YWCA Spokane is proud to take this opportunity to highlight a deeply valued member of our Board of Directors, Dr. Charina Carothers. 

As a board member of the YWCA Spokane, Charina helps guide and support an organization dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

About Charina

Dr. Charina Carothers currently serves as Director of Equity and Belonging at the UW School of Social Work, Alliance for Professional Development, Training and Caregiver Excellence, where she are responsible for interpreting the results of research and evaluations and applying those findings to improve program outcomes, in addition to monitoring programs and services to make sure they are functioning as intended for the populations served. Dr. Carothers is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and provides individual therapy and consultation services in the area.

Dr. Carothers began working in the social work profession in 2004 after graduating from Washington State University with a degree in Social Sciences. She spent the early years of their career in non-profits and Early Childhood Education in the Spokane community, gaining experience in engaging with families, completing family and child assessments, and connecting families with needed resources. In 2006, she transitioned into Child Welfare, where she held progressively responsible roles, including Social Health Program Consultant and Social Service Specialist Supervisor, before transitioning to The Alliance in 2016. Dr. Carothers has held their current position since 2021, with a title change in 2023.

“As a doctoral researcher and clinical practitioner, my work centers on the less visible drivers of inequity: the intersection of race and gender in clinical settings, the erosion of patient agency, and the chronic physiological toll of navigating white supremacist structures, which have implications for all helping professions. By addressing the under-resourcing of communities and the failure of institutional providers, I work to restore the individual health agency that systemic racism prohibits. Committed to the mission of eliminating racism and empowering women, I am happy to support the work of the YWCA to promote and advocate for systemic changes that ensure justice and dignity are accessible to every member of our community.” - Dr. Carothers

Dr. Carothers has been actively involved in the community as a business owner and through service with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Spokane Public Schools, and social work organizations, and currently serves on the boards of Northwest Fair Housing Alliance (NWFHA), Spokane International Academy (SIA), Greater Spokane Progress (GSP), and Northwest Health Law Advocates (NoHLA). Outside of their professional and volunteer commitments, Dr. Carothers enjoys spending time with their family and attending the theater.