Join us in welcoming Melissa Foley, Dylan Bednar and Leslie Cocke to the Texas CASA team!
Melissa Foley, our new Grants Management Director, has almost 28 years of experience in grants, mostly focusing on crime victims’ grants. She earned a bachelors degree in Criminal Justice from Texas State University. Her first endeavor was serving as an intern for the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) in her last semester. She then began her employment with the state at the OAG. She spent four years with the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division, working with juvenile justice, criminal justice and crime victims grants, including administering both VOCA and VAWA funds. She spent the majority of her career, more than 20 years, at the OAG, where she was instrumental in the creation and implementation of two major grant programs providing millions of dollars for crime victim programs across the state. She helped develop the infrastructure for and led the the Grants Administration Division–the first Division of its kind at the OAG which provided a coordinated hub for everything involving grants coming in to or out of the OAG. She worked with various programs and organizations across the state to continue to better funding opportunities for crime victims’ programs.
Melissa is known for her passion for her work, the people she works with and the people she serves. Her motto has always been simply to “Do Good,” and she tries to honor that every day. She lives in Kyle, Texas, with her husband, who is her college sweetheart, and their two dogs. She has two young-adult children who have “flown the coop,” but visit often while living their beautiful lives.
Dylan Bednar, our new Operations and Data Analyst, graduated from Texas Tech University with a BA in political science and a minor in communication. He spent the last five years at American Innovations as a Data Specialist, after finding an interest in data analytics. Dylan loves learning and teaching with data, and showing people easier ways to help them get the information they need. He enjoys learning about public policy as he did during college and in his previous work in the finance and oil and gas industries. He looks forward to applying his knowledge, interests, and experience to help advance the CASA mission. He has always called Austin home, and is passionate about investing in local causes and growing connections to his community. He is also excited to bring his talents to a nonprofit, service organization. In his free time Dylan likes to be outside with his dog Apollo and has devoted much of his time to the sport of soccer; playing, coaching or watching.
Leslie Cocke has rejoined the team as our part-time Volunteer Coaching And Advocacy (VCA) Development Specialist. Leslie has been our VCA Consultant since 2020, and before that, she served as one of the Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) coaches from 2017-2019. In her new role, Leslie will continue providing support and trainings to the network along with creating resources and tools. As an attorney, she has created many legal trainings and resources and will continue to do so in her new capacity. Along with her legal background and familiarity with the Texas Family Code and other applicable laws, Leslie has expertise in training and facilitation, volunteer coaching and retention, CFE and content creation. She has a passion for advocacy and was a CASA volunteer at CASA of Collin County for nine years!