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.
Stephanie Grotsky
Stephanie is a licensed clinical and school social worker at NUAMES Early College High School, with 12 years of experience providing school social work services. She works with individual students, groups, and whole classrooms, offering specialized programs to support the student body. Trained in Why Try, Resilience for Youth, Mindfulness, Executive Functioning Skills, and Risk Management, Stephanie is passionate about integrating mindfulness and counseling modalities like Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, CBT, and DBT to help students reach their full potential. She’s also a dedicated field supervisor for USU interns and is excited about the progress Utah is making in supporting student mental health through initiatives like the Utah School Social Work Association.
ReNee McDonald - Rural Area Rep
Tiana McCall - Secretary
Lora Bonham - 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.
Amber Woodward
Amber is passionate about creating positive systems of support in schools and believes that strong social skills lead to brighter futures. She loves building positive cultures in education and advocates for collaboration between educators and mental health professionals to support students’ wellness. Amber began her career as a mental health therapist at an abuse treatment agency in Salt Lake City before joining Granite School District, where she’s worked ever since. She’s grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with amazing educators, social workers, psychologists, and students.
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.
Lora holds a BA from BYU, an MSW from the University of Utah, and an MEd in Educational Leadership from BYU. As a mom of four, she loves exploring the world with her family and finding adventures close to home. Lora’s journey into social work began when her second daughter was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, inspiring her advocacy work with the CF Foundation and the creation of a parent advisory board at Primary Children’s Hospital. This led her to pursue her MSW and a career in supporting families. Currently a school social worker in Canyons School District, Lora has worked in medical settings, schools, and private practice. She’s passionate about bridging education and mental wellness, advocating for balance and collaboration. She also volunteers with HXP, the CF Foundation, Trauma Informed Utah, and the Policy Project.
Vicki Robinson
Vicki earned her BA and MSW from the University of Utah, along with certificates in Social Welfare and Education. With a diverse background, she has worked as a therapist for sexual abuse victims and perpetrators, in Child Protection, and in marital, family, and individual counseling. Vicki is now in her fifth year as a school social worker in a Title 1 school in Jordan School District—a role she loves. She also serves on the Standards and Practices Committee for the School Social Work Association of America and is thrilled to see a Utah chapter launched. A graduate of the Utah Trauma Academy, Vicki is passionate about trauma-informed care and Positive Psychology for teaching SEL skills in schools. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her husband and their large family.
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.
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.