Meet Our New CEO: Anna Patterson

Meet Anna Patterson, our incoming CEO! 

We’re excited to welcome Anna Patterson into the CEO position at CASA for Children. Anna has served as our Director of Development and Communications for the past three years and has increased both community engagement and the financial support our organization needs. 

Anna has worked in health, human services, and conservation throughout her 20+ year nonprofit career, serving in executive leadership roles for organizations like the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation, Sonoma County AIDS Network, the Point Lobos Foundation, and Hospice Giving Foundation. 

Keep reading to learn more about Anna’s experience and expertise!

Question: What drew you to CASA for Children’s mission?

Answer: I’ve always valued organizations that allow community members to have a positive impact directly within their own communities. CASA for Children allows volunteer advocates to lift up youth at an extremely difficult time in their lives, and I love that so many advocates continue to step forward for their communities.

Question: How has your background and experience prepared you to serve CASA for Children?

Answer: Having a broad background in non-profit management and board service for organizations of different sizes has given me a varied and well-rounded understanding of the challenges that many organizations face. I’ve spent valuable time serving in human services organizations supporting people with alcoholism and drug addiction, HIV, and intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. I’ve also had years of experience supporting robust volunteer programs. I’m grateful for each of those experiences, and always looking to learn and grow in service to our community.

Question: Why is the work CASA for Children does so important?

Answer: We are the only organization that can fill this critical role for children in foster care. In Oregon, CASAs are legal parties to child welfare cases. It’s an incredible gift to be able to advocate for the unique needs of a child or children in care, and advocacy has a direct impact in the courts.

Question: How do you like to spend your time outside of work?

Answer: Gardening!! I also love to spend time with my beautiful family, and with our dog, Ollie, our cat, Leonard, our rabbit, Snowball, and our frog, Ray. 

Question: Is there anything else you’d like to share? 

Answer: I’m honored to step into this role, and want to thank our advocates, staff, volunteers, and supporters for your continued partnership.

We’re thrilled to welcome Anna into this new role! To learn more about Betsy Stark Miller’s Retirement click here.