Our Staff

STAFF

Heather Dion, Executive Director

Heather spent several years working in nonprofit communication and fundraising in the Willamette Valley before moving to Central Oregon. In 2018, she joined CASA of Central Oregon as the Development Director and became the Executive Director in 2020. She is thrilled to work for CASA because she believes that community advocacy and action can give every child a safe and permanent home. Heather has a Bachelor’s degree in communications from Lewis and Clark College and a Masters in Business Administration from Portland State University. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Oregon CASA Network. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, cooking, and spending time with her family.

Jessica Mose, Program Director

A native Oregonian, Jessica as spent the majority of her life living in the state. Jessica’s heart for children in foster care began as a teenager when she started babysitting foster children for a family in her neighborhood. As an adult, Jessica was a foster parent with MapleStar Oregon for 3 years, working mostly with youth involved in the Deschutes County Juvenile Justice system. She is a graduate of OSU Cascades with a degree in Human Development and Family Sciences with an emphasis on Human Services. Jessica came to CASA first as an intern, then served as the Family Find Coordinator and Program Coordinator before her current position. Jessica is glad to be part of a program that strives to help youth achieve relational permanency.

Angelique Zojonc, Development Director

Angelique moved to Redmond from Boise in 2015. She is a graduate of Oregon State University, holding a Bachelor's degree in sociology with an emphasis on crime and justice. Growing up as a child in foster care, Angelique is passionate about advocating for children and excited to join the CASA team. When not in the office, she enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, and cozying up with a puzzle or good book.

Bill Alsdurf, Training and Recruitment Coordinator

Bill has worked as a classroom teacher, school administrator and educational trainer for over 35 years. He was born in Seattle but is proud to call Central Oregon his home. He considers himself lucky to work for CASA because of the relationships he is able to foster with advocates and staff as well as the important support and advocacy that the volunteers provide children and families in our community. Bill's training background has included topics like multiage education, classroom and environmental design and most recently, the use of technology in the classroom for Montessori educators during the pandemic. He spends a majority of his free time working for local community theatre organizations both on stage and behind the scenes as a director.

Meriah Williams, Program Coordinator

Meriah believes strongly in the CASA program and the work the advocates do to help children in foster care. Before joining staff as a program coordinator, Meriah served in both the advocate and peer coordinator roles since 2010. A Central Oregon native, Meriah grew up on her family's cattle ranch in Prineville. She enjoys many activities with her husband and two kids, including camping, rodeo, raising sheep and cows, and 4-H activities. She is a 4-H club leader and secretary of the local 4-H Leader's Association.

Bridget Lane, Program Coordinator

Bridget earned her B.S. in Business Administration with a minor in Psychology from Southern Oregon University before moving to Northern, Washington to start her career in logistics. Later, she moved into Marketing, however as a native Oregonian she always knew her heart was in Oregon. In 2017, she moved her family to Central Oregon where she fell in love with advocacy work. Prior to becoming a program coordinator for CASA, Bridget worked as a program coordinator for N.A.M.I. (National Alliance on Mental Illness). The transition to public service from the business world has been extremely rewarding. Advocating for education regarding mental health, support services, and social service systems has become a passion for her. When not in the office you will find her on her small farm east of Bend working with her horses, rodeoing with her daughters, gardening, and exploring the many hiking trails our area has to offer.

Carly Halsey, Program Coordinator

Carly moved to Central Oregon from Eugene in 2016. She has always strived to do work that advocates and provides resources to children and families in her community. Carly came to CASA after a year working for Child Welfare in Crook County and is currently working towards her Bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Sciences at OSU Cascades. She is very excited to continue to provide support to her community as part of the CASA team. When she is out of the office she enjoys gardening, camping, exploring with her dogs and spending time with her family.

David Rivera, Program Coordinator

David moved to Central Oregon in 2007. He received his B.S. in psychology from the University of Oregon. Prior to his position as a Program Coordinator, he served as the enrollment and match specialist for a local non-profit organization working with at-risk youth. He is ecstatic to be able to continue serving the community as a member of the CASA team. Outside of the office you can find David engaging in a variety of volunteer opportunities and pursuing hobbies such as photography, reading, and spending time with loved ones.

Kristen Martenson, Program Coordinator

Kristen is a native Oregonian growing up on the Oregon Coast. Kristen recently moved to Central Oregon from Portland in April 2023. Kristen graduated with her BA in Social and Behavioral Studies from George Fox University. Prior to her position as Program Coordinator, she has worked with at-risk youth as a Family Permanency Specialist and Independent Living Program case manager. Kristen is passionate about advocating for youth in care and is excited to join CASA of Central Oregon. When not in the office you can find her sketching/painting, hiking, paddle boarding or spending time with family.

Nikki Rieken, Program Coordinator

Nikki earned her Bachelor's degree in Public Health and her Bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Sciences with an emphasis in Human Services from Oregon State University. Nikki's background includes supporting children in a variety of settings; Children's Hospitals, Early Intervention, ABA Therapy, and public schools. She is passionate about advocacy, equitable access to resources, and supporting children and families to feel safe, fulfilled, and happy. Nikki interned for CASA during her undergraduate career and is honored to rejoin the CASA organization. When not in the office, you'll find her spending time with her dog, one-eyed cat, and partner, playing pickleball, puzzling or completing crosswords, and spending time with her family.

Kara Clickett, Family Find Coordinator

Born in Central Oregon, Kara has been lucky enough to call Bend “home” for most of her life. After completing her Bachelor’s in Psychology in Eugene, OR, she moved down to California for three years but promptly returned to be closer to her family and friends. Before becoming a Family Find Coordinator for CASA, Kara was a volunteer for Child Welfare at ODHS and worked as a Youth Recreation Leader for Bend Parks and Recreation. She is passionate about helping children in foster care develop positive, lifelong connections to family and other meaningful people in their lives. Outside of work, Kara loves spending time with her two incredible kiddos, making props for local theatre productions, and going out salsa or west coast swing dancing.

Kaileigh Tuttle, Office Administrator

Kaileigh moved to Bend in 2020 from Moscow, Idaho but is a true army brat and lived all over the U.S. She Graduated from the University of Idaho in 2022 with a BS in Sociology and a Minor in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Kaileigh is thrilled to be joining the CASA team and to be providing support to the greater Central Oregon community. When she is not in office she enjoys the backcountry with her husband, running, and reading.

Staff head shots provided by Nicole Gee Photography.
Nicole provides creative, contemporary portraits for you, your business and your family. She is also a CASA volunteer.

﻿STAFF﻿