Our Staff

STAFF

Heather Dion, Executive Director

Heather came to Bend in 2017 from the Willamette Valley, where she spent several years working in nonprofit communication and fundraising. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Lewis and Clark College and an MBA from Portland State University. Heather is thrilled to work for CASA because she believes that community advocacy and action can give every child a safe and permanent home. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, kayaking, cooking, and spending time with her family.

Amy Martin, Program Director

Amy has spent over 15 years serving the Central Oregon community. During her time working in child welfare as a caseworker and a supervisor, she has seen first hand the value that CASA brings to our community by being a voice for our most vulnerable. Amy is passionate about continuing to work with children and families and is thrilled to be a member of the CASA team. When not at work you can find her in her apiary playing with one of her bee hives or digging in the dirt planting and growing.

Jessica Mose, Program Coordinator

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. After completing her internship with CASA and the Family Finding program in December 2015, Jessica began working as the Family Finding Coordinator and in 2021 became a CASA Program Coordinator. Jessica is glad to be part of a program that strives to help youth achieve relational permanency.

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.

Alisha Zander, Program Coordinator

Alisha is a native Oregonian who received her Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from OSU Cascades. Before joining the CASA staff as a Program Coordinator, she worked as a Program Manager for an in-patient residential treatment facility for adolescent girls here in Bend. Alisha is tremendously excited to be a part of the CASA team and to assist advocates in giving children a voice. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, watching scary movies, and (depending on the season) cheering on the New England Patriots.

Paige Smith, Program Coordinator

In 2019, Paige relocated from Washington State to Oregon. After relocating to Oregon, she spent about a year and half working for Child Welfare as a caseworker, experiencing first hand the impacts that the Foster Care system has on Oregon's youth. Prior to moving to Oregon, Paige received a dual degree from Western Washington University in Psychology and Anthropology, with an emphasis in childhood development and human culture. While in Washington, Paige worked with various local nonprofit organizations to advocate and support homeless youth in King and Whatcom County. Paige is passionate about the advocacy of children, and is honored to be a part of the CASA organization. When not in the office, you can find Paige skiing at Bachelor, kayaking, or hiking the cascades with her rescue dog, Sven.

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.

Kristina Florin, Training and Recruitment Coordinator

Kristina came to Bend from Wisconsin in 2016. She started as a CASA volunteer in 2017 and is honored to be a voice for kids in foster care. Kristina is a graduate of Minnesota State University Mankato with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Corrections. As Training Coordinator, she can pursue her passion of education and personal development. When she isn't at her desk, you'll find her brunching with friends, training for some crazy distance triathlon, or enjoying all that Central Oregon has to offer.

Angelique Zojonc, Office Manager

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..

Julie White, Family Find Coordinator

Julie came to Bend from Boise, Idaho in 2018. She is a graduate of the Univesity of Colorado, Boulder with a BA in Anthropology and the University of Montana, Missoula with a Masters in Social Work. She started as an advocate with CASA in 2019 and was very excited to be hired as the Family Find Coordinator in February, 2021. In her free time Julie enjoys traveling and spending time in Central Oregon hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing and skiing.

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.

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