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.

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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…)

I first moved to Humboldt to attend Humboldt State University and immediately felt a connection to the community, slower pace of life, and, of course, the redwoods and beaches. As a student, I was involved in different volunteer work focused on providing resources and advocacy to community members in Humboldt County, something I am very passionate about. My bachelor’s degree in Critical Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, a field rooted in social justice, activism, and resistance, helped me better understand how different intersecting pieces of our identity shape our lives and society.

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I have always loved being around children and supporting them as they learn and grow. Seeing kids feel proud of themselves and helping them build resiliency and confidence is one of the best feelings. During my time working with children and youth in preschool and daycare settings, in residential settings, and through volunteer work with foster youth, I’ve seen the difference it makes for children to have supportive adults in their lives. In this role, I hope to bring together my passion for social justice and advocacy, my commitment to helping people have their voices heard, and my experience working with children and youth, to support the young people and families we serve, as well as the volunteers.

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I am extremely grateful and excited to be part of the CASA team and to work alongside the amazing volunteers who make such a difference for the youth in our community. I’m proud to be part of an organization that helps make sure that young people navigating difficult circumstances have the support that they deserve and need, and where everyone involved truly cares about every child’s wellbeing.

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When I’m not at work, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my partner and kids, exploring Humboldt, hiking, stargazing, and going to the beach. I also love nature and wildlife photography, playing board games, and reading.

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. 

I grew up in Humboldt County before attending UC Davis, where I earned bachelor's degrees in Sociology and Psychology. I continued my post-graduate education at UC Davis, completing my multiple subject teaching credential and a master's degree in Education.

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After graduating, I spent ten years teaching at the elementary level, followed by seven years as a TK–12 instructional coach in a rural school district north of Sacramento. I loved working with my students and collaborating with my fellow educators. As my oldest child approached school age, my husband and I decided it was the right time to return to Humboldt County to be closer to family and raise our children in the community we grew up in and have always cherished.

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I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of the CASA team. Throughout my years in education, I saw firsthand the difference that one caring, consistent adult can make in a child's life. It is an honor to support the work of our dedicated case supervisors and volunteer advocates as they make that difference for children in our community.

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In my free time, you'll most likely find me driving my kiddos around and cheering them on at soccer, piano, basketball, dance, baseball, swimming, cross-country, musical theater, or academic clubs. I also enjoy reading, going to the beach, working on puzzles, visiting the library, attending community events, and family board game nights.