BU School of Social Work Names New Leadership Team for Alumni Board Association
On January 1, 2024, a new leadership team for the alumni association board began its term at Boston University School of Social Work (BUSSW). Angela Yarde (SSW ’97) takes on the role of president and Kristina Whiton-O’Brien (SSW ‘95) was named vice president.
Past president Dan Do (SSW ‘13, SPH ‘14, SSW ‘24) will continue to serve as a steering committee member.
Dean Barbara Jones stated, “I am so excited to work with these two incredible social work leaders. Their commitment to our school and to the social work community is deep and I know that dedication will carry over into their new roles on the alumni board. I am also incredibly grateful for Dan Do’s leadership and support of our school, students and alumni over these past several years. I am looking forward to the future as we engage with our alumni community in new and creative ways.”
Yarde has been a leader in the social work field for the past decade. After graduating from Emmanuel College in Boston with a bachelor of science degree in developmental and child psychology, she earned a master’s in social work from BUSSW before going on to earn a master’s of public administration from Suffolk University’s Sawyer Business School.
Currently, Yarde is senior adviser and community liaison to Councilor Brian Worrell and a practicing psychotherapist at Lighthouse Behavioral Health and Wellness Center. Previously, she was director of private giving and donor relations for Dorchester Bay EDC; director at the
City of Boston Age Strong Commission; program director at the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children; program director at Good Start & Healthy Families; and District 7 director for Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner. She also serves on the BUSSW alumni association steering committee and board for the Greater Boston Chapter.
Whiton-O’Brien has been a long time active member of the BUSSW community in a wide range of roles including currently working as an instructor and course facilitator for the School’s online program. Previously she was assistant director of advising and field education for the School’s online program and a faculty advisor.
Currently, Whiton-O’Brien is a regional director for the Barnstable County SHINE program on Cape Cod and the Islands, and a provider circle advisor for Vot-ER, where she previously served as national partnerships director. Prior to that she was director of continuing education and clinical issues for the National Association of Social Workers MA; an adoption contract manager for the Mass. Department of Children and Families; manager, coordinator and clinician at Children’s Friend & Services; case manager at the Mass. Department of Social Services; and recruitment coordinator for Ocean State Adoption Resource Exchange. She also serves on the BUSSW alumni association steering committee for the Greater Boston Chapter and in 2022 received the award for Greatest Contribution to the School of Social Work from the BUSSW Alumni Association .
The BUSSW Alumni Association Board serves as the governing body of its Alumni Association and includes members from 17 chapters covering 22 states, the District of Columbia, Eastern Canada, and Europe.