Welcoming Texas CASA’s New Board Members and Celebrating Board Leadership
Texas CASA is pleased to welcome several new members to our Board of Directors and Regional Representatives, bringing new perspectives, experience and passion to our statewide CASA network.
As we look ahead to another year of advancing our mission and supporting CASA programs across Texas, we are grateful for the leadership and dedication of everyone who serves on the Texas CASA Board.
Please join us in welcoming our newest Board members:
Tanya Easter, BBA, MBA
Tanya Easter is the Sr. Manager of Labor, Consulting and Corporate Services at Chevron, with more than 30 years of experience supporting complex capital projects in the energy industry. She brings deep expertise in strategic sourcing, operational leadership, and organizational effectiveness. Tanya is a committed community leader with a strong track record of nonprofit board service, including roles with Impact100 Houston, the Ivy Educational and Charitable Foundation of Houston, and AVANCE-Houston. She currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Greater Houston Black Chamber of Commerce, supporting initiatives that advance economic opportunity and small business growth. She holds a BBA and MBA from Texas Southern University and is passionate about community impact, leadership, and service.
Jenn Gasser
Jennifer Gasser is a Partner in the Houston office of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. She was first introduced to CASA during law school through her work with the Children’s Rights Clinic, representing children in cases where the State seeks custody or termination of parental rights based on allegations of abuse or neglect. This experience reinforced her belief that strong communities are grounded in a commitment to the well-being of their children and her dedication to organizations that support that mission. Jennifer and her husband are long-time supporters of CASA of Central Texas. She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Portland State University and her juris doctor from The University of Texas at Austin School of Law.
Adrian P. Jackson, BBA, LCCA
Adrian Jackson, Associate Executive Director at Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, is dedicated to serving youth since 1997. A native of Lake Charles, Louisiana, he earned his associate degree from Clarendon College before completing a bachelor’s degree in business administration at Oklahoma Panhandle State University. Adrian is enrolled at Southeastern Oklahoma University pursuing his master’s in arts specializing in Organizational Leadership. Throughout his career at Boys Ranch, Adrian held key leadership roles, including House Parent, Director of Intervention Services and School Support, and Assistant Administrator of Intervention, Vice President of Homelife. In his current role he oversees Homelife, Adventure, Intervention Team Services, and Youth Activities. His leadership is deeply rooted in his passion for creating safe, structured, and nurturing environments where young people can grow and thrive.
Tess Osborn
Tess Osborn is a shareholder at Reuter Law Group, P.C. in San Antonio, where she practices family law with a focus on complex divorce, child custody, and child support matters. She is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has been recognized for her work by organizations including Super Lawyers and San Antonio Magazine. Tess is an active leader in the legal community, having served as Chair of the San Antonio Bar Association’s Family Law Section and as a member of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists. In her practice, Tess works closely with families navigating difficult transitions and is especially committed to protecting the well-being of children.
Welcome, Regional Representatives!
We are also excited to welcome three new Regional Representatives who join the Board’s six Regional Representatives spots and help bring the perspectives and experiences of local CASA programs to Texas CASA’s statewide leadership:
Jennifer Knapp – Southern Region
Jennifer Knapp is the Executive Director, CASA of Bee, Live Oak and McMullen Counties.
Jarah Mendoza – Western Region
Jarah Mendoza, Executive Director of Amarillo Area CASA, has dedicated her career to advocating for children since joining the organization in 2013. Beginning as the Visitation Coordinator, she advanced through leadership roles, Volunteer Supervisor, Director of Advocacy, and Chief Program Officer before ultimately becoming Executive Director. With an associate’s degree in Forensic Science and a bachelor’s degree in Criminology, Jarah brings both educational expertise and compassionate leadership to her work serving vulnerable children and families in the Amarillo community. Outside of her professional accomplishments, she is a devoted wife of over 20 years and a proud mother of two beautiful children.
Kim Weiser - Eastern Region
Kimberly Weiser is the Executive Director for CASA of Walker, San Jacinto & Trinity Counties. Kim was born and raised in Houston, and moved to Huntsville to attend college in 2005. She graduated from Sam Houston State University in 2009 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice, and graduated from SHSU again in 2011 with a Master’s Degree in Counseling. Kim entered the nonprofit sector in 2011, and worked as a victim advocate and community relations director at a local domestic violence agency prior to her current role at CASA. Kimberly joined CASA as the director in April 2016, and has grown increasingly passionate toward the cause of advocating for the foster youth of the community. In her decade of service with CASA, she has grown to deeply love and admire the incredible volunteers who serve as CASAs, and finds great joy in serving alongside such a servant-hearted and compassionate group of people. Kimberly and her husband, are proud parents of two daughters.
We are grateful to our new members for their willingness to serve and for bringing their unique experiences and perspectives to the Texas CASA Board. Their leadership will help strengthen our network and advance our shared vision of a CASA volunteer for every child in the child welfare system. We also extend our sincere thanks to the Regional Representatives and other Board members whose terms are ending for their dedicated service, leadership, and commitment to Texas CASA and the children and families we serve.
Celebrating New Board Leadership
We also want to recognize and congratulate the members of the Texas CASA Board who are stepping into new leadership roles. Their continued service reflects a deep commitment to Texas CASA and the children and families we serve.
Congratulations to our new officers:
- Meca Walker — President
- Elena Villaseñor Sullivan, J.D. and CCEP — President-Elect
- Karmen Bryant — Secretary
- Aaron Lundberg, MSW — At Large Officer
- Angie Dunlap — At Large Officer
We are excited to see this group of dedicated leaders continue to guide Texas CASA and support the important work happening across our statewide network.
And a special thank-you to our other officers, Danny O'Connell, Past President, and Mike Viola, Treasurer, for continuing in their roles and for their ongoing commitment to Texas CASA. We are grateful for their dedicated leadership and service to the organization.
Please join us in welcoming our newest Board members and Regional Representatives and congratulating our Board’s new leadership! We look forward to the year ahead and all we will accomplish together on behalf of children and families across Texas.
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