Maxine A. Thome, PhD, LMSW, ACSW, MPH is the Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers - Michigan Chapter. Maxine’s professional experience is diverse, as she has shown a strong professional history of dedication to the principals of social work and the success of programs throughout the state. Her training in the field includes a Bachelors in Psychology, an MSW and her PhD in Counseling Psychology at Michigan State University and a second Masters degree in Public Health from the University of Michigan. She has extended this knowledge base in the field through a life-long pursuit of roles that have kept her on the cutting-edge of social work in many areas. She has actively fostered diversity and inclusiveness of the populations social workers serve by broadening access to social work, mental health services and wraparound services. 

Some of her professional experiences include serving as a school social worker, working as a primary in-patient psychiatric therapist, serving as a director of behavioral sciences, working as a hospice supervisor, working as a clinical supervisor at a substance abuse counseling center, and running a child sexual abuse program. Maxine was also an instructor at Lansing Community College and taught courses in psychology, domestic violence and divorce adjustment. She has also served as adjunct faculty for Eastern Michigan University and Michigan State University’s School of Social Work, teaching courses for Masters level students. Maxine has also remained in private practice for nearly 30 years. 

Throughout her career, Maxine has worked to develop and build community coalitions with external organizations, including family planning agencies, Title X programs and the Michigan Department of Community Health Breast and Cervical Cancer Control program. Maxine served as a founder for the Remember My Name Statewide AIDS Memorial and has also served with the State Alzheimer’s/Dementia Coalition, and the Lansing Area AIDS Network (LAAN) of which she was also a founder. Currently, Maxine serves on the Board of Directors for the Clinton Eaton Ingham Community Mental Health (CEI CMH), Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards (MACMHB), Citizens Advisory on Prisons and Public Spending, and is Board President for the Lansing Area AIDS Network Board of Directors.

Jamie Johnston joined as the NASW-Michigan Chapter's Administrative Assistant in early March 2011. With over ten years experience in the Michigan Legislature as a Legislative Aide to various State Representatives, Jamie brings a wealth of diverse knowledge to the NASW- Michigan Chapter team. Some of Jamie’s responsibilities include serving as the NASW-Michigan Chapter Receptionist, assisting the Executive Director and staff with daily operations/scheduling and processing daily accounting practices.

Robin Mingus is a Registered Social Services Technican and project manager with over 20 years of experience. Robin was brought to NASW-Michigan in May of 2006 to launch the Michigan Social Work Continuing Education Collaborative. Her responsibilities include the management of the Collaborative and oversees all aspects of the Continuing Education application process. Robin was also instrumental in the development and implementation of the NASW-Michigan CE Tracking program.

Elizabeth Taylor is one of two MSW student interns for NASW-Michigan. She has a dual Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and Family Studies from Central Michigan University. Currently, Elizabeth is in her second year of her MSW program at Michigan State University, with a focus on Organizational Community Practice. Much of her experience has been with working with at-risk youth from underprivileged communities in both a national and international context. In her work at the Chapter, she assists the Executive Director and Director of Member Services and Development to carry out the NASW-MI mission. Her duties include the participation in legislative developments, outreach, program planning, development of community partnerships and coalitions, and advocacy initiatives.