Maryland CASA Announces 2014-2015 Officers and Board Appointments

TOWSON, Md. – Maryland CASA Association has elected the following individuals to serve as officers on its board of directors:President: Lisa A. Lunghofer, Ph.D.Vice President: Chris SachseTreasurer: Kris DeLisle, CPASecretary: Francha Davis““I’m thrilled that three of our officers, and three additional board members, have agreed to serve another term – and we welcome Chris Sachse as our new Vice President,” said Ed Kilcullen, Maryland CASA State Director. “We have made great progress over the past two years under Dr. Lunghofer’s leadership and I look forward to our continued work together in the year ahead as we build our capacity to serve more children in need.”President: Lisa A. Lunghofer, Ph.D. - The Executive Director of Making Good Work, Lunghofer has over 21 years experience conducting research and evaluation in the area of children’s exposure to violence, including studies of children involved with the child welfare system.“I am honored to be elected to a third term as President of the Maryland CASA board of directors. We have made great strides over the past few years, particularly with respect to recruiting a cadre of talented and dedicated board members. I look forward to working with our State Director and my fellow board members to build on our success to date and continue to expand support for CASA programs statewide, providing even more children in need with advocates,” Lunghofer said.A Maryland CASA board member since 2008, Lunghofer previously served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate in Montgomery County and Durham, N.C. She resides in Gaithersburg’s Kentlands community.▪ Vice President: Chris Sachse – The principal and co-founder of Horsetail Technologies, Sachse has over 15 years industry experience. He received his Master in Leadership and Bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame of Maryland.“I have a strong desire to give back to the Maryland community and am passionate about family rights, “ Sachse said. “As I was researching opportunities to give back, I came across Maryland CASA and was excited by their mission.”Sachse also teaches classes, provides internships and mentors students in the YearUp program in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., which helps urban young adults enter the professional workforce.Chris and his wife Jordon welcomed their first child at the end of 2013.▪ Treasurer: Kris DeLisle - DeLisle recently joined the board and brings 25 years of experience and financial acumen as a valuable asset to the mission and work of the Maryland CASA Association. “The more people know about this organization, the more children will receive the important benefits of having a CASA,” she explained.DeLisle is a Certified Public Accountant and the owner of KCD Consulting and with her partner, Brogan & DeLisle Consulting, LLC.She resides in Ellicott City with her husband, Stewart J. DeLisle. The couple have three adult children.▪ Board Secretary: Francha Davis - Davis has worked for CASA of Montgomery County for 23 years and been its executive director for the past 13 years. A Maryland CASA board member since July 2012, she also serves on the Program Committee.A member of Montgomery County's Children's Action Team and the County’s Disproportionate Minority Contact Committee, Davis has chaired the Montgomery County Juvenile Justice Commission and its Community and Legislative Relations Committee.The Gaithersburg resident previously chaired the Alfred D. Noyes Children’s Center Advisory Board and served on the Montgomery Community Television Board of Directors.“CASA programs continue to make a huge difference in the lives of so many children across the state. Maryland CASA’s support and leadership is critical to that success,” commented Davis.Maryland CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Association is also pleased to announce the appointment for two-year terms on the Board of Directors the following:▪ Charmayne Anderson – After two decades of experience in government affairs representing public agencies and nonprofits, Anderson recently formed CB Anderson Partners, LLC. She will provide public policy and advocacy services as well as strategic planning and resource development services. Anderson previously served as managing partner for The Ferguson Group.She earned both a bachelor’s degree and an MPA from George Mason University.“I was motivated to serve on the Maryland CASA board in memory of my younger sister who was adopted into my family after living in foster care for years due to abuse and neglect by her biological mother,” Anderson said.With memberships in Women in Government Relations and the Women’s Transportation Seminar, Anderson also volunteers at Stop Child Abuse Now of Northern Virginia and is active in the Washington Redskins Cheerleader Alumni Association. She resides in Laurel with her husband, Brent, and their four children.▪ Sandra-Lynn Berson - Berson, who earned a bachelor’s and honors degree in history from the University of Cape Town, SA, and her CPA certification in the US, has volunteered with CASA for three years. She has worked with the same three foster children the entire time.“I saw what a wonderful organization CASA is and wanted to improve the lives of children- in-need, while at the same time bring attention to what CASA can do to help children in the foster care system” said Berson.Active in the Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse and Har Shalom Congregation, she resides in Potomac with her husband, Wayne. The couple has three children in college, the eldest of which is entering her final year towards a MSW degree with which she wants to use to work with underprivileged children through theater.▪ Angela Lunczynski-Hamilton - Lunczynski-Hamilton works for Coca-Cola Refreshments, with over 20 years of experience as a Procurement and Supply Chain professional. The Guilford resident also serves on the Board of Managers for her community. She is a former Vice President, a current board member and the Chair for the annual fund raising gala, “Sunsets and Safe Harbors” held this year on September 6th on the USS Constellation.“The goal of this event is not only to raise funds but to help increase awareness,” Angela says, “Although my beginnings were relatively humble, I’ve always felt extremely blessed. The foundation that my family provided for me has allowed me enormous opportunity to grow and live a pretty great life.” CASAs help children in need find their place, and find people to help build their foundation, it just seemed like the perfect place to try to give back a little.” About Maryland CASAMaryland CASA Association is a private, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to ensuring the rights of all victims of child abuse and neglect to grow up in safe, permanent homes. This mission is carried out in partnership with the state’s15 Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs, which provide trained volunteer advocates to speak up for the best interests of children. For more information, visit www.marylandcasa.org.# # #