Our Leadership & Staff

Texas CASA Board of Directors

Officers

Danny O’Connell
CEO & Founder, Next Level Insurance

Meca Walker
Mediator/Arbitrator, Walker ADR Services

Mike Viola
Consultant with PWC’s Capital Markets Advisory Group

Elena Villaseñor Sullivan, J.D. & CCEP
Attorney, Compliance Professional, Founder and Managing Member of Enderza Law, PLLC

Melissa Jones
Retired Manager of Engineering,
Quality and Industrial Engineering

Regional Representatives

Malenda Cree
Executive Director,
CASA of Northeast Texas

James Hamilton
Executive Director,
CASA of Grayson County

Kevin Kyle
Executive Director, 
CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties

Patty Pisklak
Executive Director,
CASA of West Texas

Jennifer Rodriguez
Executive Director,
Brush County CASA

Ann Marie Ronsman
President & CEO, 
Child Advocates of Montgomery County

Directors

Kristin Andersen
Retired: Nonprofit Executive

Karmen Bryant
Managing Member of KHB Energy, LLC and President of the Bryant Family Foundation

Jessica Cawthorn
Grants Management Officer, Dept of Health and Human Services/Admin of Children and Families

Matthew Conner
Managing Principal, Arete Public Affairs

Angela Dunlap, CPA
Certified Public Accountant, FORVIS

Carol Eschenfelder
Retired Executive Vice President, Alliant Insurance

Jorge Gonzalez
Executive Director, STAR Health

Tracey Hull
Director of Development, Café Momentum

Aaron Lundberg
President & CEO, Praesidium

Darrell Picha
Marketing and Communications Professional

Stephen Skeeter
Symphony Executive Committee Member

Beth St. Paul
Retirement Consultant, Empower Financial

Dr. Sheila Taylor, CPA
Owner of Sheila Taylor, CPA, a Texas licensed CPA firm

Rhonda Thompson
Retired; Vice President, University Advancement at University of Houston-Clear Lake

Jason Waldie
Deals Partner, PWC

Jeoff Williams
Chief Security Officer, ODIN

Kimberly D. Wise, MPH, MA
Founder and President of Wise Health Communications

Texas CASA Staff

Executive Team

Vicki Spriggs
Texas CASA CEO

vspriggs@texascasa.org

Chris Kelly
Executive Assistant and Property Manager

Internal Operations Division

Tamea Byrd
Chief Financial Officer

tbyrd@texascasa.org

Administration Team

The Administration team supports Texas CASA and local programs by managing finance, accounting, strategic planning and human resources to ensure operational efficiency and compliance. They also develop policies, oversee risk management, and maintain financial integrity through audits, contract management and adherence to regulatory standards.

Lori Adelman
In-House Counsel

Nancy Rodriguez
Finance & Business Operations Director

Sub Uppaluri
Data Director

Toni Perkins
Accounting and Human Resources Manager

Veera Amara

Reporting & Data Analyst

Grants Management Team

The Grants team provides local programs support by overseeing pass-through funding, managing state and federal grants, and ensuring compliance with grant requirements. This team also provides support and assists with the Online Data Manager (ODM) which allows local CASA programs to submit their data, funding, and reimbursement requests.  

Brandi Goen
Grants Management Director

Kristy Smith
Senior Grants Management Specialist

Melissa G. Foley
Grant Advising Manager

Wilbert King
Grants Compliance Specialist

Ashley Berman
Grants Management Specialist

Mary Hightower
Grants Management Specialist

External Relations Division

Anne Nagelkirk
Chief External Relations Officer
anagelkirk@texascasa.org

Public Policy Team

The Public Policy team advocates for state funding to support local programs, Texas CASA, and its initiatives and projects. This team also builds and maintains relationships with legislators, legislative staff, the Governor’s office and key stakeholders at the Texas Capitol.

Ana O’Quin
Public Policy Director

Stephanie Battaglia
Public Policy Specialist

AD Tincopa
Public Policy Specialist

Fund Development Team

The Fund Development team builds and manages relationships with funders, donors, prospective supporters and community partners. This team also secures funding sources to support Texas CASA’s events, projects and trainings, as well as collaborates with other state and/or local CASA organizations on partnerships to support CASA in Texas. 

Collin Acock
Fund Development Director

Laura Sanchez
Fund Development Specialist

Communications Team

The Communications team upholds brand guidelines and shapes communication for all teams that bring Texas CASA into public awareness and dialogues. This team is responsible for creating communication materials for the network, stakeholders and the public. This team also manages the Texas CASA website, email marketing efforts and social media channels. 

Kelly Clarke
Internal Communications Manager

Madi Donham
External Communications Manager

Thalia Wilson
Web Development & Communications Specialist

Network Services Division

Deedra Baker
Chief Network Services Officer

dbaker@texascasa.org

Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) Team

The CFE team leads the coordination, training, and support for Texas’ approach to family finding and engagement, ensuring the effective “implementation of CASA programs, DFPS, SSCCs, and support for Texas’ approach of family finding and engagement to ensure effective implementation for CASA programs, DFPS, SSCCs and other child welfare partners. This team also creates materials for building connections and hosts CFE events for CASA programs, CPS and SSCCs. 

Catherine Herlich
CFE Director

Melissa Caddell
CFE Coach

Frances Lofley
CFE Coach

Maria McCord
CFE Coach

Taylor Merrill
CFE Coach

Strategic Network Support Team

The Strategic Network Support team provides coaching, consultation and training to network recruiters to enhance their knowledge, skills, techniques and strategy in volunteer awareness and recruitment. This team also leads the logistical coordination and provides planning support for Texas CASA events. 

Dennise Jackson
Strategic Network Support Director

Maribel Bowles
Events & Meetings Director

Margaret Halpin
Learning and Development Manager

Lindsey Lee
Campaign Marketing & Media Manager

Amanda Melancon
Learning and Network Development Manager

Program Operations Team

The Program Operations team provides direct support, training, technical assistance, and consultation to local CASA programs across the state. The team assists programs with organizational development, compliance with state and national standards, and quality assurance. Through ongoing guidance, resource sharing, and training, Program Operations helps strengthen local CASA programs and empowers them to provide high-quality advocacy for children involved in the child protection system.

Celeste Prather
Program Operations Director

Linda Coronado
Program Specialist

Liz Woods
Program Specialist

Michelle Cobern
Program Specialist

Andrea March
Legal Resource Specialist

Danielle Elliott
Program Data and Risk Specialist