Our Board of Trustees is a dedicated group of community leaders who share a commitment to CASA’s mission and the children and youth we serve. As ambassadors for CASA, they help strengthen our presence in the community, provide strategic leadership and governance, and ensure the long-term strength and sustainability of our organization.
Click on each photo to meet the people behind our mission and learn more about our team.
Our Board
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Drew Blind
Drew’s career with Chick-fil-A began as a college team member in 2003 and grew into owning and operating two successful locations in Morris County. His professional journey reflects a deep commitment to leadership, service, and community impact—values that align closely with CASA’s mission.
During his time on the CASA Board, Drew has focused on increasing awareness and strengthening CASA’s presence in the community. He is driven by the belief that every child deserves love, support, and a strong advocate. Outside of his work, Drew enjoys adventure—he’s gone skydiving multiple times.
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Michael B. Kanef
Michael serves as Assistant Treasurer for the State of New Jersey and has built a career across banking, law, and financial analysis. His diverse experience provides valuable insight into the financial and operational aspects of nonprofit governance.
After two years on the CASA board, Michael remains committed to improving outcomes for children across New Jersey. He is motivated by the organization’s mission and the opportunity to help create brighter futures for those in need. His first job, interestingly, was as a lifeguard.
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Robert Jones
As Chief Financial Officer at Accuity Healthcare, Robert brings more than 25 years of financial leadership across healthcare, technology, and corporate strategy. A graduate of NYU, he has built a career focused on strengthening organizations and ensuring long-term sustainability.
Robert began his involvement with CASA as a volunteer and has since spent five years on the board helping guide the organization’s financial future. He is committed to ensuring CASA can serve as many children as possible. In his spare time, he enjoys reading and has read a book about every U.S. president.
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Chloe D. Millea
Chloe brings a well-rounded professional background that spans marketing, education, banking, and nonprofit administration, along with decades of volunteer leadership. A Rutgers University graduate with a degree in American Studies and a minor in Italian, she has always been motivated by curiosity, learning, and community engagement.
After years of serving on other boards, Chloe joined CASA to continue making a meaningful impact. She is especially passionate about helping children overcome barriers and ensuring they can thrive. In her free time, Chloe enjoys studying languages and has explored French, German, Spanish, and Italian.
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Lyle Beck
Lyle serves as First Vice President at Wells Fargo Advisors, bringing extensive experience in finance and corporate taxation before transitioning into his career as a Financial Advisor. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Rutgers College and a Master’s degree in Accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University. His professional background reflects a strong foundation in financial strategy, problem-solving, and helping others plan for their futures.
Inspired by the dedication and community service of his mother, Mindy Beck, who was one of our organization's founders, Lyle joined the CASA Board with a passion for making a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable children. He is committed to helping ensure children receive fair treatment within the legal system and have the support and opportunities they deserve. A lifelong New Jersey resident living in Denville, Lyle believes even the smallest acts of kindness can create lasting change. A fun fact about Lyle? He once worked in a chicken coop in Israel!
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Adam Cossman
A Morris County native, Adam is an accomplished entrepreneur with extensive experience in digital marketing, advertising, and executive leadership. He founded Sentient, a digital advertising agency specializing in healthcare, and successfully led the company through its acquisition by W2O Group in 2016. His career includes serving as President of W2O's Sentient division and Chief Digital Officer of W2O Group, bringing valuable expertise in business growth, innovation, and strategic leadership.
Driven by a passion for children's safety, well-being, and access to opportunities, Adam has been a dedicated supporter of CASA's mission alongside his wife, Lindsey, for many years. He believes every child deserves the chance to grow, thrive, and experience all that life has to offer. Adam and Lindsey reside in Chester, New Jersey, with their two sons.
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Regina Farlekas
Regina brings more than two decades of experience in telecommunications, having worked her way from project management to Director of Sales at Bell Atlantic and AT&T. Her professional background reflects strong leadership and a commitment to growth and innovation.
After volunteering with CASA and seeing its impact firsthand, Regina joined the board to stay involved and support the organization’s continued success. She is particularly passionate about funding and sustainability efforts. In her free time, she enjoys watching baseball.
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Noreen M. Fierro, Esq.
Noreen brings over 35 years of experience in the financial services industry as a legal and compliance executive. She currently serves as Senior Vice President and Global Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer at Principal Financial Group. Her career began in private practice in Morris County, where some of her earliest pro bono work involved domestic violence cases. These experiences provided firsthand insight into the challenges vulnerable children and families face, helping shape her commitment to advocacy and community service.
Since joining the CASA Board in 2020, Noreen has been dedicated to supporting the organization's mission of ensuring children in foster care have the advocacy, resources, and support they deserve. Her early legal experiences reinforced the importance of ensuring no child is overlooked during difficult family circumstances. Noreen and her husband, Matt, raised their daughter in Montville, New Jersey, where they have called home since 2005.
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Nancy Medford
Nancy brings a unique blend of medical, administrative, and CASA experience to the board. After earning her degree in neurobiology from Cornell University and training as a physician assistant, she worked in healthcare before spending more than 30 years managing a medical practice.
Nancy also served as a CASA volunteer for nearly 13 years, giving her deep, firsthand understanding of the organization’s impact. Now as a trustee, Nancy is focused on fundraising, education, and strengthening support for CASA’s mission. Outside of her work, she is a competitive ballroom dancer who has won several trophies.
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Brenda Fischer Myers, Esq.
With over two decades of experience as a prosecutor and now serving as Associate General Counsel for Data Strategy & Security at Guardian Life, Brenda brings both legal expertise and a strong sense of purpose to the CASA board. A graduate of Georgetown University and Brooklyn Law School, she has dedicated her career to advocating for others, making her transition into nonprofit service a natural extension of that work.
Based in New Vernon, Brenda joined the board in 2026 with a clear goal: to help expand CASA’s reach and ensure more children receive the advocacy they deserve. She is especially passionate about supporting young people facing difficult circumstances and believes every child should have someone firmly in their corner.
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Heidi Oshima
Heidi is a retired educator with a Master of Education who spent her career teaching Spanish, French, and German. Her passion for children and learning has always been at the center of her work, both in and out of the classroom.
After volunteering with CASA for nine years, Heidi joined the board to further her impact. She is focused on increasing community engagement and expanding resources for children in foster care. She also enjoys traveling and experiencing different cultures around the world.
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Susan Scheiner
Susan serves as Senior Director of Global Education at Sesame Workshop, where she has spent her career helping children grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. With degrees from Cornell University and Columbia University’s Teachers College, she brings extensive expertise in child development and education to her work.
Susan joined the CASA board to further support children facing challenging circumstances and is passionate about giving a voice to those who need it most. She leverages her professional background to help strengthen programs and expand CASA’s impact. Fun fact: Sue’s kitchen was featured on an HGTV home makeover show.
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Mark Shemtob
Mark brings a unique and personal perspective to the board, having previously served as a CASA volunteer. His firsthand experience working directly with children in foster care gives him deep insight into the organization’s impact and the importance of consistent advocacy.
Now retired and living in Denville, Mark has continued his commitment to CASA through board service. He is dedicated to ensuring that more children receive the support they need and that the organization continues to make a meaningful difference in young lives.
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The Honorable Mary Whipple
Mary serves as Of Counsel at Prozio Bromberg & Newman, PC, bringing decades of distinguished legal experience. She began her career as an Assistant U.S. Attorney before transitioning into private practice and later becoming a New Jersey Superior Court Judge in 2010. She retired in 2024 as Presiding Judge of the Superior Court, Appellate Division. Mary holds a Bachelor’s degree from the College of the Holy Cross and a Juris Doctor from Seton Hall Law School.
Having witnessed CASA’s impact firsthand during her time as a Family Court Judge, Mary joined the Board with a deep appreciation for the organization’s commitment to protecting the best interests of children. She is passionate about strengthening CASA’s relationship with the court system and ensuring children continue to receive the advocacy and support they deserve. Mary resides in Morristown and also enjoys spending time at her home in Amelia Island, Florida. And a fun fact about Mary? She proudly has no tattoos!
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Elisa Wyman
With over 25 years of global human resources consulting and corporate leadership experience, she currently serves as Senior Vice President of Global Rewards, Engagement & Belonging at Wolters Kluwer. She holds an MBA in Finance and Marketing from Fordham University and a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Lehigh University. A member of the CNBC Workforce Executive Council, she brings extensive experience in strategic leadership, employee engagement, and organizational development.
Since joining the CASA Board in November 2024, she has been dedicated to strengthening CASA’s impact and ensuring vulnerable children in our community have the advocacy and support they deserve. Passionate about giving back, she believes every child should have the opportunity to thrive and succeed. A Mendham resident, she enjoys supporting local nonprofits and is an avid jigsaw puzzle enthusiast.
