Executive Director

Heather spent several years working in nonprofit communication and fundraising in the Willamette Valley before moving to Central Oregon. In 2018, she joined CASA of Central Oregon as the Development Director and became the Executive Director in 2020. She is thrilled to work for CASA because she believes that community advocacy and action can give every child a safe and permanent home. Heather has a Bachelor’s degree in communications from Lewis and Clark College and a Masters in Business Administration from Portland State University. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Oregon CASA Network and is a member of the Rotary Club of Greater Bend. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, cooking, and spending time with her family. 

Program Director

A native Oregonian, Jessica has spent the majority of her life living in the state. Jessica’s heart for children in foster care began as a teenager when she started babysitting foster children for a family in her neighborhood. As an adult, Jessica was a foster parent with MapleStar Oregon for 3 years, working mostly with youth involved in the Deschutes County Juvenile Justice system. She is a graduate of OSU Cascades with a degree in Human Development and Family Sciences with an emphasis on Human Services. Jessica came to CASA first as an intern, then served as the Family Find Coordinator and Program Coordinator before her current position. Jessica is glad to be part of a program that strives to help youth achieve relational permanency.

Development Director

Angelique moved to Redmond in 2015. She is a graduate of Oregon State University, holding a Bachelor's degree in sociology with an emphasis on crime and justice. Growing up as a child in foster care, Angelique is passionate about advocating for children and excited to join the CASA team. When not in the office, she enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, and cozying up with a puzzle or good book.

Training and Recruitment Coordinator

Eric has worked as a youth director, educational coach and instructor, and program coordinator since he graduated from Elon University in 2014. He’s lived in over six states and loves meeting new people while exploring different parts of the county. He is excited to serve in a position that allows him to utilize his passion for teaching, mentoring, and building relationships while working for an incredible organization helping local children and youth in the foster care system. When not in office, Eric can be found tubing the river or exploring local trails with his wife and 11 year old boxer.

Program Coordinator

Meriah has been a Program Coordinator for CASA since 2017. Before that she was sworn in as an advocate in 2009. Meriah enjoys supporting the advocates she works with and helping them navigate their cases. Through the years Meriah has been involved in and volunteered for many organizations that benefit and enrich the lives of children. Meriah is a Central Oregon native, having been born and raised in Prineville, who now lives and works remotely from a small town in Eastern Oregon. Outside of CASA, Meriah owns and operates a flower farm and small gift shop in her local community. 

Program Coordinator

David moved to Central Oregon in 2007. He received his B.S. in psychology from the University of Oregon. Prior to his position as a Program Coordinator, he served as the enrollment and match specialist for a local non-profit organization working with at-risk youth. He is ecstatic to be able to continue serving the community as a member of the CASA team. Outside of the office you can find David engaging in a variety of volunteer opportunities and pursuing hobbies such as photography, reading, and spending time with loved ones.

Program Coordinator

Bridget earned her B.S. in Business Administration with a minor in Psychology from Southern Oregon University before moving to Northern, Washington to start her career in logistics. Later, she moved into Marketing, however as a native Oregonian she always knew her heart was in Oregon. In 2017, she moved her family to Central Oregon where she fell in love with advocacy work. Prior to becoming a program coordinator for CASA, Bridget worked as a program coordinator for N.A.M.I. (National Alliance on Mental Illness). The transition to public service from the business world has been extremely rewarding. Advocating for education regarding mental health, support services, and social service systems has become a passion for her. When not in the office you will find her on her small farm east of Bend working with her horses, rodeoing with her daughters, gardening, and exploring the many hiking trails our area has to offer. 

Program Coordinator

Jasmine has been a community member in Bend Oregon for over 17 years. With a diverse background in non profit work from non profit restaurants, arts and culture and serving people with disabilities, Jasmine loves working with volunteers. Jasmine attended college as an adult at COCC and Linfield University with a major in marketing and management. She serves on several boards and volunteers with local non profits that are specifically focused on rural access to food and helping the most vulnerable. In her spare time, you can find her camping with her family, at a local music event or hanging out with her flock of silkie chickens.

Program Coordinator

Kinsey was born and raised in Central Oregon and moved to Montana in 2021 where she spent three years. She has a strong passion for helping others, which led her to her work in victim services in Montana where she supported victims of violent crimes through the criminal court process. Kinsey graduated in 2024 from Oregon State University and holds a Bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Sciences and a Minor in Psychology. Recently, Kinsey moved back to Central Oregon, where she continues to focus on her love for making a positive impact on the community. She has a special interest in supporting children and is excited to be part of the CASA team. In her spare time, she enjoys baking sourdough, reading, and spending time with her husband and chocolate lab Willow.

Program Coordinator

Sage has been deeply embedded in the nonprofit world for the past five years, with a special focus on early childhood development and providing resources to families. She has experience with direct community engagement, advocacy, policy change, and organizational management. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from University of California, Santa Cruz and is passionate about creating circumstances to help children and families thrive, which is what motivated her to join the CASA team. Sage has been an Oregon resident for the past three years and enjoys the beautiful hiking, biking, snowboarding, and camping that Central Oregon has to offer.

Family Find Coordinator

Born in Central Oregon, Kara has been lucky enough to call Bend “home” for most of her life. After completing her Bachelor’s in Psychology in Eugene, OR, she moved down to California for three years but promptly returned to be closer to her family and friends. Before becoming a Family Find Coordinator for CASA, Kara was a volunteer for Child Welfare at ODHS and worked as a Youth Recreation Leader for Bend Parks and Recreation. She is passionate about helping children in foster care develop positive, lifelong connections to family and other meaningful people in their lives. Outside of work, Kara loves spending time with her two incredible kiddos, making props for local theatre productions, and going out salsa or west coast swing dancing. 

Development and Marketing Specialist

Lena brings a blend of journalism and communication skills and a passion for mentorship to our team. She earned her B.S. in Journalism and a minor in English from the University of Oregon before moving to Central Oregon three years ago. From her time at the Boys and Girls Club of Emerald Valley and the Bend Bulletin to volunteering with programs like SAIL and Salt Lake City Peer Court, Lena has consistently sought opportunities to make a positive impact on the lives of young people in her community. When she's not immersed in work or volunteering, Lena finds solace in the great outdoors alongside her partner and their dog, Ren. Lena can often be found engrossed in a captivating fantasy novel, or surrounded by friends and loved ones. Lena has lived in three different states and abroad, spending two transformative years exploring Europe and igniting her desire to experience diverse cultures around the world.

Office Administrator

Kaileigh moved to Bend in 2020 from Moscow, Idaho but is a true army brat and lived all over the U.S. She Graduated from the University of Idaho in 2022 with a BS in Sociology and a Minor in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Kaileigh is thrilled to be joining the CASA team and to be providing support to the greater Central Oregon community. When she is not in office she enjoys the backcountry with her husband, running, and reading.

Watson Works LLC

Dave is an Oregon native, growing up in the Willamette Valley, southern Oregon, and attending Oregon State University. He and his wife have enjoyed living in Central Oregon since 2007. Dave spent much of his career managing a wide range of commercial construction projects and large teams, he is now a consultant and entrepreneur. He and his wife became aware of and committed to the important work supporting foster children when a family member adopted children out of the DHS system. Dave and his wife are resource parents, have three children of their own, and are actively involved in their community and local church.

IN A LANDSCAPE

Pam is the Operations Manager for IN A LANDSCAPE: Classical Music in the Wild. She worked for the Sunriver Music Festival from 2002 – 2019 and served as the Festival’s Executive Director for over 14 years. She is currently the Festival’s Development Consultant. An active volunteer in the Central Oregon community, she currently serves on the Sunriver-La Pine Rotary Club Board where she learned firsthand about CASA’s work in our community. Pam and her family moved to Central Oregon in 1996 and she currently resides in Sunriver. Prior to moving to Central Oregon, she lived and worked in the Asia Pacific region for 12 years working in the computer industry. Pam has a Business Degree in Information Systems from the University of Texas.

Central Oregon Health Council, Retired

Donna Mills served as the Executive Director for the Central Oregon Health Council for several years. Donna has a strong background in finance, healthcare, and healthcare payer systems. Donna obtained her BS in Accounting from Strayer University in Washington DC, graduating Summa Cum Laude.  She also worked as a Chief Financial Officer for over 20 years. She is a volunteer chaplain for the Colorado State Patrol, and a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.  Donna is pleased to serve the Tri-County region both professionally and personally.  She and her husband have five grown children and 4 grandchildren. They enjoy serving in their community and being outdoors.    

First Interstate Bank

Janelle is a Treasury Solutions Officer for First Interstate Bank. She has more than 15 years in banking experience working for both national and community banks within Treasury Management. Janelle enjoys being a volunteer reader for the SMART program, she also volunteers her time with Backpack for Bend and Sunriver Care and Share – a local food pantry.   Janelle and her family moved to the Three Rivers South community in 2004, they enjoy spending their time outdoors with all that Central Oregon has to offer.   Along with a long list of accomplishments, she also recently added becoming a 2021 Leadership Bend graduate to her list!

Jefferson County Public Health, Retired Police Officer

Helen grew up in Madras and attended the University of Portland, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She has had two parallel careers, one as a police officer and one as an RN. In 1977 she was hired as a police officer by the City of Lake Oswego, OR. She spent 26 years there, advancing through the ranks to become the Chief of Police. During this time she graduated from the FBI National Academy. She continued nursing during her tenure as a police officer. She spent 26 years working for Clackamas County as a Public Health Nurse, focusing on immunizations. She moved back to Madras in 2004 but continued to work part time for Clackamas County. She and her husband adopted a child from DHS and she has four wonderful grandchildren. In 2022 she lost her husband of 48 years. He supported her in all her endeavors including community involvement. During the pandemic she found an opportunity by volunteering at a COVID vaccine clinic for Jefferson County Public Health. This led to her employment there as a Public Health Nurse, doing vaccines. She was always interested in CASA but knew she could not have a dual role as an officer and an advocate. She is pleased at this time to be on the Board. She enjoys gardening, counted cross stitch, and cooking.

High Desert Education Service District

With over 30 years in public education, Jim Boen, Regional Director of Mental and Behavioral Health at the High Desert Education Service District, has a deep understanding of what it takes to support every child. From his time as a school counselor and teacher to his experience as a building and district-level administrator, Jim brings a unique perspective—a blend of personal connection and systemic insight—to helping each student thrive. He's passionate about removing barriers for all young people, with a special focus on their mental well-being. This is what has drawn him to pursue his role on the CASA board. A lifelong Oregonian, Jim has called both the western and eastern parts of the state home before settling in Bend in 2007. When he's not working to support students, he and his wife enjoy spending time with their three grown children and exploring the beautiful outdoors our region offers.

St. Charles Healthcare, Retired

Michelle is the Director of Emergency and Trauma Services at St. Charles Healthcare in Bend and Redmond. She began her career as a pediatric emergency room nurse in Southern California. Her commitment to advocating on behalf of vulnerable children began when, as a pediatric nurse, she saw firsthand the ramifications of abuse and neglect. Michelle and her husband moved to Bend in 2015. She enjoys hiking, mountain biking, rafting, and all Central Oregon’s outdoor adventures.  

Bend-La Pine School District

Tim moved from Buffalo, New York to Oregon in 1994. After moving to Oregon, Tim served as an Americorps Volunteer and then headed up a local mentoring agency for at-risk youth in the Eugene area. This work inspired Tim to return to school and get his education degree from Pacific University. Tim taught in the classroom for eleven years, one of those on a Fulbright teaching exchange program in Glasgow, Scotland. He then returned to the University of Oregon to get his school administrator's license. He served two years as an assistant principal at the middle school level. Most recently, he has been the principal of Three Rivers K-8 School in Sunriver, Oregon for the last nine years. He is an active member of the Sunriver Rotary Club. He enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife Elizabeth and daughter Camille.

Grace Studio LLC

Tari Donohue serves as Advocate Representative for the Board of CASA of Central Oregon. She and her family came to Oregon in 1977, and moved to Central Oregon in 2020. She holds an Associates’ Degree in Telecommunications Management and Certificates in Graphic and Web Design and Video Production. For several years, Tari was a live sound engineer, but since 2010 has practiced photography for wineries, farms, and artisan businesses. Tari joined CASA in 2021 and finds advocating for children who are in foster care both intriguing and rewarding – there is always something new to study when it comes to understanding and encouraging children as a CASA. She has two grown children and two amazing dogs.

Bend Police Department

Sheila is the Communications Manager for the Bend Police Department. She holds a bachelor's degree in communications and Spanish from Boston College and a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University. For more than 15 years, Sheila worked in journalism, including as the city editor of The Bulletin and the managing editor of Statehood Media in Bend. Sheila served as a CASA volunteer for nearly seven years here in Bend, and is passionate about the importance of advocating for children in foster care. She and her husband live in Bend and have a wonderful dog named Felipe. In her spare time, she enjoys playing soccer, traveling and reading as much as possible.

Convergint Technologies, Retired

Sean was a founding member of Convergint Technologies, responsible for the Oregon market, and retired in 2016 as the Vice President of Business Development. He and his wife Laura moved from Portland to Bend in 2019. After spending four years as a CASA Volunteer Advocate, Sean joined the board in 2024. He is passionate about serving vulnerable populations which has led to involvement with organizations tackling food insecurity and domestic violence as well as development projects in Haiti and Peru.

Volunteers in Medicine

Kat is executive director of Volunteers in Medicine and has more than 30 years of experience in economic development and health care administration. She holds an undergraduate degree in International Relations from Georgetown University, and a Masters in Public and Health Care Administration from Indiana University. She has served as the Executive Director for Volunteers in Medicine since 2008, after beginning her work there as a volunteer in 2004. Kat and her husband, Mike, and their three daughters moved to Bend in 2003. She has a long standing interest in serving vulnerable populations.