HerMaya Onunwor started her social work journey in 2014 as a Social Work intern at the YWCA. As an intern, HerMaya provided case management services for women and children who had experienced domestic violence and were in transitional housing. During her time as an intern and when handwritten documentation was still considered the norm, she introduced an electronic documentation system which the organization later adopted. Very early in HerMaya’s professional career, she utilized technology to harness change in social work practice.
Upon completing her BSW from the University of Cincinnati, HerMaya transitioned directly into a year-long advanced-standing social work graduate program at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. HerMaya obtained her Master of Science in Social Administration in 2016. Once HerMaya received her master’s, she transitioned into a local hospital’s Behavioral Health Intake Department. As an Intake Assessment Counselor, HerMaya did crisis evaluations for patients presenting to the emergency department who possibly needed inpatient psychiatric treatment.
During her several years in the Behavioral Health Intake Department, she was granted the opportunity to assist with a telemedicine pilot, which allowed the department to utilize technology to enhance the remote evaluation process for hospital staff. She was able to work interdisciplinary with medical professionals to evaluate and advance the effectiveness of the telemedicine process and patient care.
In addition, HerMaya has served as a school-based social worker, helping connect students and their families to needed resources and support. While in that role, HerMaya also served as a Co-Chair on the school district’s Integrated Health Design Committee, where she led a committee that explored ways to develop and scale health and mental health services through telehealth for a district of nearly 40,000 students and staff. This was when HerMaya’s passion for technology compliance and operation advanced.
HerMaya is a Doctoral Candidate in Social Work at the University of Kentucky. She is on the Administrative Leadership track, and her applied research is related to social work and technology integration, focusing on clinicians’ ethical and competent use of technology. HerMaya’s capstone focuses on the effectiveness of telesupervision in social work practice.
HerMaya is the Director of Compliance and Continuing Education at Motivo Health, a HIPAA-compliant clinical supervision marketplace for mental health professionals seeking clinical licensure. In HerMaya’s role, she monitors state board licensure rules and regulations as well as handles the daily operations of Motivo Learning, a digital continuing education platform.
HerMaya is a passionate digital equity advocate working to end technology-based divides and advance technology for the social good. HerMaya is a wife, daughter, sister, cousin, friend, and dog mom of 2. You can find her traveling, pairing stylish fits, or brunching on Sundays with friends. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., where she serves in several capacities for her local chapter. She firmly believes in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”