Meet The Team
Welcome!
Executive Director
CASA DC is led by Executive Director Arika Adams, LMSW, a Licensed Social Worker. She has worked with CASA for 13 years, serving as Chief of Staff for seven years prior to becoming Executive Director.
Senior Manager, Outreach and Initiatives
Alexandra Fields-Evans is a DC native with over nine years of serving court-involved & justice-impacted youth.
Chief of Staff
Allison Kahn-Pauli has a JD and a lifelong commitment to working with youth. She is passionate about transforming the world through bettering the lives of children. Allison has been part of the CASA DC team for over a decade. In her capacity as Chief of Staff, Allison handles strategic planning, development, communication, and assessment, including grants.
Senior Manager, Juvenile Justice and Education
Angela Nivens
Angela Nivens is a native Washingtonian and long time resident of D.C.'s ward 7. She began at CASA DC January 2022, and serves as the Manager of Juvenile Justice and Education.
Program Manager, Preparing Youth for Adulthood (PYA)
Ashley Strange
A DC native, Ashley Strange is currently working on her MSW at Catholic University of America. Ashley works as our PYA Program Manager. This initiative focuses on youth transitioning from foster care into adulthood, empowering them to be self-sufficient by their 21st birthday.
CASA Supervisor
Ashlyn Olson
Ashlyn started at CASA DC in February 2022. She has a Bachelor’s in Psychology from BYU and Master's in Criminology from Middlesex University, London. Ashlyn is passionate about mental and emotional health, providing holistic treatment, therapy, and healthy environments for children and youth.
CASA Supervisor
Ayoka Jack
Ayoka is a DMV native, living in Prince George’s County and working and studying in Washington, DC. She also has a Master's in Social Work with a concentration in child welfare issues.
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Volunteer Coordinator
Brandon Pipitone
Brandon just obtained his M.A. in Forensic Psychology from George Washington University. Brandon strives to use his background in psychology to help support our volunteers as they advocate for the youth of DC.
Program Manager, EMPOWER
Ha'Leigh Warden
Ha’Leigh works specifically with CASA volunteers assigned to youth with suspected or confirmed experiences of sexual violence. Ms. Warden has a Master’s in Social Work specializing in the direct practice of child and family welfare and a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice, Women & Gender Studies.
Clinical Social Worker
Haley Graham
Haley is CASA DC’s newest Clinical Social Worker. She is originally from Pittsburgh, PA but has spent the last six years living in Florida. Haley comes to us with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work and has spent the last three years working at a diversion program for girls in the juvenile justice system.
Program Manager, Family Reunification
James Fleming Jr.
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.
Grants and Communication Coordinator
Kazia Capener
Ms. Capener assists in researching, and writing grants, and funding opportunities for CASA DC. She also manages the organization’s social media outlets. Ms. Capener has a Master’s in Global Affairs, and a Bachelor’s in International Studies, with a concentration in French and African Studies. Her career background is in nonprofit management and refugee resettlement.
Mentoring Supervisor, BRIDGES
Monique Burks
Her career includes working as a social worker for a foster family agency as well as working as a juvenile detention officer. Monique is passionate about making sure that juvenile justice youth and foster youth are not stigmatized.
Division Manager of Programs
Maddlyn Sivilli
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.
Program Assistant, Outreach and Initiatives
Marisela Zubia
Marisela has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Nonprofit Leadership Studies from the University of North Texas. She worked with AmeriCorps focusing on reading comprehension for elementary students in Title 1 schools. She is excited to meet you all through outreach events and in becoming a mentor herself.
Program Manager, BRIDGES
Natasha Smith
Natasha has a Bachelor of Liberal Studies from The University of Mary Washington and a Master of Science in Sociology from Texas A&M University-Commerce. Natasha’s career has consisted of owning a photography studio in New Mexico, working in Fire and Rescue, and working in Juvenile Restorative Justice.
Program Coordinator, BRIDGES
Paris Mercier
Paris joined the team in November 2021. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology & Political Science with a minor in Justice Law and Society. One issue she is particularly passionate about is reducing the percentage of school to prison pipeline for Black youth in DC.
Administrative Assistant
Siena Blackburn
Siena has a Bachelor’s in Conflict Resolution from BYU-Hawaii and recently studied Arabic at Middlebury College in Vermont. She has also worked as a freelance production assistant and in tourism. Some issues that she is passionate about are human rights, refugees, women's rights, and education.
Program Assistant, Data and Quality Assurance
Stormie Poindexter
Stormie interned for CASA DC during the spring semester of 2022 and was then hired as a full-time staff member. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology & Criminal Justice with a Minor in Human Development from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Recruitment and Training Specialist
Trina Bray
She is excited about connecting with the amazing people in the DMV area to support and advocate for our youth. Ms. Bray brings over 30 years of experience in business and professional development, networking, training, and coaching. She has worked in a variety of industries which provides a broad understanding and perspective of stakeholders.