NWOCA Leadership: Executive Board, Committee Chairs, and Student Representatives

The Northwest Ohio Counseling Association’s executive board and committees are made up of licensed professionals, counselor educators, and graduate students pursuing a career in the counseling profession.

Each team member brings expertise, passion, and dedication to the NWOCA.

We welcome any members interested in leadership!

NEXT MEETING IS 05/23/26.

CONTACT US FOR TIME & ZOOM LINK.

NEXT MEETING IS 05/23/26. CONTACT US FOR TIME & ZOOM LINK.

NOMINATIONS OPEN!

JUNE ELECTION!

CLICK NEWS FOR INFO!

NOMINATIONS OPEN! JUNE ELECTION! CLICK NEWS FOR INFO!

Photograph of crown, as an allusion to Heidelberg University students, whose mascot is princes

Hannah Rowe

Hannah Rowe, LPCC-S, NCC, is a clinical manager of group and therapy services at Team Recovery (Toledo). Hannah is passionate about serving marginalized communities and advocating for suicide prevention. Hannah is a BGSU alum.

President

Two hands holding a paper heart against a plain background.

Map outline of Ohio with a pink circle and black marker and text related to Netflix and Washington.

Young woman in graduation gown and medal, smiling outdoors on brick walkway.

[This could be you.]

President Elect

We’re waiting for your bio… We know you’re worth the wait!

Joni Spink

Joni Spink, LPC, is a clinical therapist at First Step DVS (Fostoria). Joni is passionate about helping survivors overcome abuse, and restore the relationship within themselves. Joni is a WTS alum.

Past President

Brooklyn Palmer

Secretary

Brooklyn Palmer, LPCC, is a utilization review coordinator at Odyssey Behavioral Healthcare (Sylvania). Brooklyn is passionate about diversity, inclusion, and advocacy. Brooklyn is a BGSU alum.

Cathryn Parke, LPCC-S, is a clinical counselor at Moving Forward (Findlay), specializing in trauma PTSD, and EMDR. Cathryn is passionate about collaboration. Cathryn is a BGSU and WTS alum.

Treasurer

Cathryn Parke

BMAL, Membership Chair

Dr. Mary Steiner Iiames

Mary Steiner Iiames, Ph.D., LSC, is a professor and Director of Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling program at Winebrenner. Mary is passionate about ethics, grief, and faith. Mary is a Bluffton U, BGSU, and UT alum.

Hannah Rowe & Joni Spink

Program Co-Chairs

NWOCA President Hannah Rowe and Past President Joni Spink join together in serving as Program Chair, planning workshops and professional development events for our NWOCA members.

[This could be you.]

We saved this spot just for you… We cannot wait to meet you!

Awards Chair

[This could be you.]

Scholarship Chair

How long will you keep us waiting? The suspense is too much to take!

Dr. Marlise Lonn

Marlise Lonn, Ph.D., LPCC-S (OH), LPC-S (TX), NCC, is a professor at BGSU. Marlise specializes in life transitions. Marlise is passionate about fostering student growth. Marlise is a UWYO and UTSA alum.

BMAL, Government Relations Liaison

Chelsea Ward

Student Representative, BGSU

Chelsea Ward is a CMHC student at Bowling Green State University. Chelsea hopes to work in a private practice. Chelsea is passionate about women’s mental health, PMDD, OCD, and anxiety disorders.

Calling all Princes… It’s YOUR time to see where HU takes you. To us, it’s us, the NWOCA Leadership team!

Student Representative, HU

[Heidelberg, it’s all you.]

Student Representative, UT

Cassandra Bensch

[Bio Coming Soon.]

Susan Searcy is a MACC student at Winebrenner Theological Seminary. Susan hopes to become a counselor educator. Susan is passionate about whole wellness, self-care, and career counseling.

Student Representative, WTS

Susan Searcy

Technology Chair

[Loading in Progress…]

Watch this space… We might be NWOCA official soon.

NWOCA Officer & Executive Board

Positions & Responsibilities

Serving your professional community as an NWOCA Officer & Executive Board Member is an excellent opportunity to sharpen your leadership skills, develop strong professional connections, and know that you have made a lasting impact on counselors, future counselors, and clients.

Check out the dropdown menu on the right for descriptions of each of the positions, including term length and responsibilities.

NWOCA Committee Chair Positions & Responsibilities

Leading a team of members an NWOCA Committee Chair is an opportunity to strengthen your communication skills and management abilities, while focusing in on an aspect of service to the profession which fits who you are as an individual.

Check out the dropdown menu on the right for descriptions of each position, including term length and responsibilities.

The President Elect shall serve for one year terms in each capacity: President, Past President, and President Elect.
Responsibilities:
- Perform the duties of the President in the absence or incapacity of the President.
- Assist the President when called upon to do so.
- Serve as chairperson of the Program Committee.
- Render a report at all Executive Board and business meetings.
The President shall serve for one year terms in each capacity: President, Past President, and President Elect.
Responsibilities:
- Schedule and preside over all meetings of NWOCA.
- Be chairperson of, schedule, and preside over all meetings of the Executive Board.
- Appoint the chairperson of all committees.
- Be an ex-officio member of all committees and task forces.
- Serve as the official representative to the OCA Board.
- Shall render a report at all Executive Board and business meetings.
- Complete all responsibilities as designated by the OCA.
The Past President shall serve for one year terms in each capacity: President, Past President, and President Elect.
Responsibilities:
- Serve as the chairperson of the Nomination and Election Committee.
- Serve as advisor and stabilizing factor for the Executive Board.
The Secretary serves for a term of one year.
Responsibilities:
- Present the minutes of the previous meetings for the approval of the Executive Board.
- Maintain an official membership list.
- Attend to all the official correspondence and communications for NWOCA.
- Notify the Executive Board members of the Executive Board meetings.
- Serve as chairperson of the Membership Committee.
The Treasurer serves for a term of two years.
Responsibilities:
- Be collector and custodian of all monies of NWOCA including membership dues.
- Pay all bills, including reimbursements.
- Render a written financial report at each Executive Board meeting and at the business meetings.
- Distribute funds as authorized by the President or designee.
- Complete annual report for OCA Executive Board
There are 2 positions of Board Members-at-Large.
The Board Members-at-Large serve for a term of one year.
Board members may be Professional Members, Retired Members, or Students Members.
Board members will serve as members of the Professional Development Committee and at least one other committee.
Board members will have voting privileges.

Each Committee Chair serves a term of at least one year. A Committee Chair may be appointed by the President to conduct the activities of the NWOCA.
Responsibilities:
- Responsible for contacting members to renew OCA membership
- Responsible for contacting BGSU, Heidelberg, UT, and WTS for Student Representatives
- Apprising student reps of NWOCA happenings to keep respective university programs updated
Each Committee Chair serves a term of at least one year. A Committee Chair may be appointed by the President to conduct the activities of the NWOCA.
Responsibilities:
- The Program Committee shall arrange the necessary functions for Executive Board and Business meetings, as well as other identified special functions.
- This committee shall coordinate topics, speakers, facilities, and plans (including marketing) necessary to provide opportunities for professional growth and continuing education among members.
- The President-Elect is the chair of this committee.
Each Committee Chair serves a term of at least one year. A Committee Chair may be appointed by the President to conduct the activities of the NWOCA.
Responsibilities:
- The Awards Committee shall seek out nominations and select candidates who will honor NWOCA members at the AOCC and other OCA events.
- Any member may chair this committee.
Each Committee Chair serves a term of at least one year. A Committee Chair may be appointed by the President to conduct the activities of the NWOCA.
Responsibilities:
- The Scholarship Committee shall seek out nominations and select members to award financial scholarships to attend AOCC and OCA Spring Conference events, and other NWOCA events deemed appropriate for membership to attend.
- Any member may chair this committee.
Each Committee Chair serves a term of at least one year. A Committee Chair may be appointed by the President to conduct the activities of the NWOCA.
Responsibilities:
The Technology Committee shall oversee all website and social media functions and make any recommendations deemed appropriate and necessary.
Any member may chair this committee.
Each Committee Chair serves a term of at least one year. A Committee Chair may be appointed by the President to conduct the activities of the NWOCA.
Responsibilities:
- The Government Relations Committee shall seek opportunities to promote local, state, and national legislation that will aid the work of NWOCA and promote counseling.
- Any member may chair this committee and shall attend OCA state level committee meetings to report back to membership.

Multiple hands stacked together in a gesture of teamwork