CASA News

Sandy Merilen

Sandy Merilen joined CASA as the Development and Fundraising Specialist in June 2026. Sandy brings over 15 years of nonprofit development experience to her role, with a career grounded in organizations dedicated to youth, family, and social justice.

Sandy has built a track record of securing foundation, government, and corporate funding for mission-driven organizations, with deep expertise in grant strategy, prospect research, donor stewardship, portfolio management, and CRM administration. She is the owner of Rev Noir Consulting, a boutique grant consulting practice through which she has partnered with organizations across the U.S., Nigeria, Haiti, and Jamaica, helping mission-centered nonprofits strengthen their development capacity and connect to the resources they need to serve communities most vulnerable to inequality and injustice.

Sandy holds a bachelor’s in political science from Howard University, where she developed a lasting passion for community work and youth advocacy. She approaches her work with a deep commitment to the communities she serves and believes that strong development practice is one of the most powerful tools for advancing equity and opportunity for children and youth in Prince George’s County and beyond.

Ratima Williams

Ratima Williams has more than twenty years’ experience serving as a Community Supervision Officer for the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) in Washington, D.C. In this role, she worked with the High-Risk Containment Division to support justice involved individuals with rehabilitation and reintegration into society. In 2024 she was promoted to Intergovernmental and Community Affairs Specialist. She is an adjunct facilitator, mentor to new Officers and liaison for community partnerships. Ratima has a passion for serving others and helping to build solid foundations for young people to prevent them from experiencing the difficulties and challenges of the legal system. Ratima uses her professional experience to give back to the community by serving as a Member of the Board of Directors for the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). Ratima earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix. Ratima resides in Bowie, Maryland with her husband, Trifari Williams, and her two children Dylan and Riley. She enjoys hiking, reading, and is a proud swim mom.

Kurt Turnier

Kurt Turnier began serving on the Board of Directors for Court Appointed Special Advocates of Prince Georges County, Maryland during May 2024. He graduated from the University of Maryland School of Public Policy with a graduate certificate in Nonprofit Management & Leadership. Upon graduation from UMD, Turnier secured a summer internship as a research and development intern at Joe’s Movement Emporium where he established a marketing strategy for intentional donor outreach and conducted research on improving literacy development strategies among students of color ages 5 – 24. Recently, he served as a program coordinator at the Montgomery County Collaboration Council where he supported the procurement, contract compliance and fiscal management of 20+ public and private service provider delivering services such as out-of-school time programs and job readiness training to young adults experiencing housing insecurity. Currently, he manages a YouthBuild grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to provide workforce development programming to youth in and surrounding Montgomery County, MD.

Holding identities as a first-generation Haitian-American and college graduate, Turnier comes to Court Appointed Special Advocates of Prince Georges County Board of Directors transitioning from a career in higher education administration and into workforce development and labor policy. With over 10 years of youth development experience, he has led various bridge programs aiding first generation, low-income high school graduates into college matriculation and career exploration; created initiatives supporting the retention of collegiate students holding marginalized identities; along with identifying and dismantling factors leading to attrition for these communities. Personally, Turnier enjoys traveling, watching sports, and exploring beaches, hiking trails and the menus of restaurants.

Jennifer Williams

Jennifer Williams has dedicated her career to supporting families in all of their beauty and complexity. Her experience as a CASA for two young children in foster care inspired her to pursue a legal education. After graduating from Howard University School of Law, she began her legal career as a healthcare associate at a prominent international law firm in Washington, DC, where she represented hospital systems, insurers, and medical device manufacturers while protecting children in foster care through a robust pro bono practice.

Her passion for family advocacy led her to collaborate with mission-driven organizations, including the Children’s Defense Fund and the Children’s Law Center. She also served in then Vice President Joe Biden’s domestic policy office, focusing on addressing systemic inequalities affecting families. Currently, Jennifer is the founder and managing attorney of Cedar Counsel, a law firm dedicated to helping families build resilience and preserve their values, both tangible and intangible, through custom, comprehensive, and compassionate estate planning.

Cedric B. Wilson

Cedric Wilson, a distinguished figure in healthcare administration, health equity, and strategic management, is known for his unwavering dedication to the field. His exemplary leadership, hospital operations, groundbreaking innovations, research, and superior achievements spanning nearly four decades are a testament to his deep commitment and passion for healthcare. Currently, as the Executive Director of Imaging Service and Anatomic Pathology/Clinic Laboratories at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, Cedric oversees a wide array of responsibilities. These include healthcare administration, executive leadership, operational management, finance, health equity, world-class care strategies, culture transformation, and strategic capital planning, all of which he executes with precision and dedication.

Cedric’s illustrious career began with 21 years of dedicated service in the United States Air Force, where he held pivotal roles such as Master Sergeant and medical superintendent. His service spanned various commands, including the largest and most significant medical operations in the United States and Europe: The Pacific Air Mobility Command region and the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. This diverse experience in the military, where he honed his leadership and operational skills in high-pressure environments, has been instrumental in shaping his successful healthcare career. His military tenure was distinguished by numerous awards and commendations, underscoring his unwavering commitment to excellence in healthcare and service to his country.

Transitioning to civilian leadership, Cedric held critical positions at Kaiser Permanente, serving as Vice President of Operations in the Mid-Atlantic and Northern California regions. During his tenure, he led transformative initiatives that significantly enhanced patient care and operational efficiency, leaving a lasting impact on the healthcare sector. These initiatives, such as the implementation of the first 3D Digital Mammography Program enterprise-wide and a comprehensive long-term capital equipment plan for over 40 hospitals and 618 medical facilities, are a testament to Cedric’s profound impact and influence on the healthcare sector.

Cedric’s influence extends beyond his professional roles; he is a respected keynote speaker at conferences such as Radiologic Science Graduate Programs and the International Association for Radiologic & Imaging Nursing. His thought leadership and influence in the healthcare community are further demonstrated by his role as an Academic Speaker at the Stanford School of Medicine, where he shares his insights and experiences with the next generation of healthcare professionals. He is also a congressional panelist on health Inequalities/Inclusion and Mental Health Strategies, contributing to important discussions and shaping the future of healthcare.

In recognition of his exceptional career and contributions, Cedric Wilson was honored with the highest civilian honor by President Joseph R. Biden: The Lifetime Achievement Medal and Certificate in 2023/24. This prestigious accolade, bestowed by the highest office in the country, underscores Cedric’s profound impact on the healthcare sector and his enduring legacy as a leader and visionary. The recognition by President Biden further solidifies Cedric’s influence and prestige, making him an inspiration to colleagues and future generations alike.

Bruce D. Edwards

Bruce D. Edwards currently serves as Associate General Counsel handling complex and difficult matters in the District of Columbia’s Office of General Counsel (OGC) on behalf of the Department of Youth and Rehabilitative Services (DYRS) and the alleged delinquent youth serviced by the agency. Bruce is also a former Assistant Attorney General with the Maryland Office of the Attorney General where he served as the Legal Counsel for the Caroline County Department of Social Services. Previously, Bruce served the Prince George’s County (MD) community while acting as: the Supervising Attorney & President with Advocates For Justice, Inc.; the Senior Panel Attorney with the Maryland Office of the Public Defender; as well as the Supervising Attorney for the Wakefield Law Firm. Mr. Edwards attended Lafayette College where he received Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Government & Law and Africana Studies in 2001. In 2004, he graduated from New England School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts, where he earned his Juris Doctorate degree. In 2007, Mr. Edwards received a Master of Laws (LLM) degree in Law and Government with a concentration in Civil Rights from American University-Washington College of Law.

Mr. Edwards is affiliated with the Peer Panel Review Committee through the Maryland Attorney Grievance Committee, the Homeless Persons Representation Project, and currently serves as the President of the Executive Board of Directors for the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) of Prince George’s County. Mr. Edwards previously served (2013-2019) on the DMC and Youth subcommittees as a member of the State Advisory Group on Juvenile Justice through the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention.

In February 2019, Mr. Edwards testified before the Maryland General Assembly on behalf of House Bill 167 which sought to expand the rights of fathers under Maryland’s Safe Haven Baby Law. Further, in October 2019, the Prince George’s County Executive Office appointed Mr. Edwards as a Commissioner for the Prince George’s County Commission on Fathers, Men and Boys. Mr. Edwards currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Commission. Mr. Edwards is also the author of a fatherhood empowerment book entitled “The 14 Virtues of the Good Father: Navigational Tools for the Father Inside of Every Man” (www.fatherhoodvirtues.com).

Additionally, Mr. Edwards is an Adjunct Professor with Anne Arundel Community College and teaches courses on Life Skills to inmate students at the Dorsey Run Correctional Institute in Jessup, MD. Mr. Edwards is a proud member of the Bowie-Mitchellville Alumni Chapter (BMAC) of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated and serves as the Chair and Facilitator of BMAC’s Kappa League. Mr. Edwards also serves as a Deacon at The City of Praise Family Ministries in Landover, Maryland.

Mr. Edwards is the recipient of several public service and scholastic awards including: The Africana Studies Scholar Award (Lafayette College-2001); Community Service Volunteer Award (Lafayette College-2001); The Race & the Law Scholastic Award (New England Law-2004); Anna E. Hirsch Community Service Award (New England Law-2004); J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association Community Service Award for Prince George’s County, MD (2018); Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (BMAC) – Charles E. Exum Humanitarian Award (2019) and 3x Brother of the Year Award (2020 – 2022); and the Governor’s Citation (Maryland) for Public Service on behalf of the State Advisory Group for Juvenile Justice (2019).

Yolanda Johnson

photo of Executive Director, Yolanda Johnson

Yolanda Johnson joined CASA/Prince George’s County as the Executive Director in May 2023. Yolanda brings extensive experience in child welfare, juvenile justice, advocacy, nonprofit leadership, and community engagement to her role as Executive Director. She has dedicated her career to advocating for those most vulnerable to inequality and injustice through her work in vocational education, state government, and nonprofit leadership.

Prior to joining CASA, Yolanda served as the Senior Director of Community Initiatives for Street Law, Inc. for over seven years, a global nonprofit designed to advance civic and legal education to empower all people to positively transform their world. Through multi-sector partnerships with criminal justice, child welfare, corporate, and education, Yolanda successfully scaled a national civic and legal education program to advance justice for youth and adult populations most vulnerable to injustice, including survivors of trafficking and domestic violence.

Yolanda’s background also includes a twelve-year tenure at the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS), where she held roles as a Case Management Specialist Supervisor in Montgomery County, Maryland and Assistant Regional Director in Baltimore City, Maryland. Yolanda was awarded a secretary’s citation for her leadership while at DJS.

Yolanda has a bachelor’s degree in child and adolescent studies from Bowie State University and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Nyack College. A Certified Diversity Executive®, Yolanda has experience in workforce development and training facilitation in cultural competence, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In addition to her professional journey, Yolanda is an active volunteer in civic and community organizations. She has served as a board member and Board President for Equipment Connections for Children since 2017, an organization that helps to ensure children living with physical disabilities have the equipment they need to thrive in Maryland and surrounding areas. She also volunteers as Vice-President of Membership for the American Business Women’s Association, Maryland Capital Chapter where she was recently awarded the 2023 Top Ten Business Woman award for her career and community contributions.

Sarah Bosken

Since 2023, Sarah Bosken has served as Program Director at CASA, focusing on advancing training programs and strengthening case management practices to better serve the community. Sarah holds dual bachelor’s degrees from the University of Maryland, one in Government and Politics and the other in Criminology and Criminal Justice, complemented by a Juris Doctor from American University, Washington College of Law. Since joining CASA in 2011, Sarah has brought extensive legal expertise and a commitment to supporting women, children, and families through her work. In a desire to integrate greater innovative practices into CASA’s work, Sarah has earned certifications in Trauma and Resilience, and Non-Profit Management.

Naeemah Staggs

Naeemah Staggs is a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist with over 20 years of experience in child welfare. A former licensed counselor, Naeemah now teaches at the University of Maryland School of Social Work, where she provides preservice and in-service training for Maryland’s child welfare workforce. Naeemah also serves as a consultant for multiple organizations, including several Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs, the Mental Health Association of Maryland, EveryMind, and Darkness to Light.
Naeemah began her involvement with CASA as a volunteer in 2002. She has since worked as a Case Supervisor, Program Director, and Trainer for CASA programs in DC and Maryland and as an advisory committee member for National CASA. Naeemah’s additional previous child welfare work includes conducting the federally mandated Child and Family Service Reviews (CFSRs) of state child welfare agencies in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Naeemah is also a registered PACEs (Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences) Connection Speakers & Trainers Bureau member.
Naeemah received her Master of Human Services degree from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and is studying for a Doctor of Education at Frostburg State University.
A native Washingtonian, Naeemah lives in Anne Arundel County with her husband and 9-year-old daughter. Naeemah invites you to learn more by visiting her website: www.naeemahstaggs.com.

London Gilchrist

London Gilchrist joined CASA/Prince George’s County as an Office Manager in December 2022. London studied at Prince Georges Community College and has a professional background in administrative healthcare with a specialty in Alzheimer’s/Dementia Care. London has experience in marketing and office management. After working in an environment where she advocated for elderly individuals’ needs and care for seven years, London was interested in joining CASA and felt connected to the mission of advocating for individuals who need it most. London is a Prince George’s County native and enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, baking and being outdoors.

Kara Bundy

Kara Bundy first came to CASA in 2002 as the program’s first Case Supervisor and rejoined CASA in 2011 as a consultant; soliciting foundation, corporate and individual contributions for the organization as well as working with the Marketing and Recruitment Team. Kara joined the staff as the Deputy Director in 2015 and was responsible for all development, marketing and recruitment activities and also provided management-level support of accounting and HR practices. In 2023 she was promoted to Chief Operating Officer. She has a BA in psychology, sociology, women’s studies and Spanish from Goucher College; a Marketing Certificate from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business; and a Certificate in Leadership Principles from Harvard Business School.

Jeanmarie Graves

Jeanmarie Graves graduated from Bloomsburg University with a degree in criminal justice with a concentration in children and families and a minor in Spanish. Jeanmarie brings with her a wealth of social work experience, working with youth in the foster care system and at-risk children, as a mentor, counselor, and case manager. Jeanmarie has almost 20 years of experience with these populations, but for the five years prior to coming to CASA, Jeanmarie focused on youth ages 16-21, and was brought into the CASA team in 2013 to help build the Transitioning Youth Division. Additionally, while being at CASA, Jeanmarie has taken the lead with working on our Human Trafficking component, where she has attended additional trainings, coordinated and scheduled trainings for volunteers and the community, identified resources and supports for others, and joined the local Human Trafficking Task Force. Jeanmarie has a passion to help whenever she can, as evidenced by interning at an orphanage in Puerto Rico, as well as, later in her career, taking a month work gap to do volunteer work in Fiji.

Erica Black

Erica Black graduated from the American Military University with her bachelor’s in psychology and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Public Health at the same institution. Erica Black’s professional background is in Advocacy, Human Services / Social Services and Child Welfare. Erica has intertwined paths that lead her to CASA/Prince George’s County. Erica served as HIV and AIDS Advocacy and Outreach Program Manager for a non-profit/grass roots organization in Metro Atlanta, GA for over 6 years. Her personal focus being on the underserved sub-population of homeless youth and young adults (a percentage of those youth often being identified as youth that aged out of foster care). Erica comes to us from both Georgia’s Fulton County Schools and Georgia’s Department of Family and Children Services. For eight years Erica provided mentorship training for new transportation specialists on the engagement of students with problematic behavior or higher educational needs and medically fragile students to promote student safety and management. Within Georgia Department of Family and Children Services for four years Erica provided Social Service and Case Management via the Special Projects Program area of Fulton County DFCS. Erica was responsible for the oversight of compliance in policies and procedures, support services and served as the staffing facilitator for new Child Protective Services (CPS) cases transferring to Foster Care with all DFCS parties and support service vendors. Erica Black joined CASA/Prince George’s in October of 2022.

Erica Anaya

Erica Anaya first came to CASA in 1998 as a volunteer and was thrilled and honored to rejoin CASA as a Case Supervisor in 2021. She practiced law with the Maryland Legal Aid Bureau in the CINA (Children in Need of Assistance) division and has also worked on complex child custody cases with Child Justice International. Erica is an active volunteer and is currently serving on the Board of the Notre Dame Exoneration Justice Clinic and is the Board Chair of Together We Bake, an Alexandria, VA nonprofit that empowers women via a job-training/life skills curriculum. Erica has a BA in Psychology from San Diego State University and a J.D. from Notre Dame Law School.

Elisha Williams

Elisha’s role as Development Coordinator at CASA is informed by her strong nonprofit experience. Elisha began her nonprofit joining as an Operations Assistant at ZERO – The End of Prostate Cancer from 2019 to 2021. Her focus there was fundraising, and she became skilled in platforms like Raiser’s Edge and Blackbaud. She managed projects, coordinated activities, handled accounting tasks, and used accounting software to enhance the organization’s operations. Elisha also utilized her hospitality skills to nurture donor relationships and run the college internship program.

More recently, she worked as a Project Coordinator at UNCF in 2022. There, she got her hands dirty in nonprofit reporting and analysis, and her expertise with Salesforce.com played a vital role in helping UNCF meet its mission. Prior to UNCF, she spent time as a Program Manager at Open Hand of Fredericksburg from 2020 to 2022. This role allowed her to dive deep into community engagement. Elisha managed volunteers and recruiting efforts, a crucial part of any nonprofit’s success. Elisha’s community commitment also led her to serve as Community Outreach Director at New City Fellowship Presbyterian Church in 2021 and 2022, deepening her ties to the local community.

Apart from her professional accomplishments, Elisha’s heart is firmly rooted in community engagement and youth empowerment. She interned at Virginia Organizing from 2015 to 2017, where she authored three published Letters to the Editor and organized a resource fair at Rappahannock Penitentiary. She also contributed to an Easter Egg Hunt fundraiser. Her long-term commitment as a Youth Ministry Leader at New City Fellowship Presbyterian Church from 2015 to 2021 showcases her unwavering dedication to the betterment of young individuals.

Elisha’s dedication to personal growth is clear through her educational journey, which includes a B.A. in History from the University of Mary Washington in 2018 and a Paralegal Certificate from George Mason University in 2020. Her commitment to continuous improvement is further exemplified by her participation in CEN’s 3-Day Non-Profit Leadership Bootcamp in November 2021.

On a personal note, Elisha tied the knot to her best friend and husband, Tony Williams, in June 2023. In her downtime, she loves spending quality moments with her family, traveling (especially by train), and attending concerts.

Elisha’s blend of nonprofit leadership skills and community engagement skills make her a perfect fit for CASA/Prince George’s County. We’re thrilled to have her as our Development Coordinator, where she’ll play a key role in advancing our mission and making a positive impact on the lives of the youth we serve.

Cheryl Richards

Cheryl Richards has a BA in Psychology from the University of Maryland. She first joined staff as a Case Supervisor after three years as the Foster Parent Recruitment and Training Coordinator at Hearts and Homes for Youth. Due to her tremendous talent in the training and managing of volunteers, Cheryl was promoted to Transitioning Youth Coordinator in 2011 and is spearheading this program, providing support to volunteers and her fellow staff.

Carolyn Monford

Carolyn Monford has a bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Bennett College and a master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Atlanta University. Carolyn comes to CASA/Prince George’s County from Resource Connections in Prince George’s County where she served as Coordinator of Community Services for transitioning youth and adults with intellectual disabilities where she helped to plan, assess and monitor their services. Prior to her work there, she served at James E Brown and Associates Law firm as a Special Education Advocate for school-aged children to ensure they received the special education services to which they were entitled under Federal law. Carolyn joined the CASA team as Case Supervisor in 2017.

Andrea LaHaye, MPA

Andrea LaHaye graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a bachelor’s degree in American Studies, and she earned a Master of Public Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. From 2005 to 2007, Andrea was a high school Special Education teacher in the Richmond, Virginia area, where she learned a great deal about Special Education services and regulations. She was then a Case Manager for nearly five years with Richmond CASA/Greater Richmond SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now), serving in the city’s Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. Following her work at Richmond CASA, Andrea was the Public Guardianship Coordinator for JFS Richmond, where she ran the Public Guardianship program as the dedicated decision-maker for 25 individuals deemed indigent and incapacitated by the Virginia Circuit Court. Following her time with JFS, Andrea was the Community Coordinator for Brain Injury Services in Virginia, where she worked one-on-one with individuals with traumatic brain injuries in their homes, in the community, and at a day program. Andrea was happy to return to CASA when she was hired as a Case Supervisor at CASA/Prince George’s County in March 2016. As a Case Supervisor, Andrea has taken an interest in ensuring the education and Special Education needs of our youth are being met.

Adriana Bustamante-Conway

Adriana Bustamante-Conway has a master’s degree in Community Counseling from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Adriana comes to CASA/Prince George’s County from OneWorld Community Health Centers, Inc. in Omaha, Nebraska, where she worked as a Behavioral Health Therapist. In this role, she provided integrated care, counseling, case management and advocacy for uninsured, low-income and culturally diverse populations, including children and youth who were victims of neglect and/or abuse. Prior to working with OneWorld, Adriana worked as a mental health therapist for both the Nebraska Department of Corrections and the Child Guidance Center-Juvenile Detention Center, where she had the opportunity to work with youth in the Juvenile Justice system. In all her positions, Adriana has also served as a consultant to provide culturally sensitive services for Latinxs. She joined the CASA team as a Case Supervisor in 2019.

Adeola Osobu

Adeola Osobu joined CASA in January 2022 and serves as the Outreach Director. Born and raised in the UK of Nigerian descent, with a recent return to the DMV after a long absence, Adeola has a career background in merchandise financial planning and analysis, project management, and marketing analytics. Adeola holds a BA in Political Science from the City College of New York, a Certificate in Data Driven Marketing from Cornell University, and is pursuing an AAS in Interior Design from Montgomery College. Prior to working at CASA PGC, Adeola founded and ran her own business consulting and interior design company, Kemi Collective, full time for 2years. Before then, she held senior executive roles at several retail companies, The Gap, Sears, OfficeMax, and Macy’s to name a few. There she managed capital improvement projects, mergers and acquisitions implementation, vendor management and negotiation, and merchandise and marketing analytics and management, across multiple cross-functional teams and external stakeholders.

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