Staff Directory

Meet our Team

Leadership

Julie Bowditch

(she/her)

Executive Director Julie comes from a family created primarily through foster care and adoption which has impacted her passion for child welfare, family rights, and supporting vulnerable youth. Born and raised in Central Mass, she is an active champion for local businesses and nonprofits and enjoys facilitating and fostering connections within her network. Julie received the Susan M. Diluzio Liberty Bell award from the Worcester County Bar Association in 2025, was the WooSox Foundation Social Justice honoree in 2024, appeared on the Worcester Business Journal’s 2023 and 2024 respective “Power 50” and “Power 100” lists, and has received two keys to the City of Worcester for community service. Julie sits on the Board of ONE Worcester, is president emerita of Women in Development of Central MA, and actively supports several other local nonprofits in a volunteer capacity. After serving on our Board for three years, Julie joined our team as the executive director in early 2022.

Lynn Barrieau

(she/her)

Assistant Director

Joining CASA Project Worcester County in April 2001, Lynn has progressed through various roles. She started as an Advocate Supervisor and now serves as the Assistant Director. She also served as the Interim Executive Director for several months. Lynn’s extensive knowledge of CASA, the Worcester Juvenile Court, grant writing, and human resources, among other areas, is unmatched. CASA is fortunate to have such a dedicated staff member.

Lynn graduated from Providence College with a Bachelor of Science in Special Education and Health Administration. She earned a master’s degree in counseling from Fitchburg State University and currently teaches Psychology and Social Problems part-time at Mount Wachusett Community College. Lynn also serves as the Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees at Fitchburg State University.

Lili Barkow

(she/her)

Development Associate

Lili graduated in 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in women’s and gender studies. In 2025, she received a master’s degree in public administration at Clark University. Lili’s dedication to empowering youth has led her to work with many nonprofits in the Worcester and Boston areas. She began her journey at CASA Project Worcester County in 2021 as an intern, assisting with administrative tasks and brand awareness projects. In 2022, Lili expanded her intern role for academic credit and conducted research on the barriers and outcomes for LGBTQIA+ foster youth. In June 2023, she became a volunteer advocate, and most recently joined the CASA team in October 2023 as the Development Associate.

Jordyn Becker

(she/her)

Community Relations Manager

Jordyn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Slippery Rock University, graduating in May 2017. Prior to joining CASA Project Worcester County, she worked with the Department of Children and Families as an Ongoing Social Worker, gaining extensive experience in child welfare. Jordyn became part of the CASA team in November 2018 as an Advocate Supervisor and has since progressed to her current role as Community Relations Manager. In her role, Jordyn is instrumental in cultivating meaningful community partnerships and elevating CASA’s presence in Worcester County. She is dedicated to advocating for children and families while helping to strengthen CASA’s network of support. Jordyn’s work is fueled by her deep commitment to child welfare and her belief that every child deserves a voice and the opportunity to thrive.

Sandy Bell

(she/her)

Advocate Supervisor

Sandy Bell is an Advocate Supervisor at CASA Project Worcester County. Originally from the Boston area, Sandy spent eight years as an Assistant Program Director managing a residential group home, where she dedicated herself to direct care, advocacy, and supporting individuals with disabilities. Sandy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science (cloud concentration) and a minor in biology.

Combining her analytical skills, cloud expertise, and extensive human services experience, Sandy is thrilled to champion and empower vulnerable children navigating the child welfare system. 

Melissa Cote

(she/her)

Communications Coordinator

Melissa began working with CASA Project Worcester County in 2019 as a member of the Fore the Kids golf tournament and Champions for Children celebration steering committees. She was also a design consultant aiding with branding each signature fundraiser.

In 2022, Melissa become an official consultant to CASA where she curated all of the organization’s social media graphics and many digital marketing campaigns. After being a small business owner for 14 years, Melissa joined the CASA team as the Communications Coordinator in March of 2025.

Karlene Cudak

(she/her)

Development and Communications Manager

Karlene graduated from Providence College in May 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies and Spanish, and her studies focused on community-based learning, advocacy, and systemic change. She joined the team at CASA Project Worcester County in September 2021 as a Development Associate, and now currently serves in her role as Development and Communications Manager. Passionate for community-driven change, she chose to redirect her career path to the nonprofit sector after spending time in the public school system.

Karlene also serves on the Women in Development of Central MA’s Board of Directors as the Communications Chair, is a graduate of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Worcester Class of 2025, and continues to look forward to expanding her collaboration in community advancements in Worcester County.

Kerriann Fagerquist

(she/her)

Program Manager

Kerriann received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Anna Maria College. She worked as a police officer for 15 years – first in Holden, then in Sudbury. Her passion for advocating and supporting children in the community brought her to CASA Project Worcester County in 2016.

Kerriann began at CASA as an Advocate Supervisor, was then promoted to Lead Advocate Supervisor, which led to her current role of Program Manager.

Theodette Gasasira

(she/her)

Advocate Supervisor

Theodette graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a bachelor’s in public health. She is also trained as a school teacher for multiple class levels where she provided counseling, guidance, and clinical support to foster children and families. She worked with World Vision to monitor and report on children victims of neglect, abuse, domestic violence, mental health, and parental substance abuse prior to joining the CASA team. She provided crisis intervention and advised rural women on their local rights and responsibilities. At CASA Project Worcester County, Theodette is an Advocate Supervisor who works with individual CASA Volunteers who have been appointed to court cases in Worcester County.

Eric Howarth

(he/him)

Advocate Supervisor

Eric is a life-long Worcester County native and joined the CASA team in 2024 as a part-time Advocates Supervisor. He is also a UMass Amherst alumnus, earning his bachelor’s degree in political science in 2020. Eric completed the Master of Public Administration program at Clark University in 2025. He is committed to supporting vulnerable populations within Worcester County and his passion and skillsets are valuable assets to our community.

Kendra Mensah

(she/her)

Digital Innovation and Data Engineer

Kendra is a Worcester native committed to advancing community well-being through advocacy and innovation. In 2022, she received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a concentration in victimization from Bridgewater State University, and in 2025, she completed a master’s degree in computer science with a concentration in software engineering from Merrimack College.

Her professional experience includes working alongside criminal defense attorneys to gain insight into the legal system and serving as a case manager at an emergency residence for adolescents, where she monitored and supported youth development. Kendra is eager to integrate her background in social services with her technical expertise to enhance program operations and outcomes for children in care. Her focus lies in leveraging technology to advance systems within the child welfare and nonprofit sectors, with an emphasis on creating accessible, sustainable solutions that drive lasting impact. Kendra was also named to Pulse Magazine’s 2025 People to Watch list.

Krissie Shaw

(she/her)

Training and Community Impact Supervisor

Krissie graduated from Worcester State University in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies. She has always been passionate about advocating for the children in her community and supporting them on their paths to bright futures. Krissie worked in daycare for a decade prior to joining the CASA team in 2023 as a Program Associate. Her dedication to amplifying the voices and best interests of children and youth in Worcester County pointed her to CASA Project. Krissie never felt she could answer the “what do you want to be when you grow up” question, until her journey brought her to CASA, where she is devoted to furthering our mission each day.

Jim Steele

(he/him)

Lead Advocate Supervisor

Jim joined CASA Project Worcester County as a volunteer in 2010 after a 32-year career at UPS. Jim brings a wide range of experience in union relations, management development, and business processes to CASA. Jim was added to the CASA staff in the fall of 2011 and supervises cases in the Worcester Juvenile Court as a Lead Advocate Supervisor.

Andrea Sullivan

(she/her)

Development and Financial Services Manager

Andrea settled in Worcester after graduating from Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelor of Science degree in biotechnology, and her passion for community engagement began to sprout. Through active involvement in her children’s school, she discovered her talent for fundraising and nonprofit work, leading her to a fulfilling career serving Worcester’s families.

Prior to joining CASA’s team in May of 2025 as the Development and Financial Services Manager, Andrea served as the Development and Special Projects Director, then the Deputy Director of the Worcester Jewish Community Center (JCC). She gained insights and expertise in fundraising, scholarship support, and vital programming in these roles.

Andrea’s commitment to community engagement and advancement is evident in her role on the Board of Directors for Women in Development of Central Massachusetts where she supports and learns with and from fellow local development professionals. She was also recognized as a 2023 Worcester Woman to Watch and received the 2023 WPS Thomas Jefferson Award for her outstanding service in promoting equity and excellence for all students.

Gloriann Switzer

(she/her)

Lead Advocate Supervisor & Engagement Manager

Gloriann’s journey at CASA began in 2017 as a volunteer advocate. Since then, she has become a licensed social worker and received a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies with a concentration in child advocacy from Worcester State University. She also minored in sociology and addictions counseling. Gloriann is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Criminal Justice with a concentration in community justice at Fitchburg State University. Prior to joining the CASA team in 2022, Gloriann worked in the public school system for over 25 years in various roles.

There is no doubting Gloriann’s passion for advocacy and her dedication to youth in Worcester County. She also treasures spending time with her family and friends.

Kris Wilhelmy

(she/her)

Administrative Officer

Kris is a former paralegal who joined CASA Project Worcester County in 2006 as a part-time Case Assistant. Kris is now CASA’s Administrative Officer and she assists the case supervisors in maintaining the CASA database and case files, coordinates the donor database, and collaborates with all of her colleagues to complete miscellaneous tasks daily. Kris also has a hand in coordinating CASA’s annual fundraisers, campaigns, and special events. CASA Project Worcester County is grateful for all of her contributions over her 15 years with the nonprofit. Kris loves the work she does at CASA and she is inspired by her three sons and amazed by the CASA Volunteers to continue with her career path.

Photo credits: Phil Smith Photography

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