Team Archive | CASA of Oklahoma County

Jennie Hill

Executive Director

405-724-8126

Jennie has been with CASA of Oklahoma County for two years. She has a BA in History from Macalester College and an MSW from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jennie is a board member for the University of Oklahoma Women’s Association and Engage Learning and was a featured TedX speaker in 2015 delivering her Ted talk entitled, “The Forgotten Children: Foster Care in America.” When asked why members of the Oklahoma County community should join up with CASA, Jennie says: “Youth in foster care experience a myriad of changes, a myriad of paid professionals in their life during foster care, and a CASA volunteer is the only non-paid community volunteer who truly listens to the child, celebrates successes with the child, and fiercely advocates for their well-being throughout their time in foster care. Our kids in foster care deserve better and deserve to know that they are not forgotten.” Contact Jennie with any questions you might have about collaboration and community partnerships at CASA! She would love to hear from you.

Joy Short

Executive Assistant

405-594-3569

Joy has been with CASA of Oklahoma County over 12 years. She has a BS in Education. Joy previously served as Director of The Learning Tree Preschool for 18 years. Joy came to CASA in 2006! “I love that a CASA can be with a child during the most difficult time in their life and that the CASA volunteer is the only person that speaks only for the child and that child’s best interest,” Joy says, “The volunteers are special!” Contact Joy with any questions you might have about general information regarding CASA! She would love to hear from you.

Charlie Ludden

Development Manager

405-900-5663

Charlie joined the CASA staff in February of 2019. Charlie has spent his entire professional life working with children. Charlie has spent time working as a pre-school teacher, children/youth minister, as well as managing school age programs for elementary children. Charlie is a graduate of Oklahoma City University where he earned a Bachelor’s in Business Marketing. In his spare time, Charlie loves photography, music, stage productions, and trying to keep up with way too many movies and TV shows. “The great thing about working for CASA is that we have the opportunity to be a voice for children during some of the hardest parts of life,” Charlie says. “We get to help establish a support system for those in need.” If you have questions about how you can help support the children of Oklahoma County through CASA please feel free to contact Charlie.

Ron Scharton

Director of Operations

405-594-3564

Ron has been with CASA of Oklahoma County over eight years. He has a Bachelor’s in Management and an MS in both International Relations and History. Ron’s background is in the military as well as at Boeing. He began his time at CASA as a volunteer, but the organization quickly realized the value Ron could bring to our staff. He’s worked to help us improve our training, data tracking and management, and many other elements of the daily operations at CASA. Contact Ron with any questions you might have about operations at CASA! He would love to hear from you.

Kimberly Vanbebber

Program Director

405-594-3581

Kim has been with CASA of Oklahoma County over six years. She has a Bachelor’s in Social Work. “I love CASA because we are all about the kids,” Kim says, “Our volunteers are some of the most incredible people I have ever met. They give freely of their time and serve some of the most vulnerable children in Oklahoma County. Our CASA volunteers, through tireless effort, are changing lives every day and I am proud to work with them.” Kim encourages people to join up with CASA by becoming a volunteer: “If you want to help a child in need, CASA is the way to do it. Will there be tough days? Probably. Will it be worth it? Absolutely!” Contact Kim with any questions you might have about referrals and program service at CASA! She would love to hear from you.

BC Phillips

Director of Communications and Marketing

405-594-3534

BC has been with CASA of Oklahoma County over five years. He has a BA in Political Science and Government and an MA in Administrative Leadership. BC began his work at CASA as an AmeriCorps Member through a grant program. He loves to paint, play retro video games, and try new foods. His dog, Sam, is a rescue pit named after Oklahoma singer-songwriter Samantha Crain. “As a former foster kid myself, CASA’s mission means a lot to me personally,” says BC, “These are children who so often do not have a voice of their own to speak up with. That volunteer’s extra set of eyes can make all the difference in so many of these cases. I’m proud to tell their stories each and every day.” Contact BC with any questions you might have about marketing and other communications at CASA! He would love to hear from you.

Kathy North

Director of Recruitment

405-594-3384

Kathy has been with CASA of Oklahoma County over nine years. She has a Bachelor’s in Political Science. Contact Kathy with any questions you might have about volunteering at CASA! She would love to hear from you. Kathy is passionate about the mission of child advocacy. Kathy is a lifelong Oklahoman and graduated from Oklahoma City University in 2003. Kathy is an active member of the Junior League of Oklahoma City and Crown Heights United Methodist Church. She is a doting Auntie and enjoys yoga, road trips, scary movies, and her sweet dog, Ginger. “I feel fortunate to spend my days working toward the mission of Child Advocacy,” says Kathy, “The individuals who walk through our doors and are willing to donate their time to advocate for children are the best our community has to offer. CASA is what it looks like when we take responsibility for the welfare of our most vulnerable community members.”

Camila Galeano

Recruitment Specialist

405-724-8012

Camila is a recent graduate from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor’s in Political Science. Boomer! Camila speaks four languages and has travelled to 28 countries. She enjoys spending quality time with her dog, Bowly. “The CASA program is an outstanding voice for vulnerable children and provides quality training and support for their volunteer advocates, a great place to make a difference,” says Camila, “Working at CASA has reinforced my belief that all children have purpose, every life has value and every family has strengths. I have truly enjoyed the opportunity to help those interested in bettering our community begin their journey to become child advocates.” Contact Camila with any questions you might have about volunteering at CASA! She would love to hear from you. Camila habla español.

Nichole Dewberry

Director of Training

405-493-9671

Nichole has been with CASA of Oklahoma County since February 2018. She has a BS in Creative Studies. Before joining CASA, Nichole was the Curriculum Developer for The Center for Early Childhood Professional Development, a body of the College of Continuing Education at Oklahoma University. She worked on creating curriculum for child care providers in Oklahoma. She also worked for the Department of Human Services for nearly 8 years with the Child Care Services Department and had longed to come back to working closer with Oklahoma’s children. With her experience in social work and passion for educating adults, CASA is a perfect fit for Nichole. She believes in our mission statement to advocate for those children who have been abused and neglected. “When we put their best interests first,” Nichole says, “I believe we are making a key difference in the lives of a very special population of Oklahoma’s children.” Contact Nichole with any questions you might have about training at CASA! She would love to hear from you.

Ja’Kee Rivers

Training Specialist

405-594-3561

Ja’Kee has been with CASA of Oklahoma County over two years. He has a Bachelor’s in Graphic Design. Ja’Kee loves to rodeo and ride horses. He spends a lot of free time at home binge watching Frasier, Parks and Rec, and The Office. The Office is a big favorite amongst the staff at CASA! “When doing this kind of work it’s important to check your personal biases at the door. It’s no longer about you and what you want, but what’s in the best interest of that child,” says Ja’Kee, “It’s about whether you can set aside your personal differences to work together in ensuring the permanency, well-being, and overall safety of the child you’re serving.” Contact Ja’Kee with any questions you might have about training at CASA! He would love to hear from you.

Shamekka Marion-Johns

Advocacy Team Leader

405-900-6311

Shamekka has been with CASA of Oklahoma County over five years. She has a BA in Sociology. Mekka supervises volunteers as well as leading part of our Advocacy Supervisor team at CASA! Before joining CASA, Mekka says she “may have briefly been a stay at home mother,” but she joined our organization with a previous child welfare background. Mekka says she was drawn to CASA by her appreciation for its mission to be the eyes and ears of the court and to be the voice of a child in OKDHS custody. To those on the fence about volunteering with CASA, Mekka says: “Just do it.”

Nikki Kinsler

Advocacy Team Leader

405-900-5539

Nikki joined the CASA of Oklahoma County team in January of 2017. She has a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and a Master of Social Work (MSW) both from the University of Oklahoma. Nikki has worked in the field of Child Welfare since 2009, and also served 11 years in the Oklahoma Army National Guard, deploying overseas multiple times in support of both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Nikki supervises volunteers as well as leading part of our Advocacy Supervisor team at CASA! “I love that with CASA, our volunteers have the ability to advocate strictly for the best interest of the kiddos, without having to worry about conflicting agendas,” says Nikki, “The volunteer can simply get to know the child and those who are important in that child’s life, and work to ensure that child has someone in the courtroom who is there just for them.”

Madison Ivy