Lori Watsen, President

Lori Watsen is a Clinical Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at Boise State University where she teaches primarily social work practice and diversity courses. Lori received her MSW from Boise State in 2002. She worked for many years providing clinical and practical support for people with cancer and their families at Saint Alphonsus Cancer Care Center, St. Luke's Mountain States Tumor Institute, and at the Boise VA Medical Center. Lori is a registered Clinical Social Work supervisor. She is invested in supporting the professional growth and knowledge of social workers here in Idaho.

Charles S. Pohl, Vice President & Treasurer

Charles S. Pohl LCSW,CGP has been in the mental health/substance use disorder field almost his entire adult life having his first undergraduate field placement in 1972 at a halfway house for patients being discharged from the Allentown State Hospital (PA) during the height of the deinstitutionalization movement.  He received his MSW from the University of Utah in 1981.  He has worked at a variety of outpatient and inpatient mental health settings and recently retired from the Boise VA Medical Center earlier this year after over 20 years of outpatient service including coordinating the MSW Intern Program and facilitating the psychiatric residency group program.  Charlie continues working part time with the residency and as a consultant from his home.

Makala Knutson, Member at Large

Makala Knutson, LCSW completed her undergraduate degree at Boise State University in 2013, and was awarded a Fulbright grant to conduct research in Eswatini (Sub-Saharan Africa) that fall. Her work focused on community-based centers providing care to vulnerable children and the experiences of the women who run them. She received her MSW from BSU in 2018, completing her internships at the Family Medicine Residency of Idaho (FMRI) and the Boise VA Medical Center in outpatient behavioral health. She returned to FMRI after graduating, where she works with culturally and linguistically-diverse clients from refugee backgrounds as a medical care manager, and as a therapist in the integrated health setting. She is excited for the opportunity to grow with other social workers in Idaho.

Rachael Bazzett, Member at Large

Rachael joined the board in 2020 and works as a clinician in the community. She holds a bachelor's degree from University of Massachusetts in Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies and completed her MSW at Boise State in 2015. Much of Rachael's career has been in the field of intimate partner violence and sexual violence, and she is passionate about issues related to gender and sexuality, having earned a certificate in Sex Therapy and Sex Education from the University of Michigan in 2020. Outside of clinical work, Rachael teaches as an adjunct in the Social Work department at Boise State and consults for local organizations on issues related to trauma and sexual health. Rachael spends lots of time snuggling with her three dogs, running in the mountains, and drinking tea. 

Janne Knight, Member at Large

Janne is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience working with individuals and families dealing with mental health challenges in various clinical and medical settings. Janne has a passion for assisting patients who struggle with acute psychiatric illness and working as a member of multidisciplinary treatment teams to deliver a high level of care to patients in need of intensive mental health services. Janne grew up in the Boise area and in her spare time enjoys horseback riding, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.

Sheila Weaver, Member at Large

Sheila Weaver is the Program Manager for the Family Caregiver Navigator Project and adjunct faculty within the School of Social Work at Boise State University. She is a practicing therapist at a local agency. She earned an MSW and BSW with a minor in Gerontology and a certificate of Dispute Resolution from Boise State University. She has a background in caregiving, child protection, homelessness, substance use, and mental health treatment. She is proud to have worked in state government since 2005 serving Idahoans in a variety of roles. In her spare time, Sheila enjoys walking her dog and laughing a little too loudly with loved ones.