Kathy Sawyer

Kathy Sawyer has spent her entire professional career assisting those who need society’s help. After earning a Master of Social Work degree (MSW) in 1976 from the University of Alabama, School of Social Work in Tuscaloosa, Alabama her distinguished career began in the child protective services with the Arizona Department of Economic Security.

From 1977 until her retirement in 2005, Kathy worked for the Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation. Working her way up through the department she was appointed Commissioner in January 1999 by Governor Don Siegelman and re-appointed Commissioner December 2002 by Governor-Elect Bob Riley.

Some of Kathy’s certifications and licenses include: Certified Public Manager, Executive Development Certificate, Licensed Private Independent Practice (PIP), Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW), Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW), Diplomat in Clinical Social Work (DCSW), Qualified Mental Retardation Professional (QMRP)

Kathy also has an impressive record of community involvement as well. Areas of participation include: Past President of the Board of Directors for Leadership Montgomery; Class IX of Leadership Alabama; Success by Six; Tri-County Area United Way; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Alabama Poverty Project; Junior League of Montgomery; Executive Board Member of the Tukabatchee Area Boy Scouts Council; and Co-Founder of Camp Sunshine for Boys and Girls.

Some of her professional affiliations are: National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors; National Experts on Trauma and Violence; Social Work Board of Friends; National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors and Commissioner Liaison Older Persons Advisory Committee; Advisory Board, Social Work Department; Board of Directors, Mental Health Association; Mental Illness Advisory Committee; past Chair, National Conference Committee, National Association of Social Workers; Institute for the Advancement of Social Work Research Board; Advisory Board, Social Work Department, Troy State University;, Board of Directors, Certified Public Managers; Competence Certification Commission, National Association of Social Workers, Inc.; Alabama Association for Retarded Citizens; Alabama Alliance for the Mentally Ill (AAMI; Advisory Board, School of Social Work, University of Alabama.

Kathy is currently an independent business consultant associated with Franklin Resources Group.