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The Staff of CASA of Santa Cruz County |
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 Cynthia Druley Executive Director |
Since moving here in 1986, Cynthia considers Santa Cruz her home and cannot imagine living anywhere else. Starting her professional life in the high tech industry, she acquired skills beneficial to her service over the last 20 years in leadership roles at local non-profits. She was a founding board member and Executive Director of Triangle Speakers and managed admissions, outreach, marketing and communications programs for two local non-profit schools. She has a B.A. from Oberlin College and serves on the Board of the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County. She has an adult son and lives with her partner of 18 years, who thoroughly enjoys the results of her passion for cooking. |
 Juan Ascencio Advocate Supervisor & Court Liaison |
Born in Jalisco, Mexico, Juan has lived in Santa Cruz since 1986. A graduate of UC Santa Cruz Juan has an extensive background in working with youth and their families. His most recent job was working as a Mental Health Client Specialist through Youth Services. In that position, he worked with youth in the juvenile probation department, ensuring that youth stayed “on track” with positive social and educational goals. He also supported their families in the process. He has a great deal of knowledge of community resources, the schools and working with other community agencies. |
 Linda Bixby Development Director |
Before joining CASA Linda's professional life was spent in journalism, including ten years as a contributing feature writer for USA Today. She is a native of Portland, Oregon and has a B.A. in English from Portland State University. Linda has a long history of service to nonprofits for children, literacy and the arts. She became a CASA Advocate in 2004 and served as a volunteer until joining the staff in 2006. She is active in the arts community, loves traveling in Mexico and elsewhere, enjoys reading, writing and singing in the Cabrillo College West Side Choir. She has two wonderful daughters and a much loved son-in-law, and lives in Santa Cruz with her yellow lab Joey.
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 Lois Keiser Advocate Supervisor & Older Youth Specialist |
Lois joined CASA with 20 years of experience in social work for the state of Vermont, where she worked with children, youth and families. Her prior experience included several years working in a private psychiatric facility. Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Lois settled in Santa Cruz four years ago to be near her three adult children and to experience the adventures of living on the West Coast. Lois lives in Aptos with her crazy cat Hershey. She enjoys all outdoor activities, particularly camping, boating, hiking, biking and beaching, reading, writing and live music. |
 Fred Koehler Advocate Supervisor & Trainer |
Fred was born and raised in Los Angeles but had the good sense to move to Santa Cruz 30 years ago. He owned and operated restaurant and catering businesses and worked in the corporate world of high tech manufacturing. He is a former CASA Advocate and has worked in the non-profit world for many years. He was president of the board for Native Images helping to link youth and artist mentors. He produced and organized workshops, teaching and speaking events for two Native American elders and worked on the establishment of an American Indian educational and cultural foundation. For the last nine years he has worked with the Mankind Project; teaching, coaching and facilitating personal growth work in small groups as well as trainings and workshops of all sizes with a focus on integrity, emotional literacy and personal responsibility. Fred lives in Felton with his furry friends June and Fergus.  
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Danielle grew up in Santa Cruz County in the small community of Corralitos. She graduated from Aptos High School and attended San Francisco State University where she graduated with a degree in Communications. Before coming to CASA of Santa Cruz County she worked for The David and Lucile Packard Foundation and a few venture capital firms. In her off time she enjoys spending time with friends and family and of course Jody, her family pet.
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 Alisia Murphy Volunteer Coordinator |
Alisia joined CASA in August of 2009 as an advocate and since then has graduated from San Jose State University with her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work. During her undergraduate studies she interned with Santa Cruz City Schools providing counseling to local children and youth in transition from foster care, homelessness, and migrant populations. She hopes to one day obtain her Master’s in Social Work but in the meantime enjoys spending time with her family and friends in her native home of Santa Cruz. |
 Alma Rocha Education Liaison & Advocate Supervisor |
Alma Rocha was born in Salinas, CA. She comes from a migrant farm working family background. She has a B.A. in Collaborative Health and Human Services with a concentration in Social Work from CSU Monterey Bay and a M.A. degree in Education-Counseling and Student Personnel and a Pupil Personnel Services Credential from San Jose State University.
Prior to coming to CASA she worked as a Family Advocate and has extensive knowledge of working with students who were considered "at-risk" and their families within K-12 public schools and college level within Monterey County.
She brings compassion, respect, and motivation to underrepresented children, youth, and adults while providing both guidance and advocacy in order to assure that all individuals of at any age can continue into higher education.
When Alma is not working, she enjoys spending family time with her beloved husband Juan Carlos Rocha and their adorable 2 year-old son Noah Rocha. |
 Allison Sutton Administrative Manager |
Allison began her work for CASA as an undergraduate at Arizona State University. There she raised money for the children of CASA’s Phoenix Chapter through a campus philanthropic group. After graduating in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Justice and Social Inquiry, Allison moved back to her hometown in Southern California and worked for a boutique Family Law Firm. After visiting her brother in beautiful Santa Cruz, she decided to move. She spent her first 4 years in Santa Cruz managing a local restaurant. She became a CASA advocate in the Fall of 2007 and became a staff member in September of 2008. Allison lives in Santa Cruz with her husband and canine daughter, Pu’a Lani. 
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| Board of Directors: Officers | |
 Lonnie Truax President |
Lonnie was born in New Jersey and moved to Santa Cruz County in 1975, settling here to raise her family. Lonnie graduated from Syracuse University and, after moving to California, obtained a nursing degree from Cabrillo College. Lonnie worked as pediatric nurse for many years, concentrating her practice on the care of newborn babies. In 1991, Lonnie began a second career, graduating from Santa Clara University School of Law in 1994. Lonnie's two favorite pastimes are backpacking in the Sierra with her husband, Ian, and spending time with her grandchildren, Ginger and Jaxon. |
 Kent Thompson Vice President |
Kent is a retired pediatrician. A native Californian, he received a BA in psychology from UC Berkeley in 1961. In spite of every effort to dodge the draft, Kent served in the US Army from 1961-1963. Following discharge, he attended Tulane University School of Medicine, receiving an MD degree in 1967. In 1971, after completing pediatric training, Kent joined an established group of pediatricians in Santa Cruz County.
His immediate family includes six adult children as well as ten grandchildren. Kent currently resides in Corralitos, a location from which he can easily travel up and down the state to harass his children and grandchildren. |
 Karen Semingson Treasurer |
Karen is a CPA and partner with Hutchinson and Bloodgood LLP in Watsonville. She has extensive audit experience, including many non-profit clients, and is a member of the firm's Accounting and Auditing Committee. Karen relocated to the Santa Cruz area in 1999 after having spent most of her life in far northern California. She is actively involved in the Capitola-Aptos Rotary Club, and served as President in 2009/10. Karen has a grown son, who recently married and is living in San Diego. She enjoys playing tennis and traveling in her spare time. |
 Kathryn Bates Secretary |
Kathryn was born in Illinois but has lived in California since the age of 12. She attended junior and senior high in southern California and graduated from UCLA with a degree in psychology. Later, she obtained a Master's degree in Speech and Language Pathology from San Jose State University. In 1971, she married Santa Cruz native Phil Bates, an attorney and developer, and they have two children and three grandchildren. While living in the Bay Area, Kathryn was a CASA Advocate for six years. Upon returning to Santa Cruz, she was happy to be able to continue working on behalf of children by joining the Board of CASA, and is currently serving her second term. |
| Directors | |
 Carmen Arriaga-Kumasaka |
Carmen was born in Colombia, grew up in Los Angeles, and has lived in Santa Cruz for the past 29 years. She has extensive experience in nursing, mental health and clinical supervision. Carmen is licensed as a Registered Nurse and a Marriage and Family Therapist; she currently works for Catholic Charities as a clinical supervisor and for Santa Clara University as adjunct faculty in the Counseling Psychology program. Being bilingual and bicultural, Carmen has been serving Latino families, adolescents, and children in our community for many years. Through her professional experiences she sees the power of CASA to positively affect the direction of children's lives.
Carmen and her husband, Andy, have two sons. In addition to her community involvement she enjoys reading and running. |
 Susan Coale |
Susan grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and came to Santa Cruz in 1974 to attend UCSC and Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. During her 30 year career in biological oceanography, Susan participated in over 50 oceanographic expeditions. She enjoys mentoring graduate students at UCSC and is an advisor to high school students in the Watershed Academy at San Lorenzo Valley High School. Susan is a co-coordinator of the Santa Cruz County Equine Evacuation Unit and a volunteer for the Mounted Assistance Unit for the California State Parks. She manages two horses and an incorrigible Jack Russell terrorist with Kenneth, her husband of over 30 years. She regularly enjoys the company of her two grown children, who continue to inspire her.
Susan believes in providing enriching experiences for children, and in the power of dreams. |
 David Davis |
David is the owner/CFP of David Davis Financial in Capitola. He was born in Ohio and got his B.S. in Computer Science from Ohio State. After moving to San Jose, David received his M.A. in History from SJSU. He has been involved in financial planning for over 31 years. In the past, he has served as treasurer of the Santa Cruz Waldorf School. David is a retired Captain in the United States Naval Reserve. He currently volunteers at the Second Harvest Food Bank and is active in his church.
David is happily married to Donna, a UCSC undergraduate advisor. They have three children in college. He enjoys playing and listening to music, dancing and reading. |
 Mary Dean |
Mary moved to the Bay area in 1977 and eventually found her way to Santa Cruz in 1988 with husband Mark Linder. She has been involved with volunteer work all of her adult life and helped found a volunteer program at the University of Nebraska where she graduated with a BA in history and an MA in Educational Psychology. She was on the board of Child Advocates in Santa Clara County and is passionate about children's issues. She is curently a Sales Manager for IDC, a premier global high tech, market intelligence firm for IT, telecom, consumer and end-user firms.
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 Alicia Flores |
Alicia Flores grew up in Watsonville where she continues to reside with her husband Arturo, daughter Brianna and son Arturo Jr. Alicia attended local schools, graduated from Watsonville High School, attended Cabrillo College, and completed her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. Alicia has worked for Bay Federal Credit Union for over 27 years, and is currently the Vice President of Member Services. Alicia enjoys volunteering in local community events that make a difference in our community. |
 Amy Harrington |
Amy Rosa Harrington has lived in Santa Cruz since 1976. After graduating from UCSC in Community Studies, Amy obtained her bilingual teaching credential and a Masters in Education from the University of Santa Clara and taught in local public schools from 1980-2006. She has always been active in her community, providing support and leadership on political and social justice issues, as well as working with children and their parents to ensure that every child receives the quality education he or she deserves. Amy and her husband David Harrington, a retired UCSC psychology professor, have two adult children. Amy is a former CASA Advocate. She works as a part-time investigator for children who are in Child Protective Services. |
 Deutron Kebebew |
Deutron has worked in local non-profit agencies in Santa Cruz for the last 9 years in various capacities to help nurture and develop unique programs to assist families, youth and children in our community. Deutron is currently the Program Director for PAPÁS, Supporting Father Involvement, a clinical state-wide research project focusing on positive father involvement and co-parenting. Deutron has a B.S in Electrical Engineering from UC Santa Cruz. Deutron is a past President of the Board for California Youth Connection and is a current Board member for Smith Renaissance Society. Deutron mentors three former foster youth and continues to advocate and empower current and former foster youth. |
 Patrice Keet |
Patrice is a transplant from the Adirondack mountains in upstate New York. She has been a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a private practice in Santa Cruz County for the past 25 years. Her work in psychology and education has reinforced her belief in the invaluable services CASA provides to children. She and her husband, Bob, a physician with Dominican Medical Foundation moved to Santa Cruz 31 years ago, raising their two children who have followed in the career footsteps of their father. Patrice keeps busy with active interests ranging from jewelry making and skiing to working with local and national politics. Patrice and Bob are the proud grandparents of three amazing grandchildren. |
 Marilyn Koll |
More info coming soon. |
Gail Levine |
Gail was born in the Bronx, New York. She worked for the New York City Board of Education for over 20 years before moving to Santa Cruz in 1991. Gail, her partner Emily, and their dog Ruby live in Felton where they can take their daily walks or runs through Henry Cowell State Park. In Santa Cruz she worked as a teacher and as a school administrator where she continued to be a dedicated advocate on behalf of children. Gail recently retired from her position as Superintendent/Principal of the Bonny Doon Union Elementary School District. After 41 years in education she is enjoying the many opportunities available to her as a board member of CASA. |
 Janis Ost |
Janis has been a teacher with the Santa Cruz City School District for the past 12 years, working mostly with students with unique learning differences. As a former CASA Advocate, Janis has special appreciation for the work and love behind CASA's mission. When not teaching, Janis enjoys her 10 year old son Cody and adult daughter Carina; playing her guitar, writing songs, cooking, kickboxing, and playing ping pong. As a Board member Janis hopes to ensure that all kids in the Santa Cruz/Watsonville community feel safe, cared for, smart, and on a healthy, happy, and productive path. |
 Martina O'Sullivan |
Martina is the Director for Community Engagement for Dominican Hospital. In this capacity she serves on several other nonprofit, business, and government Boards. Martina's interest in CASA was piqued during her 8 years as Executive Director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Monterey, when the organization worked to recruit emergency foster care homes . In keeping with her commitment to children, Martina continues to co-chair the Healthy Kids Steering Committee, working to ensure that all children of Santa Cruz County have health insurance and a medical home. Martina and her husband Will are the parents of three grown daughters, and have lived in Capitola for 27 years. |
 Melanie Stern |
Melanie moved from L.A. to Santa Cruz in 1977 with 15 others, opened up a residential treatment center/commune for adolescents, and never looked back. She is a social worker, therapist, trainer and consultant in areas of Clinical Supervision, Management & Supervision, Teambuilding, Intercultural Awareness, Stress Management, Law & Ethics and Group Facilitation. For 12 years Melanie was Program Manager/Clinical Supervisor at Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance in Watsonville. She has a private practice in Santa Cruz working with individuals, couples and children. Melanie serves as adjunct faculty at Santa Clara University and core faculty at JFK University as External Placement Coordinator. She enjoys dancing, the outdoors, yoga, gardening and time with her two grandchildren. |
 Jeff Talmadge |
Jeff was born and raised in Los Angeles and moved to the Santa Cruz area with his wife, Adele in 1984. Together, they own and operate Talmadge Construction, Inc. a Design/Build residential remodeling company located in Aptos. Jeff and Adele were married in 1983 and have a 22 year old son. Jeff was a key to the successful relocation of Valencia Hall and served on the Board of Directors for Santa Cruz Montessori School for three years. Jeff was pivotal in the renovating of CASA's home, chairing the Board committee that oversaw the planning and budget, coordinating the work and the volunteers. Jeff likes to surf and practice yoga in his free time. |
 Michelle Valdez |
Michelle is Human Resources professional with fifteen years of experience in employment practices, employee/ labor relations, human resources development, recruitment, benefits/ compensation, affirmative action, management practices, safety, and organizational development and training. She has been with Walters & Wolf for three years, serving divisions from Seattle to Phoenix.
Michelle lives in Capitola and has two teenagers, Christopher and Paolina. She enjoys watching them participate in their many sports. She loves Bikram Yoga, growing a vegetable garden, and making soap and lotions. In her free time, she likes to just relax with her boyfriend and let go of driving over Hwy 17. |
