Skip to main content

CASA Week: Presenter Bios

Building Capacity.
Fostering Growth.
Pursuing Excellence.


Presenter Bios

Tamara Brown, MS, MSSW, CSW
Tamara Brown has been working for the HANDS program at Family & Children’s Place since 2014 when she began there as a supervisor.  She is a Certified Social Worker (CSW) and came to HANDS with Master's Degrees in Developmental Psychology and Social Work, and has over 15 years of experience working with children and families in multiple capacities. Tamara has done research on attachment and temperament development between parents and children for Purdue University and is passionate about the impact that strong, healthy relationships can have on children’s well-being throughout their lifespan. In addition to her work with HANDS Tamara has worked as a therapist and case manager in foster care, as a staff training director for a large child welfare agency (both at Home of the Innocents), and as the director of foster care and transitional living programs at Boys & Girls Haven before becoming the director of the HANDS program in 2020.

Andrea Bruns
Andrea Bruns is the State Director/CEO of the Kentucky CASA Network where she oversees and manages all aspects of the KCN’s funding, operations, and programs, with a mission to strengthen, support, and develop local CASA programs in Kentucky. Ms. Bruns is the past Chair of National CASA/GAL’s National Leadership Council and past Co-Chair of National CASA/GAL’s State Leadership Council. In 2018, she was recognized with the Inaugural State Director of the Year Award by the National CASA/GAL Association for Children. She currently serves as the Board Chair of the Kentucky Children’s Justice Act Task Force, has been appointed to the Statewide Child Abuse and Neglection Prevention Board, and serves on various statewide committees and task forces involving child welfare policy. Ms. Bruns has over 30 years of experience working in association management, government relations, and public policy. She holds dual B.A. degrees in political science and telecommunications from Indiana University, Bloomington, and an executive certificate in Child Welfare Law and Policy from Loyola University of Chicago Law School. Andrea served as a CASA volunteer for 5 years. She resides in Louisville, Kentucky with her spouse Richard and has two adult children.

David A. Crawford, BASW
David Crawford has worked for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services for 8 years, including 1 year with Family Support and 7 years with Protection and Permanency. David is assigned to Bourbon county as a primary ongoing worker but also works in nearby counties as needed. David obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from the University of Kentucky.

Major David Fegett
Major David Fegett started his law enforcement career with the Elizabethtown Police Department in 2003. During the past 19 years, he has served within various roles to include police training officer, supervision, and crisis negotiations. Major Fegett was promoted to Deputy Chief in 2015 and currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Operations overseeing both the patrol and investigative divisions. He serves on the Kentucky League of Cities Model Policy Committee and he is an active member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police, and The FBI National Academy Associates. Major Fegett is a 2014 graduate of the 255th session of the FBI National Academy and he graduated, with honors, from the University of Louisville with a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership. He earned a Master of Science in Criminology from Campbellsville University, completing his Master’s Thesis on the  Understanding and Implementation of Community Policing. Major Fegett is currently a student at Liberty University pursuing a doctoral degree in Criminal Justice, and works part-time as an adjunct professor for Campbellsville University.

Kayleigh Graves
Kayleigh Graves was born and raised in Kentucky and graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor’s of Science in Family Studies. After graduation, Kayleigh worked with children and adults through mental health services before coming to work for DCBS. Kayleigh has been with DCBS in Christian County for seven years. Prior to becoming  Family Services Office Supervisor in 2021, Kayleigh was an ongoing worker for 6 years and also did investigations. Currently, Kayleigh serves on the Joy Closet Vision Team and Lakes Region Secondary Traumatic Stress Committee. Kayleigh completed a practicum with CASA of Lexington and was a trained volunteer, as well. Outside of work, Kayleigh enjoys traveling, attending sporting, music, and theatre events, and spending time with family and friends. A piece of advice Kayleigh always likes to share in this field: self-care is important! As staff or volunteers, you will hear about things that are traumatizing to the children and can cause secondary trauma to you. Do not be afraid to take care of yourself!

Terry Manuel
Born in Floyd County, Kentucky, Terry Manuel earned his Bachelor's degrees in History and Sociology from Pikeville College (nka Pikeville University). He received a Master of Library and Information Science degree at the University of Kentucky and a Master of Law degree from Champlain College. Terry recently retired from the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives after 32 years of service. A former CASA volunteer, he welcomed the chance to work with KCN, developing and supporting CASA programs throughout Kentucky. He and his wife, Lonormi, have two beautiful daughters, seven brilliant grandchildren, four insolent cats, two unruly beagles, and one Cavalier King Charles spaniel who barks with a British accent. 

Dr. Marilyn Stocker
Dr. Marilyn J. Stocker is an organization development consultant, executive coach, and management consultant, whose passions are leadership and learning—especially learning in the workplace. Her work as a consultant focuses on leadership development, leading and managing strategic change initiatives, executive coaching, team-building, career development and transition, communication in the workplace, and innovation and creativity: all in the service of maximizing individual and organizational learning in the face of “permanent whitewater”—culture change and renewal. She has been a boundary spanner, delivering learning and change solutions in business settings as well as serving in roles of leadership in higher education. She continues to work in both business and academic worlds, designing and delivering the Leadership Institute for the Loyola Graduate School of Law and teaching management, leadership, and change at Loyola and Benedictine University Business Schools. Dr. Marilyn Stocker received her doctorate in Organization Behavior and Adult Learning from Northwestern University as well as an M.S. in Leadership and Policy Studies. Her undergraduate work in Literature and Film was completed at Barnard College, Columbia University, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa. She serves on the national board of the Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse (APSAC), the Loyola Women’s Strategic Leadership Board, and the Academic Excellence Task Force of the Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities. An accomplished speaker and facilitator, Dr. Stocker has keynotes at numerous national conferences and has done extensive work outside the United States, including work in Japan, China, Latin America, Europe, and Canada. She is compelling on the podium as well as a seasoned facilitator of groups and an executive leadership coach.

Norma Thomas
Norma Thomas is the Grants Specialist for the Kentucky CASA Network. She most recently worked as Interim Executive Director for CASA of Knox and Laurel Counties where she successfully started up the local CASA program. Prior to that, Norma was Secretary to the CASA board and served on the board of directors and finance committee. Norma retired as District Technology Coordinator for Jackson County Public Schools and then worked as Business and Technology Manager for Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative in McKee, Kentucky. She has served as President of the Jackson County Retired Teachers Association and President of the South Central Kentucky Association of Technology Coordinators. Norma holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Cumberlands and an M.A. degree from Eastern Kentucky University. She is active in children’s ministry at her local church and enjoys traveling abroad and hiking with her husband. Norma resides in Annville, Kentucky on the family farm with her husband, James.


 

Return to CASA Week Home Page

Close