ABCSW Board of Directors

President
Bryan L. Pyle, MSW, LCSW, BCD

A volunteer member of the ABCSW board of directors since 2018, Bryan has 18 years as a practicing Licensed Clinical Social Worker to include nearly 17 years of commissioned service in the United States Navy where he currently serves our military health system as Navy’s Specialty Leader for Clinical Social Work. A native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania and alumnus of the Pennsylvania State University, Bryan graduated with his  Master of Social Work with concentration in mental health from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Bryan has held numerous positions of clinical care delivery, supervision and program management. Bryan’s specializations include trauma-informed evidenced based individual psychotherapies as well as addressing /alleviating stressors that impact military service members and their families.

Vice President
Tosha Ellis, Ph.D., LCSW, BCD, NBC-HWC

Dr. Tosha Ellis is a Mental Health and Wellness practitioner.  A diplomate of the American Board of Clinical Social Work, she has over 20 years of experience and has been a member since 2012. Dr. Ellis earned her Master of Social Work degree at Clark Atlanta University and holds a doctoral degree in public health. Having served in clinical leadership roles, behavioral health consultative and state public health, she has expertise in community health promotion and social determinants. Dr. Ellis has provided services to diverse clientele in Georgia and California.  She is owner of a private practice in Mental Health and Lifestyle Wellness. As a certified mindfulness professional, she incorporates it in the care of clients and everyday living. Dr. Ellis is passionate about advancing the human condition and operates from a bio-psycho-social-spiritual-cultural orientation. She is a proud Air Force Veteran and public servant in the federal sector.  Dr. Ellis is also a 2023 Alum of the President’s Management Council (PMC) Interagency Rotation Program having completed an assignment at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Treasurer
Stephanie Felder, PhD, LCSW, CAC-II, BCD

Dr. Stephanie Felder is a Commander in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. She is a subject matter expert on homelessness completing her doctoral degree at the National Catholic School of Social Service, The Catholic University of America. Dr. Felder serves as the Program Manager at the Defense Health Agency’s Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence. Prior to active duty, she served as Healthcare for Homeless Veteran Coordinator for the Fayetteville VA Medical Center. Dr. Felder is a national advocate for female veterans experiencing homelessness.

Secretary
Joel L. Carr, Ph.D., LCSW-S, BCD

Joel L. Carr is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Board Approved Clinical Supervisor endorsement in Texas. He is a Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work, and holds specialty certifications from the ABCSW in Clinical Supervision, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and in Forensic and Correctional Social Work. Dr. Carr has over 23 years of experience as a licensed clinical social worker in mental health and forensic settings including active duty service in the U.S. Navy, community behavioral health centers, county jails, forensic hospitals, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, private clinical practice, and in higher education. Dr. Carr is currently employed as an Associate Professor and Director of the D.S.W. program in Clinical Social Work at Angelo State University, located in San Angelo, Texas. Additionally, he works as a clinical consultant at MHMR Concho Valley in San Angelo, Texas. Dr. Carr’s areas of expertise include clinical assessment, differential diagnosis and psychopathology, personality disorders, and correctional mental health.

Past President
Ajus Ninan, MSW, BCD

Ajus Ninan is an active-duty Army Clinical Social Worker. He has held various clinical and leadership positions in Military Behavioral Health and the civilian sector. Mr. Ninan believes the idea of “service” is fundamental to his being and a career in Social Work was an obvious step. Before the military, he dedicated his career as a social worker to helping people in many different not-for-profit agencies, including working with victims of crime (rape, sexual abuse, child abuse, domestic violence), Veterans mental health and substance abuse services. Mr. Ninan is passionate about the strengths-based approach, systems thinking and the Social Work professions ability to promote social change, enhance well-being and empower human relationships.

Directors

Jana Edwards, MSW, LCSW, BCD

Jana Edwards has specialized in treating couples in her private psychotherapy practice in Denver, Colorado for 35 years. She developed Neurodynamic Couples Therapy, which she teaches to other couples therapists in workshops and consultations. Ms. Edwards is also the author of Why Are You Driving Me Crazy? How the Dramas of Marriage Can Change You for Good (Langdon Street Press, 2016). In addition to the ABCSW Board, she serves on the Council of Advisors at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work.

Charu Stokes-Williams, Ph.D., LICSW, BCD

Dr. Charu Stokes-Williams is an active duty clinical social worker in the Department of the Air Force. Dr. Stokes-Williams has held positions in the Air Force to include Mental Health Flight Commander,  Behavioral Medicine Faculty, Director of Psychological Health and the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program Manager. She is passionate about clinical research, integrative behavioral health, and mentoring new social workers. Prior to active duty, she was a  Save the Children Fellow, US Peace Corps volunteer, school social worker, and child welfare specialist. In her spare time, Dr. Stokes-Williams enjoys traveling to exotic places, yoga and hiking.

Liquori Etheridge, MSW, LCSW, BCD

Liquori Etheridge is a distinguished social worker with a combined 26 years of experience in active military service and social work practice. Currently, he serves as a licensed and board-certified clinical social worker for the U.S. Army. Throughout his military career, Liquori has excelled in leadership positions across operational and clinical settings. Notably, he has dedicated over 15 years to the social work field, specializing in supporting military service members, families, and veterans. Liquori's expertise lies in providing evidence-based treatment for mood disorders and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). He further bolstered his qualifications by completing a Child and Family Fellowship at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, earning an additional board certification in family and children's treatment. Driven by a passion for social work, Liquori strives to empower individuals and strengthen communities. His dedication extends to supporting and advancing the profession of social work, ultimately contributing to a better society.

Kenyuatia L. Gash, DSW, LCSW-QS, BCD, MAC, ACSW

Dr. Kenyuatia L. Gash is an esteemed figure and distinguished professional in the realm of social work and mental health, bringing forth a rich tapestry of 20 years of dedication to clinical excellence and community empowerment. Licensed to practice Clinical Social Work in Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Florida -Dr. Gash is the visionary founder and CEO of KL Gash & Associates, LLC, group practice where she serves as Senior Clinical Director providing HIGH quality, comprehensive, compassionate and person-centered mental health services designed to meet the diverse needs of our communities.

In addition, she is the founder and executive director of VA SMILE Foundation, Inc- a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering resilience, promoting well-being and hope through creating a supportive environment where every individual has access to the resources they need for healing, growth and wellness. Beyond therapeutic interventions, she has become a beacon for professional development and extends her expertise into areas of clinical supervision, mental health consultations, trainings and transformative business and professional coaching services.

A cornerstone of Dr. Gash's practice is her unwavering commitment to empowering Black women who struggle with rejection, low self-esteem, and self-acceptance, often due to father absenteeism and emotionally abusive mothers. Her therapeutic approach is grounded in evidence-based psychotherapies, specializing in PTSD and trauma disorders. Dr. Gash is an expert in Cognitive Processing Therapy, EMDR, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Mindfulness-based interventions.

Dr. Gash's credentials include being a Board-Certified Diplomat in Clinical Social Work, a Master Addiction Counselor, a Compassion Fatigue Professional, Certified Trauma Professional, a Certified and board-approved clinical supervisor, an EMDR Certified Therapist, and an EMDR Consultant in Training. Additionally, she is a Regional Trainer & Consultant in Cognitive Processing Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/Substance Use Disorder for the Department of Veteran Affairs-where she serves as a Staff Psychotherapist.

Furthermore, Dr. Gash is a social work professor and has authored two books- Mental Health 101 and Empowered to SMILE.  At her core, Dr. Gash is dedicated to Strengthening, Empowering, and Transforming those she encounters. Her life's mission is to destigmatize mental health within the culture and embrace individuals, families, and communities to achieve Freedom, Wholeness, and Harmony through emotional and mental wellness.

Lucia Anna Leo, MSW, LCSW-S, BCD

Ms. Lucia Anna Leo is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work and Board Approved Clinical Supervisor. She is a professional with 30+ years of experience in the medical and behavioral health services including inpatient/outpatient settings, profit/non-profit, governmental agencies, and institutions of higher learning. She was elected NASW Texas President from 2015-2017 after serving as Board Director for several years and also served as part of NASW President’s Council during the same period. Most recently, Ms. Leo served as ABCSW President from 2020 to 2022 after serving as Treasurer and Vice President respectively. For the last 15 years, Ms. Leo has been employed at the Department of Veterans Affairs Texas Valley Coastal Bend in various roles including Social Work Supervisor and for the last two years, returned to her true passion as a Senior Clinical Social Worker providing individual/family/group therapy to Veterans and their families. She is also owner of a private practice @ Mariposa Wellness Center, PLLC in McAllen, Texas since 2019 where she specializes in working with couples, LGBTQ+ and women. Ms. Leo is Mother to four adult children and Nana to her grandson Cristian.