
About CASA
Capital Area CASA has proudly served abused and neglected children in East Baton Rouge Parish since 1992
History of Capital Area CASA
The mission of Capital Area Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association is to advocate for timely placement of children in permanent, safe and stable homes. In 1992, a group of concerned and dedicated individuals established Capital Area CASA Association in East Baton Rouge Parish as a private, non-profit organization. CASA recruits, screens, trains, and supervises community volunteers to serve as advocates for abused and neglected children.
Since 1992, over 1,600 CASA volunteers have provided a voice in court for 3,800 abused children in East Baton Rouge Parish. Capital Area CASA Association currently has 11 staff members and is a member of the Louisiana CASA and National CASA Associations.

The concept of using trained community volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children originated in 1977 in Seattle, Washington. Superior Court Judge David Soukup realized the need for advocates to speak up for these children.
"As a judge I had to make tough decisions. I had to decide whether to take a child from the only home he's ever known, or leave him someplace where he might possibly be abused. I needed someone who could tell me what was best for that child - from the child's viewpoint. That's what CASA does."
- Judge David Soukup
Meet Our Team

Allison Traxler
Executive Director
Allison joined CASA in May of 2022. She has over 30 years of experience in non-profit communications and fundraising. She has worked for two large human service non-profit organizations during her career and has a passion for giving back and a heart for serving others. She is a native of Baton Rouge and has served on many local boards and looks forward to working at CASA and becoming an advocate for children.
"As a mother, I know how important it is for a child to have someone to confide in and to trust implicitly. When an abused or neglected child doesn't have that role model in their life, it is good to know that a CASA advocate can become that figure. Just because we might not know the start of their story, doesn't mean CASA cant help to change the ending."

Jacqueline Wilson
Program Manager
Jacqueline joined Capital Area CASA in May of 1997 as an Advocate Supervisor and later served as the first Program Manager. With over 20 years of CASA experience, she has served in numerous roles within the local, state and national CASA network, including 7 years of providing technical assistance to CASA programs statewide in her position as Program Operations Director with Louisiana CASA. Jacqueline is a lifelong advocate for victims, specializing in women and children’s issues.
"There is no magic in what we do, no silver bullet to fix everything. Our staff and volunteers are everyday people willing to put in the time and effort to make the world a better place for abused and neglected children; they make a conscious choice to make a difference every single day."

Sharon Norwood
Lead Advocate Supervisor
A native of Alexandria, LA, Sharon joined Capital Area CASA in June 2008. Sharon graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Northeast Louisiana University and has several years of experience working with children and mothers who are victims of domestic violence.
"Children are innocent and silent victims of abuse. Their voices are silenced and need to be heard. I believe CASA is an excellent resource to empower children to take their voices back."

Ricketta Cotton-Monroe
Advocate Supervisor
After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Studies from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Ricketta began her career serving children in need in Houston. After returning to Baton Rouge, she joined the CASA staff in March 2002. As an advocate supervisor, Ricketta oversees the advocacy efforts of CASA volunteers as they speak for the best interests of abused and neglected children.
"I believe that children are our most valuable resource; for that reason, permanency is a promise made to the children and families by the community at the time of intervention."

Susan Murrell
Advocate Supervisor
Susan joined Capital Area CASA in January 2004. She brings several years of experience working with child victims of domestic violence to her position at CASA. Susan is passionate about her belief that children deserve safety, nurturing and a permanent home in which to grow and develop.
"Children can never have too many good people in their lives."

Sheila Scott
Advocate Supervisor
Sheila joined Capital Area CASA in 2006. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Southern University, and her professional experience includes work in court environments and children's case management. Her role as an advocate supervisor is to guide CASA volunteers' efforts as they work to help abused and neglected children reach permanent, safe and stable homes.
"Children are our future and we must find a way to protect them. CASA lends that helping hand to abused and neglected children."

Dana Fennell
Advocate Supervisor
Dana joined Capital Area CASA in June 2026. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication with a concentration in Advocacy and brings more than 10 years of experience in human services. Throughout her career, she has been passionate about supporting children and families, advocating for those in need, and helping families access the resources and services necessary to thrive. Dana enjoys building meaningful connections with families and is dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of those she serves.
"The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention" Oscar Wilde

Rachelle Smith
Advocate Supervisor and Training Coordinator
Rachelle joined Capital Area CASA in August 2021. She has an Associate of Arts degree from Baton Rouge Community College and a degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Her professional experience includes working in healthcare as a certified clinical medical assistant, training coordinator, and quality assurance technician. Rachelle is passionate about helping others and looks forward to advocating for children who cannot speak up for themselves.
"Every child deserves to have someone to speak up for them when they cannot do it themselves. Joining CASA, I will stand behind its mission to make sure that every child has a voice, and for it to not be silence."

JoLynn Gremmillion
Bookkeeper
JoLynn Gremillion joined CASA in July 2025. She brings an extensive background in bookkeeping, financial management, and small business operations. In addition to her work at CASA, JoLynn volunteers as a high school science tutor and serves as the treasurer for other nonprofit organizations. She holds an Associate of Science in Emergency Health Services and has previously worked as a paramedic. She is grateful for the opportunity to use her skills to support CASA’s mission of serving and advocating for foster children in the Baton Rouge community.
“I love that I have been granted the opportunity to work for an organization that will not stand silent for these children but will work so very hard to make a positive difference in their lives.”

Shea Smith Breaux
Marketing and Outreach Manager
Shea Smith Breaux joined the CASA team as the Marketing and Outreach Manager in June 2026. She earned her Master’s degree in Communication Studies from LSU and previously taught communication courses at the university. She has several years of experience managing nonprofit communications and programming, and has a heart for serving youth through education and advocacy.
"You don't have to change the world to change a child's world – sometimes one caring, consistent adult is enough."
.jpeg)
Jennifer Fernandez
Business and Training Coordinator
Jenny Fernandez joined CASA in July 2025 as the Business and Training Coordinator. She brings a strong background in education, having taught literature in traditional classrooms and now teaching literature and history through her homeschool co-op. She holds a bachelor's degree in English Education and is passionate about helping children grow in knowledge, confidence, and compassion. Jenny is honored to be part of CASA’s mission to stand beside children with strength and empathy as they find safety, stability, and hope.
"Every child deserves a safe, nurturing home where they can grow and thrive. When a child’s story includes abuse or neglect, it’s our mission to stand beside them with strength and compassion–helping to rewrite their story to include safety and stability. I’m honored to be part of CASA, where we fight for children who need a voice and a path to healing."

Tammy Couvillon
Program Support Specialist
Tammy previously served as a CASA Supervisor in Caddo Parish before relocating to the Garden District of Baton Rouge, where she joined Capital Area CASA in March 2026. She brings extensive experience in education, facilitation, behavioral coaching, and community outreach, along with a deep commitment to supporting women and children affected by domestic violence and trafficking, throughout Louisiana. Her passion is advocacy for at‑risk youth, and her mission is to be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves - working every day to help ensure safety, consistency, faith and hope for a new tomorrow.
"Let the voice of truth be a light for the lost and strength for the broken."
Meet Our Board
David Faulk
Board Chair
Co-Owner, Faulk & Meek General Contractors
Bea McNamee
Board Vice Chair
Healthcare Risk Consulting Manager, Crowe LLP
Tamara Mayo
Board Treasurer
CPA & Vice President, BCBS of Louisiana
Ellen Diedrich
Board Secretary
Account Executive, Guaranty Media
Chavanne C. Debetaz
Board Member, Past Chair
Owner, Cazayoux Creative
Thomas Beck
Board Member
CPA, CGMA, Chesteen & Associates, L.L.C.
Amanda Celestine
Board Member
Louisiana State Employees Retirement Systems
Brad French
Board Member
Project Manager, Aptim
Katie Gibbons
Board Member
Vice President , Hancock Whitney Private Wealth Management
Elizabeth Griffin
Board Member
Project Manager, Wampold Companies
Elizabeth Harper
Board Member
LA State Director, Alliance for the End of Life Care
Marlon Johnson
Board Member
U.S. Geological Survey/ Former CASA volunteer
Ann Langlois
Board Member
Assurance Senior Manager, Hannis T. Bourgeois LLP.
Dr. Dana Lawson
Board Member
SVP, Population Health & Clinical Operations and Health Equity & Centene Cultural Ambassador
Joffre Meek
Board Member
Project Manager, Faulk & Meek General Contractors
Shunn Phillips
Board Member
CFO & Compliance Officer, Baton Rouge Clinic, AMC
Casey Pitcher-Jackson
Board Member
Accountant Manager, LASERS
Gregory Pogue
Board Member
VP of commercial lending, b1Bank
Steven Strohschein
Board Member
Attorney, Hinshaw and Culbertson, LLP
Terrel Thomas
Board Member
Attorney, Breazeale Sachse and Wilson
Kyle Viator
Board Member
Market President, AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana
Former CASA Volunteer
Dr. Christian Vige'
Board Member
Provost, Delta College
Allison Traxler
Executive Director
Capital Area CASA Association

