At CASA of Southern Illinois, our team is united by a shared passion for advocating on behalf of children in foster care. Led by Executive Director Nannette Evans, our staff works closely with dedicated volunteer advocates and the Board of Directors to ensure every child’s voice is heard in the court system. Advocate Supervisors Jennifer Graul, Lisa Peebles, and Stephanie Carter bring years of experience in advocacy, education, and community resources to guide and support our volunteers as they serve children across the region. Recruitment and Training Specialist Joy Travelstead helps grow our mission by preparing new advocates to step into this vital role with confidence. Together, our team combines professional expertise, compassion, and a deep commitment to giving children in Southern Illinois the stability, safety, and future they deserve.
We seek opportunities, embrace challenges, and accept changes that will improve our work supporting the network. We are willing to adapt our thinking and behavior to address the changing conditions around us.
We collaborate with each other, the national board, state and local programs and other stakeholders to effectively and creatively carry out our mission. We see each other as allies on whom we can rely for support. In the face of difficulties, we remain a team.
We are committed to being responsive, respectful, honest, fair and humane. We address problems directly with each other, immediately. We express appreciation and recognize a job well done.
We respect and celebrate differences and strive to be welcoming.
These volunteers meet monthly to oversee our program’s operations.
President – Beau Detrick, Marion
Vice-President – Brian Smith, Marion
Secretary – Elisha Sanders, Marion
Treasurer – Cody Moake, Marion
Pam King, Marion
Mindy Combs, Carterville
Casheena Stephens, Carterville
Beth Wilson, Marion
Ginger Murray, Carbondale
Whitney Endres, Murphysboro
Heather Thompson, Vienna
Statistics show that children who experience trauma fare better if they have one reliable, consistent adult in their lives. This is where CASA Volunteers help fill the gap.
