Speaker Bios

Panelist, Judges Panel: Q&A on Court Trends and Best Practices with Family Court Judges

Judge Gordon was born and raised in Daviess County. She is married to Sale Gordon and they have four children. She is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and the University of Kentucky College of Law as a Bert T. Combs Scholar. Judge Gordon is a Kentucky Bar Foundation Lifetime Fellow, served as the Daviess County Bar Association Bar President, was active with Daviess County Model Juvenile Court as a committee chair and member, and as a Community Stakeholders’ Committee member. She has been active with Kentucky Youth Advocates, Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children Initiative, and was Kentucky's Super-Advocate with Advocates for Families First. She has hosted and moderated foster youth panels, coordinated Foster/Adoptive Parent “coaching” classes, Kentucky Child Welfare Education and Support, and Daviess County Angel Tree and Beyond, Inc. She was elected in 2016 as Daviess County’s first Family Court Judge. Judge Gordon is also Daviess County’s youngest and first female Circuit Court Judge. She was awarded the Citizen Foster Care Review Board’s Outstanding Judge of the Year for 2017 for her service to children in foster care. Daviess Family Court was selected to be designated as an Implementation Site with the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.

Panelist, Judges Panel: Q&A on Court Trends and Best Practices with Family Court Judges

Judge Stephen M. Jones was born in Indianapolis where he was placed in a foster home as a child and later adopted by foster parents, moving to London, Kentucky at age 10. He graduated from Laurel County High School and received a B.S. in Political Science from Eastern Kentucky University. He went into private business as owner/operator of a roller-skating rink and amusement machine company until 2001. Judge Jones married his wife of thirty years, Michelle, and they have four children. Judge Jones entered Appalachian School of Law in the fall of 2001. He endured the shooting by a student that claimed the lives of the Dean, a professor, and a fellow student, as well as injured three other students. He graduated from Appalachian School of Law, passed the bar, and was sworn in as an attorney, practicing as a sole practitioner for ten years before being elected Family Court Judge in Knox and Laurel Counties in January 2015. Judge Jones learned of CASA at a conference in 2016. He began generating support and seeking potential board members and Knox and Laurel Counties’ CASA program came on board in the fall of 2017 with the hire of the first Executive Director.

Panelist, Judges Panel: Q&A on Court Trends and Best Practices with Family Court Judges

Susan Wesley McClure has been the Hopkins Family Court Judge since 2007 and is the Chief Circuit Judge for the 4th Judicial Circuit. In 2006, she served as the Hopkins Circuit Judge for General Jurisdiction. Prior to that, she had a private practice and served as the Domestic Relations Commissioner, a Special Justice on the Kentucky Supreme Court, and an Assistant Hopkins County Attorney. She is a member of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, a graduate of the National Judicial College, a National Model Court Judge, a contributing author/editor of the Kentucky Circuit and Family Court Judges’ Benchbook, and has completed the NJC Child Abuse and Neglect Institute Certification. She is a mentor judge for the Administrative Office of the Courts, a member of the AOC Family Courts e-Court Workgroup, a member of the AOC Juvenile Forms Workgroup, and a pilot judge for the Open Juvenile Courts Initiative. She is on the teaching faculty of the Kentucky Circuit Judges’ Association and represents the 1st Supreme Court District on the Executive Committee of that association. She was recognized as the 2018 Outstanding Judge by the Citizen Foster Care Review Board and has been named the Business and Professional Woman of Achievement by the Madisonville BPW Club, the Woman of the Year by the Madisonville Lions Club, and a Kentucky Governor’s Ambassador Nominee by state workers. Judge McClure is married to Dr. Tom McClure and they are the parents of three adults.

Moderator, Judges Panel: Q&A on Court Trends and Best Practices with Family Court Judges

Brandi Hagan Rogers is the Family Court Judge for Crittenden, Union and Webster Counties, the 5th Judicial Circuit in Kentucky. She was elected in 2014 for an eight-year term. Judge Rogers received her undergraduate degree from Western Kentucky University and her J.D. degree from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University. Prior to her judicial election, Rogers was a partner at the law firm of Frazer, Rogers & Peek where her practice focused on family law, dependency, neglect or abuse, and school law. Rogers currently serves on the National CASA Judicial Leadership Council.

Panelist, Judges Panel: Q&A on Court Trends and Best Practices with Family Court Judges

Derwin L. Webb is the first African American male elected Family Court Judge in the history of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. A former standout basketball player at the University of Louisville for Hall of Fame basketball coach Denny Crum, Derwin graduated from the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law at UofL and began his legal career with Stites & Harbison. He then worked as Assistant Athletic Director at University of Louisville where he assisted the athletic department in areas involving compliance, academics, and diversity as well as served on the University’s Commission on Diversity and Racial Equality. He also served on the boards of Dare to Care food banks, House of Ruth, Safe Place Services, and the March of Dimes, and earned the Business First “Forty Under Forty” Award. Derwin was hired to run the Kentuckiana Minority Business Council (KMBC) and assisted Greater Louisville Inc., the Metro Chamber of Commerce, where he was responsible for the chamber’s minority business development division. Returning to his legal roots, Derwin opened Webb Law Offices and started the “Legal Eagles” program with Jefferson County Public Schools. Derwin was elected treasurer of the Louisville Black Lawyers Association and is the past Chair of the Criminal Law section of the Louisville Bar Association. Derwin is married to Dr. Aimee Green-Webb and is the proud parent of two boys, Langston and Lawrence, and a daughter, Nariah. He has been a volunteer coach for many elementary, middle, and high school teams in the Louisville and Southern Indiana region.

Panelist, 2E - A Crucial Partnership: Widsom from DCBS Representatives

Sarah Andrus began her career with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in 2006 and currently serves as the Service Region Administrator Associate for the Westside of the Lakes. Prior to becoming the SRAA, she worked as an investigative worker, an ongoing worker, and a supervisor in the Lakes Region. She obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Murray State University in 2006 and was a participant in the Public Child Welfare Certification Program. In 2012, she obtained a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Western Kentucky University. She is married to Officer Robert Andrus with Kentucky State Police and has two children. When not at work, she is the leader for a local Girl Scout troop and enjoys camping with her family and friends.

Moderator, 2E - A Crucial Partnership: Widsom from DCBS Representatives

Andrea Bruns is the State Director 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 and support local CASA programs in Kentucky. Ms. Bruns is the immediate past Chair of National CASA’s National Leadership Council and Co-Chair of National CASA’s State Leadership Council. In 2018, she was recognized with the Inaugural State Director of the Year Award by National CASA. She also currently serves as the Board Secretary on the Kentucky Children’s Justice Act Task Force. Ms. Bruns has over 20 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 is currently enrolled in Loyola University of Chicago Law School’s Child Welfare Law and Policy Executive Certificate Program. Andrea served as a CASA volunteer for 5 years.

Roundtable Member, 1C - Taking Your CASA Program to the Next Level: Join the Discussion on How to Make Your CASA Program GREAT!

Since 1996, Charlotte has been involved with CASA of Ohio Valley and has served as Board Chair, Board Treasurer, Fund Development Chair, and CASA advocate. A highlight of Charlotte’s involvement with CASA has been advocating for five abused and neglected children under the age of six and being a part in helping to secure all five children a safe, permanent, loving home. Charlotte serves on other boards including Care for Children, Kentucky Medical Society Alliance, Daviess County Medical Alliance, The Owensboro Symphony, Owensboro Health Foundation, and the Salvation Army. Charlotte also works with the Children’s Ministry at her church. Charlotte graduated from Murray State University with a B.S. degree in accounting. Charlotte lives in Owensboro and is married to Bruce Burton and they have three grown children: David, Allan, and Caitlin.

Panelist, 2E - A Crucial Partnership: Wisdom from DCBS Representatives

Heather Byers, Regional Permanency Branch Manager, has more than 15 years of experience working with children and families. Heather specializes in working with children in foster care and has a passion for seeking permanency for those children. She has spent the last four years utilizing the child-focused recruitment model through the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. Heather has worked in both the private and governmental sector of child welfare, higher education, and community mental health. Heather has a B.A. in Sociology and Master of Arts in Education from Western Kentucky University. She is led by a quote from Dave Thomas, “These children are not someone else’s responsibility. They are our responsibility.”

Panelist, 2C - Panel of Experienced Volunteers

Linnea Caldon worked nearly 40 years in the pharmacy field before retiring in 2015. Linnea also has extensive experience in community services, having served as Director of Whiz Kids After School Reading and Tutoring Program from 2010-2015 and volunteering in multiple capacities. Linnea has been a Citizen Foster Care Review Board member since 2006 and a CFCRB Executive Committee member since 2015. Linnea also serves on the Kentucky Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Panel and the Boone County CASA Board of Directors.

Roundtable Member, 1C - Taking Your CASA Program to the Next Level: Join the Discussion on How to Make Your CASA Program GREAT!

Josh Heffinger is the Board President for CASA of South Central KY. Kentucky CASA Network selected him as the 2018 Board Member of the Year. He has been a Board Member for a total of eight years. He previously served as the Treasurer, where he built a vital relationship with the Justice Department staff as the program went through changes in their financial landscape. As the Board President, he has placed high focus on motivating the board to be key contributors in the growth of CASA and the number of children they are able to serve. He has 4 daughters under the age of 7, which drive his passion for serving those children who don’t have a safe and permanent home. Josh works as a Manufacturing Controller at Essity, a Global Hygiene and Health company.

Roundtable Member, 1C - Taking Your CASA Program to the Next Level: Join the Discussion on How to Make Your CASA Program GREAT!

Melynda is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, where she received her B.A. in Political Science and Integrated Strategic Communications with an emphasis on Public Relations. She also received her Master’s in Public Administration from the Martin School at the University of Kentucky. She holds certificates in Nonprofit Management from Duke University and Fundraising Management from the Fundraising School at Indiana University Purdue University of Indianapolis. Melynda currently serves as the Executive Director of CASA of Lexington. Under her leadership, CASA of Lexington was named the Kentucky Local CASA Program of the Year in 2016 and received the Kentucky Governor’s Service Award in 2018. Melynda was named the National Kappa Alpha Theta CASA Program Director of the Year in 2018. In her spare time, Melynda enjoys going new places and meeting new people, running, hiking and making the most out of every day.

Moderator, 1C - Taking Your CASA Program to the Next Level: Join the Discussion on How to Make Your CASA Program GREAT!
Presenter, 2D - Recognizing Economic Bias in Child Advocacy

Della Justice is the Kentucky CASA Network Deputy Director. Prior to coming to the KCN, Della worked as an attorney in private practice, including family law, and at the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Office of Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division. She is a graduate of Berea College and the University of Kentucky College of Law. Della currently serves on the National CASA Association Quality & Accountability Committee.

Panelist, 1E - Supporting Youth in Overcoming Physical, Emotional and Educational Challenges

LeAnn Magre has been working in the child welfare system for almost 30 years. As a social work clinician, she has worked in behavioral health hospital settings, psychiatric residential treatment facilities, private childcare, foster care and residential, and outpatient settings. Today, LeAnn works with WellCare of Kentucky and manages the foster child, adopted child, and adult guardianship programs. LeAnn is responsible to ensure that all foster/adopted members and adult guardianship members have access to medical and behavioral health services, dental, vision, and pharmacy access. In addition to ensuring member access to services, LeAnn works with community, provider, and state partners to advocate for needed services, individual member needs, and overall best practices for the child welfare and adult welfare system.

Moderator, 2C - Panel of Experienced Volunteers

Margaret McGladrey, Ph.D., is an applied sociologist committed to practice-based research with government agency and nonprofit organization partners in the arts, child welfare, education, and public health. After completing a postdoctoral fellowship with the Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University, Dr. McGladrey was named the inaugural Director of Program Capacity and Support for the Kentucky CASA Network responsible for the program evaluation and quality assurance activities of local CASA programs. Her interdisciplinary research has been published in peer-reviewed journals including Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society, Journal of Children and Media, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, and American Journal of Health Education. Dr. McGladrey also has served as a co-investigator on many federally and state-sponsored studies to lead mixed-methods community-based research efforts involving local health departments and cooperative extension agents.

Roundtable Member, 1C - Taking Your CASA Program to the Next Level: Join the Discussion on How to Make Your CASA Program GREAT!

Cheryl McGruder is a volunteer with the CASA Program for Bullitt County, where she has been volunteering since 2012. Cheryl was selected by the Kentucky CASA Network as the 2018 Bob Babbage Volunteer of the Year. Cheryl was recognized for this award due to her dedication and accomplishments as a CASA volunteer. In addition to selecting some of the most challenging cases on the dependency, neglect, and abuse docket, Cheryl actively devotes additional time to CASA by spreading awareness about CASA, participating in fundraisers, and mentoring new volunteers.

Panelist, 2E - A Crucial Partnership: Wisdom from DCBS Representatives

Kenya Miller graduated from Western Kentucky University with a Master’s in Social Work in May 2018 and is also a Public Child Welfare Certification Program (PCWCP) Bachelor’s of Social Work graduate from Murray State University, May 2009. Kenya has worked for the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) since July 2011. Kenya’s DCBS career began at Hopkins County DCBS as an ongoing/investigative worker before transitioning to the Union County DCBS office as a supervisor for Protection and Permanency in October 2018. Prior to working with DCBS, Kenya worked in the mental health field, working with clients and community partners for individuals with dual diagnosis.

Presenter, 1B & 2B - Self-Care: Preserving the Well-Being of Child Welfare Advocates

Dr. Kimberly N. Mudd-Fegett is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at Campbellsville University. She graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work in 2003, the University of Louisville with a Master’s Degree of Social Work in 2005, and Capella University with a Doctorate of Social Work in 2016. Dr. Mudd-Fegett worked thirteen years for the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Child Protective Services, is a certified forensic interviewer, and is employed with Silverleaf Sexual Trauma Recovery Center in Elizabethtown where she has completed over 800 child interviews. Dr. Mudd-Fegett completed her dissertation through Capella University exploring the secondary trauma of child welfare workers and has completed numerous advanced training seminars with frontline workers, professional social workers, and students on the importance of self-care and assisted them with the development of self-care plans.

Presenter, 1A & 2A - Understanding Implicit Bias: Starting the Conversation (Parts 1 & 2)

Pastor Edward L. Palmer Sr. is a co-pastor with his wife Elizabeth Palmer for The Sign of the Dove Church International located in Radcliff, Kentucky. He is a Certified Diversity Trainer and works to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities within the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. He most recently became a certified Racial and Ethnic Disparities Capstone Project Fellow through the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform at Georgetown University. He chairs the State Inner-Agency Council’s Diversity Standing Committee and is Chair of the National Coalition for Juvenile Justice. Pastor Palmer is currently serving his fifth term as a Radcliff City Councilman. His recent awards include the 2017 Kentucky Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Award, the Courage for Kids Award from Kentucky Youth Advocates, the 2018 System of Care Champion Award, and the 2019 Thurgood Marshall Award presented by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Pastor Palmer operates with unyielding passion.

Presenter, 2D: Recognizing Economic Bias in Child Advocacy

Melissa Paris is the Director of Training at the Kentucky CASA Network and a part-time faculty member at the University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work. Melissa is a social worker with experience providing direct services to survivors of intimate partner and family violence and has trained hundreds of staff, volunteers, professionals, and community members on trauma and violence prevention. She has worked in residential treatment, in a domestic violence/rape crisis center, youth leadership and policy advocacy.

Panelist, 1E - Supporting Youth in Overcoming Physical, Emotional and Educational Challenges

Dr. Lionel Phelps is a clinical psychologist and the Vice President of Continuous Quality Improvement for River Valley Behavioral Health. Dr. Phelps has worked in community mental health for over 16 years in inpatient, outpatient, and administrative settings. Most of his career has involved working with children and their families, as well as adults in diagnosis and assessment, treatment planning, and intervention. Dr. Phelps is a Navy veteran and has worked with military, law enforcement, and public safety personnel in mental health training and intervention. He is a Crisis Intervention Team instructor for law enforcement in western Kentucky and a public speaker in trauma-related topics. Dr. Phelps is on the SAMHSA steering committee for the national Disaster Distress Helpline and federal grant reviewer specializing in rural mental health matters. Dr. Phelps is also an adjunct faculty member for Western Kentucky University, Kentucky Wesleyan College, and the University of Southern Indiana.

Panelist, 2C - Panel of Experienced Volunteers

Cletus has served on the Citizen Foster Care Review Board for eight years. He serves on two Interested Party Review Boards in McCracken County and as Chair of the “A Board” and Vice-Chair of the “B Board,” and serves as Legislative Committee Chair and as Vice-Chair of the Executive Committee. Cletus retired in 2011 from Ecolab as VP of Sales for the PureForce Division after 25 years. After retiring, he worked for two years as a substitute teacher for McCracken County Schools. Cletus possesses a Bachelor of Science in Business from National Louis University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Murray State University. Cletus enjoys playing golf, hunting, and riding horses, keeping up a small farm and is a member of the St. Thomas More church choir and the Paducah Symphony Chorus. Cletus lives in Paducah with his wife Connie of 42 years. They have two children and two grandchildren.

Panelist, 2E - A Crucial Partnership: Wisdom from DCBS Representatives

Sarah Pridemore has worked with the Cabinet for over 12 years in several capacities, including as a frontline social worker, Recruitment & Certification worker, and Family Services Office Supervisor in both Shelby and Bullitt Counties. Sarah is a valued partner to the CASA Program for Bullitt County. In her current role as an ongoing supervisor in Bullitt County, Sarah supervises social workers, overseeing hiring, training, and case review for frontline social workers. She also has worked in family case management in both Kentucky and Indiana and has experience providing individual, in-home case management services, as well. Sarah earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Youth, Adult and Family Services from Purdue University.

Panelist, 1E - Supporting Youth in Overcoming Physical, Emotional and Educational Challenges

Audrey Raiche graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education. She took a special education position in Fayette County under an emergency licensure, which opened the door to a new passion - teaching special needs children with behavioral and cognitive challenges. Mrs. Raiche had her first child who, at the age of 3, was diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). Audrey spent the next decade researching and advocating for her son as well as other families with special needs children. Mrs. Raiche works with several nonprofits who advocate for differently challenged children. She sits on the Board of Directors for KORE Academy and has worked as a Volunteer Manager with CASA of Lexington. While unable to continue her work managing volunteers at CASA due to the high demands of her family, she continues to be a CASA advocate with a special interest in cases concerning special needs children.

Panelist, 2C - Panel of Experienced Volunteers

Sandy Rogers has been with CASA of Graves County and Southwest KY as a dedicated CASA volunteer for 15 years. Sandy is a retired teacher who has degrees in both elementary and special education and still substitutes for both Mayfield School System and Graves County School System regularly. Sandy’s work in schools helped her to realize that CASA was a calling for her. Sandy was married to her husband for 59 years prior to his death last year. They were blessed with 4 children, 2 sons and 2 daughters, which gave them 12 awesome grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. She is active in her church and plays the piano, does the bulletin, decorates, and manages other needs. Her philosophy is that a busy person is a happy person and to always leaves someone feeling better after you left than before.

Panelist, 2C - Panel of Experienced Volunteers

Vicki Schmidt is a volunteer with CASA of the Heartland who was first trained in January 2010. Vicki has worked a total of seven cases, which involved seven families and 14 children or young adults. Of these cases, five involved families with a young child or children. Twelve of the 14 children in Vicki’s cases were reunified with their families, including her first case in 2010 where both children were reunited with their mother after 12 months in foster care. Of the remaining two youth Vicki advocated for, one young adult aged out at 18, left the system, and requested to return before she was 19. She then aged out at 21 years old and is currently employed and living independently. Currently, Vicki advocates for a 19-year old young woman who recommitted at age 18 and is a full-time college student.

Roundtable Member, 1C - Taking Your CASA Program to the Next Level: Join the Discussion on How to Make Your CASA Program GREAT!

Norma Thomas 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 she currently serves on the board of directors and finance committee. Norma retired as District Technology Coordinator for Jackson County Public Schools and 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.

Moderator, 1E - Supporting Youth in Overcoming Physical, Emotional and Educational Challenges

Tiffany Yahr is a 2001 graduate of the University of Kentucky and a 2007 graduate of Salmon P. Chase College of Law. She worked in private practice in Paris, Kentucky until September 2015 when she began working for the Cabinet for Health & Family Services. As a regional attorney, Ms. Yahr primarily represents the Cabinet in termination of parental rights cases in Fayette County. Ms. Yahr has also been a member of the Kentucky CASA Network’s Board of Directors since August 2017.