Justine is a recent graduate of the University at Albany, earning her Bachelors of Arts degree with Magna Cum Laude academic honors, after double-majoring in Sociology and Criminal Justice. She began working at the National Association of Social Workers in January of 2020, after serving in the office as a volunteer during the Fall of 2019. In her spare time, Justine enjoys exercising and hanging out with friends.
Olivia Knox, BSW, MSW Student (She/Her/Hers)
Policy Assistant
oknox.naswnys@socialworkers.org
Olivia Knox, BSW, is a recent graduate from Marist College with a Bachelors in Social Work and minors in Sociology and Criminal justice. This upcoming year, she will begin her Masters of social work program from Stony Brook University with a specialization in Community, Policy and Political Social Action. Olivia is on the NASW-NYS Revolutionize Social Work Leadership team. This team is leading the journey to transform social work by identifying the ways in which racism is perpetuated in our profession to hold these systems of power accountable. Olivia’s interests focus on criminal justice and political social work in order to address the systemic injustices in the world. After graduate school, she hopes to continue doing the grassroots work that attracted her to the field of social work.
Tatyahna Costello, BSW, MSW Student (She/They)
Communications Assistant
tcostello.naswnys@socialworkers.org
Tatyahna is originally from Long Beach, California and attended Azusa Pacific University(APU) for her BSW. She has previously been involved in several advocacy organizations from disability rights to people experiencing homelessness. While attending APU, she served in various roles on campus with special attention to the diversity and intentional inclusion of marginalized folks. She also created, implemented, and led an advocacy group aimed at creating a voice for students and sustainable change on campus through policy change and educating the student body on issues related to social justice. Tatyahna is looking forward to working with the NASW New York State Chapter and making a positive change.
Amelia Lochner-Malavé (She/Her/Hers)
Director of Operations and Development
alochner.naswnys@socialworkers.org
518-463-4741 ext. 103
Amelia has served the NASW-NYS membership since March 2015. Previously, she served as the Chapter’s Executive Assistant, Program Coordinator, & Grants and Development Specialist. She is a 2014 graduate of SUNY Geneseo with degrees in Political Science and Sociology. Amelia lives in Albany, NY with her husband Tomás and their cat Buttermilk Pancakes.
Amanda Roberts (She/Her, They/Them)
MSW Intern
The College at Brockport
arobe3@brockport.edu
After working in adolescent mental health care for several years, my interests began to peak at seeing inequity within systems. My original plan was to work directly with individuals who experience barriers to treatment, however, upon seeing how often issues would arise I began to want to do more. My interests now focus on macro level policy, systemic change and deconstruction as to support long term change within and among institutions. Ideally, I would love to work on policy affecting LGBTQIA+ individuals and increase education and awareness of LGBTQIA+ issues.
Interests: Policy Reform, LGBTQIA+ Activism, Gender and Sexuality, Healthcare, Working with youth and families, Social justice, Education, Body Positivity
Pierre Ghorayeb (He/Him/His)
MSW Intern
SUNY Albany School of Social Welfare
pghorayeb.naswnysintern@gmail.com
Pierre has previously worked with immigrant students as an interpreter. He currently work as a director of a food pantry which allowed him to work closely with immigrants and increased his passion to advocate for them. He is very excited to share his experiences and work on developing immigration policy reform with NASW-NYS as an intern.
Interests: policy reform, immigration reform, immigrants advocate, creating resources for immigrants.
Sarah Jaromin (She/Her/Hers)
MSW Intern
SUNY Albany School of Social Welfare
sjaromin.naswnysintern@gmail.com
Sarah has previously worked with the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Capital Region, conducted research in the area around social determinants of health and inclusive education, coaches high school basketball, and is also a graduate assistant for UAlbany’s Campus Recreation department. Sarah is excited to be working with NASW-NYS with the hopes of promoting positive change in the field. In the future, she hopes to work on macro level policy change
Interests: Policy Reform, Social Justice, Environmental Justice, LGBTQIA+ rights, Domestic Violence Advocacy, and Inclusive Education
Tatyahna Costello, BSW (She/Her/Hers)
MSW Intern
NYU Silver School of Social Work
Tatyahnanaswnysintern@gmail.com
Tatyahna is originally from Long Beach, California and attended Azusa Pacific University(APU) for her BSW. She has previously been involved in several advocacy organizations from disability rights to people experiencing homelessness. While attending APU, she served in various roles on campus with special attention to the diversity and intentional inclusion of marginalized folks. She also created, implemented, and led an advocacy group aimed at creating a voice for students and sustainable change on campus through policy change and educating the student body on issues related to social justice. Tatyahna is looking forward to working with the NASW New York State Chapter and making a positive change.
Interests: QTPOC/TGNCNB/LGBTQ Rights, Policy Reform, Racial Justice, Equitable Education, Social and Restorative Justice, Macro Social Work, Intersection of Marginalized Identities
Heather Potter, BSW
MSW Intern
Western New Mexico University
Heather-greer@hotmail.com
Michael McLoughlin, B.A. (He/Him/His)
MSW Intern
University at Albany
mmcloughlin@albany.edu
Michael-Aaron Poindexter, B.A., M.Div.
MSW Intern
University at Albany, SUNY – Macro UA MSW Student
MPoindexter@Albany.edu
Michael currently works as a community executive and has spent a great deal of his professional career working in local schools, championing equity, and seeking change within his community. He is excited to work alongside the NASW-NYS staff and fellow interns!
Interests: Civil Rights, Social and Restorative Justice, Healthcare, Criminal Justice Reform, and Equitable practices
Jordan Feliciano, BSW
MSW Intern
University at Buffalo
felician@buffalo.edu
Jordan earned her BSW through SUNY Plattsburgh in 2020 and is currently pursuing her masters degree in social work. She currently works providing direct care to the differently-abled population. Jordan is currently interested in healthcare social work, specifically in the development of programs that are needed in rural communities.
Interests: healthcare, rural communities, Native American justice/rights, disability rights.