Specific Pioneering Contribtuions
Dawn Hobdy, MSW, LICSW, has been a visionary leader in the development and advancement of social work ethics, both in the U.S. and internationally. During her 20-year tenure with the NASW Office of Ethics and Professional Review, she served as a senior ethics associate, manager, director, and vice president. She was responsible for the overall vision, mission, structure and policies associated with the newly established nationwide NASW diversity, equity and inclusion program.
Hobdy also organized NASW’s first Social Work Ethics Summit, which resulted in a set of ethical guidelines that have influenced state legislative policies. She also played key roles in updating the NASW Code of Ethics in 2008, 2017 and 2021. These updates included the addition of specific guidance for the use of technology in social work practice, cultural humility and self-care. For each of these revisions, she not only assembled a team of ethics experts from across the country, but also ensured that the new provisions were grounded in current research, new and emerging areas of practice, and the core values of the profession. Her foresight in updating the NASW Code of Ethics is evident in her leadership on the use of technology in social work—standards that were implemented well in advance of those by other professional organizations.
Hobdy also played key roles in modernizing the processes for managing ethics complaints against NASW members. She nationalized the professional review process, created training materials and programs, and addressed issues in existing systems and procedures. Her efforts ensured a more standardized and equitable approach to professional review.
Career Highlights
Having served NASW from 2002 to 2022, Hobdy brought much-needed continuity to the Office of Ethics and Professional Review. She ensured that both staff and volunteers were well educated and well prepared for their roles in professional review processes, policy development, ethics training, and consultation. While other professional associations have scaled back their ethics oversight, Hobdy helped strengthen NASW’s processes by focusing on corrective action rather than punishment, and encouraging collaboration through mediation rather than relying solely on adjudication.
In 2023, Hobdy founded Social Work Support Services LLC, where she continues to provide consultation on DEI best practices to various organizations, including nonprofit organizations and universities; offers strategic guidance and support services to professional social workers, including consultation, mentoring, professional development and training; and provides public speaking to various organizations with a focus on professional development, leadership and ethics.
On a global scale, Hobdy served as the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) ethics commissioner and chaired a task force that developed the current Global Social Work Statement of Ethical Principles. Her leadership and facilitation skills were pivotal in identifying ethical concerns and building consensus among a group with diverse national, ethnic and practice perspectives. Through this process, she helped shift the ethical discourse beyond Eurocentric and Western-centric frameworks to become more inclusive of various cultures, national contexts and worldviews.
As a dynamic educator and communicator, Hobdy expanded the reach of social work ethics through accessible and engaging training, both in-person and online. Her educational podcasts and webinars on leadership, technology and diversity have garnered more than 100,000 views. Additionally, she has delivered more than 250 ethics presentations, training sessions, plenary discussions, and keynote addresses globally—cementing her role as a cutting-edge thought leader in social work ethics.
Biographic Data
Hobdy was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. She earned a BS degree in communication from the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University in Syracuse, N.Y. She received her MSW, magna cum laude, from the Howard University School of Social Work in Washington, D.C., where she has been an adjunct professor since 2015. Hobdy also holds a certification in diversity and inclusion from Cornell University.
Her expansive professional experience includes direct practice roles in gerontology—most notably as director of a nursing home facility—as well as a range of managerial and executive leadership positions. As a seasoned social work ethicist with decades of experience, Hobdy has emerged as a prominent and sought-after public speaker, facilitator and educator. She has earned widespread respect and admiration for her expertise and her unique ability to engage diverse audiences while promoting professionalism and excellence through ethics education and consultation.
Significant Recognition and Awards
Hobdy’s expertise and leadership have been recognized by several organizations that have invited her to serve on their boards. Most recently, she was invited to serve as a board member for the Maryland Chapter of NASW. She also is an active board member of the Dress for Success chapter in Washington, D.C.
Significant Publications
Hobdy has contributed to several NASW publications, including updates to the NASW Code of Ethics in 2008, 2017 and 2021. These updates included significant changes to standards related to diversity, cultural humility, technology, self-care, and disability. She also played a key role in developing regulatory standards with the Association of Social Work Boards in 2016, particularly in relation to technology and social work. Additionally, Hobdy contributed to NASW’s Procedures for Professional Review and helped shape the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) Statement of Ethical Principles.