Public Service Leaders Discuss the Intersection of Social Work and Politics at Columbia University Panel Honoring Sheila Y. Oliver

In recognition of National Social Work Month, the Sheila Y. Oliver Foundation, in partnership with the Columbia University School of Social Work, hosted a panel discussion titled The Intersection of Politics and Social Work. 

The event brought together public service leaders and policy experts to explore how social work education and values shape effective leadership in government and public service. The conversation also celebrated the life and legacy of the late NJ Lieutenant Governor Sheila Y. Oliver, a Columbia University School of Social Work alumna, whose decades of public service were guided by the principles of social work.

The discussion was moderated by Dr. Charles E. Lewis, Jr., Director of the Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy, and featured panelists Emily B. Jabbour, Mayor of the City of Hoboken, NJ; Dr. Mathylde Frontus, former New York State Assembly Member; and Dr. Ashanti Jones, Policy Analyst in the Criminal Justice Reform Program at the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, who are all alumni of the Columbia University School of Social Work.

Renee Oliver, President of the Sheila Y. Oliver Foundation and niece of the late Sheila Y. Oliver, opened with reflections on her aunt’s legacy: “Social work is about empathy, advocacy, and empowering communities—principles Sheila Oliver brought to every role. She believed good policy must be rooted in compassion and the realities of people’s lived experiences. Columbia provided her with the foundation to see problems not just as isolated issues but as part of a larger social system.” 

“Social work taught me that effective leadership begins with listening, empathy, and a commitment to equity,” said Mayor Jabbour. “Those values have guided every step of my public service. Sheila Y. Oliver embodied that same spirit throughout her extraordinary career, and it was an honor to join fellow Columbia alumni in celebrating her legacy and reaffirming the essential role social workers play in shaping responsive, people‑centered policies and government.”

“What made Sheila Oliver distinctive was not simply the offices she held, but the way she approached them,” said Dr. Lewis. “She understood that leadership is not just occupying a position. It’s about expanding opportunities and opening doors for others. In that sense, she did not just break ceilings for herself. She widened the pathway for those who would follow.”

Addressing the unique perspective social work training brings to public service, Dr. Frontus said: “There’s a natural synergy between public service and social work...For every social problem in our society, there is a policy explanation. Social workers have a specific hat on that allows us to realize—if we’re talking about poverty, if we’re talking about inequality, if we’re talking about human suffering—those aren’t abstract concepts. We know and we understand that those are a result of policy choices.”

The conversation also centered on advice for the next generation of leaders. Dr. Jones encouraged young change makers to forge their own paths. “You don’t actually have to wait for an opportunity to present itself. You can create one,” she said.

Attendees included Columbia University students, faculty, social work professionals, and emerging leaders in public service. Bringing together a wide mix of students and professionals, the panel highlighted the enduring relevance of Sheila Y. Oliver’s vision and the critical role of social work values in shaping public policy today.