Our
Team
Executive Team
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Regan Phillips
Chief Executive Officer
Regan first became involved with CASA in 2001 while living in New York City and studying at Columbia. She completed a one-year internship with CASA-NYC, launching her career advocating for children in the dependency system.
While in law school, Regan worked as an investigator for the Law Office of Harold LaFlamme. The law firm contracted with Orange County to provide legal representation–minor’s counsel–for children in foster care. She was a member of her law school’s Moot Court Honors Board, president of the Alternate Dispute Resolution Board and completed a semester-long internship with Justice Richard M. Aronson of the California Court of Appeal, Fourth District, Division Three. She also met her husband at Chapman Law; they married shortly after graduating together in 2005.
Upon receiving her Juris Doctor and passing the California Bar Examination, Regan was promoted from investigator to attorney for the Law Office of Harold LaFlamme. She was assigned to a trial court department at the Lamoreaux Justice Center in Orange, where she represented children in the foster care system.
When a child is detained–removed from their home by a social worker because of alleged abuse, neglect, or abandonment–the child is termed a dependent of the state and is the subject of a dependency court case. The child’s fate is then primarily determined by a judicial officer based on the evidence presented in the case. The case is prosecuted by County Counsel. The child’s parents are entitled to be represented by an attorney, and a minor's counsel is appointed to represent and advocate for the child.
In her role as minor’s counsel, Regan worked with CASA volunteers in the courtroom to obtain their valuable insight into the child’s life, and better advance the child's interests. She later advocated on behalf of dependent children at the Court of Appeal, participating in a number of writ and appeal dependency cases.
Following the birth of her first child, Regan worked for a time as a solo practitioner handling private adoptions and as an associate attorney for Rigg & Dean, an Orange County personal injury and liability firm. In 2009, she accepted an invitation to join the Board of Directors of CASA OC, where she served for four years and volunteered as a member of the Holiday Luncheon Committee.
In 2015, Regan joined the staff of CASA as Chief Program Officer. Regan was elevated to CEO position in December of 2017.
Regan has spent most of her professional life performing work about which she is deeply passionate—advocating for children removed from their homes and separated from their families due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment.
“I have the greatest admiration and respect for the committed individuals who volunteer as Court Appointed Special Advocates and those who give so generously to ensure our organization may continue recruiting, training, and supporting those volunteers,” Regan says.
Regan and her husband reside in North Tustin with their three children and a precocious animal that purports to be a “Bernedoodle,” but more closely resembles a Muppet.
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Erika Pedersen
Chief Development Officer
Erika Pedersen has over two decades of C-suite executive sales and strategic account management expertise in global logistics and SaaS implementation. A graduate of the USC Marshall School of Business Entrepreneur Program, Erika is known to drive performance metrics with vision and integrity. A proven operator, connector and talent developer, Erika has led cross-functional international teams and brokered lasting partner relationships with key decision makers throughout her career.
In 2004, while expanding her family, Erika secured her Interior Design Credentials from the Interior Designers Institute and served as principal of her residential design practice for five years.
Active in her children's school and multiple community organizations, Erika has been an avid philanthropist in Orange County for over twenty years. Erika has held leadership positions in multiple non-profit committee’s including USC JA Town and Gown, CHOC Tinkerbell Guild and Mothers of Pre-Schoolers (MOPS) in addition to developing marketing, recruitment, and fundraising campaigns for her children’s school. Erika was active in Young Presidents Organization, serving as the Spouse Forum Coordinator on the Chapter Executive Board, where she grew spouse-only events and doubled forum memberships. Erika’s passion for supporting youth in foster care ignited when she was invited to join the 44 Women for Children and Co-Chaired the Annual Scholarship Luncheon followed by the Orangewood Holiday Tea. She was recruited to join the board of Friends of Court Appointed Special Advocates (FOCASA) where she served as Vice-President followed by President of the Board and as a CASA Governing Board member, to raise awareness and funds to support Orange County youth in foster care.
Combining her professional strategic sales prowess and philanthropic passion, Erika joined CASA as the Chief Development Officer in late 2021, where she now serves on the Executive Leadership Team as well as the Governing Board Finance and Development Committees. She leads a dynamic multi-functional team including events management, community and corporate partnerships, grants management, as well as donor development, stewardship, accounting and reporting.
A mother of three, Erika resides in Trabuco Canyon with her youngest son. In her downtime, Erika visits her adult children and spends time at her family home in Bozeman, Montana. She enjoys skiing, outdoor adventures, theatre, concerts and traveling with family and friends.
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Jenny Leon
Chief Program Officer
As Chief Program Officer Jenny Leon oversees the Training, Education, Family Connections, and Case Supervisor/Program Management departments. She has served in many capacities since joining the CASA team in 2009. Leon previously served as CASA Program Director, supervising half of the case supervisor staff, the CASA waitlist and matching efforts; Director of Training, overseeing the initial and ongoing training of volunteers; and Case Supervisor, providing regular support and supervision for CASA volunteers. She also worked as the Program Associate from 2005 to 2006.
Jenny Leon has worked with children and families in a variety of roles during her career, including a social worker for children with the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, as well as a substitute teacher with Orange Unified School District. She has also served as a school social work and counseling intern, preschool teachers aid, and Big Sibling mentor with Boston University’s Siblings program.
Jenny Leon earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Boston University and her Masters in Social Work at California State University, Long Beach. She also earned a Pupil Personnel Services Credential during her Master’s work.
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Matthew Wadlinger
Chief Brand Officer
Matthew Wadlinger has been a dedicated member of CASA of Orange County since November 2010. Over the years, he has held various roles, including Program Associate, Family Connections Coordinator, Director of Outreach, Marketing & Family Connections, Advancement Manager, Chief Communications Officer, and Chief Strategy Officer. In October 2024, he assumed his current position as Chief Brand Officer.
Before joining CASA OC, Matthew gained experience at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Seacoast in Portsmouth, NH, and served as a clinical intern at the Sununu Youth Services Center in Manchester, NH. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Justice Studies with a minor in Political Science in 2008 and a Master’s in Justice Studies with a focus on juvenile delinquency in 2009, both from the University of New Hampshire.
Matthew has been actively involved with the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Orange County Chapter since 2024, serving on the Board of Directors. He is the Program Chair for 2025 and Co-Chair for the 2025 National Philanthropy Day event. He also contributed to the committees for the 2024 Orange County National Philanthropy Day, the 2025 AFPOC Conference on Philanthropy, and the 2025 Giving USA event. Matthew is a member of the Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) ArtCult group.
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Damon Iammarino
Chief Administrative Officer
Damon joined CASA of Orange County in 2019. As Director of Operations, he manages the day-to-day operations, including finance and human resources.
Damon began his nonprofit career at Family Support Network, an Orange County nonprofit serving children with special needs and their families, where he served as Accounting Manager and Data Collection Specialist.
Growing up in San Clemente, Damon is an Orange County native. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of California at Berkeley.
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Steve Nameroff
Chief Financial Officer
Steve joined CASA OC in March 2023 as the Chief Financial Officer. He has a Bachelor's degree from the US Air Force Academy and a Master's from Pepperdine University. Steve has been part of executive leadership teams for over 25 years. In addition to CASA OC, Steve oversees financial operations of two for-profit organizations and four nonprofit organizations.
Outside work, Steve's favorite activity is being with his 1-year-old grandson and the rest of his family. He enjoys running trails and swimming. He works with youth at his church and has a passion for seeing kids overcome obstacles.
CASA OC Staff
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Alaina Hess
Training Manager
Alaina Hess has been the Training Manager since 2016. She oversees the Training Department, including initial training for new CASAs and Continuing Education.
Alaina was born and raised in Costa Mesa, and lives in Santa Ana with her husband, daughter, and cat. She is an extrovert who loves getting to know new people. Her laugh can be heard across the office.
When she isn’t working you can find her at the beach or pool, Disneyland or at her favorite coffee shop.
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Alejandra Montoya
Advocate Supervisor
No bio at this time.
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Allison Mavrakis
Family Research Specialist
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Allison moved down south to attend UCLA. She graduated with honors and received degrees in Economics and Psychology during the pandemic. Allison joined CASA OC staff in 2021 and currently serves as the Family Research Coordinator. She is a frequent traveller, avid runner, and Taylor Swift enthusiast.
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Amy Crowley
Collaborative Courts Program Manager
Hometown: Elmira, New York
Current Town of Residence: Orange County
High School: Troy High School, Fullerton, CA
College Attended: UCLA
Graduate School Attended: USC
Favorite Quote: “Your journey is unfolding exactly as it is supposed to.”
Life Mantra: Be Kind
Previous Work Experience: Worked for twenty years in health care management in various positions including marketing, human resources and contracting
Clubs and Affiliations: Serve as Juvenile Justice Commissioner for Orange County
Interests: Enjoy playing tennis, reading non-fiction books, and watching documentaries on Netflix
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Andy Jacobson
Advocate Supervisor
Andy Jacobson grew up in South Africa and has lived in America since 1977. She attended UCLA for both undergraduate and graduate studies in social work.
She has been a case supervisor with CASA since 2005. This work is her passion and a profound honor to be able to help support children in the foster care system.
"There are only two lasting bequests we can give our children, one is roots, the other wings."
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Antoinette Gutierrez
Content Creator
Antoinette Gutierrez is a former advocate and currently the Content Creator at CASA OC, dedicated to uplifting underserved and underrepresented youth. With a tenacious spirit shaped by her experiences in the foster care system, Antoinette became the first in her family to graduate high school and earn a Bachelor's degree in Sociology with a Minor in Communications. Her academic background provided her with a deep understanding of societal structures and their impact on marginalized communities.
For over 15 years, Antoinette has cultivated extensive experience across various roles in customer service, education, and mentorship. As a former president of the student-led organization Fostering Futures, she led initiatives to promote awareness, eliminate stigma, and advocate for foster youth in higher education. Her dedication to mentoring blossomed at Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, where she specialized in developing transformative programs for youth facing adversity.
At CASA OC, Antoinette leverages her skills and experiences to create compelling content that amplifies the voices of foster youth and raises awareness about the critical need for advocacy. Her journey from foster care to higher education and beyond fuels her commitment to ensuring every child has a supportive and caring adult in their life. Antoinette believes, as Bob Proctor said, 'A mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you than you see in yourself and helps bring it out in you.' She is excited to contribute to CASA OC’s mission and inspire others to make a difference.
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April Allton
Advocate Supervisor
April Allton has been a Case Supervisor with CASA of Orange County since 2016. She graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a degree in Human Services. Before joining CASA, she served youth in foster care with Orangewood Foundation. She is a new mom herself and believes that every child needs someone they can count on.
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Bianca Gonzalez
Advocate Supervisor
Bianca earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State University, San Bernardino in 2016, and brings over eight years of experience in the social services and nonprofit sectors. She has held roles, including Social Services Assistant for the County of Riverside DPSS, Bullying Prevention Program Coordinator at the Riverside Medical Clinic Charitable Foundation, and most recently, Workplace Mentoring Program Lead at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County & the Inland Empire. Across these roles, Bianca has led efforts in program coordination and expansion, while also fostering impactful mentor-mentee relationships and empowering youth and young adults to grow personally and professionally.
Bianca started at CASA in 2025 and is genuinely excited not only to make a difference in the lives of the youth and young adults being served, but also to support the dedicated volunteers. CASA volunteers pour so much heart and energy into what they do, and she's thrilled to help them grow, thrive, and be the best advocates they can be.
In her personal time, she is a proud Tia (aunt) and dog mom who enjoys trying new cuisines, attending concerts, going to Dodger games, and exploring new cities and countries.
Hometown: Moreno Valley, CA
Current Town: Corona, CA
Interests: Coffee addict, Foodie, Dog Mama, & Traveling -
Brittany West
Advocate Supervisor
Brittany is an Orange County native. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Point Loma Nazarene University in Political Science. She is also a credentialed Paralegal with a certificate from California State University, Los Angeles. Brittany joined CASA-OC as a Volunteer in 2020. In 2021, she joined the CASA team as an Advocate Supervisor. She is passionate about supporting her advocates and the youth they serve.
In her spare time, she enjoys baking, reading books, calligraphy, experiencing local restaurants with loved ones and cheering on the Anaheim Ducks.
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Cindy Nydell
Advocate Supervisor
Hometown: Long Island, NY
Current Town of Residence: Orange, CA
High School: John F. Kennedy High School, Plainview, NY
College Attended: Boston University
Favorite Quote: “You are braver than you believe, smarter than you seem, and stronger than you think.”
Life Mantra: Keep walking/hiking to stay healthy
Previous Work Experience: Tabak's Health Products, VP Marketing, 1998-2013
Interests: Walking, hiking, being by the ocean, reading
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Debbie Masek
Development Event Manager
After a successful career serving as an administrative assistant to executive management for corporations such as St. John’s Knits and Ciro Design, Debbie transitioned her time to focus on her family and philanthropic endeavors after the birth of her son.
After a successful career as an Administrative Assistant to Executive Management at companies such as St. John’s Knits and Ciro Design, Debbie shifted her focus to her family and philanthropic endeavors following the birth of her son. In 2002, she began volunteering with the Junior League of Orange County and became heavily involved in their largest fundraiser, The Christmas Company. In various executive leadership roles, she helped raise funds for multiple Orange County charities, including the Blind Children’s Learning Center, Grandma’s House of Hope, Samueli Academy, the Human Trafficking Task Force, and the Orangewood Foundation.
During this time, she also took on leadership positions in her son’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA), including serving on the PTSA Board for El Rancho Charter School from 2017 to 2018. She gradually became involved with Servite High School, sharing her time and talents as the chair for the boutique fundraising portion of their Fashion Show, as well as participating in other events and initiatives.
Debbie has continued to pursue her passion for helping others by serving on the Friends of CASA (FOCASA) Board as Vice President and Communications Director. She was the Chair of the 2019 FOCASA Holiday Luncheon and has contributed to various committees for this event in the past, including Silent Auction, Operations, and Starfish Wishes. In 2021, Debbie joined CASA as the Events Manager, and she continues to serve on the Friends of CASA Advisory Council as a longstanding member.
A Southern California native, Debbie currently resides in Orange. She enjoys challenging herself and has completed two Spartan Trifectas in 2018, which is an award given to competitors who complete a Spartan Sprint Race, Super Race, and Beast Race all in one calendar year. She enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, and exploring local restaurants with friends and family in her free time.
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Devin Juarez-Suquett
Advocate Supervisor
Hometown: Monterey Park, CA
Current Town: Anaheim, CA
College Attended: Whittier College
Favorite Quote: "Utah, get me two!" - Angelo Pappas
Life Mantra: C'est la vie
Interests: Travel, golf, watching/attending sporting events (Lakers, Dodgers, Kings, Rams,) going to concerts.
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Dolores Wiseman
Advocate Supervisor
Hometown- Born in Jalisco, Mexico. Immigrated to the U.S at age 5. Adopted by Aunt and Uncle who gave me a stable happy upbringing. Left biological parents and 4 siblings behind but kept loving relationships with them.
Current town-raised in Long Beach Ca.
College attended-LBCC and Cal State Fullerton
Favorite quote- "Love is the only way to grasp another human being in the innermost core of his personality" -Viktor E. Frankl
Previous work experience-16 years at New Alternatives Inc. (STRTP)
Interests- crocheting, tufting, working out and hopefully completing a marathon in the near future.
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Edna Valdez
Advocate Supervisor
-Hometown: Santa Ana
-Current Town: Santa Ana
-College Attended: UC Irvine
-Favorite Quote: “You have one life so don’t be afraid to take a chance and make an impact.”
-Life Mantra: An expert in anything was once a beginner.
-Previous Work Experience: She began her work experience as a residential counselor in a group home in La Habra. She then spent years working in higher education, first in admissions & records and later as an undergraduate counselor. She has worked at Santa Ana College, West Coast University, UC Riverside, and UC Irvine.
-Interests: Bike riding, playing tennis, true-crime podcasts
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Emily Gorman
Advocate Supervisor
Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA
Current Town: Fullerton, CA
College Attended: Biola University
Life Mantra: Don't sweat the small stuff
Interests: Trying new foods, podcasts, attempting to crochet, reading and spending time with my people.
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Galdina Franco
Kin Research Specialist
Born in Santa Ana and residing in Orange, Galdina is an OC Native. She attended Santa Ana College, earning an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts. She then received her undergraduate degree from California State University Dominguez Hills in Child Development.
During her early years in community college, Galdina discovered her passion and curiosity for child development. She went on to work with children of all ages ranging from 18 months to late adolescents. Her most impactful experience came from the three years she spent working at an STRTP. Serving at-risk youth came with everyday challenges but she found comfort in being a trusted adult that the youth could confide in. Galdina looks forward to continuing to support foster youth at CASA OC as an Advocate Supervisor.
In her spare time, Galdina enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to crime podcasts, staying active (preferably outdoors), traveling, cooking and bonding with friends and family.
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Jennifer Zavala
Lead Advocate Supervisor
Hometown: Anaheim, CA
Current Town of Residence: Santa Ana, CA
High School: Anaheim High School, Anaheim, CA
College Attended: Cal State Fullerton
Favorite Quote: One step at a time, one foot in front of the other. I'm gonna get through this, one way or another.
Life Mantra: It is what it is.
Previous Work Experience:
CAST- Child Abuse Services Team, Child Advocate, 1/2016-12/2017
Mental Health Association of Orange County, Mentor Coordinator, 12/2017-6/2021
Interests: Love watching and attending sporting events: baseball – Angels, football – Raiders, hockey – Ducks. I could eat crawfish and crab everyday for the rest of my life! My free time is spent with my family whom I love dearly.
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Jordan Brown
Advocate Supervisor
Jordan, originally from Iowa City, Iowa, earned his bachelor’s degree cum laude from Northeastern Illinois University. He began his career in Chicago, where he dedicated his work to empowering underprivileged youth through community-based initiatives. After relocating to California, Jordan brought his experience and passion for social impact to a range of organizations serving homeless families and students. His work has consistently focused on advocating for vulnerable populations and fostering equitable opportunities for all. Jordan also has extensive experience supporting foster youth through various capacities, including Full Service Partnerships, Collaborative Courts, and Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs (STRTPs). His holistic approach and deep commitment to systemic change continue to guide his work across the social services landscape.
Home Town: Iowa City, IA
Interests: Sports, Aviation and Photography -
Jordyn Keift
Development Coordinator
Jordyn holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Indiana University, with a minor in social welfare advocacy. Jordyn has previous experience working in educational settings as well as customer service and is a graduate of the Disney College Program. Most recently, Jordyn served as a remote volunteer for the Houston-based nonprofit Justice For Children, coordinating intakes and referrals for children experiencing abuse or neglect. Jordyn is an accomplished writer, an organization enthusiast, and a beacon of positivity.
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Karyn Quick
Advocate Supervisor
Hometown: Costa Mesa, ca
Current town: Costa Mesa, CA
Favorite quote: Starfish Story:
A child finds thousands of starfish washed up on the beach after a storm
The child picks up each starfish and throws it back into the ocean
An adult approaches the child and asks why they are doing this
The child replies that they made a difference for that one starfish
Life Mantra: Give me the vision to see far ahead, the strength to keep going, and the courage to soar.
Previous Work Experience: I have dedicated my career to working with local non-profits since 1978, focusing on children and young adults. My experience includes working in group homes for foster youth and serving as a Nurse’s Assistant in dual-diagnosis psychiatric and chemical dependency inpatient programs. I also worked with a non-profit providing in-home parenting support and resources for at-risk families, where I was involved in recruiting, public speaking, and training volunteers. I am proud of my career and am now entering my 21st year at CASA. I am passionate about advocating for youth, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare.
Clubs and Affiliations: I am beginning my 20th year as a medical staff volunteer for Royal Family Kids Camps, which is a five-day camp for children in foster care. It's a National Program in four countries. It's quite refreshing to see children in foster care having fun without all the stresses of being in care.
Interests: I love music, self-care, horses, sloths, dogs, and cats
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Keri Nicholson
Advocate Screening Coordinator
Keri was born in Minnesota and has lived briefly in a few different states, but she mostly grew up here in Orange County. She graduated with honors from Cal State Fullerton with degrees in American studies and sociology with an emphasis in health and social welfare. She has previously worked in the ABA therapy field in an administrative capacity, and she initially became involved with CASA as an advocate in early 2023. Her life mantra is "give credit; take blame." In her free time, she enjoys playing games with her friends and family, off-roading, reading, and traveling.
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Kevin Plata
Advocate Supervisor
No biography at this time.
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Kristin Latourelle
Training Coordinator
Hometown: La Verne, CA
Favorite Quote: "That would have killed in my other group."
Life Mantra: "I live my life a quarter mile at a time."
Interests: I love murder podcasts, history, book clubs, movie marathons with friends, D&D, eating food, traveling to rad places, and riding bikes to the beach.
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Lesly Rodriguez Torres
Administrative Assistant
No biography at this time.
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Lindsey Covino
Waitlist Manager
Lindsey first learned about CASA during a Sociology course at Cal State University San Marcos when a representative from San Diego County’s CASA program spoke about CASA’s mission. Having grown up with cousins who were adopted through foster care, Lindsey learned about their experiences and how often they had to move before finding permanent families and homes. CASA’s mission stuck with Lindsey throughout her time in college and she remembers either wanting to become a CASA or work at CASA when first learning about CASA’s mission.
Besides a brief stint in the corporate retail world, Lindsey has spent most of her career working in the non-profit sector supporting youth in foster care. Prior to CASA, Lindsey worked at group homes for teens and then as a case manager in a transitional housing program for young adults in extended foster care. Working at the group homes, Lindsey's goal was to provide a safe environment for the youth, a positive role model and to simply make their day and stay at the unfamiliar group home setting just a little bit easier for them; since they were already going through so much. In her role as the waitlist coordinator at CASA, Lindsey enjoys taking the time to make youth and CASA matches and then seeing all of the special relationships enjoying their time together at the annual CASA John's Picnic and CASA Holiday Party.
Lindsey has lived in Long Beach for over ten years with her husband and loves that Long Beach is a walkable city as she loves walking to the local art theater to catch a film, trying new foods and stumbling upon a live band at different venues. She is also a tribal member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe from southwest Arizona.
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Maria Ocampo Brito
Waitlist Program Associate
Hometown: Garden Grove, CA
Current Town of Residence: Garden Grove, CA
High School: Garden Grove High School, Garden Grove, CA
College Attended: California State University, Fullerton
Favorite Quote: "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the thing that you didn't do than the ones you did do." – Mark Twain
Previous Work Experience: New Alternatives Inc., CRF, 08/2007-05/2022
Interests: Theater, traveling, reading, and spending time with friends and family
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Mary Ordonio
Advocate Supervisor
Hometown: Roseville, CA
Current Town of Residence: Fullerton, CA
High School: Lincoln High School, Lincoln, CA
College Attended: Boise State University, Boise, ID
Graduate School Attended: Wilmington University, New Castle, DE
Favorite Quote: Be the change you wish to see in the world.
Life Mantra: Live Simply.
Interests: Traveling, Kayaking, the beach, hiking, geocaching, reading
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Nikki Arbanas
Advocate Supervisor
Nikki Arbanas earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Social Behavior and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of California, Irvine. She has extensive experience in education, operations, managing, and leadership, having worked in early childhood education, volunteer management, and staff development. She previously served as the Volunteer Manager at Laura’s House, where she engaged community members in meaningful service opportunities.
In 2025, she joined the CASA team as an Advocate Supervisor. She is passionate about supporting her advocates and the youth they serve.
Hometown: San Fernando Valley, CA
Current Town: Lake Forest, CAInterests: She enjoys spending time outdoors—camping under the stars, hiking scenic trails, and relaxing by the beach. She also loves traveling, volunteering, reading, and spending quality time with loved ones.
Fun Fact: Nikki and her husband collect stuffies—one even attended their wedding!
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Mary Sary
Program Associate
Hometown: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Current Town of Residence: Whittier, California
High School: Century High School, Santa Ana, CA
College Attended: Santa Ana College, California State University of Fullerton
Graduate School Attended: California State University of Fullerton
Favorite Quote: "Give the benefit of the doubt.”
Life Mantra: Stay positive and enjoy life to the fullest!
Previous Work Experience:
Laboratory Science for Santa Ana Unified School District
Intake specialist for the Emergency Intake Site for Cherokee Federal
Registration for St. Joseph Hospital
Clubs and Affiliations: Flag football league in West LA on Saturday
Interests: Gym, sports, hike, brunch, Netflix, cook, travel, and beach
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Michelle Villery
Training Associate
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Misty Webb
Community Partnership Coordinator
Favorite food - Mexican
Favorite Travel Destination - St. Kitts and Nevis
Hobbies: I like to cook and I am a chocolatier
Favorite Mammal - Harp Seal
I Love everything Jaws, Paddington and Horror (Halloween)
Favorite Scandinavian Philosophies - Look forward to Hygge time, everyone owns a pair of Hyggebuker. Fika, daily reminder for your mind, body and soul to slow down.
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Norma Mendoza
Volunteer Recruitment Manager
Born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico, Norma moved to the United States with her family in 2011 at the age of 13. She attended Chapman University and, in 2020, received degrees in Sociology and Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. During her time at Chapman, Norma learned about CASA through her sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta, whose national philanthropy is CASA.
Norma started her time at CASA as an intern under the Recruitment Team in 2019. Upon graduating from Chapman University in 2020, she was brought on as a staff member within the Volunteer Recruitment Team. In 2021, she became the Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator and the Lead for CASA OC's Diversity Committee. Norma then moved into the Diversity Recruitment Coordinator role in 2022, bringing with her an awareness of the need for youth in foster care to feel a sense of belonging. Today, Norma is the Volunteer Recruitment Manager at CASA OC.
With a personal passion for service and social justice, Norma is focused on recruiting volunteers who mirror the demographics of the youth that we serve as well as building relationships with our community to further our mission.
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Paloma Ocampo
Advocacy Program Manager
Hometown: Garden Grove, California
Favorite Quote: “Échame tierra y veras como florezco.” – Frida Kahlo
Life Mantra: Be kind to others and help those in need always! You never know the personal struggles one is going through and what a difference a small act of kindness can make.
Clubs and Affiliations: Diversity Committee at CASA of Orange County
Interests: I love my Mexican culture and Frida Kahlo, she is a powerful inspiration and my dream is to visit La Casa Azul in Mexico City one day. I love New York City, being there makes my heart happy and there is no view like that Empire State view! My siblings and nephews are the most important thing in life for me, being an Aunt is my favorite role. I love coffee, Mexican food, books, sunflowers, basketball (Go Lakers!), baseball (Go Yankees!), and exploring new places and cultures.
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Rachel Montanye
Grant Writer
Rachel Montanye is the Grant Writer at CASA OC. She is responsible for grant management and research, writing compelling proposal narratives, maintaining regular communication with funders, and preparing and submitting impact reports. Rachel began working at CASA in July 2021 as a Development Coordinator, and became the Grant Writer in April 2024. She is thankful to be a part of an organization that has such an impactful purpose, and a committed, compassionate, and inspiring staff.
Before joining CASA OC, she worked full time in retail management while attending graduate school. In January 2021, she received her master’s in political science from CSU Fullerton. Her studies focused on the American government with an emphasis on race and gender politics, human-animal politics, social movements and activism, and political behavior. She is extremely passionate about advocating for others and finds it fitting that she found a place at CASA OC, whose very mission is to advocate for youth in foster care.
Rachel grew up in Riverside County and moved to Orange County when she began her undergraduate studies at UC Irvine – Go Anteaters! Zot! Zot! Zot! She is incredibly grateful for her education and the experiences that academia has provided her with.
Outside of work, she loves gardening, going for walks, reading books – especially Harry Potter – and making art. Her favorites are painting, embroidery, and nature photography. Additionally, she feels strongly about advocating for human and animal rights, which led her to become vegan and keeps her consistently politically active. She ultimately hopes that she can make a positive and lasting impact in the world, in any way possible.
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Ruby Venegas
Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator
Ruby, a member of the recruitment team, brings a bright and positive persona to her role. Raised in Orange County, she is deeply passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of children within her community. Ruby's commitment to giving back is exemplified by her active involvement in various community initiatives.
As a dedicated foster parent, Ruby strives to create a nurturing and secure environment for her foster children, embodying her belief in the transformative power of support and stability. Her hands-on experience in fostering has not only enriched her personal life but has also deepened her understanding of the challenges and needs within the community.
Ruby is an alumna of California State University, Long Beach, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. Her academic background equips her with valuable insights into societal structures and dynamics, providing an additional layer of understanding to her work in recruitment. Ruby's educational journey has instilled in her a commitment to fostering inclusivity and empathy in her professional endeavors.
With a heart dedicated to service and a mind shaped by her academic pursuits, Ruby is an asset to the recruitment team, contributing not only her skills and expertise but also her genuine passion for making a positive difference in the lives of others.In her spare time Ruby loves to cook, bake, spend time with friends and family, watching movies, and enjoys listening to podcasts.
"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." -Maya Angelou
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Sarah Paton
Advocacy Program Manager
Hometown: Orange, CA
College Attended: Cal State University, Fullerton
Graduate School Attended: Cal State University, Long Beach
Interests: My dog and cat and gardening.
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Spencer Smith
Advocate Supervisor
Hometown: San Dimas, CA
College Attended: Western Colorado University
Previous Work Experience:: Success Advisor on a college campus where he helped with students mental health and school skills.
Interests: Major outdoors fan! Loves to camp, mountain bike, surf, snowboard, fly-fish, and golf. Beyond hobbies like that, he loves music and has a wide range of genres that he enjoys, and he is also a movie/film buff.
Favorite quote: "The soul becomes dyed with the colors of its thoughts." - Marcus Aurelius
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Tara Dempster
Director of Advocacy
Tara Dempster joined CASA as a volunteer in 2017. She has served as both a traditional advocate and a Family Connections advocate working on a number of cases. In 2020, she joined the CASA team as the Family Connections Program Associate before coming the Volunteer Recruitment Manager in December 2021.
As a native of England, Tara started her career in corporate training and managed a large team of trainers and instructional designers as the training manager responsible for sales and leadership with Volkswagen UK. She relocated to Southern California with her family in 2009.
Tara earned her BSc (Hons) in modern history and politics from Brunel University in London. She is also a credentialed trainer with a certificate in training practice from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
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Teairra McCoy
HR Generalist
No bio at this time.
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Tina Minko
Program Operations Manager
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Tiffany McCain
Director of Development
Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii
Current Town of Residence: Irvine, CA
High School: Punahou School, Honolulu, HI and Sage Hill School, Newport Beach, CA
College Attended: UC Irvine
Previous Work Experience: Most recently consulted with Bracken's Kitchen on Mission Engagement, Interim Executive Director for Orange County Grantmakers, Donor Relations & Programs Associate at Orange County Community Foundation, Client Services Specialist and CBRE Cares Chair at CBRE
Fun fact: Tiffany is a former CASA of nine years from 2011 - 2019, and has advocated for two foster youths. She first volunteered for CASA as part of her sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta.
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Vanessa Diaz
Advocate Supervisor
Hometown: Costa Mesa, CA
Current Town: Westminster, CA
College Attended: California State University of Fullerton
Favorite Quote: "The very things that hold you down are going to lift you up." -Dumbo
Life Mantra: This too shall pass.
Interests: Plants, books, art, live music, cows, mental health & wellness. -
Yazmin Mateo
Advocate Supervisor
Hometown: Long Beach, CA
College Attended: University of California, Santa Barbara
Favorite Quote: You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.
Life Mantra: Progress, not perfection.
Previous work experience: Yazmin has previously worked as an Intensive Services Case Manager, where she supported individuals facing homelessness. Her background also includes providing trauma-informed care to survivors of human trafficking and helping foster youth gain confidence in their academic goals through individualized tutoring.
Interests: Traveling, true crime podcasts, dogs, hiking and trying new restaurants.
Board of Directors
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Michael Wong
Chair
President & CEO, Genea
Michael Wong is president and CEO of Genea, which provides cloud-based software and services to the commercial real estate industry. During his tenure at Genea, Michael has been responsible for the strategic expansion of Genea’s customer base from 9 million square feet to 150 million square feet of commercial office properties.
Prior to joining Genea, he was Managing Partner of the investment firm First Beverage Capital. Michael spent over ten years as a private equity investor at Leonard Green & Partners. Before that, he was a member of The Blackstone Group’s private equity investment team.
Michael generously allocates a significant amount of time to various organizations. He serves on the board of trustees for The Pegasus School and is also on the board of advisors for UC Irvine’s Beall Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Michael is a member of the Southern California chapter of the Young Presidents Organization.
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Todd Smith
Secretary
Business Litigation Attorney, Umberg Zipser, LLP
Todd Smith is a business litigation attorney. He represents companies and individuals with business disputes, including shareholder and partnership disputes, breach of contract and fiduciary duty claims, financial services litigation, real estate disputes, protection of intellectual property rights, and unfair competition claims. He also regularly defends law firms and lawyers in legal malpractice actions. Todd is experienced in all phases of litigation, including trials, arbitrations, mediations, appeals, regulatory proceedings and internal investigations.
Todd is an active member of several local and national Bar organizations and has written and spoken on legal topics, including Continuing Legal Education courses on legal ethics and professional responsibility issues. Since 2015, he has been actively involved with CASA, including acting as a certified CASA mentor on behalf of foster youth in Orange County.
Todd lives in Newport Coast with his wife and three children, who allow him to constantly hone his dispute resolution skills, even at home. In his spare time, he enjoys surfing, coaching soccer, running with his dog, and anything else that gives him an excuse to spend time outdoors.
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Colin Israel
Audit Chair
Founder and Partner, Black Ink Strategy
No biography available at this time.
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Jim Chergey
Treasurer / Finance Chair
Deloitte Advisory Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP
Jim Chergey is a Deloitte Advisory Partner in Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”). He has nearly 25 years of experience specializing in evaluating risk management programs and assisting organizations with compliance requirements.
Jim has served numerous Fortune 1000 companies across industries, including consumer products, hospitality/gaming/leisure, retail, consumer services, mining, and technology. He currently leads various internal audit and internal control-related practice activities within Deloitte’s West region and serves as Risk & Financial Advisory leader of Deloitte’s Orange County office.
For ten years, Jim was a group leader for Empty Arms, a support group for grieving parents suffering through the loss of a baby via miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. He also regularly donates his time to Deloitte-supported charities throughout Orange County and has volunteered with Little League Baseball.
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Lindsey J. Poker
Governance Chair
Corporate Counsel, Banc of California
Lindsey Poker currently serves as Corporate Counsel at the Banc of California. Prior to that, Lindsey spent more than a decade at U.S. Bank working in Procurement, Product Management and Branch Operations.
Lindsey was adopted from Korea and raised in Minnesota. She received her Bachelor's in broadcast journalism from Drake University, an MBA from the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management, and a Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law.
Lindsey and her husband Andy moved to California in 2016. They live with their son, AJ in Orange, CA.
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Courtney Wittkop
Development Chair
Community Philanthropist
Courtney started her career in institutional fixed income sales at Investment Bank, Credit Suisse, in San Francisco and New York. After relocating to Orange County nine years ago, Courtney worked as a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative in the Diabetes Division for Eli Lilly until 2010.
Since moving to Orange County, Courtney has been involved in raising funds for several charitable organizations that support women and children. Courtney began volunteering for the Junior League in 2008, where she was on several committees, including chairing the Donations Committee for the organization’s largest fundraiser, The Christmas Company.
Courtney became involved in CASA in 2010 as a volunteer on the Holiday Luncheon committee and was co-chair of the event in 2012. During this time, she also was a volunteer sales rep for 31 Bits, an eco-friendly “Trade not Aid” accessories line. In 2014, she was a chair for the inaugural fundraising event for The Teen Project, a charity that provides resources and support for emancipated foster youth. She was also a foster youth mentor for Canyon Acres group home.
Courtney is originally from Atlanta, Georgia, and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in Finance from the University of Georgia. She currently lives in Newport Beach with her husband, Andrew, and two young children.
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Todd Vande Hei
Program Chair
President, Stark
Todd Vande Hei is the President, CEO, and Co-Founder of Stark (2011), with locations in Tustin, Newport Beach, and Beverly Hills/West Hollywood, CA as well as nation-wide virtual services. A specialized healthcare company, Stark provides perfectly-engineered, holistic health plans with the coaching to carry them out. Athletes, astronauts, artists and successful business leaders come to Stark to achieve peak health, primarily utilizing exercise and lifestyle as solutions.
Before Stark, he was the President of a publicly-traded manufacturing company called Fabrica, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Dixie Group – based in Chattanooga, TN – where he spent most of his career. Fabrica designs, manufactures, distributes, imports, and exports carpet and rugs in Santa Ana, CA.
Todd is also an avid kitesurfer, and outdoorsman. He is married to Dr. Alice Nguyen and has three adult children: Jack, Mary, and Lizzy.
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Lucy Donahue
Member at Large
Chief Strategy Officer, By Light
By Light Professional IT Services named Lucy Donahue as Chief Strategy Officer to lead business growth and diversification across teams and clients. Lucy previously served as Senior Vice President at By Light, where she led and developed missions to ensure new business growth, achieved financial goals and objectives, and increased operating performance.
As a senior leadership team member, she is responsible for defining the innovative vision, corporate branding, and strategic partnerships at By Light. A pioneer in government technology with more than 20 years of federal and business experience, Lucy leverages real-world knowledge from the government and private sectors to accomplish goals.
Throughout her career at Cisco and By Light, she delivered profitable growth for Cisco Systems in federal healthcare and the Department of Defense and played a significant role in Cisco’s partnerships with customers and industry organizations, which enabled the government to complete its mission to protect, defend, and serve the nation.
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Josh Gaynor
Member at Large
With an extensive background spanning two decades in the luxury market, Josh Gaynor has cultivated his expertise through pivotal leadership roles. Notably, he served as the Managing Director of High Jewelry North America for BVLGARI, where he orchestrated successful expansions across the United States and Canada. His tenure at Fendi and Bottega Veneta further underscored his proficiency in cultivating partnerships and executing brand strategies to bolster luxury market
presence and reputation.As President of Lugano, Josh collaborates closely with Moti Ferder, Lugano’s CEO and Co-Founder, and the executive team. In this capacity, he assumes a pivotal role in steering day-to-day business operations and growth strategies. He oversees teams responsible for sales, marketing, client experience, and management of Lugano’s exclusive private member club, Lugano Privé.
Josh holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Hunter College. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, exploring new culinary experiences, and advocating for Jewish and LGBTQ causes such as UJA and Rainbow Railroad. These endeavors reflect his core values of inclusivity, equality, and social justice.
Guided by his mantra, “Never stop learning and growing,” Josh embodies a steadfast commitment to excellence in his personal and professional endeavors. If given the choice, he gravitates towards coastal living, drawn to its serene beauty and tranquility, which provides the perfect counterbalance to his dynamic lifestyle.
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Padideh Jafari
Member at Large
No bio at this time.
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Karen Jordan
Member at Large
Community Philanthropist
No biography available at this time.
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Jassel Kaye
Member at Large
Jassel is a Managing Director at Corporate Finance Associates, a middle-market investment bank, where she focuses on business development initiatives and transaction execution for the Orange County office. She has provided advisory services to middle-market companies across various industries on transactions including buy-side and sell-side engagements, debt issuances and growth equity raises. She is also the founder of Elevate Advisory, a private consultancy, which provides an array of advisory services to entrepreneurs and management teams of small, midsized and startup consumer branded companies.
Previously, Jassel served as a Director in the Investment Banking Division of Opus Bank. She was responsible for a range of activities from deal sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities, due diligence, preparation of investment memorandums and helping portfolio companies with their strategic and operating issues. These engagements included private financings, M&A assignments, and valuation studies for middle market companies in a diverse range of industries.
Earlier in her career, Jassel resided in New York where she worked with Goldman Sachs, & Co., Merrill Lynch and Trust Company of the West. Jassel has degrees in Political Science and Global Communications from the University of Southern California. She holds FINRA series 63 and 79 licenses.
Jassel believes many young women are challenged by the fact that they don’t see many female leaders in the financial services, and her desire has been to expose young women to the industry to help demystify it and inspire interest in the field. She has focused on combining her two experiences – finance and philanthropy – and found her passion in financial literacy. She is passionate about helping local leaders think about how teaching our youth about fiscal responsibility affects our future, and how it is our duty as stewards of our communities. Over the last twenty years, Jassel has been actively involved in various philanthropic causes including teaching financial literacy for programs such as Operation Hope’s Banking on our Future and UCI | Paul Merage School of Business | CIWM LIFEvest, and Investments, Financial Planning & You. She has also served as an Advisory Board member for various organizations such as TrueSpark, a non- profit, organization that encourages positive character and fosters ethical development using inspiring lessons from movies. Jassel has also been a guest lecturer at UCI | Paul Merage School of Business and La Quinta High School. -
Barry McManus
Member at Large
No biography at this time.
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Sarah Minakary
Member at Large
Managing Director, Partner, The Rand Group
Sarah Minakary is a Managing Director and Partner at The Rand Group. With more than 16 years experience in the financial services industry, she is dedicated to providing an objective and thoughtful approach to clients by providing personalized wealth and financial planning solutions. Sarah’s goal is to provide her clients with the information they need to make informed decisions about their finances. She believes that an educated client is a better client, and she works hard to provide comprehensive financial planning services that go beyond just investment management. She values the deep relationships she has with her clients and doesn’t take lightly the implicit trust and responsibility her clients place with the team to help them achieve financial success.
Sarah was named to Forbes’ Top Next-Gen Best-In-State Wealth Advisor list in 2019, 2022 and 2023. She has been a Five Star Wealth Manager* for the past decade (2013–2023) and received the NABCAB Premier Advisor award from 2011 to 2014.
Sarah is passionate about philanthropy. She serves on the board of directors for Friends of CASA, an auxiliary group of Court Appointed Special Advocates, an organization providing mentorship and advocacy for youth in foster care. She is also an avid supporter of City of Hope, a national cancer institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. In 2021, she was recognized for her community service with an honorable mention in the “Volunteer of the Year” category by Invest in Others, a charitable foundation that recognizes the philanthropic work of advisors in financial services.
Prior to Hightower, Sarah was a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley. She earned her MBA from the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business and her Bachelor of Science degree in Economics with an emphasis on Management from the University of California, Irvine. Sarah earned her designation as a Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) and holds the Series 7, 66, and insurance licenses.
In her free time, she enjoys boxing, live music, trying new restaurants, and spending time with friends, family, and her goldendoodle, Cooper.
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Jay Nugent
Member at Large
Sr. Managing Director, Newmark Knight Frank
Jay Nugent is a Senior Managing Director with Newmark Knight Frank in Newport Beach, California, where he specializes in representing landlords and tenants in Orange County. NKF is one of the leading commercial real estate advisory firms with over 18,000 employees and 480 offices globally.
Over the course of his 20 year career, Jay has represented many of the country’s largest institutional owners of real estate exclusively with their lease negotiations and dispositions. His experience includes new lease negotiations and renewals, build-to-suit developments, property dispositions and property valuation consulting. He has been invited to speak at the USC School of Real Estate on office development trends and has frequently been a panelist and guest speaker at industry events discussing market dynamics.
Originally from Boston, Jay now calls Orange County home. He is married with three children and resides in North Tustin, where he is very active in his community.
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David Nusz
Member at Large
No bio at this time.
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Anar Patel
Member at Large
Senior Program Manager, Capital Group Companies
As senior project manager for Capital Group Companies, Anar Patel is responsible for leading key enterprise initiatives. Before joining Capital Group, Anar was at Accenture, having transitioned her way from Consultant to Managing Director, leading various projects across multiple clients and responsible for the Capital Markets West team.
Anar is initially from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and would travel weekly to Southern California for her consulting projects. In 2016, Anar relocated to California permanently. Since moving, Anar is still an avid hockey fan and now cheers for the Anaheim Ducks. She also enjoys the California hiking trails.
Anar has a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Philosophy from the University of Toronto.
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Bobbie Previti
Member at Large
BKH Design Group, LLC
No biography available at this time.
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Jeff Roedersheimer
Member at Large
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Parsa John Rohani
Member at Large
CEO, Timu
Parsa is an Iranian American, born in Montgomery, Alabama in 1964, father of four, Milad, Sahar, Sam and Pari, married to his best friend Melissa and lives in Laguna Beach, California. Parsa graduated from USC school of Electrical Engineering in 1987 and joined Hughes Aircraft in 1986. In 1990, Parsa joined Microsoft Corporation. In 2002, Parsa started Neudesic, and grew the company to over 1,700 people, with office across the United States as well as in India. In 2022, Neudesic was acquired by IBM, and Parsa continues to serve as the CEO of Neudesic today. Parsa is also the cofounder of PriceSpider, Ikaun, TImu and Peregrine Connect, and serves on their respective boards. Parsa’s professional passion is focused on bringing smart people together that share similar values, to create compelling products and services. Shared values are paramount, and for the companies that Parsa has founded, Passion, Discipline, Innovation, Teaming, and Integrity are at the core of each company.
Melissa and Parsa’s philanthropic objectives revolve around education and healthcare for children. Children of today, are tomorrows drivers of our society and every child should have a chance to be the best they can be. We have been active contributors to CASA and believe in the mission of the organization deeply. Given the success of Parsa’s professional life, he now has more time and resources to devote to causes that he believes in. -
Inga Sanders-Marcereau
Member at Large
Inga Sanders is a seasoned attorney with over two decades of experience as a children’s rights advocate and litigator. Ms. Sanders represents children who have suffered serious physical or emotional injuries, or who require an independent advocate to protect their rights and interests.
In 2011, Ms. Sanders was named by the OC Metro as one of their “40 Under 40,” honoring the most influential and accomplished business people in Orange County under the age of 40. In 2012, she received the Bright Futures’ Humanitarian Award for her dedication and determination in the pursuit of an equal education for all children. Ms. Sanders was also nominated for the California Business Journal’s Seventeenth and Eighteenth Annual Women in Business Awards.
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Paul Tacorian
Member at Large
CEO, TACORI
As CEO, Paul Tacorian leads the strategic vision for TACORI, including marketing, sales, and delivering on his mission of spreading positivity and joy to partners and clients. TACORI is a leading name in fine jewelry, known for unique, high-quality engagement rings featuring iconic crescent designs.
Hailing from a multi-generation legacy of jewelers, Paul joined the family business in 1997 after completing his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing at California State University at Chico.
Paul revolutionized TACORI’s marketing initiatives and accelerated the brand’s success in the marketplace through strategic, national magazine campaigns and editorial appearances. Paul has been a jewelry style expert on a variety of television shows and networks, including The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, The Today Show, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Good Morning America, The Dr. Phil Show, Extra!, The Style Network, E!, and more.
TACORI jewelry is handcrafted with extraordinary care by master artisans in California and sold exclusively through authorized retailers nationwide. From the first uniquely detailed crescent design to today’s simple and elegant new styles, TACORI blends beauty, tradition, and innovation in collections that capture the spirit of modern love and become cherished heirlooms for generations.
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Courtney M. Thom
Member at Large
As a career sex crimes prosecutor, Courtney brings invaluable experience to her practice. Before joining Manly, Stewart & Finaldi, she served as a Deputy District Attorney for Orange County. In this role, Courtney zealously represented the People of California in the prosecution of criminal cases, including sexual assault, rape, child molestation, and child pornography, among others. Notably, she conducted over 50 criminal trials, many of which garnered significant media attention.
In 2016, Courtney worked in the District Attorney’s Sexual Assault Unit where she exclusively prosecuted felony sexual assaults, including child molestation and forcible sex crimes. Many of the survivors in those cases were children as young as infants, adults who gained the courage to report the abuse they experienced years ago as children, and vulnerable elder adults. Her dedication to seeking justice was evident as she worked tirelessly alongside law enforcement agencies to investigate sexual assault crimes, filed criminal charges, managed criminal discovery, met with survivors, and skillfully conducted jury trials and sentencing hearings.
Courtney’s unwavering commitment to serving survivors has been recognized by Waymakers, a prestigious Orange County foundation, which honored her with the Sexual Assault Victim Service Award in 2019. Additionally, she has played a pivotal role in enhancing community safety by providing Sexual Assault Investigations training to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
Due to her unparalleled expertise in both criminal and civil litigation on behalf of survivors, Courtney is exceptionally adept at navigating complex legal proceedings, including serving as Marsy’s Law representation. Moreover, she actively advocates for legislative reforms aimed at bolstering protections for individuals most vulnerable to sexual abuse.
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Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks
Member at Large
President & CEO, ECOS
As President and CEO of ECOS plant-powered cleaning products, Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks is passionate about human and planetary health. She leads four manufacturing facilities across the U.S. as well as a European manufacturing platform. Vlahakis-Hanks is widely recognized for her highly effective leadership at ECOS and her influential voice in corporate social responsibility, safer chemistry, and sustainable manufacturing.
Vlahakis-Hanks led ECOS to become a Climate Positive company in 2021 after achieving carbon neutrality, water neutrality, and TRUE Platinum Zero Waste certification. ECOS is also the first manufacturer to receive LEED® Zero certifications in net-zero energy, carbon, and waste. The company has received many awards for its innovations in safer green chemistry, including the U.S. EPA’s Safer Choice Partner of the Year seven times.
As a woman of African American and Greek descent, Vlahakis-Hanks has made environmental and social justice a cornerstone of ECOS’s mission. She actively promotes a corporate culture of diversity and empowerment; 60% of her C-Suite and top executives are women and 40% are BIPOC. She is proud to lead a company that is a WBENC-certified women-owned business and an NMSDC-certified minority-owned business.
Vlahakis-Hanks supports the green economy by creating sustainable manufacturing jobs across the U.S. and offering excellent wages and family-friendly benefits. She also offers financial incentives to employees who make sustainable living choices, such as buying a low-emissions vehicle or solar panels.
Vlahakis-Hanks received her undergraduate degree at UCLA and her MBA at Chapman University. She has been featured on CNN, CBS News, ABC News, FOX News, NBC News, Bloomberg and MarketWatch and in publications such as Fortune, Entrepreneur and the Los Angeles Times. She has received several awards for her sustainable leadership, including Entrepreneur Magazine’s 100 Powerful Women in 2020 and Conscious Company’s World-Changing Women in Conscious Business.
Vlahakis-Hanks is an active member of several boards of directors, including the XPRIZE Foundation, which is incentivizing solutions to some of the world’s greatest problems, like climate change. She is active in industry councils and public policy advocacy, including the American Sustainable Business Network, working to promote higher standards for consumer products to protect human health and the planet. She is also a member of YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization) and Abundance 360, a select community of executives and entrepreneurs using exponential technologies to transform their businesses.
Additionally, raised by an amazing mother who grew up in the foster care system and passed away from breast cancer, Vlahakis-Hanks is a passionate supporter of foster youth through her work on the board of CASA OC and breast cancer prevention through her philanthropic work with the American Cancer Society. Vlahakis-Hanks resides in southern California with her husband Eric, an acclaimed African American art gallerist, their teenage daughter, and rescue dog.
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Regan Phillips
Chief Executive Officer
CEO, CASA of Orange County
Regan joined CASA OC as the Chief Program Officer in 2015, but she first became involved with CASA in 2001 as she pursued her Master’s degree in Social Work at Columbia University. A one-year internship experience at CASA in New York City prompted an interest in child advocacy.
Regan then earned her Juris Doctor degree from Chapman University in 2005 while she worked as an investigator for the Law Office of Harold LaFlamme, local minors’ counsel representing dependent youth in Orange County. During law school, Regan participated in various competitions as a member of the Moot Court Honors Board and the Alternate Dispute Resolution Board, for whom she served as President. She also spent a semester working as an extern for Justice Aronson at the Court of Appeal, Fourth District, Division Three.
Upon passing the California bar exam in 2005, Regan was hired as an attorney with the Law Office of Harold LaFlamme, where she worked directly with CASA staff and volunteers in the courtroom. Regan later handled private adoption matters and practiced as an associate attorney with Rigg & Dean, a personal injury and liability litigation firm in Irvine. In several cases, she continued representing dependent youth in a different forum. Regan has also participated in appellate cases related to dependency and personal injury law.
Regan served on CASA OC’s governing board for four years commencing in 2009 and volunteered as a member of the Holiday Luncheon Committee. Regan has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Southern California, where she studied both Communication and Sociology, and is a local graduate of Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California. She currently lives in Santa Ana with her husband and three children.