Board Members
Tyrone Cabral, LCSW
Term ends 2027
Tyrone Cabral, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker with 8+ years of experience in mental health and specializing in CBT and trauma-focused interventions to support young adults and adults young at heart in navigating anxiety, trauma, grief, and self-doubt. He is passionate about helping individuals break free from self-blame, process emotional overwhelm, and build resilience through structured, evidence-based therapy.
Tyrone has a diverse clinical background, including crisis response, outpatient therapy, and clinical supervision, with a strong focus on trauma recovery, emotional regulation, and cognitive restructuring. In addition to his clinical practice, he serves as an Adjunct Professor at Bristol Community College, where he mentors and educates future mental health professionals.
Beyond his direct work with clients, Tyrone is a strong advocate for accessible mental health treatment and systemic improvements in social work licensing. As a dedicated member of NASW, Tyrone is committed to advancing ethical, client-centered care, expanding access to mental health services, and advocating for policies that strengthen the social work profession.
Kristin Stelter, LICSW
Term ends 2027
Kristin “Kris” Stelter (they/them/theirs) has been a member of NASW since 2020. They earned their MSW from Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2022 and their Master of Fine Arts in Contemporary Performance: Theater from Naropa University in Boulder, CO in 2018. Prior to moving to RI in July 2023 to be closer to family, Kris worked at TRU PACE and Envision Hospice. They have extensive experience in de-escalation techniques and crisis management from their prior career in retail and banking and have participated in over 30 theatrical productions in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Colorado.
Kris hopes to bring their lived experiences to an organization that has helped them gain footing in a world that is constantly shifting. They have learned enough to know how much they have yet to learn, and hold a particular affinity to conversations around accessibility, grief, death and dying, and the LGBTQIA2S+ community. They are interested in formulating a new committee centered around supporting the LGBTQIA2S+ population. Kris approaches their work through a trauma-informed lens, and challenges NASW RI to acknowledge and address the ongoing impacts of the pandemic on its members and our clients, as we have yet to collectively grieve the experience, and are still bearing witness to its effects to this day.
Nicholas Kendrick
Term ends 2028
My name is Nicholas Kendrick and I am social work manager and LICSW practicing currently at Bradley Hospital on the adolescent and children’s inpatient units. I have been a leader in pediatric mental health since 2018 and have been involved with behavioral health care in different capacities since 2011. Prior to my current position at Bradley Hospital, I worked as a social work manager of an inpatient unit, ER, admissions department and wraparound team at Dell Children’s Hospital in Austin, TX. I have previously been a stakeholder on various community mental health committees in Austin, TX and have been involved with trainings and education to providers and community members. I hold a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin and received my Bachelors Degree from Georgetown University. I have recently joined the NASW and am motivated to be an active member moving forward.
Samantha Ewart
Term ends 2029
Dr. Samantha Ewart, LICSW, is the Senior Clinical Director, where she provides strategic leadership in clinical operations, supervision, and program development to advance equitable, evidence-based behavioral health care. She also serves as a faculty member in the School of Social Work at Bridgewater State University, where she teaches BSW and MSW students with a focus on anti-racist pedagogy, Universal Design for Learning, and the cultivation of equitable learning environments. Dr. Ewart’s scholarship and professional practice center on elevating clinical leadership and reimagining school social work through an anti-oppressive lens. An active member of the National Association of Social Workers, she exemplifies the profession’s core values through her commitment to social justice, mentorship, and community impact.
Benjamin Nastasi
Term ends 2029
As a cisgender, straight, white male, I recognize my power and privilege, as well as my responsibility to confront foundational systems of racism and oppression in the U.S. as well as in our Rhode Island communities. I am a second generation social worker, with 15 years of varying professional experience from nonprofit multicultural community centers to special education, and home, community and residential based disability services. Advocating for the people and communities I work with has always been the foundation and priority of my goals and mission. Living in Providence for the last 7 years has immensely empowered my passion towards social justice. In addition to advocacy, I strongly value empathy, meeting people where they are and building deep and meaningful connections.
MSW Student Representative
Ellie Goldsmith
Term ends 2027
I grew up outside of Boston, but have been living in Providence for almost a decade. I am entering the final year of my MSW program at Rhode Island College, where I have developed a strong foundation in clinical practice and social justice. My experience includes working with adolescents in diverse settings, including a juvenile detention center, an inpatient psychiatric program, and a partial hospitalization program. I’m completing my internship in a high school dedicated to providing equitable education access to pregnant, parenting, overaged and under-credited youth. I’ll soon begin my next internship in a residential treatment program providing youth and young adults treatment based on their individual needs and goals. Through these diverse experiences, I have cultivated a deep commitment to supporting youth and increasing equitable access to care and resources. Working alongside dedicated social workers has inspired my passion for advocacy and systemic change.
BSW Student Representative
Abby Marshall-McEntee
Term ends 2027
I have experience working with a wide range of populations and community settings. I worked with children and youth as a camp counselor, creating supportive and inclusive environments. I also provided engagement and companionship for older adults living with dementia, supporting their social and emotional well-being through meaningful activities. Currently, at Rhode Island College, I assist students at the food pantry by connecting them with essential resources and promoting food security. I also currently work with the Rhode Island Coalition for Children and Families, supporting their children’s behavioral health survey and taking part in discussions, presentations, and advocacy efforts. These roles have strengthened my commitment to social work and meaningful community change. If selected, I will bring dedication, collaboration, and a strong student voice to the RI NASW Chapter.