1. As a CEO in nonprofit organization management, how would you describe the experience and perspective you bring to child advocacy and child welfare work?
I bring 16 years of experience in child advocacy, including over 10 years in nonprofit leadership. Having served as Executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center and now as CEO of CASA of the Coastal Bend, I’ve gained a comprehensive understanding of the challenges facing vulnerable children and families. My experience has reinforced the importance of collaboration, community partnerships, and ensuring every child has a voice and the support they deserve.
2. What path led you to your current CEO role, and what experiences along the way most shaped your commitment to supporting children and families?
My 16 years at the Children’s Advocacy Center played a significant role in shaping my commitment to child advocacy. Seeing firsthand the positive impact that caring, dedicated professionals can have on a child and their family reinforced my passion for this work. When the opportunity to lead CASA of the Coastal Bend presented itself, I saw it as a natural next step in continuing to advocate for children and make a meaningful difference in their lives.
3. From your leadership experience, what does a child need most from the adults around them during a major transition such as entering foster care or joining an adoptive family?
I believe one of the most important things a child needs during a major life transition is consistency from the adults around them. Show up when you say you’re going to show up, follow through on your commitments, and don’t make promises you can’t keep. It’s also important to be as honest and open with children as possible, in a way they can understand. These actions help build a foundation of trust, something that many children in these circumstances have experienced being broken time and time again.
4.What practices have you seen help caregivers create a steady, reassuring presence for a child when so much else in the child’s life is changing?
I believe that establishing routines, being patient, and creating an environment where children feel safe expressing their thoughts and emotions can make a tremendous difference. It’s important for caregivers to listen without judgment, offer reassurance, and recognize that every child adjusts to change differently. Sometimes it’s the simplest things, like sharing a meal or just being there to listen, that helps a child begin to feel safe and secure.
5. How have you learned to build trust with children who may have experienced disruptions, uncertainty, or loss?
While my role has primarily been in leadership rather than direct service, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside professionals who work with children who have experienced trauma, uncertainty, and loss. One thing I’ve learned is that trust cannot be rushed or forced. It takes patience and consistency. Every child is different, and it’s so important to meet them where they are, respect their boundaries, and allow trust to develop at their own pace.
6. What is one approach professionals and caregivers can use to better understand and respond to a child’s individual needs rather than relying on assumptions?
I believe one of the most important things we can do is take the time to truly listen to children and get to know them beyond what’s written in their case file. Every child has their own experiences, needs, and ways of expressing themselves. Rather than assuming we know what’s best for them, we need to ask questions, pay attention to what they’re telling us, both verbally and through their behavior, and make sure they feel heard and understood.
7. In your work leading teams, how do you help staff and partners keep child safety at the center of decisions and daily interactions?
I believe it begins with creating a culture where child safety and well-being are always the priority. I also think it is important to remind our teams that behind every case and decision is a child whose safety and future are impacted by the work we do. Keeping that perspective at the forefront helps guide our decisions and hold us accountable to the children and families we serve.
8.What role does collaboration play in supporting children across foster care, adoption, and other child welfare systems, and what makes that collaboration effective?
Collaboration is absolutely essential in child welfare because no single person or organization can meet all of a child’s needs. Each entity brings a different perspective and area of expertise to the table. I believe effective collaboration requires open communication, mutual respect, and a willingness to listen to one another, even when opinions differ. At the end of the day, we may have different roles and responsibilities, but we are all working toward the same goal: ensuring the safety and well-being of the child.
9. What is one lesson from your career that you hope every adult supporting a child in transition will carry forward?
One lesson I’ve learned throughout my career in child welfare is the importance of taking care of yourself while caring for others. Supporting children who have experienced trauma can be really emotionally difficult, and vicarious trauma is very real. It’s important to recognize when you need support, establish healthy boundaries, and allow yourself time to disconnect from work. That includes protecting time with family and loved ones, where work isn’t the focus of every conversation. Taking care of your own well-being isn’t selfish, it’s necessary so that you’re able to continue showing up for the children who depend on you.