Meet The Team
Welcome!
Lori Morris
Executive Director
Dr. Lori Morris is CASA DC’s Executive Director (ED). Lori has been involved with CASA for over 20 years and most recently worked at National CASA/GAL Association for Children as Chief Program Strategy and Impact Officer. Starting in 2000, Lori served as co-founder and ED of CASA of Mercer County, Inc. in New Jersey. In 2017, Lori was named LifeTies, Inc. first ED. In this position, she initiated several new programs including a Pride Center for Youth and their Families, mentoring program for youth involved in the juvenile justice system, and a corporate volunteer program to support youth in their group homes. Lori is trained as a sociologist and holds a Ph. D in sociology from Northwestern University.
Kayla Davies
BRIDGES Program Manager
Kayla first started as an intern for our BRIDGES program, and now she has transitioned to the full-time staff team! She is continuing her work with case management, specializing in unmatched cases with the BRIDGES program. Kayla also recently received her Masters in Forensic Psychology at George Washington University.
James Fleming Jr.
Program Manager, Family Treatment Court (FTC)
James Fleming, MS has an extensive background working with youth and substance-abusing caretakers. He has spent over 20 years advocating, mentoring, and educating a generation of children from marginalized communities as a general education teacher and youth mentor.
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Daisy Hicks
Senior Manager, CASA Division
Daisy Hicks is a seasoned leader in youth development, dedicating over two decades to empowering young individuals, particularly those entangled in the juvenile justice system and from marginalized communities. Her expertise spans multiple domains, showcasing her adeptness in grant writing, program development, and management. Through her strategic acumen, she has spearheaded initiatives that address the nuanced needs of disadvantaged youth, ensuring the creation of impactful programs tailored to their circumstances.
Hailing from Washington DC, Daisy is deeply entrenched in the community fabric, leveraging her insights to drive meaningful change. She stands as a staunch advocate for youth and families, amplifying their voices and championing their rights.
In every endeavor,
Sophia Baron
Program Supervisor, BRIDGES
Sophia first started as an intern for our PYA program in 2023, and now she is back as a full-time member of our team. She graduated from The University of Maryland with a double major in Psychology and Criminology/Criminal Justice and is passionate about advocacy and community support. She is excited to see how her professional and educational experiences support her in this position!
Maddlyn Sivilli
Director of Programs
Maddlyn has a BA from Davidson College and Masters in Education from Johns Hopkins School of Education. She has worked as a teacher and education consultant and is a Teach for America Hawai'i and Fulbright Spain alumna. Maddlyn specializes in culturally responsive education with experience in the humanities, STEM, special education, and English language learning. She is looking forward to engaging and supporting the local community.
Stormie Poindexter
Program Assistant, Data and Quality Assurance
Stormie started off as an intern at CASA DC in Spring 2022, and now she is our go-to person for everything Salesforce and data reports. Stormie graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, with her BA in Criminology & Criminal Justice with a minor in Human Development.
Sandra Zuro
CASA Supervisor
Sandra's career background has been with youth involved in the foster care and juvenile justice systems. She is excited to bring her expertise here and advocate for DC youth!
Alyssa Newman
EMPOWER Program Manager
Zoe Smith
Volunteer Manager
Idell Sampson
Manager, Transition Initiatives
Alyssa has a Bachelors in Child Development and Psychology, a Masters in Human Development and Family Studies, and recently completed her Masters in Social Work. She previously worked as a Program Director for the YMCA of Metropolitan for several years, and is passionate about supporting the well-being of all youth in the DMV. Alyssa was an EMPOWER and clinical department intern before joining the team, and she looks forward to continuing her work with CASA DC.
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Zoe has their BA in Justice and Law from American University and spent their senior year interning with CASA and the BRIDGES program. She is excited to support volunteers and serve her community!
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Idell is a native of Connecticut who relocated to the DC area in 2021. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Biblical studies and Theology from Tabernacle Bible College and Seminary School located in Tampa, Florida. Idell is currently completing her Masters in Social work from Howard University.
Mrs. Sampson comes to the team with 12 years of experience working with inner city youth and 6 years of experience running and operating her own nonprofit organization in Hartford, CT.
She has a passion for working with youth and providing them with life affirming resources and tools to help propel them in a positive direction for success, and is a huge advocate for youth and their overall quality of life.
In addition to her passion she brings to the team uniquely curated skills of connecting with youth in the inner city, a passion for providing guidance, and a heart for youth advancement as a whole.
Idell is excited to be joining the CASA DC team and working with the youth of DC.
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