Our Team
Our Team
Meet Our Executive Board
President
Hollis W. Burklund
Hays County
Attorney, Law Office of Hollis W. Burklund
Vice President
Hays County
Senior Vice President, Private Banking, Broadway Bank
2nd Vice President
Becky Lake
Guadalupe County
Retired – USDA
Treasurer
Dena Rodriguez
Comal County
Mortgage Loan Originator, Mpire Financial
Secretary
Comal County
Chief Operating Officer
Guadalupe Family Health, P.A.
Meet Our Board Members
Board Member
Comal County
Resource Planning Manager, Cemex USA
Board Member
Caldwell County
Farm Manager
Board MEmber
Comal County
Partner, Kuehler Investments LLC
Board Member
Hays County
Attorney, McGlothlin Junkin & Wilde
Board Member
Hays County
Founder, Divided Sky Roofing & Solar
Advisory Board Members
Meredith Sisoian Beth Hittle
Comal County Comal County
Rachel Boyer Meier Michael Hindes
Comal County Hays County
Julie Rivas Natalie Megerson
Comal County Hays County
Colette Wollenberg Shelby Renfeld
Comal County Comal County
Karla Riley Sheila Beck
Comal County Hays County
Sara McCaffrey Dori Trevino
Guadalupe County Hays County
Become a Member of the Board
A diverse Board of Directors representing each of the four counties we serve (Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe and Hays) helps CASA identify needs in the community, and provides the support and connections required to meet those needs. By serving as a Director for CASA of Central Texas, you have a genuine opportunity to have a direct, positive and lasting impact for your community.
There’s a lot of responsibility in choosing to become a Board member. Board members must have the ability and knowledge to set policy and approve programs that become the basis for operating the nonprofit. A Board member does not manage the day-to-day business of the nonprofit.
A Board member must have the time, or be willing to take the time, to attend monthly Board meetings as well as special meetings, committee meetings and seminars. Seminars and educational workshops are necessary to keep informed about Board service and the programs we provide as an agency.
Contact nblackwell@casacentex.org if you are interested in becoming a Board Member.
A Letter From Our CEO
Chief EXECUTIVE Officer
Norma Castilla-Blackwell
CASA of Central Texas has been an important part of my life for more than 20 years.
I checked a book out from the public library in Laredo, Texas: I Speak for this Child by Gay Courter. Ms. Courter is a best-selling novelist who became a volunteer advocate and writes very movingly about her experiences. As a middle and elementary school teacher, I had seen the evidence of child abuse and neglect in my students, but had never seen what happened after my hot line calls. I was intrigued by Ms. Courter’s description of the role of the CASA volunteer and what a difference that advocate could make in a child’s life. I contacted my local CASA asking how I could be involved that same week.
Fast forward to today! I’ve been a CASA volunteer, and now I’m Chief Executive Officer of CASA of Central Texas. I believe strongly that CASA volunteers play a vital role across our four county area, working directly with children who are involved in the courts and the child welfare system. I’ve seen the dedicated work of our advocates, staff and board. I love being in court and seeing the impact of a volunteer’s report and their voice in court, bringing the child’s needs to life for the judge.
Our volunteers, more than 200 of them, are remarkable people and it’s a privilege to be a small part of the efforts our wonderful program makes to support them. Our volunteers are currently serving more than 500 children—there are hundreds more children in foster care with no CASA volunteer. We have lots of work to do in order to serve these children.
Please consider joining me. Share your story with friends, family, and your legislator! CASA Day at the Capitol is a great way for you to tell your elected officials about the children you know so well and your work to ensure they have a chance at their best possible life.
Please let me know if there are ways our CASA program can support your efforts. Your work matters profoundly and all of us at CASA thank you. I hope to see you soon!
Norma Castilla-Blackwell
Chief Executive Officer
CASA of Central Texas, Inc.
Leadership
Chief Program Officer
Kimberly Key
What year did you start working for CASA?
2000
Educational Background:
Master in Occupational Therapy and a BA in Psychology
Director of Development
Nicole Douglass
What year did you start working for CASA?
2008
Educational Background:
BSAS Applied Sociology and Criminal Justice, Texas State University
Director of Engagement
Layla Coleman
What year did you start working for CASA?
2011
Educational Background:
BA & MA in Anthropology at Texas State University – San Marcos
Casework Supervisor/IT Systems Technician
Rob Edwards
What year did you start working for CASA?
2012
Educational Background:
BS Sociology, University of Oregon
Programs
Tim Judkins
What year did you start working for CASA?
2009
Educational Background:
Bachelors and Masters degrees
Melanie Linder
Team Lead Casework Supervisor
What year did you start working for CASA?
2012
Educational Background:
BA Education, Texas Lutheran
Lauren Townsend
Team Lead Casework Supervisor
What year did you start working for CASA?
2012
Educational Background:
BA – Sociology-Criminology (The University of Oklahoma) and MS – Sociology-Criminology (The University of Texas at Dallas)
Kyle Benacquisto
Casework Coordinator
What year did you start working for CASA?
2023
Educational Background:
BS Sociology, Texas State University; BS Criminal Justice, Texas State University
Jane Bowen
Casework Supervisor
What year did you start working for CASA?
2019
Educational Background:
BS, CHE, Lehigh University; MBA University of Houston
Shelley Denkeler
What year did you start working for CASA?
2012
Educational Background:
BA in Business Administration (Texas State University)
Susan Hankins
Casework Supervisor
What year did you start working for CASA?
2022
Educational Background:
BS Education, Texas State University
Lonnette LaBorde
Casework Supervisor
What year did you start working for CASA?
2001
Educational Background:
BA in Psychology, The University of Texas; Graduate Studies in Mediation, St. Edward’s University
Elizabeth Pena
Casework Supervisor
What year did you start working for CASA?
2019
Educational Background:
BS in Psychology with a Minor in Sociology
Amanda Rehovsky
Casework Supervisor
What year did you start working for CASA?
2016
Educational Background:
Bachelors in Psychology, Univeristy of Texas at Arlington
April McNabney
What year did you start working for CASA?
2023
Educational Background:
BA Business, Texas A&M University- Kingsville
Development & Fundraising
Danielle Feldman
Fund Development Associate Manager
What year did you start working for CASA?
2021
Educational Background:
BS Journalism and Mass Communications, Texas State University
Kendall Socia
What year did you start working for CASA?
2023
Educational Background:
Texas State University, Bachelor of Science in Public Relations minor in Communication Studies
Jurnee Troublefield
Donor Relations Associate Manager
2018
Educational Background
Bachelors Degree, International Studies, Texas State Univeristy
Renee' Lehmann
What year did you start working for CASA?
1998, was an Advocate before that
Educational Background:
B.S., Education, Texas A&M University
Communications & Engagement
Brandi Raschke
What year did you start working for CASA?
2019
Educational Background:
BA in Theology at Texas Lutheran University and Master’s in Education from Texas State University
Haley Brooks
What year did you start working for CASA?
2023
Educational Background:
B.S. Electronic Media & Mass Communications, Texas State University
Gretchen Yeager
What year did you start working for CASA?
2023
Educational Background:
BS in Strategic Communications, Texas Christian University
Jade Dimitri
What year did you start working for CASA?
2017
Educational Background:
Bachelors in Retailing/General Business & a Masters in Elementary Education
Michelle Cardiel
What year did you start working for CASA?
2023
Educational Background:
Bachelor of Community Health from New Mexico State University
Finance & Administration
Melissa Schroeder
Controller
What year did you start working for CASA?
2022
Educational Background:
BA in Finance, Texas State University
Elizabeth Fowler
Staff Accountant
What year did you start working for CASA?
2021
Educational Background:
BS Criminal Justice, University of Texas at El Paso
Kim Bault
What year did you start working for CASA?
2023
Educational Background:
Grand Valley State University – Allendale, Michigan
Tricia Schneider
What year did you start working for CASA?
2003
Educational Background:
Master of Science degree in Industrial and Labor Relations, West Virginia University; Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, University of Delaware