•

•

•

•

Board Leadership

Board of Trustees

Leadership committed to advancing clinical social work education. ICSW's Board of Trustees provides strategic oversight and governance to ensure the Institute fulfills its mission of advancing psychodynamic clinical social work education. Our board members bring diverse expertise in clinical practice, education, finance, law, and nonprofit management.

Our Leadership

Jessica Herrera, B.A.

Assistant to Academic Affairs

Jessica Herrera is the Assistant to Academic Affairs at ICSW, where she serves as a liaison between administration and the…

Andrea Lucius, MSW

Executive Director for Academic Affairs

Andrea Lucius currently serves as Executive Director for Academic Affairs at the Institute for Clinical Social Work, where she previously…

Selena Musleh, Ed.D.

Associate Registrar

Dr. Selena Musleh is a higher education professional with a background in academic advising, student support, and enrollment management. She recently earned…

John W. Ridings, Ph.D. – IRB Chair

Director of Institutional Research

With a 20-year career in program evaluation and practice, John W. Ridings, PhD has served as watchdog for social justice…

MILKA RAMÍREZ, Ph.D., LCSW, PEL – PRESIDENT & CEO

President & CEO

Dr. Milka Ramírez is a visionary leader with nearly three decades of experience spanning diverse educational settings, from early childhood…

Michael Bauman, MS – Vice President of Finance and Operations

Vice President of Finance and Operations

Vice President Bauman started his post at the Institute for Clinical Social Work in September 2017. Mr. Bauman came to…

Samantha Antos, M.A.Ed., PEL, LPC

Enrollment Management Specialist

Enrollment Management Specialist As a licensed high school professional counselor, Samantha has over 13 years of experience in college admissions…

Elree Smith, BA – Events and Administrative Coordinator

Events and Administrative Coordinator

As the Events and Administrative Coordinator, Elree is the primary contact for coordinating various ICSW events i.e. continuing education (CEUs),…

Denise Duval Tsioles, PhD – Academic Dean

Academic Dean

Denise Duval Tsioles, PhD earned her Ph.D. from the Institute for Clinical Social Work (ICSW). Since 2007, she has been…

Karen Bloomberg, LCSW, PhD – Dean Of Students

Dean Of Students

Karen Bloomberg, LCSW, PhD, is Dean of Students at the Institute for Clinical Social Work and, as faculty, teaches Self…

Jesse Godina, B.A.

Dean of Outreach, Recruitment, Admissions and Enrollment

Jesse Godina is a strategic and results-driven leader with over 15 years of experience in higher education and specifically in…

Board of Trustees

Ida Roldán, Ph.D., LCSW

Dean Emerita

Ida Roldán, PhD., LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker and psychoanalyst. She is Dean Emerita at the Institute for…

Warren “Jay” Pires, B.A., M.S.

Jay Pires began his PhD at ICSW in 2021 and is now an advanced-standing student. His dissertation will explore moral injury in…

William “Bill” Gieseke, Ph.D.

Core Faculty

Dr. William “Bill” Gieseke is the Executive Director and a founding member of the Palombo Center Advisory Committee. He is a…

Kathryn Myers, PHR, CPM, pHCLE

Vice President of People Success, League One Volleyball

Katie Myers is a seasoned human resources executive currently serving as Vice President of People Success at League One Volleyball,…

Leah Harp, LCSW, PhD

Chair, ICSW Alumni Committee

Leah Harp, LCSW, PhD received her undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago and her Master's in Social Work from…

Summer Mei Ling Lee, A.B., M.F.A.

Artist and Activist

Summer Mei Ling Lee (AB Stanford University; MFA San Francisco Art Institute) is an artist and activist who began her…

Mitch Granberg

Chief Privacy Officer and Deputy General Counsel, UnitedHealth Group

Mitchell Granberg, Chief Privacy Officer and Deputy General Counsel, UnitedHealth Group Mitch Granberg is the UnitedHealth Group Chief Privacy…

Walter Taylor, M.S. Ed., NBCT (National Board Certified Teacher)

Director of Professional Development, Chicago Teachers Union Foundation Quest Center

Walter Taylor, M.S. Ed., NBCT (National Board Certified Teacher), is the Director of Professional Development (PD) for the Chicago Teachers…

Michele Dodd, JD

General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Development, Vasa Fitness

Michele Dodd received her JD from Northwestern University School of Law and a BS in Accounting from the University of…

Geneva Finn

Medicaid Recovery Manager, Minnesota Department of Human Services

Geneva Finn is a distinguished legal professional with over fifteen years of experience in public service, policy development, and advocacy…

Freda Baron Friedman, PhD

Faculty

Freda Baron Friedman, PhD works in Chicago’s Streeterville area and suburban Northfield, Ill., providing psychotherapy for adults, utilizing individual, couples,…

Jennifer Gascoigne

Head of Business Applications & Technical Projects, Minnesota Historical Society

Jennifer Gascoigne is Head of Business Applications & Technical Projects for the Minnesota Historical Society. A lover of local history,…

Gretchen Schmutz, PsyD

Instructor

Dr. Gretchen Schmutz is a psychologist and psychoanalyst practicing in Chicago. She is currently an instructor at the Institute for…

Board Meetings 2025-2026

Monday 9/15/25 6pm – 8:00pm

Monday 11/17/25 6pm – 8:00pm

Monday 01/26/26 6pm – 8:00pm

Monday 03/16/26 6pm – 8:00pm

Monday 05/18/26 6pm – 8:00pm

Support

Contact the Board

If you'd like to contact a member of the Board of Trustees, please direct inquiries to our main office.