Meet our Team OLD

Meet our Team

CASA-NYC Staff

The CASA-NYC staff is a small team of primarily social workers and attorneys who ensure our volunteer Advocates are well trained and supported.

Jennifer Asencio

Assistant Volunteer Coordinator

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Jennifer Asencio

Assistant Volunteer Coordinator

Jennifer has worked in public service for over ten years. Prior to joining CASA in November 2022, Jennifer worked for NYC Health + Hospitals helping families obtain medical financial wellness as a Financial Counselor. Jennifer has a BA from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Humanities and Justice Studies with a triple minor in Philosophy, Psychology, and Law. In addition, she has worked with children and their families as a back up foster parent for seven years.

Annie Benedict, LMSW

Program Director

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Annie Benedict, LMSW

Program Director

Annie first joined CASA in 2015 as an Advocate Supervisor and was promoted to Borough Coordinator for Manhattan and Staten Island in 2017 and to Director of Programs in January 2022. Annie received her M.S.W. from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, with a specialization in Child Welfare, in May 2014 and a B.A. in Psychology and Child Development from Tufts University in May 2008. As a graduate student, Annie interned at Brooklyn Community Services providing family counseling and preventive services. She has conducted ongoing research with families in the NYC child welfare system, in collaboration with the Research Foundation of CUNY and the Silberman School of Social Work.

Sophie Binns

Development & Communications Coordinator

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Sophie Binns

Development & Communications Coordinator

Sophie joined CASA-NYC in March of 2022. She was a Development & Communications Associate at CASES (Center for Alternative Sentencing & Employment Services) for two and a half years prior to joining CASA-NYC. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in Public Health.

Alison Caspi, LMSW

Director of Operations and Quality Assurance

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Alison Caspi, LMSW

Director of Operations and Quality Assurance

Alison received her M.S.W. from New York University in May 2007, and a B.A. in Psychology from University of Massachusetts-Amherst in May 2005. Prior to joining CASA-NYC in 2015, Alison was a Social Worker at The Children’s Law Center in the Bronx, as well as a Youth Residence Social Worker at Family Services of Westchester in upstate New York. She also became certified in Seminar In Field Instruction (SIFI) in January of 2015.

Meaghan Ford, LMSW

Director of Advocacy

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Meaghan Ford, LMSW

Director of Advocacy

Meaghan began at CASA as an Advocate Supervisor in the Brooklyn Family Court in 2016, after earning her MSW from Columbia University. She was promoted to Brooklyn Borough Coordinator in 2019 and to Director of Advocacy in January 2022. In this role, she is responsible for supervising the four Borough Coordinators and ensuring the delivery of high quality advocacy for the children and families we serve.

Kaleigh Galvin, LMSW

Brooklyn Advocate Supervisor

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Kaleigh Galvin, LMSW

Brooklyn Advocate Supervisor

Kaleigh joined CASA-NYC in February, 2022 as an Advocate Supervisor in Brooklyn. In this role she coordinates with volunteers to provide direct services to children and youth in foster care. Kaleigh graduated from Columbia School of Social Work in 2021 and became a LMSW in 2021 as well. Prior to joining CASA-NYC, Kaleigh worked at New York Lawyer's for the Public Interest (NYLPI) as the social worker on the Health and Immigration Justice team. Kaleigh also spent a year interning at NYLPI, and prior to that interned at Family Centers Inc. in Connecticut. Before beginning her social work career, Kaleigh graduated from St. Lawrence University with a major in Environmental Sociology.

Colin Gilland, Esq.

Manhattan/Staten Island Borough Coordinator & Policy Coordinator

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Colin Gilland, Esq.

Manhattan/Staten Island Borough Coordinator & Policy Coordinator

Colin has served as Advocate Supervisor in CASA's Manhattan & Staten Island program since January 2019, and in 2021 took on the additional role of Policy Coordinator. In January 2022 he was promoted to Borough Coordinator for Manhattan and Staten Island. Colin received his JD from Brooklyn law school in 2013 and while in law school interned in the Legal Aid Society's criminal defense and juvenile rights practices. Prior to joining CASA he served as an advocate and mentor for at-risk youth with Friends of the Children New York, and as a legal fellow at the Center for Family Representation.

Katrina Greene, MS

Volunteer Coordinator

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Katrina Greene, MS

Volunteer Coordinator

Katrina received her Master of Science in Nonprofit Management with a concentration in Project Management from Northeastern University in 2018. Prior to joining CASA-NYC, Katrina worked at the Young Adult Institute (YAI) as the Assistant Supervisor at one of the supportive apartments providing direct care to individuals with mild to severe Intellectual Developmental Disabilities. She enjoys learning and experiencing new cultures and has a strong passion for advocating for families and individuals whose voices have been minimized or not heard.

Kimberly Hernandez

Advocate Supervisor

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Kimberly Hernandez

Advocate Supervisor

Kimberly joined CASA-NYC with 10 years of relevant work experience in social services. Prior to joining CASA-NYC, Kimberly was a Senior Case Planner, Group Leader, and a Program Aide with Good Shepherd Services. She also worked as a substitute Pre-K Lead Teacher with special needs children. Kimberly received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the City College of New York. Kimberly specializes in working with low income families and providing them the best resources available for reunification. She plans to continue advocating for youths and families in care.

Pamela Howard, Esq.

Advocate Supervisor

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Pamela Howard, Esq.

Advocate Supervisor

Pamela has many years of experience practicing law in New York State Family Courts. Her areas of expertise include child welfare and intimate partner violence. She has a B.A. in history and psychology from Macalester College and a JD from Georgetown University Law Center.

Sussana Justo, MSW, MSCJ

Bronx Borough Coordinator

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Sussana Justo, MSW, MSCJ

Bronx Borough Coordinator

Sussana has seven years of experience in engaging and supporting families in crisis. Prior to joining CASA-NYC in April 2020, Sussana worked at a women's shelter operated by Help USA, and most recently as a Supervisor for the Therapeutic Family Foster Care department at Good Shepherd Services. She holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice and is currently pursuing her Masters in Social Work. In addition to supervising a team of volunteer Advocates in our Bronx program, she will facilitate our Pregnant and Parenting Youth groups and trainings for advocates specializing in working with young parents.

Suweba Kabiru, MSW

Advocate Supervisor

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Suweba Kabiru, MSW

Advocate Supervisor

Suweba joined CASA-NYC in March 2022 with 14 years of experience in the fields of child welfare, domestic violence, youth and family services. Prior to joining CASA, Suweba worked at Cardinal McCloskey Community Services as a Health Care Integrator Supervisor for 9 years, at Rising Ground as a Case Planner Supervisor, and at St. Dominic's Home as a Case Planner. Suweba also worked with Domestic Violence victims and survivors within Muslim Community at Turning Point for Women and Family. Suweba received her MSW from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College 2007 and B.A in Social Work from Lehman College in 2006.

Kayla Lipscomb, BA

Events & Individual Giving Coordinator

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Kayla Lipscomb, BA

Events & Individual Giving Coordinator

Kayla has worked in advocacy and events for five years. She began her career at Planned Parenthood as a Community Organizer. She mobilized her community to register to vote and advocate for their healthcare. Kayla has organized events since 2018 for industries varying from advocacy, corporate, and entertainment. She is a first-generation graduate of Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia.

Jacqueline Medina

Administrative Assistant

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Jacqueline Medina

Administrative Assistant

Jacqueline comes to CASA-NYC with over 25 years of experience in the non-profit sector. Prior to joining CASA-NYC in January 2018, she was at the Children's Aid Society for 10 years as the Executive Assistant to the CEO and to the Director of the Juvenile Justice Department. Earlier, Jacqueline spent more than 15 years with the Children's Tumor Foundation, where she was the Executive Assistant to the CEO and Director of Administration. She enjoys organizing and her passion is to continue working with youth, whom she previously has mentored to successful paths.

Kerry Moles, LMSW

Executive Director

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Kerry Moles, LMSW

Executive Director

Kerry joined CASA in November 2015 with 25 years’ experience working in the fields of child welfare, youth development and domestic violence. Prior to joining CASA, Kerry worked at the Children’s Aid Society for nearly 15 years. There she was the founding Director of the Family Wellness Program, which serves families impacted by domestic violence, with a focus on families involved in the child welfare system. Her most recent role at Children’s Aid was as Deputy Director of the Division of Child Welfare and Family Services, where she oversaw a range of programs serving justice system involved youth, youth aging out of foster care, and families impacted by domestic violence.

Prior to joining Children’s Aid, Kerry did direct service work in residential facilities for children and youth, and worked extensively in the areas of rape crisis and domestic violence/teen dating violence prevention and intervention. Kerry is the author of The Teen Relationship Workbook (2001), The Relationship Workbook (2003) and Strategies for Anger Management (2003) and trains nationally on the intersection of domestic violence and child welfare systems. She has served as adjunct professor at the Columbia University School of Social Work since 2011.

Alexa Montenegro, LCSW

Advocate Supervisor/Mental Health Care Access Coordinator

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Alexa Montenegro, LCSW

Advocate Supervisor/Mental Health Care Access Coordinator

Alexa joined CASA-NYC in May 2021 as an Advocate Supervisor in the Bronx. She began serving as our Mental Health Care Access Coordinator in Manhattan in May 2022. She is responsible for leveraging volunteers in providing direct services to children and youth in foster care. Prior to CASA-NYC, Alexa provided outpatient mental health services to youth and families at Northside Center for Child Development, with a special focus on attachment-focused therapy for young children and the adults in their lives. She has nearly 10 years of experience in providing behavioral therapy, anti-trafficking support, and mental health services to NYC families. Alexa received her BA in Human Development from Sonoma State University and her MSW from NYU’s Silver School of Social Work.

Destiny Moura

Youth Fellow

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Destiny Moura

Youth Fellow

Destiny joined CASA-NYC in April 2022 as a Youth Fellow. She is a former foster care youth who is now pursuing her social work degree. Destiny will be influencing and coordinating CASA-NYC’s first Youth Advisory Board.

Hilary Neher, LMSW,

Brooklyn Borough Coordinator

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Hilary Neher, LMSW,

Brooklyn Borough Coordinator

Hilary joined CASA in 2019 as an Advocate Supervisor in the Brooklyn Family Court, and was promoted to Brooklyn Borough Coordinator in January 2022. Hilary received a BSW from Rutgers University and an MSW from The Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College in 2013. Since then, she has worked with many different populations including youth and families and those involved in the child welfare and criminal justice systems. Most of Hilary’s experience in social work has been on holistic defense teams, both in the criminal and family court sphere. She advocated for parents in abuse and neglect proceedings in family court and most recently, she served as a forensic social worker in the Legal Aid Society’s Criminal Defense Practice supporting clients in Kings County Criminal Court and Supreme Court.

Katherine Pineyro

Advocate Supervisor

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Katherine Pineyro

Advocate Supervisor

Katherine has seven years of experience in engaging with Unaccompanied Alien Children through the Office of Refugee and Resettlement. Prior to joining CASA-NYC in April of 2022, Katherine expanded her skills in agencies such as Catholic Guardian Services, and most recently Cayuga Centers as a UAC FBH/TBH Assistant Director of Case Management. She holds a Bachelor in Behavioral Science from Mercy College. Katherine specializes in undocumented families and is fluent in Spanish.

Caroline Richardson, BS

Advocate Supervisor

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Caroline Richardson, BS

Advocate Supervisor

Caroline received a B.S. in Psychology at the College of Charleston in 2019 and is currently pursuing a Masters in Youth Studies at CUNY School of Professional Studies. Prior to joining CASA-NYC in April 2023, Caroline worked as a Foster Care Case Planner at JCCA before moving into the role of Program Quality Specialist for the Foster Care and Residential Programs at JCCA and Preventive Program at Vibrant Emotional Health.

Raymeri Sanchez, LMSW

Advocate Supervisor

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Raymeri Sanchez, LMSW

Advocate Supervisor

Raymeri joined CASA-NYC in November of 2022 with over 6 years of experience in child welfare. Prior to joining CASA-NYC, Raymeri was a Social Work Supervisor, Kinship Navigator and Case Planner with Good Shepherd Services. Raymeri received her bachelor's degree from Hunter College and MSW from Fordham University in 2020. Raymeri became a LMSW in 2021. Raymeri's continuing passion in working with children and families aligns with the mission of ensuring children and youth have their needs met and rights protected while in foster care.

Santella Waller, MS

Queens Borough Coordinator and Educational Advocate

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Santella Waller, MS

Queens Borough Coordinator and Educational Advocate

Santella received a Master’s Degree in School Counseling from Long Island University in 2007 and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Binghamton University in 2005. Most recently, Santella worked at Children’s Aid Society from 2013 to 2018 where she held positions as an Educational Specialist as well as a Supervisor in their Teen Foster Care Program. Through her education and her professional experience, Santella has become an expert in educational advocacy for younger foster children as well as older youth. Santella found her passion for working with youth in the child welfare system while working with CASA in 2007 as an Americorps VISTA member in Montana.

Rosie Williams

Recruitment Specialist

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Rosie Williams

Recruitment Specialist

Rosie joined CASA in December 2022. She has lived experience in foster care and is a passionate advocate for youth in the foster care system. Over the past decade Rosie has worked with many non-profits advocating for youth in foster care including You Gotta Believe!, Fostering for Change and the Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York. Rosie has experience training prospective foster parents, child welfare professionals and CASA volunteers. Rosie completed many hours of trauma training and facilitated trainings and workshops based on emotional intelligence, and trauma. She was a founding member of CASA-NYC’s Youth Leadership Council and more recently a member of CASA’s Youth Advisory Board.

Victoria Shadle Williams, MS

Director of Development & Communications

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Victoria Shadle Williams, MS

Director of Development & Communications

Victoria came to CASA-NYC in January 2022 after serving most recently as Associate Director of Individual and Corporate Engagement at The Opportunity Network. Previously she worked in development roles at Harlem Children's Zone, Ballet Hispanico and Irish Arts Center. Victoria earned her Master’s in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University and has returned as an Associate Instructor for nonprofit ethics, governance, and fundraising courses.