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Get to know me:

Zander Keig, the 2020 NASW National Social Worker of the Year, is a community-builder and leader who is committed to justice for transgender people. A proud Disabled Veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard where he served for two years, Zander has honed his collaborative and clinical skills over the last 30 years. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Florida, California, Kentucky, and Tennessee, currently working remotely as an Emotional Wellness Coach and Facilitator, Clinical Certification Consultation, and Conflict Management Trainer. Previously Zander served as a Clinician at the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone in Jacksonville, Florida, Clinical Social Work Case Manager on the Navy Medicine West Transgender Care Team in San Diego, where he assisted over 200 Servicemembers navigating a Commanding Officer approved gender transition and Clinical Social Work Case Manager as part of the Healthcare for Veterans Program at the Veterans Health Administration in Northern and Southern California. 

In 2018 he was awarded the California NASW Social Worker of the Year and earned the designation of Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work from the American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work and in 2017 he earned the designation of Certified Advanced Social Work Case Manager from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Additionally, he has been recognized as a Transgender Subject-Matter Expert by the NASW, Veterans Health Administration, and Bureau of Navy Medicine and Surgery.

Zander is also a former member of the NASW National Committee for LGBT Issues (2013-2021) and served as Chair 2017-2019, Vice President for the nonprofit organization Transgender American Veterans Association (2015-2020), Stakeholder Director on the Advanced Palliative and Hospice Social Worker Certification Board (2018-2020), LGBTQ Stakeholder Workgroup of the California LGBT Health & Human Services Network (2010-2019). Since 1987, Zander has conducted over 500 public presentations on issues related to diversity, wellness, nonviolence, cultural competency, trauma-informed care, and conflict resolution

Zander is co-editor of 3 books: Letters for My Brothers—Transitional Wisdom in Retrospect, published in 2010; Manning Up—Transsexual Men on Finding Brotherhood, Family and Themselves, published in 2014, and Manifest—Transitional Wisdom on Male Privilege, published in 2016, a contributing author of Adult Transgender Care – An Interdisciplinary Approach for Training Mental Health Professionals, published in 2017 and introduction author of You and Your Gender Identity – A Guide to Discovery, published in 2017. He is a co-author of refereed journal articles appearing in the Military Medicine Journal and Transgender Health. He’s also appeared in several documentary films, including the award-winning feature-length film, “TRANS,” and the award-winning illustrated documentary, “Zanderology.” You can learn more on his personal website.

Zander’s dedication to his community is manifested in his investment of time and energy in building and preserving networks—both in-person and online—since 2005 to ensure trans men are informed and connected. His interest in documenting the history of the transgender movement and the experience of trans men, in particular, extends to his work commemorating the legacy of Louis Graydon Sullivan, and Lou’s designated successor, Dr. Jamison Green.

In addition to his BA in Interpersonal Communication from Metropolitan State College of Denver (1999; honored in 2011 as an Alumni of the Year and in 2016 as a Distinguished Alumnus), Zander also holds a Master of Science in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from Nova Southeastern, and a Master of Theological Studies from Pacific School of Religion.

EDUCATION & LICENSES

Education: Master of Social Work
School: San Diego State University
Year Graduated: 2012
License # and State: FL LCSW 15778, CA LCSW 72262
Additional Credentials: Advanced Social Work Case Manager, Board Certified Clinical Social Worker
Training Experience: I have conducted over 400 trainings since 1987.