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Our Team

Kesha Waters

Executive Director

Learn About Kesha

Kesha Waters - Executive Director

Kesha Waters has been involved with CASA of the TN Heartland for 13 years. She served on the Board of Directors for 4 years and was hired as the Executive Director 9 years ago. Kesha is active in her community by mentoring young women and men through programs designed for at-risk youth. Kesha currently serves as a Commissioner on the Trial Court Vacancy Commission for the State of Tennessee.She is the East Tennessee Agency Representative for the TN CASA Board of Directors. Immediate Past President of Altrusa International of Oak Ridge and current President of the Altrusa Foundation. She serves on the Board of Directors for Girls Inc., Ridgeview Behavioral Health, and the Anderson County Child Fatality Review Board. She is also a member of The Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club, Women in Business Council, and has served on the United Way of Blount County Allocations Panel for 4 years. Kesha is a former member of The Alliance for Better Non-Profits Programming Committee as well as the Suburban Leadership Council for the National CASA Association.Kesha is a graduate of The Haslam College of Business CSEE program, Discover Blount, Leadership Blount and Leadership Oak Ridge class of 2020. Kesha received her Associate of Applied Sciences in Business Administration from Roane State Community College. She is married to her husband Sebastian and has two sons, Bryson (26) and Bash (5).

(Updated Nov ’24)

Katherine Allison

Administrative Assistant

Learn About Katherine

Katherine Allison - Administrative Assistant

Katherine joined CASA in August 2021. She has served as the Admin-Assistant for the Oak Ridge Main Office for the last 3 years. Katherine earned her Bachelor’s in Business Administration from King University in 2019. She is new to the Non-Profit world (with CASA being her first nonprofit role) but is excited to continue to learn and experience all things non profit! She resides in Oak Ridge with her husband of 5 years Xavier and their three sons Xavier Jr.(4), Xander(2) and Xavion(NB).

Michelle White

Anderson County Program Coordinator

Learn About Michelle

Anderson County Needs

Michelle White – Anderson County Program Coordinator

Michelle joined CASA in 2021 and serves in both Anderson and Blount Co as a Program Coordinator. Michelle earned her BS in Nursing and worked in Neonatal ICU for 20 years where she most enjoyed patient education and championed activities which empowered at-risk families. Her volunteerism has extended from MOPS to Boy Scouts, disaster relief to construction rehab, and she is proud to now partner with volunteers to advocate for children who find themselves before the court. Michelle completed the National Association of Counsel for Children Red Book Training Course in 2022 and is a 2024 graduate of The Haslam College of Business CSEE program. She and her family have called east TN home for 18 years.

(Updated June ’24)

Andi McElreath

Blount County Program Coordinator

Learn About Andi

Blount County Needs

Andi McElreath-Blount County Program Coordinator

Andi came to CASA as a volunteer in 2024. After completing her first CASA case, she came aboard as staff to serve as the Blount County Program Coordinator. Andi has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Tennessee and has previously taught several Junior Achievement financial
literacy and career readiness curriculums in Blount County schools.

She spent 16 years working in mortgage finance before deciding to change gears completely and serve her community by turning her focus towards helping vulnerable children. Andi is currently on the Blount Co. CAB, an active volunteer for Blount County Meals on Wheels, holds the co-chair position for Junior Service League of Maryville toys program and has spent some time volunteering for New Hope Children’s Advocacy Center. Andi recently finished 5 years in the United Way Connect Lead Serve Club, doing community outreach, grant review and recipient selection.

She has been married to her husband Kevin for 7 years, calling Blount County home for the last 20 years and currently residing in Maryville. They love spending time with their golden retriever, Buffy.
(Updated Oct ’24)

Jackie Brown

Anderson County Program Coordinator

Learn About Jackie

Anderson County Needs

Jackie Brown – Anderson County Program Coordinator

Jackie has lived in the Knoxville area for over 20 years. She earned her Pharmacy degree from University of Colorado and Masters in Pharmacy degree from University of Iowa. As a pharmacist, Jackie enjoyed teaching nurses and physicians and working as an analyst in health information systems. As a volunteer, her efforts have been focused on working with children in various settings. After several years as a CASA, Jackie joined CASA of the Tennessee Heartland in 2016 as the Anderson County Coordinator. She believes that caring for children is critical to the success of our communities and feels privileged to be supporting the advocates who provide a voice for children in juvenile court.

Board of Directors

If you are interested in serving on the CASA board, please feel free to contact any of the current board members or the administrative office at 865.425.0888.

Hannah Fatheree-President
Russ Nellis – Secretary
Ram Uppuluri – Treasurer
Richelle Ballenger
Janet Jentilet
Adrienne Landes
David Mandl
LaDonna McFall
Mary Jane Olhasso
Ashley Strittmatter

Board Member Information

Click on the links below to review resources. If you would like to apply to be on the board, you can fill out an online application or download the PDF version to fill out.

Online Application

Board Application-Fillable 2024
Board Member Responsibilities
Board of Directors Pledge
Expectations of a Board Member
Mission, vision and Purpose Statement

Board Member Application

Please fill out the below information.

"*" indicates required fields

Personal Information

Full Name*

First Last

(Maiden)

Last

Prefer to be called

First

Birthdate*

Month

Day

Year

Sex*

Home Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Email*

Home Phone

(please include area code)

Cell Phone*

(please include area code)

Preferred Forms of Contact*

Home Phone

Cell Phone

Times Easily Reached

Other Languages Spoken*

Emergency Contact Info

Contact Name*

First Last

Relationship*

Contact Phone*

(please include area code)

Alternate Phone*

(please include area code)

Contact Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province ZIP / Postal Code

Current Employment

Current Employer*

How Long Have You Been Employed There?*

Position / Title*

(full or part-time)

Work Phone*

(please include area code)

Responsibilities*

May we contact you at work?*

Yes

Does your employer have an employee volunteer time/donation matching plan?*

Yes

Phone*

(please include area code)

Board Candidate Information

Have you had personal experience involving any of the below?

(please check all that apply)

Child Abuse or Neglect

Department of Human Services

Department of Children's Services

Juvenile Court System

Foster Care

Adoption

Agencies offering services to a child

Please list any board service,volunteer work,special training,relevant skills, Professional / Civic / Social Affiliations, community activities, hobbies or special interests that may be useful to your board placement.*

How did you become aware of CASA?*

Briefly describe why you are interested in serving on the CASATNH board:*

Which of your skills would you like to utilize on theb board?

(please check all that apply)

Board Development

Strategic Planning

Fundraising

Financial Management

Community Networking

Marketing

Other:

Board Candidate Questionnaire

If selected, how do you feel you could contribute to the success of CASATNH?*

Are you willing to give time,energy and resources (within your means) to support the mission of CASATNH?*

Members stay connected to CASATNH through meeting attendance,committee work, events, and e-mail. Do you have the time and resources to be an active member of CASATNH?*

Is there a committee you would like to serve on or a particular area of interest?*

What are your expectations from the Executive Director?*

Anything else you would like us to know?*

References

Please provide 3 personal references. Email or mailing addresses (include PO box number and zip code) *References cannot be related to applicant.

Reference #1

Name*

First Last

Relationship*

Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Daytime Phone*

(please include area code)

Email*

Reference #2

Name*

First Last

Relationship*

Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Daytime Phone*

(please include area code)

Email*

Reference #3

Name*

First Last

Relationship*

Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Daytime Phone*

(please include area code)

Email*

As a part of the background investigation, we may conduct a criminal records check, a monitor vehicle division record check, education, employment history, credit history, and/or child protective services check. Please complete the authorization for this and certification.

Authority to Obtain Information

I authorize CASA of the Tennessee Heartland to obtain information concerning my suitability to become an employee of this agency from the Department of Children's Services; the Child Abuse Register; the Department of Corrections; the District Attorney's office; juvenile, civil and employment history; credit history, and any other screening agency.

Digital or Physical Signature*

04/25/2025

Information obtained under the above release shall be held in confidence and shall be used exclusively to determine the suitability to serve as an employee.

Certification of Suitability

I, the undersigned, hereby certify, that I have had no convictions resulting from a criminal offense (excluding traffic violations) nor is there any criminal action or investigation pending. I further certify that I have had no convictions or changes pertaining to child abuse or child neglect nor have I ever been investigated by any social services agency regarding allegations of child abuse or child neglect.

Digital or Physical Signature*

04/25/2025

If you are ineligible to certify the above please describe the circumstances below

Board Member Application

Please fill out the below information.

"*" indicates required fields

Personal Information

Full Name*

First Last

(Maiden)

Last

Prefer to be called

First

Birthdate*

Month

Day

Year

Sex*

Home Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Email*

Home Phone

(please include area code)

Cell Phone*

(please include area code)

Preferred Forms of Contact*

Home Phone

Cell Phone

Times Easily Reached

Other Languages Spoken*

Emergency Contact Info

Contact Name*

First Last

Relationship*

Contact Phone*

(please include area code)

Alternate Phone*

(please include area code)

Contact Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province ZIP / Postal Code

Current Employment

Current Employer*

How Long Have You Been Employed There?*

Position / Title*

(full or part-time)

Work Phone*

(please include area code)

Responsibilities*

May we contact you at work?*

Yes

Does your employer have an employee volunteer time/donation matching plan?*

Yes

Phone*

(please include area code)

Board Candidate Information

Have you had personal experience involving any of the below?

(please check all that apply)

Child Abuse or Neglect

Department of Human Services

Department of Children's Services

Juvenile Court System

Foster Care

Adoption

Agencies offering services to a child

How did you become aware of CASA?*

Briefly describe why you are interested in serving on the CASATNH board:*

Which of your skills would you like to utilize on theb board?

(please check all that apply)

Board Development

Strategic Planning

Fundraising

Financial Management

Community Networking

Marketing

Other:

Board Candidate Questionnaire

If selected, how do you feel you could contribute to the success of CASATNH?*

Are you willing to give time,energy and resources (within your means) to support the mission of CASATNH?*

Members stay connected to CASATNH through meeting attendance,committee work, events, and e-mail. Do you have the time and resources to be an active member of CASATNH?*

Is there a committee you would like to serve on or a particular area of interest?*

What are your expectations from the Executive Director?*

Anything else you would like us to know?*

References

Please provide 3 personal references. Email or mailing addresses (include PO box number and zip code) *References cannot be related to applicant.

Reference #1

Name*

First Last

Relationship*

Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Daytime Phone*

(please include area code)

Email*

Reference #2

Name*

First Last

Relationship*

Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Daytime Phone*

(please include area code)

Email*

Reference #3

Name*

First Last

Relationship*

Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Daytime Phone*

(please include area code)

Email*

Authority to Obtain Information

Digital or Physical Signature*

04/25/2025

Information obtained under the above release shall be held in confidence and shall be used exclusively to determine the suitability to serve as an employee.

Certification of Suitability

Digital or Physical Signature*

04/25/2025

If you are ineligible to certify the above please describe the circumstances below