Merris D. Obie is a highly respected Child Welfare Operations Administrator for the Karuk Tribe of northwestern California, with over two decades of extensive experience in program management, grant writing, and policy development, primarily with local tribal governments.

Mark E. Courtney, an esteemed scholar in the field of social welfare, has dedicated his career to enhancing the lives of children and youth, particularly those in the foster care system.

An accomplished senior executive and influential advocate in both government and nonprofit sectors, Kris Perry has dedicated her career to significantly improving lives through heightened investments in early childhood education.

Christina Wong established herself as a highly accomplished and dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a practitioner and policy change agent with over three decades of experience, primarily in mental health services and social work education.

Gustavo Rangel is a distinguished social worker and former United States Marine who has dedicated his career to serving his community and country with unwavering dedication and compassion.

Alan Wong was the epitome of a professional social worker who engaged in mission and vision through his roles as social justice champion, change agent, policy advocate, educator, and practitioner. His lifetime of work met all considerations for induction into the Hall of Distinction.

Dac Viet Vu is a distinguished social worker whose impactful career began in the early 1970s in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Following a period of political asylum in Japan, Vu relocated to San Francisco, where his contributions to the community and value to the City’s Community Mental Health Department earned him a lifetime achievement award.