Leadership Team
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President 

Cassandra Hanrahan - PhD, RSW

Cassandra Hanrahan is an Associate Professor, researcher, and Undergraduate Program Coordinator at Dalhousie University School of Social Work in Nova Scotia, Canada. Cassandra’s research on human animal interactions and animal informed social work urges us to reconceptualize the purpose and practice of social work today, broadening the circle of compassion and incorporating sustainability as a core value. By raising awareness of anthropocentrism and the prescient critique of humanism in social work, Cassandra advocates new ontologies of being and becoming. Over the past decade, she has taught several undergraduate and graduate independent studies on spirituality and social work. Cassandra is President of the Canadian Association for Spirituality and Social Work.

Vice President 

Heather Boynton - PhD, MSW, RSW, HBPE

Dr. Heather M. Boynton worked in mental health for 30+ years as a Child and Family Therapist, Mental Health Consultant, and Manger in Adult Services. Her research and teaching interests include spirituality, trauma, grief and loss, posttraumatic growth, child and family mental health, integrative and holistic practices, and interprofessional collaboration and education. She is an adjunct professor in Kinesiology at Lakehead University, Faculty at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and a Member of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute.

Treasurer  & Past President  

John Coates - PhD  

John Coates, PhD is Professor Emeritus in Social Work, St. Thomas University, Fredericton, NB, Canada. 
He taught at St. Thomas for almost 30 years and served as Director of the School of Social Work for several years.  He is a founding member of the CSSSW and served as its Chair where he helped organize conferences and encourage scholarship in the area of spirituality and social work. As a scholar, he has co-edited four collections of essays which have been described as landmark contributions to social work discourse and practice. His book, Ecology and Social Work: Toward a New Paradigm (2003) was the first in Canada to examine the intersection of environmental and social work concerns. In addition, he has authoured or co-authoured well over 40 book chapters and articles in peer-reviewed journals, as well as co-edited ten journal volumes. Since retirement he has become an avid woodturner and gardener while he continues community service in the not-for-profit sector. 

Secretary  

Vacant 

Communications Officer 

Vacant

Membership Officer  

Vacant 

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Board of Directors - complete list coming soon

Canadian Spirituality and Social Work  is governed by a Board of Directors. These professionals bring skills, knowledge and passion for the work of CSSSW.

​Lucille Villaseñor-Caron (MSW, RSW, E-RYT, AYT)

​Lucille Villaseñor-Caron is a Registered Social Worker Psychotherapist, Certified Yoga Teacher and Ayurvedic Wellness Practitioner who offers psychotherapy, counselling and Ayurvedic Yoga therapy to individuals, groups, couples and families seeking support to overcome structural, interpersonal, mental, emotional, physical and/or spiritual challenges. Furthermore, she facilitates mental health related workshops, group therapy programs, and specialized employee-wellness and workplace-health services in private practice, and with both government and non-governmental agencies. It is her passion to be of service to others by creating a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere that supports happiness, wellbeing and healing. As the founder of Happiness & Wellness Therapy, she offers her services in three languages: English, French and Spanish through a wholistic and tailored approach to therapy that acknowledges practical tools, modern psychological theories and ancient wisdom from different cultures to support happiness, wellbeing and healing in a cross-cultural manner. 
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​​Susan Cadell, PhD, RSW

Susan Cadell, PhD, RSW (she/her) is a social work researcher and Professor in the School of Social Work at Renison University College at the University of Waterloo. Susan's research concerns death, dying and bereavement, particularly positive outcomes of caregiving and grief. She has been a member of CSSSW since attending the first meeting in 2001. Susan’s most recent projects concern grief in COVID, after Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), and healing tattoos.