About

committed to the children in our community

Mission & Vision

Our mission is to advocate for a safe and permanent home for abused and neglected children in Yellowstone County. Our vision is to provide a highly trained volunteer Advocate for every abused and neglected child in the Yellowstone County court and foster care systems.

Core Values

Boldness

We are committed to being an innovative, proactive, tenacious, professional champion of change for children.

Cultural Awareness

We embrace the power of diversity and actively seek opportunities to foster cultural competence throughout the CASA organization.

Engagement

We expect committed individuals to give their best efforts, actively participate and invest themselves in CASA and its mission.

Professionalism

We present ourselves in a way that earns the trust and respect of the community at all levels of the CASA organization.

Teamwork/Collaboration

We are members of a larger team where thoughts and creativity are encouraged and shared in a positive, enjoyable environment.

Transparency

We openly share information, as permitted by CASA confidentiality policies, in a manner that demonstrates accountability and good stewardship of resources.

Stay updated on current CASA Events!

2023 Annual Report

Learn more about CASA of Yellowstone County’s activities and impact in the community in the past year. Join our mailing list to receive future reports and newsletters.

Meet Our Team

Our Staff

Drew MacLeod

Executive Director

Drew MacLeod

Executive Director

Drew MacLeod has a deep background working with at risk youth and adventure programming. Originally from Minnesota he came to Montana after working with Native American youth in South Dakota. Drew worked for many years in outdoor experiential programs in Montana, South Carolina and Colorado.  Drew and his wife, Kat, a Montana native, moved back to Billings in 2011.  He joined CASA of Yellowstone County in 2013 as Program Coordinator, eventually becoming the Program Director. Along the way he served two youth as a volunteer CASA. Drew & Kat have been married for over 22 years and enjoy all Montana has to offer. Drew earned his degree at Minnesota State University -Mankato not far from his hometown, Grand Meadow.

Shayla Fox Brown

Program Director

Shayla Fox Brown

Program Director

Shayla Fox Brown oversees the CASA Program team, volunteer Peer Coordinators, and volunteer Advocates in her role as Program Director. She was born and raised in Billings, Montana. She graduated from CSU San Marcos with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and has a Master of Science in Management and Leadership from Western Governors University. She was previously employed at Rocky Mountain College as the Experiential Education Coordinator, where she managed the Office of Community Engagement. She wanted to join CASA to bring her experience in volunteer management and passion for serving vulnerable populations.

Emily Gaudreau

Development Director

Emily Gaudreau

Development Director

Emily Gaudreau oversees the fundraising and volunteer recruitment of the organization. Emily is a graduate of the University of Mary in North Dakota with a Bachelor of Science in History. She became involved in CASA through her desire to build a strong community and serve vulnerable populations. Prior to her work with CASA, Emily worked in the Billings community as an AmeriCorps VISTA, and with the Moss Mansion Museum.

Laura Molodecki

Recruitment & Outreach Coordinator

Laura Molodecki

Recruitment and Outreach Coordinator

Laura Molodecki supports the volunteer recruitment of new Court Appointed Special Advocates to serve children in the Yellowstone County foster care system. In her role as Recruitment and Outreach Coordinator, Laura also engages with the local community and oversees the event planning for the organization. Originally from Missoula, Laura moved to Billings to attend Rocky Mountain College where she earned a BA in Fine Art and a Minor in Writing. After working in Yellowstone National Park for three summers Laura returned to Billings and worked in a variety of things including events, art galleries, and the Yellowstone Art Museum. Wanting to do more for the community and children Laura joined CASA to help those children in need.

Carrie Porter

Program Coordinator, Intake Specialist

Carrie Porter

Program Coordinator, Intake Specialist

Carrie Porter works with Peer Coordinators and Advocates in her role as a Program Coordinator, as well as acts as staff liaison with the Department of Children and Family Services.  Born and raised in Colorado, Carrie and her family moved to Montana in 2020 to pursue new opportunities and everything that beautiful Montana has to offer.

She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology/Criminology with a minor in Psychology from the University of Southern Colorado.  She has spent the past 16 years working for the Department of Human Services in Colorado.  Carrie joined CASA to utilize her passion and knowledge for strengthening families and improving outcomes for children.

Sherri Carlson

Training Coordinator

Sherri Carlson

Training Coordinator
Sherri Carlson coordinates the training for our new volunteer advocates and ongoing training opportunities for our current volunteer advocates. Sherri received a Bachelor of Science in Education (double major in Special Education and Elementary Education) from Eastern Montana College, and a Master of Education with a focus on School Counseling and Elementary Curriculum from Montana State University –Billings.  Sherri has recently concluded a thirty plus year career as a special education teacher

Tyra Klein

Program Coordinator, ICWA Focus

Tyra Klein

Program Coordinator, ICWA Focus

Tyra Klein works with volunteer advocates and peer coordinators as a program coordinator with an ICWA (Indian Child Welfare Act) focus. She was born and raised in Billings, Montana. She graduated from Rocky Mountain College with a Bachelor of Science double major in Sociology and English Literature. During her time at Rocky Mountain College, she was a peer mentor, student ambassador, and an English teacher’s assistant. She is thrilled to be able to support the Montana community through CASA.

Mary Rose Swan

Program Coordinator

Mary Rose Swan

Program Coordinator

Mary Rose Swan joined the CASA staff as a Program Coordinator to support Peer Coordinators and Advocates. Mary Rose has been a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) since March 2018 and assumed the role of Peer Coordinator in November 2022. Mary Rose’s heart belongs to the theater, where she finds joy in performances and community productions. A book lover, avid volunteer, and coffee enthusiast, she embraces life with passion and purpose. Mary Rose has 2 teens, Elora and Colter and she loves supporting them in their activities. She has been married to her husband, Thad, since 2003, and recently celebrated 20 years of marriage with a trip to New York City.

Jennifer Smith

Program Coordinator

Jennifer Smith

Program Coordinator
Jennifer Smith recently retired after serving for 8 years as an Executive Director for Billings Public Schools overseeing the Indian Education, Multilanguage Learners, and Suicide Prevention programs. Before that, Jennifer served as principal and superintendent at Ashland Public School in Ashland, Montana, and as an Indian Education for All Curriculum Coach and elementary school teacher in both Billings and Crow Agency. Jennifer serves on the Billings Public Library Board, Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools, Yellowstone County Foster Care Review Committee, and First Interstate Bank’s Centennial Youth Foundation committee. Prior to her retirement, she served as a representative on Hon. Judge Souza’s ICWA Family Recovery Court. She was a Yellowstone CASA BBoard member for 6 years until she termed out in September. Jennifer is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band Cherokee tribe in NC (paternal) and a descendant of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians in ND (maternal). She spends her free time outdoors with her 3 dogs, with friends and family, and traveling to Mexico for scuba diving.
 

Patty Muir

Operations Coordinator

Patty Muir

Operations Coordinator

Patty Muir joined the CASA office as the part-time Operations Coordinator. She has a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education/Special Education, and a Masters of Education in Multidisciplinary Studies from MSU-Billings. Patty taught over 30 years and spent 8 years at the Office of Public Instruction in both Special Education and Accreditation divisions. Her passion and commitment to working on behalf of Montana children led her to CASA.

 

Board of Directors

Dallas Pender

Dallas Pender

President

Clayton Gregersen

Clayton Gregersen

Vice President

Brittney Mada

Brittney Mada

Treasurer

Lynne Roccisano

Lynne Roccisano

Secretary

Jenn Weber

Jenn Weber

Member

Lisa Ranes

Lisa Ranes

Member

Holly Hintz

Holly Hintz

Member

Nate Nunberg

Nate Nunberg

Member

Maria Gnecco

Maria Gnecco

Member

LindsAy Masquat-yellow Robe

LindsAy Masquat-yellow Robe

Member

Clayton Barnes

Clayton Barnes

Member

Charlie Jackson

Charlie Jackson

Member

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