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NASW Pioneers Biography Index


The National Association of Social Workers Foundation is pleased to present the NASW Social Work Pioneers®. NASW Pioneers are social workers who have explored new territories and built outposts for human services on many frontiers. Some are well known, while others are less famous outside their immediate colleagues, and the region where they live and work. But each one has made an important contribution to the social work profession, and to social policies through service, teaching, writing, research, program development, administration, or legislation.

The NASW Pioneers have paved the way for thousands of other social workers to contribute to the betterment of the human condition; and they are are role models for future generations of social workers. The NASW Foundation has made every effort to provide accurate Pioneer biographies.  Please contact us at naswfoundation@socialworkers.org to provide missing information, or to correct inaccurate information. It is very important to us to correctly tell these important stories and preserve our history.  

Please note, an asterisk attached to a name reflects Pioneers who have passed away. All NASW Social Work Pioneers® Bios are Copyright © 2021 National Association of Social Workers Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

    
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Dale Masi Photo
Dale Masi

Dr. Dale A. Masi is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Maryland, and President and Chief Executive Officer of Masi Research Consultants, Inc., a Boston company specializing in Employee Assistance Program (EAP) design, implementation, training, and evaluation. In addition, Dr. Masi is the Project Director at Northeastern University, Boston, for the National Institute of Health Grant “Rapid Response to College Binge Drinking” and she is Academic Adviser at Northeastern University’s Online Institute for Employee Assistance. She lectures annually at Bocconi University in Milan, Italy.

She is the author of 13 books and more than 70 articles dealing with EAPs, evaluation, and various mental health issues. Dr. Masi earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois and holds a Doctorate Degree from the Catholic University of America, and she was a Fulbright Scholar to Italy, Hong Kong, and Japan. She was the recipient of a post-doctoral research award from the American Association of University Women. As a specialist in workplace problems, she has lectured in 45 countries and has been an expert witness in a number of prominent legal cases including the Exxon-Valdez case.

Dr. Masi served as the Director of Employee Counseling Services in the Office of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She managed the Model Federal Program serving 150,000 employees with a multi-million-dollar budget. As a specialist in workplace problems, she has also served as an AMPART lecturer around the world for the U.S. State Department.

Dr. Masi is the recipient of many honors including induction into the National Academies of Practice as a Distinguished Scholar. She received the first Rhoda G. Sarnat Award from the National Association of Social Workers Foundation in 1993 and in 1996 received the “Outstanding Educator in America” Distinguished Alumna Award from the College of Mount Saint Vincent. She has been elected to the EAP Hall of Fame, and has served on the Boards of the National Security Institute, as well as the Fulbright Association.




Newly Inducted NASW Social Work Pioneer Hortense McClinton 2015

Nominate A New NASW Pioneer

Please note, Pioneer nominations made between today’s date through March 31, 2023, will not be reviewed until spring 2023.

Completed NASW Pioneer nominations can be submitted throughout the year and are reviewed at the June Pioneer Steering Committee Meeting. To be considered at the June meeting, submit your nomination package by March 31. To learn more, visit our Pioneer nomination guidelines.


New Pioneers 

Congratulations newly elected Pioneers!  Pioneers will be inducted at the 2024  Annual Program and Luncheon. Full biographies and event details coming soon.


2024