NEWS RELEASE: Texas CASA Welcomes New Chief External Relations Officer

AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is thrilled to introduce Anne Nagelkirk as the new Chief External Relations Officer. Known as a collaborative, value-driven leader, Nagelkirk is deeply committed to advancing the well-being of children and families and ensuring organizations have the tools they need to deliver their mission. She’ll join Texas CASA from a decades-long career of service and will be based in Austin starting January 2026.

 “We’re honored that Anne has chosen to dedicate her time, skills, and leadership to help us create safe, positive futures for Texas children and families,” Texas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs said.

Nagelkirk is a strategic communications and external affairs leader with more than 20 years of experience helping mission-driven organizations strengthen public trust, advance policy priorities, and activate support for initiatives that drive measurable improvements in community health and well-being. Her expertise spans brand and narrative strategy, public affairs, advocacy communications, media relations, and strategic planning.

“Texas CASA’s commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of children and families is truly inspiring,” said Nagelkirk. “I’m excited to work alongside our incredible team, local CASA programs, volunteer advocates, and partners across the state to build communities where all children can thrive.”

Throughout her career, Nagelkirk has partnered with nonprofits and public agencies to develop communications and engagement strategies rooted in lived experience and data-driven storytelling. Across foster care, youth homelessness and behavioral health, her work has helped organizations elevate complex issues into compelling public narratives that build partnerships, strengthen investment, and influence decision-makers.

Previously, Nagelkirk served as Chief Strategy Officer at Integral Care, the Local Mental Health Authority (LMHA) for Travis County, where she led enterprise-wide communications, public affairs, community engagement, government relations, and resource development across a 1,000-employee organization with more than 30 programs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she led a statewide mental health communications campaign, supporting nearly 40 LMHAs across Texas during a period of extraordinary need. Her work also included an award-winning, multilingual children’s mental health campaign for 1.3 million residents and contributed to the Austin City Council declaring children’s mental health a public health priority.

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About Texas CASA 

La misión de Texas CASA es apoyar los programas locales de defensa de voluntarios CASA y abogar por una política pública eficaz para los niños y las familias en el sistema de protección infantil.

Established in 1989, Texas CASA is the statewide association for local CASA programs. In this role, we support the CASA network by distributing and overseeing state and federal funds, setting and monitoring standards, providing training, leading a statewide volunteer recruitment campaign, advocating for public policy, and more. Texas CASA is committed to connecting child welfare stakeholders and the CASA network to support initiatives for children and families in the child welfare system.