Our Board of Directors
Our team is dedicated to advocating for the essential role of school social workers, providing support to professionals in the field, and equipping them with the tools and guidance they need to thrive. We are committed to ensuring that every student in Utah has access to the expertise and compassionate care of a dedicated school social worker.
Tanner Hone - President
Tanner holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Social Work from Utah Valley University. He works as a School-Based Therapist with American Fork Family Clinic and Alpine School District, helping children, teens, adults, and families. Diagnosed with ADHD in 2020, Tanner is passionate about supporting others with ADHD. His therapeutic approach includes Trauma-Focused ACT, Mindfulness, CBT, and Solution-Focused Therapy, with ongoing training in other modalities. Tanner is also a strong advocate for School-Based Mental Health. After interning in the Alpine School District, he helped establish the Utah chapter of the School Social Work Association of America to advance this vital profession. In his free time, Tanner enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, playing sports, running, crafting, and landscaping.
Alisha Martinez
Alisha is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Jordan School District, with a Master’s in Social Work (2014) and a Master’s in Educational Psychology (2021). She began her social work career in 2008 and has been working in schools since 2020, where she loves supporting students, families, and teachers. Using various therapy modalities like Sandtray, CBT, DBT, and Solution-Focused Therapy, Alisha is passionate about helping students see their strengths and potential. Having faced challenges herself in school, she knows the power of a supportive advocate and aims to be that person for her students.
Nicole Wilbur
Nicole is starting her sixth year as a school social worker with the Salt Lake City School District where she provides targeted mental health interventions for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. With graduate degrees in both social work and public administration, Nicole has focused her career on supporting children and families across settings as they navigate challenges, build on their strengths, and achieve their goals. Beyond direct social work practice, Nicole is also committed to advocacy and regularly pursues opportunities to collaborate on district- and state-level policy initiatives. She is especially passionate about advancing policies that strengthen public education, support immigrant communities, and improve outcomes for youth involved in the juvenile justice system. Nicole is excited to expand her involvement with USSWA and collaborate with social workers across the state to strengthen the profession.
ReNee McDonald - Rural Area Rep
As a school social worker and county coalition co-lead, ReNee brings both frontline experience with students and families and a countywide perspective shaped by years of advocacy at the Capitol. Living and working in a frontier rural area—where the beauty is vast but resources are few—she pours her energy into building connections that bridge service gaps and strengthen communities. Guided by the belief that connection is prevention, ReNee views every relationship as an opportunity to spark hope, foster resilience, and create lasting change. She thrives on thinking outside the box and collaborating with agencies and organizations to create protective factors that support youth and families across Utah. Alongside prevention work in schools and communities, she is a passionate advocate for policy change and a fierce defender of marginalized voices. For ReNee, prevention is more than a profession—it’s a calling, a passion, and a promise to invest in healthier, more connected futures where every person feels supported and valued.
Tiana McCall - Secretary
Frannie Spangler - Treasurer
Tiana became a school social worker in 2016 after earning her MSW. She began her career as a specialist supporting refugee students and families in navigating the American school system. She later served as the School-Based Mental Health Specialist at the Utah State Board of Education before stepping away to focus on raising her three young children. Now in private practice, Tiana specializes in trauma treatment and supporting parents of young children. She is trained in EMDR, PCIT, adoption and foster care competencies, and suicide prevention techniques such as Youth Mental Health First Aid and QPR. Passionate about the well-being of Utah’s youth and the professionals who serve them, Tiana continues to advocate for strong mental health support in schools.
Emilie Havili
Emilie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with Granite School District, where she has spent the past 12 years working as a school social worker both in elementary and secondary settings. In addition to her work in schools, she has owned a private practice for seven years supporting teens, adults, and couples. Over the past 16 years, Emilie has worked across residential, day treatment, and outpatient mental health settings, bringing a well-rounded and practical perspective to her work. Emilie received a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Brigham Young University and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Utah. She is fluent in Spanish and enjoys working with diverse populations. Outside of work, Emilie enjoys traveling, music, learning new things, spending time with her family, football, and dirty soda.
Sherrie Sanchez
Sherrie is the Social Work Coordinator for Granite School District, where she has spent more than 20 years championing student well-being. With a background in Special Education, Title I schools, behavior supports, and trauma-informed practices, she leads onboarding and training for new social workers and MSW students. Sherrie is passionate about building strong teams and implementing PBIS and MTSS strategies to create inclusive, supportive school environments. She loves watching students rise above challenges and celebrating their growth every step of the way—and believes school social work is the best profession there is! A proud University of Utah alum, Sherrie gives back as a field instructor and practicum coordinator for future social workers. Outside of work, she’s a devoted mom to three amazing kids and enjoys spending time with family and friends. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve and is excited to work with USSWA to support school social workers across the state.
Jenessa Crandall
Jenessa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker serving as an elementary school social worker in Granite School District and a part-time clinical therapist in private practice. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and taught elementary school for seven years before obtaining her Master of Social Work from Arizona State University and transitioning into school social work. Having spent the majority of her educational career in Title I schools, Jenessa is passionate about educational equity, student advocacy, and ensuring all students and families have access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. She is committed to amplifying student and family voices and reducing barriers to academic and social-emotional success. Jenessa previously served on the USSWA Professional Development Committee and is honored to serve on the USSWA Board of Directors. She is dedicated to supporting and strengthening the work of school social workers across Utah through professional development, collaboration, advocacy, and leadership within the profession.
Frannie is a school social worker and registered play therapist dedicated to helping students grow socially, emotionally, and academically. With a background in schools, clinics, and community work, she blends trauma-informed care with evidence-based practices—play therapy, expressive arts, CBT, DBT, and mindfulness—to build resilience and emotional regulation. Frannie partners with educators and families to create safe, inclusive spaces where students feel capable, connected, and courageous. Outside of work, she loves the outdoors—snowboarding, mountain biking, horseback riding, paddleboarding, and trail running—and treasures time with her husband and three children.
Meghan Andersen
Meghan is the Social Worker and Director of Student Support Services at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Elementary School in Draper, Utah. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work from the University of Utah and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Social Work at the University of Kentucky, focusing on leadership and administration. Throughout her career, Meghan has worked in child welfare, early intervention, autism services, private practice, and school social work. She is passionate about supporting students, strengthening families, and helping educators create school communities where every child can thrive. Meghan is honored to bring the perspective of private and parochial schools to the Utah School Social Work Association Board. Outside of work, you’ll find her cheering at dance competitions and lacrosse games, spending time with her family, and cheering on her UTES!!
Venyce Martinez-Lunceford
Venyce began her social work career in 2012 and has been serving students in the Salt Lake City School District since 2021. She holds a certificate in Culturally Informed Responses to Grief and Loss and has specialized training in sand tray, play therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, TF-CBT, and CBITS. Venyce is passionate about ensuring every student has a safe space to be their authentic self, using her clinical skills to empower them to thrive. For the past three years, she has loved her role as a Hope Squad Advisor, encouraging students to speak openly about mental health. Dedicated to the future of the profession, Venyce also serves as a practicum supervisor, guiding and inspiring future school social workers to see the incredible impact of this work. Outside of her professional life, she brings the same warmth and dedication to her personal relationships, always finding joy in connection and community.
Victoria Ayala
Victoria is currently completing her Master of Social Work at Utah State University. Through her practicum experience, she was able to provide psychoeducation on emotional wellness, boundaries, and healthy relationships within the Cache and Logan city school districts to students in middle and high school, as well as connecting them with in-school resources. As a bilingual Spanish speaker, she is passionate about advocating for student mental health, supporting advocacy efforts, professional development, and initiatives that improve access to physical and mental health supports in schools.