NASW Foundation President (2001-2013)

Elizabeth J. Clark, PhD, ACSW, MPH, served as NASW's ninth Executive Director / Chief Executive Officer (2001-2013).  She was the Executive Director of the 12,000-member New York State Chapter for two years before assuming the national post in June 2001.  Dr. Clark held a BASW, an MSW, and an MPH in Health Services Administration from the University of Pittsburgh, a Master's Degree in Sociology, and a PhD in Medical Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  She also held ACSW certification from NASW's Academy of Certified Social Workers.

Her career included working as Executive Vice President of the nonprofit National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship; Chief Operating Officer of a national grassroots organizing campaign to raise public awareness about the need for increased funding for cancer research; Director of the Albany Medical Center Hospital's Department of Social Work and then its Division of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services; and Director of the Department of Counseling and Support Services and the Cancer Care Program at St. Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Clark held academic administrative and teaching posts at numerous universities and was involved in 18 grant-funded research projects, often as grant author or principal investigator.  Dr. Clark was the author, co-author or editor of more than 70 publications.  Her honors include numerous awards for leadership and for outstanding public and community service.  She was named Social Worker of the Year by units of the NASW New York State Chapter and NASW Pennsylvania Chapter.  Dr. Clark, a member of the NASW Social Work Pioneers, passed away in 2020.