About VOICES
What Does Voices For CASA Children Do?
VOICES supports child advocacy so children can thrive and have more positive outcomes while in foster care.
Voices for CASA Children is a 501(c)(3) organization that brings a voice to Arizona’s children by promoting and supporting volunteer advocacy for children who have experienced abuse or neglect, and public awareness of the importance of safe and permanent homes for all children. VOICES is an affiliate of the National CASA Organization.
Each year, we are encouraged by the focus Arizona currently has on ensuring all children have a safe, loving and permanent home. We are also inspired by the amazing people we meet each day who care so much and are dedicated to action.
Are you ready to take action? Join Voices for CASA Children as a volunteer, become an advocate or donate today. It is up to us… we are for the children!
Are you Ready to Become a CASA Volunteer?
Voices for CASA Children Board of Directors
Trista Guzman
President
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Trista Guzman Glover joined the Board of Directors at Voices for CASA Children in 2019. She has worked extensively in government and policy, serving the State of Arizona for 11 years under two gubernatorial administrations. Trista currently works at a lobbying and government affairs firm. She is a proud ASU Double Devil, having earned her Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Master of Public Administration. Her passions include health and human services policy, particularly child welfare. Trista lives in Mesa with her husband, sweet son, and three dogs.
Charlene Ross
Vice President
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Charlene Ross joined the Board of Directors in 2022. She has worked extensively in the child welfare system for over a decade. Through advocacy with her private firm and also with the Office of the Attorney General, Charlene has had the opportunity to impact the lives of so many children and families who are navigating a challenging experience. Charlene believes CASA Volunteers are an invaluable piece of the child welfare puzzle. She enjoys the diverse perspectives of the Board members and also appreciates the chance to collaborate on a subject matter she is so passionate about.
Charlene and her husband are always busy with their three children and all their extracurricular activities, but in the “off-seasons,” they enjoy vacationing, family road trips, and hanging with their two dogs.
Deborah Heller
Secretary
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Debbie joined the VOICES Board in August 2022. She served as a CASA volunteer in the Maricopa County CASA program first from 1994-96, then returned in 2006. In 2013 she also became a Peer Coordinator in that Program, which is a role that helps supervise other CASA volunteers. Debbie has advocated for 8+ children. Although Debbie’s case load has included young children, her focus is on serving teen girls who through no fault of their own, typically remain in DCS care until they “age out” of the system at 18 years of age.
Debbie retired in April 2022 from a long career as a paralegal for a Phoenix law firm. Debbie’s passion and energy is directed to helping all children as they are the future.
Macy Omli
Treasurer
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Macy graduated from the University of Kansas where she obtained a bachelors in accounting. Her accounting career thus far has ranged from taxes, to private accounting, to now public accounting. In public accounting, she worked as an auditor at Baker Tilly for not-for-profit organizations. She is excited to join the board of Voices for CASA Children because she strongly believes that every child deserves to feel seen, heard, and loved.
Lori Blaine
Board Member
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Lori has experience as a public school classroom teacher for 26 years. Ten of those years were spent teaching in a Title 1 setting with at risk youth. Her personal experience with adoption along with her extensive professional experience with our most vulnerable children give her unique insight into the challenges that many children face. She is passionate about ensuring that every child has access to quality education and the support they need to succeed. With two children of her own, she is committed to creating a brighter future for the next generation.
Jenna Devlin
Board Member
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Jenna Devlin joined the Board of Directors at Voices for CASA Children in 2022.
Jenna obtained her Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management from ASU where she was involved in Kappa Alpha Theta and was first introduced to CASA. Theta encouraged members to create positive change in their communities through hands-on volunteering and fundraising. National CASA/GAL Association for Children is Theta’s official philanthropy and fueled her passion for child advocacy.
While her career took her to Nebraska, she continued to grow her passion through her mentorship work with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Once returning to Arizona she joined the Phoenix Kappa Alpha Theta Alumnae Chapter where she has served as the Service and Philanthropy Chair since 2019. This position allowed her to directly engage with Voices for CASA and see the amazing impact that they are having in the lives of children in our community. She is proud to help share the importance of safe and permanent homes for all children.
Jenna enjoys her corporate career in supply chain management and currently works at onsemi. Outside of work she and her husband are busy chasing around their 3 year old daughter and 1 year old son.
Lawrence Falvey
Board Member
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Lawrence Falvey joined the VOICES Board in 2023 after donating time as a VOICES volunteer and then as a valuable staff member serving in various roles including community outreach. He has been a Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteer in the CASA of Maricopa County Program for several years. Lawrence brings with him a wealth of knowledge and insight as an advocate and community member.
Nathan Gallinat
Board Member
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Nathan joined the VOICES Board in 2023. Inspired by experiences working with children of underserved populations while attending college at Gonzaga, Nathan has developed a deep commitment to CASA. Nathan interned with Denver CASA while attending law school at Notre Dame, and while living in New Mexico served as a CASA with Mesilla Valley CASA. He subsequently relocated to Arizona and is grateful to be a part of VOICES and to serve alongside such caring individuals that strive to better the lives of children in our community.
Nathan is an Associate Attorney at Warner Angle Hallam Jackson & Formanek PLC, a full-service law firm that provides legal counsel and representation to businesses, corporations, and individuals in diverse practice areas ranging from transactional representation to litigation.
Natalie Moreira
Board Member
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In 2020, Natalie became a Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteer in the CASA of Maricopa program and had since successfully advocated for four young children. In 2021, Natalie jumped at the opportunity to join the Voices for CASA Children’s Board of Directors. She saw this opportunity as a means to further her reach in supporting those that provide a voice for the children that need it most.
Having experience as a child with the Department of Child Services, inspired Natalie from a young age to pursue child welfare. Becoming a CASA further ignited Natalie’s passion for making a more significant difference in the education system and the lives of at-risk youth. Natalie currently works at a Title 1 school as a first-year educator and second-grade teacher. As an educator, Natalie supports the most vulnerable populations by enriching the students’ lives and advocating for change. She believes every child and family deserves an equal life opportunity and a loving home.
Natalie holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Social and Human Science through California State University Fullerton. She is finishing her Master’s in Elementary Education through the ASU Mary Lou Fulton Teachers Academy.
Natalie is driven to provide the love and support she feels every child deserves and is honored to be a part of the Voices for CASA for Children Board of Directors.
Natalie is a mom to three young children. She enjoys spending time with her husband and three children in her free time, snuggling up to a good book, and making a difference whenever possible.
Mary Ramirez
Board Member
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Mary Ramirez joined the Voices for CASA Children Board of Directors in 2014. She has always had a passion for helping the most vulnerable, and the mission of Voices for CASA Children piqued her interest because of its existence to assist children who come from unstable home environments. A native Arizonan who didn’t have much growing up compared to others, Mary says that despite circumstances she always had a safe and loving home. Now as an adult, she enjoys giving back and increasing awareness of the positive, life-changing impact a CASA volunteer can make in the life of a foster child. Mary’s passion for the community and coming to the aid of others has been an integral part of her life. Mary obtained a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from ASU and was involved in various organizations focused upon community service during her college years. Mary’s professional history centers in the nonprofit world, and currently she holds a career with the City of Phoenix working on homelessness issues. Mary shares, “I have been blessed to see the growth of Voices for CASA Children, from the time I began volunteering many years ago, to today. I hope to see VOICES continue to grow even further to witness reaching its goal of ensuring every child in foster care as a CASA volunteer by their side.”
George Turner
Board Member
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George Turner currently chairs the VOICES Policy Champions & Influencer Outreach Workgroup. He joined the VOICES Board in 2018 after learning about the organization and meeting Board members at Statewide CASA Support Council meetings. He currently also serves as Governing Board President for Navajo County Friends of CASA and divides his time between his Pinetop and Scottsdale homes. George and his family retired to the Pinetop area after a 33-year career with Motorola Inc., which included assignments in the Phoenix area, Chicago, and Seoul, South Korea. He has always been interested in the education and welfare of children, and served on the Board for Blue Ridge Unified School District for ten years, including seven years as its President. George and his wife, Liz, have two grown daughters both living and working in the Phoenix area. George enjoys most sports, is a semi-serious golfer, an avid reader, loves cars and motorcycles, and enjoys traveling.
Kirsten Wright
Board Emeritus
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Kirsten joined the VOICES Board in 2019 and currently serves as Board President. She brings with her a depth of understanding of child welfare advocacy, both professionally and from involvement in the nonprofit sector. Kirsten began her legal career working for a small firm representing parents and children in dependency and severance actions. In 2011, she joined the Office of the Arizona Attorney General, Protective Services Section, representing the Department of Child Safety in dependency.
For 8 years Kirsten maintained a law practice of her own representing children and parents involved in dependency and severance cases and advocated for Arizona families. Kirsten has recently returned to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office as the Division Chief over Child and Family Protection. In addition to being a champion in the field of child welfare, she is an Arizona native and a die-hard Wildcats fan!
The VOICES Team
Robin Pearson
Executive Director
(Co-Founder)
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Robin Pearson is the Executive Director, a founding member and the prior Board Vice President of Voices for CASA Children. She began as a volunteer child advocate in 2010 for the CASA of Maricopa County program and believes every child deserves a chance to thrive. Robin’s background as a corporate executive for EDS and America West Airlines prepared her to bring the business and collaboration skills needed to grow the community of support for children in foster care. Robin grew up in Scottsdale and has three grandchildren.
Victoria Strayer
Director of Governance & Child Welfare Relations
(Co-Founder)
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Victoria Strayer is Co-Founder and previous Board President of Voices for CASA Children. She served as a CASA volunteer and Peer Coordinator in the CASA of Maricopa County program. Victoria is passionate in her commitment to promote positive outcomes for all youth in State Dependency and the importance of resilient and supported families.
After being a dedicated champion for 11 years, Victoria joined the VOICES staff as Co-Executive Director. She collaborates with staff and community leadership to strengthen the CASA volunteer experience and bring the positive impact of CASA volunteers to more children. Victoria sits on various advisory committees focused on actionable improvements in child welfare, as well as elevating community awareness, understanding and inclusion.
Victoria retired (early) from a career in financial services as SVP of Risk and Compliance at Global Payments, a leading world-wide payments technology company. Victoria has two daughters, four grandchildren and is an Arizona native.
Diane Gardner
Child Enrichment Director
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Diane Gardner joined the VOICES team in 2018 with great enthusiasm leading Child Enrichment. Diane retired from a 34-year career in technology, most recently serving as the Chief Information (Technology) Officer for the City of Mesa. Having volunteered for a variety of non-profit organizations during her career, she is delighted to be able to focus her time on VOICES’ critical mission in support of Arizona’s children. Diane loves traveling with her family, playing with her granddaughters and planning the next party!
Stacey Knudtson
CASA Program Manager
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Stacey Knudtson realized a lifelong dream of advocating for abused, neglected and marginalized children when she joined Voices for CASA Children in 2022 as a Program Coordinator. In addition to her passion for service, she leverages the strategic, program management, training and organizational leadership skills expertise she gained from her wonderful career in information technology at the City of Mesa, including her most recent tenure as a Deputy Chief Information Officer. Outside of coordinating continuing education and other opportunities for our amazing CASAs, she loves cheering on her grandson at his baseball games, taking (and chasing) her toddler granddaughter at the park, and enjoying a zany menagerie of two horses, a lively goat and three cats. Most importantly, Stacey is now actively becoming a CASA, and looks forward to giving a voice and hope to the precious children in her future.
Cameron Tevis
Marketing Manager
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Cameron joined the VOICES team January of 2022 as the Marketing Manager. Cameron is an Arizona native who has spent the last 22 years working as a Graphic Designer, Creative Director, Art Director, Videographer, Marketer and Marketing Manager. In addition to his creative background, Cameron also enjoys being fit and is a certified Personal Trainer. In his spare time Cameron loves traveling with his family, writing, and illustrating.
Curt Beames
Accounting Specialist
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Curt joined the VOICES team in August of 2021 as the Accounting Specialist. An Arizona native, Curt spent 10 years in Information Technology prior to focusing on his career in accounting where he’s now worked for 12 years. In his spare time, Curt enjoys being with friends and family and checking out local music shows or trying new restaurants. He also loves cooking at home and trying new culinary techniques. Curt has a passion for hiking and is proud to share that he accomplished making it to the Everest Base Camp Hike.
Amy Downing
Social Media Specialist
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Amy serves as the Social Media Specialist for VOICES. Amy was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri and graduated from Depaul University in Chicago in 2018 with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. Since graduating, she has explored several different avenues in the Marketing field. In Chicago, Amy served as an Account Executive on the agency side, working with global brands in both shopper and event Marketing. Having moved to Phoenix in 2022, she now enjoys working as a freelance social media manager for locally-owned small businesses. In her free time she loves to go on hikes with her husband, hang out with her two kitties, and both teach and take barre classes (she is a certified barre instructor)!
Tiffany Hunter
Child Enrichment Specialist
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Tiffany Hunter joins the Voices for CASA Children team as a Child Enrichment Specialist. Tiffany is a native to Arizona and graduated from Arizona State University, Sum Cum Laude with a Bachelors in Social Work. Tiffany has been a CASA for over six years. For the past 20+ years, Tiffany has been hosting and producing a local television program, The Home Hunter, on ABC-15 with her mother. Tiffany has been volunteering at her two sons’ schools throughout the years as well as other nonprofits around the Valley. Tiffany is excited to be a part of the VOICES team to help with Child Enrichment! Outside of VOICES, Tiffany enjoys traveling, playing volleyball with her husband and spending time with her family.
Denise Serro
Outreach Coordinator
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Denise is a program coordinator for VOICES, with an emphasis on recruitment of volunteers and development. Denise has lived in Arizona for most of her life and attended the University of Arizona where she got her degree in Child and Family Studies. Her passion for helping underprivileged youth began in college, but it wasn’t until she had her own child with special needs that she realized just how important it is for children without a voice to have a strong advocate by their side. Becoming a CASA volunteer was the perfect opportunity for her to use those skills to stand beside children in the foster care system. Before joining VOICES, Denise worked as a transaction coordinator for a busy real estate team. In her free time, Denise enjoys traveling, running, hiking, and spending time with her horses, her husband and her 3 grown children.
Micaela Tracy
Training & Education Coordinator
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Micaela serves the VOICES team as the Training & Education Coordinator. Micaela was born and raised in Arizona but spent the last decade in Los Angeles, where she received her Masters in Social Work. Working at a residential treatment facility for teen girls, Micaela witnessed the great need for quality foster homes and advocates for children within the child welfare system. As a foster/ adoptive parent herself, Micaela has dedicated her life and career to making sure that every child has the support and connections they need to thrive. Micaela now lives in Gilbert with her husband and two young children. In her free time she enjoys playing board games, listening to podcasts, and having impromptu dance parties with her rambunctious family.
Austin Truitt
Development Coordinator
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Austin is the Development Specialist at VOICES. He also supports the Child Enrichment program and performs various other duties that are important to our day-to-day operations He was born and raised in Littleton, Colorado, before coming to Arizona to attend Arizona State University. Austin graduated from ASU in 2018 with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and a certificate in Marketing and Sales Essentials. During his junior and senior years, he was the Development Chair for Camp Kesem at ASU, a non-profit organization that supports children who have had a parent with cancer. To gain experience in a different field, in the summer of 2018, Austin performed marketing work for C-IN, a congress planning agency located in Prague, Czech Republic. In his free time, Austin likes to attend concerts and music festivals with his friends and family. His favorite quote is “A few people of integrity can go a long way.”
Additional Volunteer Opportunities
A small amount of your time can go a long way to bringing a voice to a child in foster care.
Being a Court Appointed Special Advocate may not be right for everyone, we understand. Yet there are many ways to be a voice for children in foster care that provide impactful work through volunteering with VOICES.
Become a volunteer with Voices for CASA Children and collaborate with a community of individuals who are passionate, trustworthy, and focused on giving children in foster care a voice and a brighter future. Our staff and volunteers are energetic, welcoming, and committed to creating volunteer experiences that are meaningful and fullfilling.
We are for the children. With your help, we can make a difference in every child’s life who needs it.
Please click the blue button below to fill out a form, and the VOICES Volunteer Coordinator will coordinate next steps!
Contact Us
Tel: (480) 685-4888
Email: info@voicesforcasachildren.org
Address: 4300 N Miller Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Main Office: Suite 116
Advocacy center: Suite 101
Office Hours: By appointment only