Our Team

Gina’s passion is being able to find a child a loving and stable home. She joined CASA five years ago, serving four years as CASA staff. As the executive director, she is responsible for daily operations, policy, and advocacy. Prior to joining CASA, she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and was both a substitute teacher and stay-at-home mom. In her free time, she enjoys running.

As an advocate coordinator, Lori says a good day is a day when something she did for or said to a CASA helps them help their child. In addition to helping advocates tackle paperwork, work with agencies and connect kids with resources, she works with other staff to improve the organization and recruit new advocates for mid-Missouri kids. Families are important to Lori. She was born in Bavazi, Iran to camel-riding caravan travelers. She spent her first five years of life in an orphanage before being adopted by a family in Illinois. Before joining the CASA staff four years ago, Lori was employed for 17 years as a ministry assistant at First Baptist Church in Jefferson City. She has served as a CASA volunteer for ten years.

The phrase “never say never” has served this Volunteer Supervisor well throughout life, so it is only fitting that it would apply to her work assisting volunteers who advocate for kids who come from hard places. Volunteer Supervisor Susan Stark was hired in November of 2020 after serving as a volunteer CASA for six years. Susan graduated from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, with a degree in Sociology and a minor in Criminal Justice. Susan enjoys spending time with her family, antiquing, and road-tripping.