SWAG: Social Worker Appreciation of Greatness Awards

08/27/2026

We love seeing former SWAG Award honorees continue to be recognized for their leadership and impact!

Congratulations to Demi Marie Kolke and Tierra Thorne Lcsw on being named to the Pittsburgh Magazine 2026 40 Under 40 class! We were proud to celebrate you through the SWAG Awards, and we’re equally proud to see your work and influence continue to receive the recognition they deserve.

Keep leading, serving, and making an impact! ❤️🩶

Pittsburgh is full of people doing remarkable things. Meet 40 of them. 👏

From business and nonprofits to the arts, education, health care and beyond, this year’s 40 Under 40 honorees are helping shape Pittsburgh’s future through their professional accomplishments and contributions to the community.

🎉 Congratulations to the 2026 Class of 40 Under 40, presented by Dollar Bank and in partnership with Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project (PUMP)!

See this year's list: https://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/40-under-40-honorees/

08/08/2026

👀 It’s almost that time again…

One month from today, nominations officially open for the 7th Annual SWAG Awards!

Every year, we have the privilege of celebrating social workers, leaders, organizations, and community partners who are making a meaningful difference throughout Western Pennsylvania.

So we’re giving you a little homework early. 😊

Start thinking: Who deserves to be recognized?

Nominations open September 8, 2026, and we can’t wait to hear the stories of the people and organizations making an impact in our communities.

Stay tuned. ❤️🖤

Want to be the first to know when nominations officially open? Join the SWAG Awards interest list and we’ll send the details directly to you.

https://swagfoundation.org/interest/

08/06/2026

SWAG Alumni Spotlight

At SWAG, we believe the impact of social work doesn't end when an award is presented or a professional milestone is achieved.
Each month, we highlight members of the SWAG community who continue to lead, serve, and create meaningful change.

Through our SWAG Alumni Spotlight series, we celebrate former SWAG Awards honorees and those who continue to strengthen the profession through their leadership, service, and commitment to others.

This month, we're proud to spotlight Kiera Mallett, LCSW, a member of our 2023 SWAG Awards Honoree Class.

Today, Kiera serves as the Director of Field Education and Assistant Teaching Professor at Penn State Greater Allegheny, where she prepares and mentors the next generation of social workers. This academic year, under her leadership, the social work program achieved full accreditation through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)—a milestone she considers her greatest professional accomplishment.

Beyond higher education, Kiera has continued giving back to the profession by serving as a SWAG Social Work Licensure Exam Prep Facilitator, helping aspiring social workers prepare for both the LSW and LCSW examinations. She is passionate about ensuring students receive strong field placements and meaningful training that equips them to make a lasting impact in their communities.

When asked what continues to inspire her, Kiera shared:
"I am continually inspired by the next generation of social workers. Their passion for advocacy and social justice is truly admirable. The impact of this work continues to motivate me to build on what I have started."

Her advice to fellow social workers and those entering the profession:
"Be yourself, and continue to grow and reflect as a professional social worker. There is always room to improve, whether in professionalism or in how we serve individuals, families, groups, and communities."

Congratulations, Kiera! Thank you for continuing to lead, mentor, and inspire the social work profession.

07/30/2026

💚

One of our favorite moments from the 2026 6th Annual SWAG Awards.

Every year, we're reminded of the incredible social workers, organizations, and leaders who make a lasting impact in our communities. The SWAG Awards exists to celebrate them—and we can't wait to do it again foe the 7th Annual in 2027.

Planning is already underway, and we'd love for you to be part of it.

Join our SWAG Awards Interest List to be among the first to receive updates on:
• 2027 award nominations
• Sponsorship opportunities
• Event announcements
• Ticket information

We look forward to celebrating with you again. 💚

https://swagfoundation.org/interest/

07/02/2026

🌟 Introducing SWAG Alumni Spotlight

At SWAG, we believe the impact of social work doesn't end when an award is presented or a professional milestone is achieved.

Beginning this month, on the first Thursday of each month, we'll be highlighting members of the SWAG community who continue to lead, serve, and create meaningful change. Through this series, we'll celebrate the accomplishments of former SWAG Awards honorees and participants in SWAG Alliance Foundation initiatives while sharing the incredible work they're doing in their organizations and communities.

Our first spotlight features Dr. Rikell S. Ford, a member of our inaugural 2021 SWAG Awards class who recently earned her Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential through SWAG Alliance Foundation's Licensure Support Initiative.

Today, Dr. Ford serves as a Clinical Manager for Allegheny County Children, Youth, and Families, owns Kindred Healing Collective, provides psychotherapy, and leads Kindred C.U.L.T.U.R.E., a nonprofit committed to mental wellness and community empowerment.

After recently earning her LCSW, she shared:

"SWAG supported my test preparation both financially and by providing access to high-quality study materials. The one-on-one study sessions were especially helpful in understanding and applying the bronze, silver, and gold test-taking strategies. I entered the exam confident in my approach, equipped with strong test-taking strategies and a solid knowledge base as a result of the resources SWAG provided."

Congratulations, Dr. Ford! Thank you for continuing to lead with excellence and inspire our profession. 💙

06/16/2026

People often ask what makes SWAG different.

It's not just the awards.

It's the connections. The celebration. The stories. The feeling of being in a room full of people who understand the work.

Some of our favorite feedback from this year's attendees included:

⭐ "This felt like the Oscars for social workers."
⭐ "The networking alone was worth attending."
⭐ "I've never experienced anything like this in our profession."

Those comments remind us why this work matters.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2026 SWAG Awards such a memorable experience.

We're already looking ahead to 2027.

06/02/2026

100% of attendees surveyed said they would attend again or recommend SWAG.

That tells us something important.

People don't return to spaces where they don't feel seen. They don't recommend events that don't provide value. And they certainly don't invite colleagues into experiences they wouldn't attend themselves.

SWAG has continued to grow because it's about more than an awards ceremony.

It's about recognition. Connection. Community. And reminding social workers that their work matters.

As we begin preparing for the 7th Annual SWAG Awards, we're grateful for every person who has helped build this community.

05/19/2026

Some of the most important conversations in mental health care are the ones people are often uncomfortable having.

Power. Bias. Inequality. Who gets believed. Who gets labeled. Who gets overlooked.

That’s why we’re excited to host this upcoming training with Dr. Darla Timbo PsyD, LPC

WHO HOLDS POWER? Unpacking Bias & Inequality in Mental Health Care

Supporting helping professionals also means creating space for deeper reflection about the systems we work inside of.

🗓 May 29
⏰ 10AM–12PM EST
💻 Virtual
Cost: $10.00

2 CEUs provided by University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work

https://www.theswagawards.com/trainings

05/06/2026

What happens when 200+ social workers are in one room?

Everybody sees the photos.

The dresses. The awards. The celebration.
But what people don’t always see is what’s actually happening in the room.

Connection.
Recognition.
People who have been carrying a lot… finally being seen.

And not just seen—supported.

👇🏾 I broke down what that actually looked like this year in the comments.