Our Staff

I joined CASA of Humboldt as Case Supervisor and was honored to accept the position of Executive Director in 2026. I bring to this role over 30 years of experience serving youth and families in the public sector. Twenty of those years, I invested in our diverse communities right here on the north coast. I had the opportunity to present at Senator Mike McGuire’s first Town Hall Forum on Adverse Childhood Experiences and even travelled all the way to Washington, D.C. for a White House celebration with Michelle Obama that highlighted our local work trailblazing exemplary practices, programming, and policies that support healthier kids, families, and communities.

 

I think some of my most important work centers around my years as a foster parent. That lifechanging experience informs everything I do. My work reflects a deep commitment to advocacy, community empowerment, and building healthy environments where staff, volunteers, families, and children can thrive.

 

I love to be outdoors. I feel especially lucky to have an office surrounded by windows that look out on the amazing CASA House gardens. When I’m not enjoying the gardens, you are likely to find me moving my body on the trails, in the forest, or by the ocean. Head in the stars. Feet on the ground.

I am passionate about connecting people to causes that matter and telling stories that inspire action. My academic foundation in sociology and media studies gave me a deep understanding of how connection and belonging shape the lives of individuals and communities. I have carried that knowledge into a career in mission-driven work, which has covered a range of causes, but always with youth and community at the center.

 

When I moved to Humboldt County in 2020, I quickly found myself at home. Driven by the need to strengthen my roots here and participate more fully in the community, I became a CASA volunteer advocate in 2022. The work moved me deeply, and knowing how powerful advocacy is to all the lives that it touches, it brought me to my current role as Director of Development in January of 2026.

 

When I'm not working, you will likely find me enjoying Humboldt County: running, biking, or hiking the trails and coastline of this beautiful corner of California, or out on the water on my paddleboard. I also love to travel, lose myself in a good book, and fill my days with music. More than anything, I love a good conversation, hearing people's stories, and finding the threads that connect us. 

Before coming to Humboldt, I worked in K-12 special education and student support services in rural Hawai’i (Ka’ū, Big Island), particularly with students receiving multi-systemic services (combinations of educational services, intensive psychiatric/mental health services, and often also placed in foster care and/or involved in the juvenile justice system). 

I came to Humboldt for graduate studies and earned a Master’s in Sociology. I was the Executive Director of the Pacific Sociological Association 2014-2023.

 

At CASA, I enjoy working with data to support the work of my colleagues and the CASA volunteers as they in turn support youth and families.

Outside of work, I love digging in the dirt and watching plants grow, getting outside in the forests and by the ocean, and making things with fiber (weaving, sewing, quilting…)

Having been born and raised in Trinidad, California, Humboldt has always had a special place in my heart. After studying in South Korea and receiving my bachelor's degree in Sociology from UC Santa Barbara in 2022, I spent several months backpacking Southeast Asia. Following my travels, I returned to Humboldt County and dedicated myself to working with the youth in our community within the public school system. I joined the CASA of Humboldt Team in 2024 and am excited to continue to support our community in a meaningful way. 

 

When I am not at work I enjoy trying not to embarrass myself at weekly Zumba classes,  reading, and hanging out with my friends and family. 

I grew up in a blended family that placed a strong emphasis on community, connection, and mutual support. From an early age, I learned that family extends far beyond shared genetics and is built through care, trust, and showing up for others. Those values remain at the core of who I am and continue to shape both my personal life and professional work. I firmly believe in the importance of community members supporting one another and working together to create safe, healthy, and connected environments for everyone.

 

My passion for social justice and advocacy led me to earn my bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Cal Poly Humboldt. I am continually inspired by the vibrant Humboldt community and the many local events, organizations, and mutual support networks that bring people together and reflect the area’s deep sense of care and resilience. All of these attributes are represented at CASA of Humboldt and I am honored to be a part of the team.

 

In my free time, you will almost always find me outside! I love mountain biking, hiking, camping, painting, and reading in the sun.

I was born and raised in Humboldt County and have a deep appreciation for the uniqueness and diversity of both our community and natural landscape. I earned my BA in Child Development from Humboldt State University in 2016 and have since worked in several local preschools, most recently as a Lead Teacher for the City of Eureka. In addition to my work in Early Childhood Education, I served as the General Manager of a local business from 2021-2024, where my passion was sparked for mentoring and empowering others to grow and succeed in their roles.

 

Through both my professional and personal experiences, I understand the critical role that a healthy, consistent relationship with a supportive adult can play in a child’s development, and their ability to reach their full potential. Sometimes just one person in your corner can make all the difference. I am passionate about connecting children with someone who can walk alongside them, advocate for them, and help ensure that their story is heard.

 

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and daughter and being outdoors as much as possible whether it be rollerblading, bike riding, hiking, or camping.

I grew up in Humboldt County and left after high school to see what else was beyond the Redwood Curtain. I settled in San Diego, CA where I spent the next 28 years. While in San Diego, I received my bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Development w/ and emphasis on family systems from San Diego State University, spent 14 ½ years working at Voices for Children, the CASA program in San Diego and Riverside County, and started my family. My family and I travelled to Humboldt County to visit family a few times a year and decided we wanted to relocate to be closer to family and slow down our pace of life. It is good to be back!

 

During my time at Voices for Children, I learned a lot about the needs of children in foster care, supporting volunteers, cultivating relationships, and a lot about the day-to-day operations of a large non-profit. I currently split my workday between CASA of Humboldt and Voices for Children utilizing what I have learned over the past 14 ½ years to offer operational, database, and systems support to both agencies. I am thrilled to be back in Humboldt County and supporting the youth in our community who need the resources to overcome the trauma they have endured. I truly believe that every child should have the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential and have seen countless times CASAs changing their trajectory of a child’s life. I am proud do this work and to be a part of an incredible team working to make our community a better place for all.