CASW Executive Director
Fred Phelps, MSW, RSW, CAE | he/him
In 2009, Fred began working for the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) in the role of Social Worker with focus on government relations and social policy.
Fred assumed the role of CASW Executive Director in 2011.
He is thankful for the opportunity to apply his direct social work, international relations and government experience to the role. He is proud to call himself a social worker and proud to be in a position to promote and strengthen the profession.
Get in touch at fred.phelps@casw-acts.ca.
Education Coordinator
Roshney Kurian, BSW, MA, RSW | she/her
Roshney is a Malayalee Canadian who was born and raised on Dish with One Spoon territory, which is the traditional lands of the Erie, Neutral, Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas in Hamilton, Ontario. She holds a BA in English (McMaster), a BSW (Carleton), and a MA in Gender and Social Justice (McMaster).
Roshney is a registered social worker with a passion for social justice education, decolonial pedagogy and praxis, anti-racism, feminism, and trauma-informed community healing. Her role at CASW is to support educational and communication initiatives that promote social work and advance social justice.
Social Media and Communications Coordinator
Esther Fagbola, BA | she/her
Esther was born in Nigeria and resides on unceded Algonquin Anishinaabeg territory.
Esther has been a community builder in Ottawa since she was 19 and has had a passion for social justice and community advocacy particularly for marginalized and racialized communities. Esther has extensive experience facilitating community conversations surrounding gender-based violence, sexual health, drug education, harm reduction and survivor advocacy. Esther is the founder and current executive director at Project Agape, a Black survivor-led organization that supports Black individuals who have experienced violence.
Esther believes in education that is built on an intersectional lens, is trauma-informed, meets community members where they are and encourages collective growth and learning. She believes that we are all producers of knowledge as much as we are receivers, particularly in situations where we have lived experiences, our voices matter in the work being done and stories being told.
Esther joined CASW because of her passion for advocacy, social work and social justice. She enjoys working in communications as it is a great way to connect with social workers while supporting to grow the voice of CASW. Esther is planning on pursuing a Master’s in Social Work with the goal of becoming a social worker.
Administrative Coordinator
Kate Hudson, BSc | she/her
Kate coordinates and oversees CASW's day to day operations, and manages CASW Individual Memberships.
She is accountable for coordinating the overall administrative operations of the office in support of the goals, objectives, vision, and mission of CASW.
Kate holds a BSc in Psychology from the University of Ottawa.
Kate lives and works on unceded, unsurrendered Algonquin Anishinaabeg territory (Ottawa/Gatineau). She is grateful to the traditional caretakers of this land and believes it is important to honor that work with respect for the land and redress of ongoing harms perpetuated as a result of systems of settler colonialism and white supremacy. Kate is committed to ongoing personal & professional learning and advocacy including decolonizing & anti-racist work and mutual aid.
Program Manager - Assessment of International Credentials
Heather Hallett, BSc | she/her
Heather coordinates and manages the assessment of internationally educated credentials and is the key point of contact for the office.
She is responsible for ensuring that the overall administrative operations of the office are met, in support of the goals, objectives, vision, and mission of CASW.
Heather holds a BSc in Environmental Studies from Carleton University and a Diploma in Water and Wastewater Management from Algonquin College.
Administrative Assistant
Elizabeth Moura, BSc | she/her
Elizabeth is from Brazil and recently immigrated to Canada. She also holds a BSc in Liberal Arts and a BSc in Business Administration from The Federal University of Bahia.
She is responsible for ensuring that the administrative operations related to the assessment of internationally educated credentials are met, in support of the goals, objectives, vision, and mission of CASW.
Elizabeth is passionate about learning and using her skills to improve her community. She continuously learns about human behaviour in an effort to improve herself and help others around her overcome challenges as well.
Senior Advisor, Policy and Public Affairs
Sarah Pennisi, MSW, PhD | she/her
Sarah Pennisi joined CASW in May 2025. She has held senior leadership positions in the public and for social profit sectors for more than 25 years.
She has worked in provincial and municipal government, post-secondary institutions and community based organizations in Hamilton and Niagara.
Sarah is deeply committed to practice-focused, social justice policy and research. She completed an Honours Degree in French and Italian Literature (oui, je parle français et italien) Masters of Social Work and PhD, from McMaster University with specialization in Social Policy.
Get in touch at sarah.pennisi@casw-acts.ca