Leadership

Shakira A. Kennedy, PhD, LMSW

Interim Executive Director, NASW-NYC/ Executive Director, NASW-NYS

Dr. Shakira A. Kennedy is a highly experienced and accomplished professional in the field of social work, with a career spanning over 23 years. Her expertise encompasses clinical supervision, operational and facility administrative roles, and extensive involvement in community agencies. She has been instrumental in areas such as adoption/foster services, shelter start-ups, early intervention for children with neurodivergent disorders, independent housing/auditing, and certification review for housing grants.

Her leadership roles within large not-for-profit organizations, ranging from Supervisor to Vice President, reflect her ability to oversee and guide diverse teams, including program directors, case managers, and assistant executive directors. Dr. Kennedy currently serves as the Executive Director of the New York State Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, where she has, as an active member contributed significantly to the Diversity committee and participated in racial justice forums and student conference series.

Additionally, she is engaged in political advocacy through her membership in the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, supporting African American women in the political process. Dr. Kennedy extends her impact through training and consultation services on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) for organizations, community groups, and professional associations, emphasizing anti-oppressive practices for organizational sustainability. Furthermore, she is an active member of two community boards, the first, serving young girls and the other, serving students within Westchester County Pelham school district.

As an educator, Dr. Shakira A. Kennedy has a rich history of teaching across all levels of social work education, from bachelor’s to doctoral programs. She has held roles such as Curriculum Committee Chair, co-chair of the policy sequence, and developer of graduate-level courses. Dr. Kennedy is actively involved in academic publications, serving as a journal reviewer for SAGE Open publications, a guest editor for the Journal Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping, and a consulting editor for Children & Schools. Her academic contributions extend to her role as an Association for Social Work Boards (ASWB) scholar and involvement in the Licensing & Regulation Task Force for the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Dr. Kennedy played a crucial role in developing the Curricular Guide for Licensing and Regulation, focusing on Competency 2 - Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice.

Dr. Kennedy holds a Bachelor's in Sociology from Long Island University-Brooklyn Campus, a Master of Social Work from Clark Atlanta University, and a PhD from The University of Tennessee. Personally, she hails from Kingston, Jamaica, and moved to the United States at the age of 5. She is the youngest of five sisters, a mother to an eight-year-old son, and enjoys activities such as playing tennis, listening to music, and spending time with her family. 

 Programs

Angelique I. Rodriguez

Manager, Membership Engagement & Special Programs

Angelique I. Rodriguez started with NASW-NYC in 2016 as the front-desk receptionist and Continuing Education Assistant, moved into the Coordinator of Community and Volunteer Initiatives position in late 2019, and has since moved into the Manager role in 2021. Angelique has a BA in Multi-Ethnic Literature and Multi-Ethnic Women and Gender Studies from the CUNY Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies Program. A writer and proud bibliophile, Angelique is a three-time alum of the Voices of Our Nations Arts Foundation's writing workshops, and a two-time alum of Vanessa Martir's Writing Our Lives personal essay workshop.

  Administration

Kalliope (Kelly) Moskos

Executive Assistant / Coordinator of Chapter Relations

Kelly Moskos began her career in advertising, where she gained valuable editorial, creative and administrative experience. During a temporary work assignment at a global nonprofit, she became interested in working for an organization that cares about making a difference. Kelly joined NASW-NYC in 2010 and now assists the Executive Director, coordinates the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and other Chapter meetings, as well as assists the Nominations Committees as an intermediary. Kelly has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a concentration in writing.

General inquiries?
NASW-NYC's General Office Hours are Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
contactus.naswnyc@socialworkers.org or 212-668-0050
 Thank you!

Last Updated: March 2020