Our Advocates

Our CASA Volunteers are the heart and soul of Children's Voice: CASA, Inc. We simply couldn’t fulfill our mission without these extraordinary individuals. The dedication, time, and care they invest in the lives of children experiencing foster care create lasting impacts that ripple far beyond what we can even imagine. We are deeply grateful for their unwavering commitment to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive in a safe, supportive, and loving home.

See Our Program for more information.

Children's Voice C.A.S.A., Inc

Leadership Philosophy

Leadership within child welfare and human service organizations requires more than the management of programs, people, and resources. It requires the ability to understand complex systems, inspire shared purpose, cultivate accountability, and create sustainable pathways that improve outcomes for children, families, and communities.

This leadership philosophy is grounded in a commitment to transformational, collaborative, and systems-focused leadership. Effective leaders must be willing to examine not only the immediate needs of those they serve, but also the organizational structures, policies, practices, and systemic conditions that influence those needs.

A central focus of this approach is strengthening organizations so they can consistently deliver high-quality, child-centered and family-focused services. This includes developing staff and volunteers, building effective community partnerships, promoting sound governance, using data to inform decision-making, and ensuring that organizational resources are strategically aligned with mission and measurable outcomes.

Particular attention is given to youth and young adults ages 14–21 who are preparing for adulthood. Leadership in this area requires organizations and systems to move beyond simply responding to immediate needs and toward intentionally preparing young people for permanency, stability, self-sufficiency, and successful transitions into adulthood.

This philosophy is informed by theoretical perspectives including ecological systems theory, trauma-informed practice, conflict theory, and strengths-based approaches. Together, these perspectives recognize that individual outcomes cannot be understood apart from the families, communities, institutions, policies, and larger social systems in which people live.

From this perspective, leadership requires both compassion and critical analysis. It means recognizing individual strengths while also examining systemic barriers. It requires listening to lived experiences while using evidence, data, and professional knowledge to guide organizational decisions. Most importantly, it requires creating environments in which people are supported, challenged, developed, and empowered to contribute meaningfully to a shared mission.

Accountability is equally essential. Strong leadership establishes clear expectations, measures progress, welcomes constructive feedback, develops others, and remains willing to adapt when existing strategies are not producing the desired outcomes. Sustainable organizations are built when responsibility for success is shared rather than concentrated in one individual.

Ultimately, leadership should create conditions in which organizations become stronger, professionals become more effective, communities become more engaged, and children and families experience better outcomes.

At the core of this philosophy is a simple but powerful commitment:

We are for the children. We are for the family.

Leadership, therefore, is not simply about occupying a position. It is about developing people, strengthening systems, building sustainable organizations, and using influence intentionally so that individuals, families, and communities have greater opportunities to thrive.

Guiding Reflection

“Every child needs at least one adult who is irrationally crazy about him or her.”
— Urie Bronfenbrenner

Randy Duke, Advocacy Coordinator

Randy Duke –  Program Advocacy Coordinator

Randy Duke has served as the Advocacy Coordinator at Children’s Voice CASA since 2016. With a Master’s in Counseling Psychology and over twenty years of direct experience in child welfare and advocacy, Randy is dedicated to ensuring that every child in foster care has a strong, supportive voice. His work has empowered and mentored more than 100 CASAs, directly contributing to impactful advocacy for hundreds of children.

Randy’s career is marked by a deep commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable children. Prior to joining our team, he excelled as Senior Program Coordinator at CASA of Los Angeles, where he guided volunteers through every phase of advocacy and played a pivotal role in resource development. Earlier in his career, Randy served as both a Supervising Children’s Social Worker and a Children’s Social Worker with the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, further honing his expertise in child welfare.

A decorated U.S. Army Captain, Randy brings leadership, analytical acumen, and strong interpersonal skills to his role, consistently demonstrating a passion for child engagement and systemic change. In addition to his extensive professional background, he holds teaching credentials in psychology and business management and is a certified Neuro-Linguistic Programmer. His forward-thinking approach is evident in his innovative use of digital technology, including the development of AI chatbot applications, educational videos, and entitlement advocacy initiatives targeted at youth aged 14 and older.

Randy’s unwavering dedication to enhancing advocacy practices is driven by his passion for making a lasting difference in the lives of children in foster care. When he isn’t working, Randy and his wife share their home with a spirited group of aging Ragdolls and energetic young rescues, reflecting his nurturing spirit both professionally and personally.

Dr Adrienne Johnson, Advocacy Coordinator

Dr. Adrienne Johnson -  Advocacy Coordinator

Dr. Adrienne Johnson serves as an Advocacy Coordinator with Children’s Voice CASA, Inc., bringing more than six years of dedicated service as a CASA Volunteer Advocate and a longstanding commitment to improving outcomes for children and families involved in the foster care system.

Dr. Johnson brings extensive experience in education, advocacy, and leadership to her role. She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Multi-Categorical Special Education and dedicated 35 years to educating and supporting K–12 students with diverse learning needs before retiring from the field of education. She later earned a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Ethical Leadership in Education from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois.

Her transition from volunteer advocate to Advocacy Coordinator reflects her continued commitment to the CASA mission. In her current role, Dr. Johnson supports and strengthens the work of CASA Volunteer Advocates through supervision, encouragement, guidance, and advocacy support, helping ensure that children and families receive consistent, high-quality advocacy.

Beyond her work with Children’s Voice CASA, Dr. Johnson serves as Vice President of Programs for the Douglas County Master Gardener’s Association. She is also a Diamond Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Douglas-Carroll-Paulding Counties Alumnae Chapter.

With decades of experience supporting children, a strong foundation in ethical leadership, and firsthand knowledge of CASA volunteer advocacy, Dr. Johnson brings a unique combination of compassion, experience, and leadership to Children’s Voice CASA. She remains committed to strengthening volunteer advocates and advancing hope, stability, permanency, and positive outcomes for the children and families we serve.

Richard Hammond, Lead Community Engagement Advocacy Coordinator

Richard Hammond – Lead Community Engagement Advocacy Coordinator 

Richard Hammond serves as the Community Engagement Advocacy Coordinator at Children’s Voice CASA, Inc. With over seven years of experience supporting family-based resource programs, he is dedicated to empowering marginalized communities through advocacy, education, and outreach initiatives. Richard’s personal journey as a foster parent—combined with his extensive background as a youth leader, mentor, and advocate—has given him a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by children and families in the foster care system. His work is driven by a steadfast belief in the transformative power of community, and he lives by the three C’s of advocacy: Connect, Communicate, and Collaborate. In his role, Richard focuses on the recruitment and retention of CASA advocates, working closely with diverse stakeholders to address community needs, amplify underrepresented voices, and drive meaningful change. His passion for fostering inclusive environments, building sustainable relationships, and creating opportunities for collaboration is evident in every initiative he undertakes. Richard’s unwavering dedication to community service and his relentless pursuit of positive impact are at the heart of everything he does. He is committed to ensuring that individuals and families have access to the tools and resources necessary for growth and success. 

"A child's voice however honest and true is meaningless to those who've forgotten to listen." — Albus Dumbledore