Kym Tutell, M.S., M.B.A., C.B.E.P.
President, Co-founder, Author
Kym has worked in the mental health field for 30 years. She previously served as executive director for the Utah Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers for 10 years where she earned the prestigious “NASW Executive Director of the Year” award.
She has co-authored 15 college and trade textbooks and developed extensive curriculum for social work licensing exam preparation and continuing education courses. She has journal publications in Neuropsychopharmacology and was a contributing author for the "Code of Ethics" for the National Association of Social Workers. (The Code of Ethics is the guiding document for the social work profession and is used in court and licensing rulings.) Ms. Tutell co-authored licensing rules and laws and worked with state and federal legislators to pass key social work legislation, whereby strengthening the profession of social work.
Ms. Tutell also developed a comprehensive online learning platform/LMS for LEAP. The program provides distance learning for world-wide, 24/7 accessibility. Ms. Tutell has additional expertise in business and marketing management, finance, public relations, and event management. She is the female voice on the LEAP audio course, scriptwriter and co-presenter for the LEAP video course, and a guest lecturer at universities throughout the United States. Ms. Tutell has a background in voiceover and acting, which lends itself to high levels of engagement in her public presentations.
Kathy Wehrmann, Ph.D., L.C.S.W.
Presenter
Dr. Wehrmann, currently holds the esteemed position of President for the National Association of Social Workers. Dr. Wehrmann received her doctorate and Master’s degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She is currently a faculty member and BSW Program Director at Illinois State University (ISU). She also served in public child welfare and healthcare settings, providing a sound background for being chosen to be a Senior Fulbright Scholar to Romania where she taught and conducted research on child welfare reform. Dr. Wehrmann served at ISU as principal investigator on two child welfare training grants and was recognized for successfully securing approximately $1M in grants and contracts. Dr. Wehrmann earned the prestigious “NASW Lifetime Achievement” award. She served as NASW District Chair, state Conference Chair, Illinois Chapter President, National Board Representative for Region IX, and member of the Executive Committee. She's a current member of the Baccalaureate Program Directors, and the Fulbright Association.
Daria V. Hanssen, Ph.D., L.C.S.W.
Presenter
Dr. Hanssen holds committee positions on the board of the National Association of Social Workers and serves as an accreditation site visitor for the Council on Social Work Education, as well as a member of the Nomination and Leadership Committee. Dr. Hanssen is also the BSW Program Director and Associate Professor of Social Work at Marist College in New York. Prior to teaching at Marist, she taught at Lyndon State College as well as at SUNY New Paltz. Prior to working in higher education, Daria practiced in the areas of mental health with children and families, family preservation, hospice, and corrections. Currently, Daria continues to consult with community agencies, serves on local boards of directors for Hudson River Housing and Mental Health America, as well as the New York State Social Work Education Association. Dr. Hanssen serves as a LEAP licensing exam preparation course presenter.
Brenda Coble Lindsey, Ph.D., L.C.S.W.
Presenter
Dr. Brenda Coble-Lindsay is the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs, the BSW Program Director and Professor at the University of Illinois. Brenda’s research and practice interests centers around the role of school social workers and Response to Intervention (RtI) with a special emphasis on evidence-based practice interventions for children with challenging problem behaviors. Brenda teaches LEAP licensing prep courses throughout the Country and continues to earn top rankings. She is a former school social worker and has professional experience in children’s mental health services. She is active in several professional social work organizations including the National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Chapter, the Illinois Association of School Social Workers, and School Social Work Association of America. Dr. Lindsey continues to be a LEAP favorite among licensing prep course participants.
Elise Hutchings, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., A.C.S.W
Author
LEAP’s loyal, hardworking, and always calm team member, Elise Hutchings, is one of the most respected social workers in the U.S. She has 35 years of social work experience with Utah State Division of Child and Family Services, Utah State Hospital, and Salt Lake City School District. She is one of the original founding members of NASW. She has served as the President of the Utah chapter, NASW and chairperson of the Continuing Education committee; she previously served as the UT-NASW Vice President, Secretary, Professional Standards committee chair, Affirmative Action committee member, School Social Work committee chair, Nominating committee member, and on the NASW membership committee. Ms. Hutchings is also a University of Utah College of Social Work MSW Admissions committee member and previously served on numerous committees for the University. She has received many prestigious awards including the “NASW Social Worker of the Year,” NASW “Professional Service Award,” University of Utah Graduate School of Social Work “Outstanding Clinical Faculty Award,” and was distinguished as one of the NASW “Social Work Pioneers,” a rare and highly sought-after designation. Elise is a co-author of the LEAP comprehensive study guides.
Cathie Delewski, D.S.W., L.C.S.W.
Author
Dr. Delewski is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Utah College of Social Work. Her teaching areas include: clinical practice in health care settings and DSM-5. She is also a supervisor of the Crisis/Trauma Team at the University of Utah Hospital Emergency Department. She has over 30 years experience working with individuals with psychiatric disorders in a variety of clinical settings. Dr. Delewski previously served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Utah and the University of Maryland School of Social Work. Dr. Delewski is a contributing author for several LEAP study guides and is the lead author of the LEAP DSM-5 Review Guide.
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