NASW Pioneers Biography Index


The National Association of Social Workers Foundation is pleased to present the NASW Social Work Pioneers®. NASW Pioneers are social workers who have explored new territories and built outposts for human services on many frontiers. Some are well known, while others are less famous outside their immediate colleagues, and the region where they live and work. But each one has made an important contribution to the social work profession, and to social policies through service, teaching, writing, research, program development, administration, or legislation.

The NASW Pioneers have paved the way for thousands of other social workers to contribute to the betterment of the human condition; and they are are role models for future generations of social workers. The NASW Foundation has made every effort to provide accurate Pioneer biographies.  Please contact us at naswfoundation@socialworkers.org to provide missing information, or to correct inaccurate information. It is very important to us to correctly tell these important stories and preserve our history.  

Please note, an asterisk attached to a name reflects Pioneers who have passed away. All NASW Social Work Pioneers® Bios are Copyright © 2021 National Association of Social Workers Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

    
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Donald Soeken Photo
Donald Soeken

Pioneering Contributions

Donald Soeken has spent his 40 years in the social work profession contributing to areas of practice, research, and teaching. His most impactful contribution came while working for the United States Public Health Service (USPHS), where he evaluated federal employees who were sent in for psychiatric “fitness for duty” exams. He noted that most of the people sent to him for exam were not mentally ill, and should not be required to do so. At the time, federal civil servants in the executive branch could be forced to take these psychiatric exams against their will, which he viewed as against the law. Soeken made the decision to put his career at risk to protect the rights of his clients and become a whistleblower on this practice. His testimony before the House Post Office and Civil Service Committee resulted in congressional legislation banning the practice. He also helped in banning such required tests in the legislative branch as well. Soeken did all of this while working towards the rank of 06 Captain in the USPHS, which could have been in jeopardy because of his whistleblowing.

Since 1980, Soeken has assisted whistleblowers in winning over $100 million in court awards and settlements. He also has set up volunteer consultation for hundreds of whistleblowers across the country. Beginning in 1980, Soeken has served as the Director of the Whistleblower Support Fund, a nonprofit that advocates for whistleblowers and promotes ethical behavior in the home and workplace. The Fund began as Integrity International/Associated Mental Health Specialties which worked to meet the counseling needs of whistleblowers. Soeken owns a farm in West Virginia, nicknamed the “Whistle Stop”, where he houses whistleblowers to help them figure out a change in career if necessary. 

Career Highlights

Soeken retired from the United States Public Health Service in 1994 with the rank of 06 Captain in USPHS. He has been a member of the Commissioned Officers Association of America of the USPHS, and a life member of the Military Officer’s Association of America and of Disabled American Veterans. Soeken also helped develop the Whistleblowing Archive, a digital library started in 1996 that houses thousands of historical documents from whistleblowers around the world. Pieces in the archive include documents from Ernie Fitzgerald who reported massive fraudulent cost-overruns in Pentagon weapons programs, and FBI whistleblower Fred Whitehurst who exposed evidence-rigging and other fraudulent practices at the Bureau's major crime laboratory. Soeken published the book Don’t Kill The Messenger!: How America's Valiant Whistleblowers Risk Everything in Order to Speak Out Against Waste, Fraud and Abuse in Business and Government in 2014. The book is about his time counseling whistleblowers, and profiles nine Americans who have recently exposed abuses in several federal agencies. All nine individuals profiled were counseled by Soeken during his career.

Soeken served the community of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital from 1985 to 1994. He worked as a case manager, coordinated substance abuse programs, and developed programs to enhance the treatment of substance abusers. He also worked on a PTSD debriefing group, on the Quality Assurance Review committee to review clinical problems at the hospital, and was Field Instructor for MSW students. Earlier in his career he was assigned to the Forensic Division of the hospital, where he would appear in court on behalf of individuals before their placement in the community. Soeken served as the Chief Social Worker in the Civil Division and as the Program Director for the National Institute of Mental Health’s teaching group.

Biographic Data

Soeken received his BA in theology from Valparaiso University in 1964; his MSW from Wayne State University in 1966; his PSW from the Menninger Foundation focusing in group work in 1967; and his PhD in Human Development from the University of Maryland in 1978.

Significant Achievements and Awards

  • Jack Otis Whistleblower Award, Research and Education Fund of the National Association of Social Workers – October 1994;
  • Valparaiso University Alumni Achievement Award for Outstanding Achievement in Chosen Career – November 1993;
  • Lifetime Achievement Award for Work with Persons of Integrity, National Association of Social Workers – 1991; and,
  • Mental Health Achievement Award for Legislation' in recognition of sustained efforts to improve the mental health of the residents of Metropolitan Washington, D.C., The Psychiatric Institute Foundation – 1985.




Newly Inducted NASW Social Work Pioneer Hortense McClinton 2015

Nominate A New NASW Pioneer

Please note, Pioneer nominations made between today’s date through March 31, 2023, will not be reviewed until spring 2023.

Completed NASW Pioneer nominations can be submitted throughout the year and are reviewed at the June Pioneer Steering Committee Meeting. To be considered at the June meeting, submit your nomination package by March 31. To learn more, visit our Pioneer nomination guidelines.


New Pioneers 

Congratulations newly elected Pioneers!  Pioneers will be inducted at the 2023  Annual Program and Luncheon. Full biographies and event details coming soon.

2023