Kelley Swift
Executive Director
Kelley loves to speak about the important work of CASA volunteers and has dedicated her career to empowering community members to serve in this important role in the lives of children. Kelley joined CASA for Kids as Executive Director in October 2021. Prior to that, Kelley served on CASA for Kids board of directors and worked for Allegheny County CASA. She has her JD from Duquesne Law and a BA in Sociology/Criminal Justice from Messiah University. She currently serves on the Washington County CYS Advisory Board, Washington Rotary Club, Health and Welfare Council of Washington County, and the Early Learning Resource Center Region 4 Leadership Council.
Cindy Hestad
Program Director
Cindy started with CASA for Kids in the fall of 2016 as a CASA Advocate. After finding out how fulfilling it was to research the case and advocate for children’s needs in and out of the court room, she took the leap to become an advocate supervisor to help more children in Washington County in 2018. Brainstorming and investigating ways to assist children to heal and grow in an ever-changing world continues to challenge and motivate her to continue.
Carol Schuck
Advocate Supervisor
Carol Schuck has been committed to CASA for seven years, first as CASA Advocate and for the past five years as an advocate supervisor. Carol studied child development at the University of Tennessee. After graduating she continued her child-focused studies this time in career development, earning an MA from Penn State University. Post graduation Carol pursued ways to advocate for children through citizen inspection of juvenile delinquent homes, was a board member for the Prevention of Child Abuse and volunteered in the Sunday school program at her church. It is the integration of big-hearted volunteers helping children find a permanent home where they can grow and develop to their fullest potential that motivates Carol to stand behind CASA's great purpose and work.
Phylliss Hartman
Advocate Supervisor
Phylliss joined CASA as an Advocate supervisor in May 2024, after having served as a CASA Advocate in 2023. She has brought to CASA her years of experience encouraging and supporting community volunteers as part of her leadership roles in her local Parent Teacher Council and in various athletic booster clubs and arts groups, supporting young people in our community over the past 20 years. She became involved with CASA to help others navigate the intellectual disabilities process in schools, having had personal experiences with these complicated systems. Phylliss previously worked in Allegheny County as a paralegal and learned of the great need for CASA volunteers through a friend who is an attorney in the family court system. Phylliss is driven by the need to get accurate information and the desire to change the status quo that happens when we accept that “it’s the way that it’s always been”. Her passion for this work has grown as she has seen kids thrive with simple changes in their lives and having someone in their corner advocating for their needs to be met.
Maria Lusk
Advocate Supervisor
Maria has been with CASA for 4 years, serving the past 2 years as an Advocate Supervisor after starting as a volunteer advocate. She first became involved with CASA for Kids to give back to the community and help those that are the most vulnerable. Maria has discovered that it feels great to work behind the scenes to make something happen for a child, whether it is getting them to be able to participate in an activity they want to do or helping them get the services they need. She finds it is rewarding to see the progress kids make and the potential they have. Maria has a BA from Duquesne University.
Peyton Celani
Administrative Assistant/Data Manager
Peyton joined the CASA for Kids team in July 2021. Growing up, she watched both of her parents have a positive impact on the children of Washington County, and felt it was right to follow in their footsteps and be the change she wanted to see in our community. Peyton describes, “Working at CASA for Kids has felt so fated; working with like-minded, passionate people who take it upon themselves to help the children of Washington and make our community brighter, motivates me every day to do what I love”. Before her role at CASA for Kids, Peyton worked at KidBiz in Washington and at the Brownson House Inc./Vernon C. Neal Sportsplex. Peyton serves on the PA CASA Data Committee.
Carley Steadman
Development and Administrative Associate
Carley Steadman serves as the Development and Administrative Associate at CASA for Kids, where she focuses on community outreach, partnership building, and event planning and management. With a strong background in nonprofit work, she has dedicated the past four years to advancing causes that strengthen and uplift the Washington County community.
Carley’s career is marked by significant achievements, including doubling the volunteer base at the Washington Area Humane Society during her time there. Her dedication and service were also recognized when she was named the 2023 Associate of the Year for the Washington County Detachment 1138 Marine Corps League.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from PennWest California. Beyond her professional role, Carley is deeply committed to giving back through volunteerism. For the past 15 years, she has been actively involved with the Washington County Detachment 1138 Marine Corps League, and for the past 8 years, she has volunteered her time and leadership to the Sigma Kappa Sorority.
With her passion for service, leadership, and community connection, Carley brings both heart and skill to every initiative she supports.
Board of Directors
| Board Member | Business/Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Beck Adkins-Coss | MedMark Treatment Centers |
| Brant Duda (Vice President) | Strategy Design Partners, Director of Strategy and Analysis |
| Corey Young, Esq. | Attorney, Bassi Vreeland and Associates, P.C. |
| Dave Sphar (President) | IGS Industries, Owner |
| Dean Helfer | Channel Craft, Owner |
| Elizabeth Wolverton | |
| Erin Cory | |
| Ivana Liberatore | Ivana Liberatore, CPA and CFP |
| Nancy Moore (Secretary) | Steptoe Johnson, Office Manager |
| Steve Olsavsky (Treasurer) | Huntington Bank, VP Commercial Real Estate |
Emeritus Board Members
| Emeritus Board Member | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Karen Hassinger, Esq. | Attorney |
| Anthony Lombardi | Retired, President/CEO Mon Valley Hospital |