Board of Directors

1st Vice President

Julie Schirmer, LCSW
Term ends 2022

Julie Schirmer, LCSW is a behavioral health and curriculum consultant on a Preventative Medicine Enhancement for Maine (PrevME) HRSA grant with the Maine Medical Center (MMC) Department of Family Medicine. She recently retired from her 20+ year position as a behavioral science faculty at the MMC Family Medicine Residency Program and more recent position as Assistance Director of the Family Medicine Clerkship for Tufts School of Medicine/Maine Track Program.

She has taught, consulted and held academic leadership positions on regional, national and international levels, authoring multiple articles, chapters and an edited book " Behavioral Health is Primary Care: A Global Perspective. Julie has been actively involved with Maine Providers Stand Up for Health Care and believes that by collaborating with other like-minded individuals and policy makers, we can improve the health and well-being of our clients, our communities and ourselves.

She has been a member of NASW for over 40 years and was co-chair of the Committee on Women’s issues for the state prior to the birth of her 35 and 33-year-old daughters.

She/her/hers

At-Large 1

Vacant

At-Large 2

Sharon S. Fowler, BSW, MSW, LCSW

Sharon S. Fowler serves as the Clinical Director at Maine Children’s Home in Waterville, Maine. In her role, she provides clinical direction, supervision and training for the Mental Health policies, procedures, and initiatives for the Programs within the Agency. Programs include: Adoption (Domestic & International); Christmas; Connected Families (Training & Special Projects); and Counseling Center. She is a seasoned professional having worked as a Clinical Social Worker and Clinical Supervisor in mental health and public education settings in her 33 years of practice.

Sharon has received clinical training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Triple-P Parenting evidence-based treatment models. She has additional specialized training in Trauma-Informed Schools and Women in Leadership. She is a certified Behavioral Health Professional trainer and has trained extensively on the topic of Trauma and Trauma-Informed Schools. She is a passionate advocate for creating Trauma-Informed Organizations. Sharon also serves as a Member-At-Large for the National Association of Social Workers - Maine Chapter and is the Chair of the NASW - Maine School Social Work Committee.

Sharon grew up in Waterville, Maine and received her Bachelor of Social Work Degree from the University of Southern Maine. She traveled to Houston, Texas to study and received her Master of Social Work Degree from the University of Houston with a concentration in Children & Families. Her professional work led her to Boston, Massachusetts where she served in leadership positions in residential treatment settings and social service agencies before returning to Maine to raise her children. In Maine, she has been a leader in mental health, home-based treatment, and educational settings where she has been employed.

At-Large 3

(vacant; term years 2021-2024)

Branch A

Kerstin Kirchner, MPH, MHRT-C, MHRT-CSP

Kerstin Kirchner, MPH, MHRT-C, MHRT-CSP, is the Branch A Chair, currently enrolled in the MSW program at the University of Southern Maine with expected graduation in spring 2022. Kerstin had worked at Care Management at Maine Medical Center and Access to Care at MaineHealth before she transitioned to work as an adult case manager at Maine Behavioral Healthcare (MBH) in Springvale.

Kerstin was raised in East Germany, lived eight years in Belgium, and has lived with her family in Southern Maine since 1998. She enjoys hiking, yoga, baking, and reading.

She/her/hers

Branch B

Amy Blake

Amy Blake, LCSW, ACSW is the Branch B Chair. She has a private practice specializing in relationship therapy and trauma. She provides training and consultation. She coaches clinicians, coaches and presenters on being leaders and having a more powerful voice.

She/her/hers

Branch C

(vacant)

Branch D

(vacant)

Branch E

Cindy Sturm
Term ends 2022

Cindy Sturm is the service supervisor for the counseling and psychotherapy programs at Dirigo Counseling Clinic in Bangor, Maine. She brings a long career of professional clinical practice. Her diverse background includes both outpatient and inpatient treatment of patients who warranted psychotherapy, evaluation, observation, and recommendation. She works with families, children, and adults. Cindy comes with a long list of training and skills that she has practiced since 1998. She is a member of the board of NASW ME and chapter leader for district D. She is also a NAMI ME member. 

She/hers

BSW Student Representative - University of Maine

Emma Williams

Emma Williams is in her final year at the University of Maine in their social work program. She will be serving on the board of directors as the BSW student representative. Emma is hoping to work on the Macro Side of social work, influencing and taking part in social welfare policy development. Emma is planning on attending law school, as social workers have a unique insight that makes them specially equipped to create public policy. Emma is passionate about advancing and defending human rights. She looks forward to assisting the board in their endeavors this year. She also hopes to help connect more new social workers to the NASW.