she has worked with Washington University on an older adult social isolation study and has gained experience with legislative initiatives for older adults in Missouri. In August, Anna will begin her work with Memory Keepers and will be co-facilitating a Dementia Caregiver Therapy group for the final year of her MSW program. Anna is invested in her community and strives to operate through an equitable lens by participating in opportunities to support social initiatives such as those NASW-MO works on. Anna also hopes to aid in more involvement of social work students with NASW-MO and create better connections with students before they enter the field as practicing social workers. Anna looks forward to serving her term as the MO-NASW Member at Large board member and hopes to make more connections with others in the social work field. 

Celeste Souza, MSW, LCSW, is a social worker with more than 20 years of experience providing direct care, supervision, and leadership. Celeste earned an MSW from Washington University in St. Louis.  She has a track record of building strong teams and improving collaboration between departments and across multiple organizations. Celeste serves as the Chief Behavioral Health Officer with Family Care Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center in the St. Louis area. Celeste is proud to be a social worker, committed to growing the profession, and believes that a strong NASW is a vital part of our profession and our legacy.

My name is Ayshia Mathuthu (pronounced Aye-sha, like "Asia"), and I am a Master of Social Work professional dedicated to promoting health, wellness, and equitable access to resources. I earned my Master of Social Work from the University of Missouri–St. Louis with a concentration in Family Practice and an emphasis in Health and Behavioral Health. I also hold a Bachelor of Social Work from Southeast Missouri State University, where I completed a certification in Child Advocacy Studies. 

I currently serve as the Student Health and Wellness Program Manager at St. Charles Community College, where I lead campus-wide initiatives that support students' physical, mental, and emotional well-being. In this role, I oversee departmental operations, manage budgets, supervise staff, develop wellness programming, and collaborate with campus and community partners to enhance student success. I am passionate about connecting individuals with resources, reducing barriers to care, and creating environments where all students feel supported. 

Prior to my current role, I worked as a medical social worker in hospital settings, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to provide care coordination and connect patients and families to essential community resources. My experience also includes working with children and families in educational and community settings, reinforcing my commitment to advocacy, prevention, and person-centered care. 

As a social worker, I am committed to the NASW Code of Ethics and the profession's core values. Likewise, I value collaboration, lifelong learning, and community engagement and am dedicated to advancing the social work profession through leadership, advocacy, and service.

Andrea Weatherspoon (she/her), MSW, serves as the Unit B Representative on the NASW–Missouri Board of Directors. She earned her Master of Social Work from Howard University and is currently preparing for her LMSW licensure. Once she attains her licensure, she intends to continue developing her work in medical and community‑based social work, with a focus on improving care pathways for individuals navigating health and social needs.

Rooted in her commitment to trauma‑informed and culturally responsive care, Andrea is passionate about strengthening mental health access and reducing barriers for underserved communities across Missouri. She values NASW–MO as a space for advocacy, professional integrity, and collective action, and she is dedicated to representing the Kansas City metro with transparency, collaboration, and a strong focus on member engagement.

Lilly White, MA, MSW, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker, educator, researcher, and owner of One Breath Mindset Counseling LLC. She is a Doctor of Social Work candidate at the University of Louisville whose work focuses on rural behavioral health, trauma treatment, and expanding access to evidence-based care through telehealth. Lilly has held executive leadership roles in nonprofit behavioral health, provides EMDR and trauma-focused treatment, and is an active speaker and advocate for integrated rural mental health services.

I am a Master of Social Work student at the University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC), with an anticipated graduation in 2027. My professional interests include medical social work, maternal mental health, and supporting individuals and families during the perinatal period. I am especially passionate about working with mothers and families navigating high-risk pregnancies, childbirth, postpartum challenges, and other significant life transitions.

My practicum experience at AbilityKC strengthened my foundation in client-centered care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and trauma-informed practice. During the 2026-2027 academic year, I will complete a specialized clinical practicum providing psychotherapy with a focus on perinatal mental health, where I look forward to continuing to develop my clinical skills and deepen my understanding of evidence-based therapeutic approaches.

I believe that every person deserves to feel heard, valued, and supported, and I am committed to advocating for equitable, compassionate care for individuals and families. As a student representative, I hope to encourage collaboration among students, promote professional growth, and help strengthen the connection between students and NASW Missouri.

Outside of school and social work, I enjoy spending time with my daughter and getting lost in a good book.

Samantha Kuykendall is a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) student at Missouri State University with a strong commitment to supporting youth, their families, and promoting student well-being. As an adult learner, Samantha brings both life experience and dedication to her academic and professional journey, maintaining a successful academic record while balancing multiple roles in education, mentorship, and family life.

Samantha has accumulated over six years of experience working within public school counseling departments, including two years at the middle school level and four years in a high school setting. In these roles, she has developed a deep understanding of the social, emotional, and academic needs of adolescents and regularly collaborates and networks with social workers and community-based organizations to connect students and their families with essential resources and support systems beyond the school environment. Samantha’s experiences have reinforced a commitment to advocacy, collaboration, trauma-informed care, and sparked an interest in social policy change at a systemic level.

As part of her professional experience and commitment to the holistic development of young people, Samantha serves as a high school cheerleading coach, where she mentors students in leadership, teamwork, and personal growth. Her dedication to student experience extends beyond the classroom and reflects a passion for empowering youth to succeed.

Samantha began her higher education at Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City, earning an Associate of Arts degree and was selected as the student speaker for the Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony. Chosen by the Graduation Committee subsequent to a faculty nomination, this honor reflects her dedication to leadership, perseverance, and community engagement.

Eager to contribute to the NASW board by bringing her perspective as a student, educator, parent, and advocate, Samantha holds a deep commitment to advancing the values of social work through service, equity, integrity, and professional excellence.