Meet our Team

Will Foster

Executive Director

As Dauphin County CASA’s Executive Director and even more so as a father, Will Foster is well-versed in servant leadership. Will first takes the time to learn the unique talents and skills of our program volunteers, and then builds on those individual talents to cultivate a powerful collective advocacy program to improve the lives of local children in the foster care system. Indeed, Will has always focused on providing a positive experience for those he has worked for and with, and continues to do so through his thoughtful approach to child advocacy. He looks for opportunities to have fun, even when presented with difficult professional tasks. Will comes to us with a B.S in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Management from Penn State University. In his professional career, Will has held a wide range of positions involving child development, including Outdoor Educator for the YMCA, Camp Director and School Aged Child Care Director for the YWCA, Special Projects Manager for the City of Harrisburg, Parks and Recreation Director for Middletown Area Recreation Alliance, a Youth Development Aid Supervisor at Loysville Youth Development Center, and a Science Teacher at Yellow Breaches Education Center.

With Will’s experience, he can effectively lead our volunteers through the intricacies of child welfare system as they advocate for at-risk youth. Since July of 2022, Will has brought his expertise in training, marketing, and management to recruit dynamic volunteers, enhance the training opportunities of the CASA program, and utilize best practice for data input supervision.

Favorite Quote: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” -Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

Executive Board

President - Lori K. Serratelli, Esq. has accomplished much over her 40-year career as a family and employment law attorney. In 1978, she founded the law firm that would become Serratelli, Schiffman, & Brown P.C. From June 2016 to January 2018, she served as Judge for the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas, where she served in the family law division and presided over Orphan’s Court as well as civil litigation matters.

Ms. Serratelli is committed to pro bono service to her community. She has served on various boards for various charitable and non-profit organizations, including Pennsylvania CASA. As a trained court appointed special advocate (CASA) herself in Cumberland County, she went to found our Dauphin County CASA program.

Vice President - Carmen Henry-Harris joins Dauphin County CASA with work experience related to helping children and those in need. She is the Director of Community Relations for Parents and Children Together (PACT), a Penn State initiative to implement research projects that promote the health and well-being of children, youth, and families from diverse backgrounds by engaging the community at all levels of the research process.

Ms. Henry-Harris is also a certified drug and alcohol recovery specialist. She enjoys training and educating diverse populations, students and adults.

Secretary - Sarah Horton is a Community Psychiatry Project Manager with Penn State College of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health. Her home office is located at Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute in Harrisburg, and her work is centered on assisting with strategic and performance improvement projects, improving access to psychiatric services, and enhancing the quality of care while concentrating on social determinants of health, and engagement, diversity, and inclusion. Ms. Horton holds a Bachelor’s degree in Health Policy & Administration from Penn State University and has been employed with Penn State University since 2013. Prior to her role as a Project Manager, Ms. Horton worked in Student Affairs at Penn State Harrisburg, as well as the Department of Pathology, Penn State College of Medicine. Ms. Horton completed an Administrative Internship with the Pharmacy Department at Penn State Health in 2019 and earned a Yellow Belt in Lean Six Sigma through the Office of Operational Excellence. Outside of work, Ms. Horton and her family serve as family mentors to a little brother through Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region.

Treasurer - Jacqueline M. Balthaser, CPA is the founding principal member and President of Goldberg and Balthaser, P.C. Ms. Balthaser has over 20 years of experience in Public Accounting. She graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting. She prides herself on the personal involvement she provides to her clients. Ms. Balthaser has extensive experience in the areas of tax and accounting for small businesses, non-profits, and individuals. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Ms. Balthaser is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and has earned the credential of a Chartered Global Managerial Accountant (CGMA). In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, spending time with her family and granddaughters, and creating artwork.

Board Members

Samuel Barbera has been a lifelong Dauphin County resident, is a former graduate of Central Dauphin High School, and is committed to improving lives within the community. After obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and Business Management from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, he moved back to Central Pennsylvania and currently works for UPMC Pinnacle. For several years he worked in the finance department analyzing billings, outlining business models, and enhancing end-client services while obtaining a Master in Business Administration from Shippensburg University. Currently, he serves as the Director of Ambulatory Operations for the Gastroenterology and Colon and Rectal service lines. Daily, his work consists of practice management, aligning service lines across a multi-hospital network, and expansion. Outside of work, Mr. Barbera enjoys hunting, hiking, camping, spending time with family, and coaching baseball.

Judy Beskid began her relationship with the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program as a volunteer in 2009 in Cumberland County when she was looking for an opportunity to give back to the community. With several other like-minded individuals, She joined the steering committee to establish a CASA program in Dauphin County.

Currently, Ms. Beskid is retired, after having worked for over 40 years in the computer industry as a systems engineer/educator/consultant for Gannett Fleming Inc, HACC, EDS, and Inclinator of America. She also co-owned and managed a restaurant, catering business, and gift shop. She has also spent time pursuing her interest in the fields of construction and real estate development. She grew up in Pittsburgh, went on to Penn State University where she earned a B.S. in Math Education, and then moved to Virginia Beach, Va., to join her husband Frank while he completed his tour in the Navy. In 1967 they moved to Harrisburg where they raised their family - Liz, Jen, Tom, and Mike. Prior to joining the Board of Directors, Ms. Beskid served on our Advisory Committee.

Jermaine Crosson currently serves as CFO of LINKBANK in Camp Hill, PA where he is responsible for all financial operations and accounting functions of the Bank. Mr. Crosson most recently served as CFO of Sunshine Bank in Plant City, Florida where he was responsible for financial reporting, audit, budgeting, and overseeing the accounting functions. Mr. Crosson also led all SEC reporting as principal accounting officer of Sunshine Bancorp, successfully executed a strong organic growth strategy including a private placement $12 million capital raise and $11 million subordinated debt issuance, and managed a staff of accounting professionals enhancing the staff’s overall skill sets in several recognizable areas.

From 2012 to 2015, he served as controller at Members 1st Federal Credit Union. From 2005 to 2012, he served as Controller at Tower Bancorp, Inc. where he was responsible for regulatory and financial reporting, financial operations, executing a growth strategy which was supported by a capital raise in two public offerings and led the bank through two acquisitions. During his time at Tower Bancorp, Inc. the institution grew from a de novo to a $2.7 billion asset institution operating 49 branches, after which it was acquired by Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc.

He is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Chartered Global Management Accountant designation. He is a native of Harrisburg, PA a graduate of Harrisburg High and Penn State University. Mr. Crosson also has served as Treasurer Of Hamilton Health Center.

Bill Hornung believes servant leadership and servanthood are the ways to go about life. The father of five has, over the years, cared for more than 25 foster children, many of whom had special needs. This led him to help create a DVD to inspire employers to hire persons with special needs.

Indeed, Mr. Hornung owned and operated a hardware store for more than 32 years, where he hired many employees that needed a second or third chance to succeed in life. He was also a Lower Paxton Twp. supervisor for 24 years, served on the Bethesda Mission board of directors and currently works with a C12 group that inspires business owners to incorporate the Lord into their business.

Kandice Hull is Chair of the Litigation Group and leads the Eminent Domain Practice at the law firm of McNees Wallace & Nurick. She focuses her practice on the representation of clients in complex commercial litigation in business disputes and regularly counsels both condemnors and condemnees in eminent domain matters. Kandice has particular experience in the appellate courts, representing individuals, businesses and trade organizations in matters before the Pennsylvania Supreme, Superior, and Commonwealth Courts and consulting on matters proceeding to appellate litigation. She has been selected for The Best Lawyers in America^® in Appellate Law from 2010-present and Pennsylvania Super Lawyers^® from 2013-present. Kandice is a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, summa cum laude, and the University of Virginia School of Law. She works in Harrisburg, but lives in Lebanon County with her husband and four children. In her spare time, she enjoys being a youth soccer coach, reading, and traveling to beach locations.

Kendra McDowell currently serves as Managing Partner for Premier Accounting Associates located in Harrisburg, PA where she is responsible for client relationships and operations. Kendra has devoted her life advocating for children. Kendra is the founder of Adventures of The Uh-Oh Company, a multimedia Branded Company producing content for children and their families. Kendra has a podcast for children reading bedtime stories to kids all over the world. In addition to writing children's book Kendra recently started The Oh, NO Movement geared towards raising body safety awareness to children across the globe. Just this year Kendra created a pilot show for Nickelodeon. Kendra is a content creator for Meta. When Kendra is not crunching numbers or reading books to kids you may see her modeling and acting. This year Kendra was added to the talent pool. Since then she has been casted in commercials, shows, print and digital media.

Heather Paterno has devoted her career to ensuring the underprivileged have access to the legal system. As a private attorney, her practice focuses on family law and children’s issues. For 17 years, Ms. Paterno handled child custody, adoption, guardianship, and ancillary family law matters for Goldberg Katzman. In 2015, she became a court-appointed Guardian ad Litem (GAL) for dependent children in Dauphin County and has served on various county committees and advisory boards regarding issues related to indigence and children.

Ms. Paterno is an adjunct professor of paralegal studies at Harrisburg Area Community College where she oversees the paralegal internship program. Her pro bono services have been recognized by the Dauphin County and Pennsylvania Bar Associations.

Gabriella Romeo believes that even the smallest gesture can profoundly impact a child's life. Her passion for helping children stems from growing up with a foster brother. She graduated from Duquesne University with a Bachelor's degree in Integrated Marketing Communications and Political Science. She later obtained her Juris Doctorate from Widener University Commonwealth Law School. She is currently working at MidPenn Legal Services, a non-profit public interest law firm that provides free civil legal services to low-income residents and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in 18 counties in Central Pennsylvania. In her spare time, Ms. Romeo teaches fitness classes at Pure Barre Harrisburg, enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her cat, Mia.

Carol Steinour Young is a Member of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC. She represents and advises clients in complex litigation matters, including business, class action, and other commercial disputes. As a member of the Firm’s Litigation, Intellectual Property, and Injunction Groups, Carol is part of a team of professionals who routinely handle claims involving trade secret, non-competition, entity control, corporate governance, and breach of contract. She has significant first chair trial experience, having tried over 50 cases before a jury, judge, tribunal, or arbitration panel. Carol has appeared as a featured speaker before various audiences on topics including litigation management, trade secrets, injunction practice, and expert testimony. She has been selected for The Best Lawyers in America® in Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants from 2010-present. As adoptive parents, the mission of Dauphin County CASA particularly resonates with her and her husband, Bob. Indeed, they are parents to two awesome children and one even more awesome grandson!

Emeritus Board Members

Phyllis I. Bennett is a retired Administrative Law Judge and Executive Assistant to Deputy Secretary of Welfare. She has served on the Boards of the Boys & Girls Club of Harrisburg and is the Director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Performing Arts Showcase. Ms. Bennett has received many awards for outstanding leadership, including: the prestigious Distinguished Woman of Color in the Judiciary from the American Bar Association; Outstanding Woman of the Year Award given by the Alleghenians (a social action organization in Pittsburgh); Outstanding Woman of the Year from the National Guard; as well as numerous other honors. She is currently owner of PIB Associates.

Susan DiSanto,MD FCAP, has been a physician in Central Pennsylvania for over 30 years. Dr. DiSanto is a board-certified anatomic and clinical pathologist. Her interest in the protection of children stems back to her residency training where she used her knowledge in forensic pathology to collaborate with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Inaugural Task Force on Child Protection. She was instrumental in establishing a medical clinic and laboratory services at the Bethesda Mission which has since expanded to services for homeless women and children. Over the years she has enjoyed working with children throughout the community and has volunteered in schools working with children to develop their interest in science. She is passionate about the establishment of the ultimate establishment of Dauphin County CASA and is committed to its success. Dr. DiSanto has served on numerous community volunteer boards including the Harrisburg Symphony Society, Dauphin County Crime Stoppers, the Metzger Pennsylvania Clay Court Open, Hospice of Central Pennsylvania, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. She has served as the Clinical Laboratory Assistant Director at Penn State University Hospitals and numerous national and international laboratories specializing in molecular diagnostics. She is currently a consultant establishing new commercial laboratories that specialize in molecular diagnostic testing for cancer and drug testing. She received her undergraduate degree at The Ohio State University and her medical training at Penn State University. She has completed post-graduate studies in Medical Science at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Toledo Medical College of Ohio specializing in public health and preventive medicine.

In her spare time, she enjoys golf, tennis, pickleball, traveling, and gardening, and spending time with Mark, her husband of 33 years, her three children, and six grandchildren.

Rachel Farzin has spent most of her career as a clinical social worker working with children and families in various settings in New York, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania. Ms. Farzin is active in the community. She has served on the Londonderry School Board of Directors as well as the PinnacleHealth Hospitals Ethics Committee. Ms. Farzin was co-Campaign Manager for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s “Man of the Year” campaign. She has also volunteered with such organizations as Girl Scouts of Central Pennsylvania and Girls on the Run.

Yvonne Echols Hollins knows firsthand the importance of helping children. She was the Executive Director for the Boys & Girls Club of Harrisburg. Prior, Ms. Hollins served the Harrisburg School District for 22 years in various positions, including as a Teacher and a Principal. She also worked for the Central Dauphin School District for a decade first as Assistant Principal before ascending to Director of Secondary Education and finally Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Instruction. Ms. Hollins’ dedication to the community has received many awards, including the key to the city from former Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson in February 2013.

Megan Madsen is passionate about collaborating with organizations that impact our youth. She is a founding board member of REDgen, a resiliency organization in Milwaukee that was formed following several teen suicides in the community. The organization is now a leader in advocating for the mental health and well-being of all youth. Ms. Madsen is Vice President of Communications for Bravo Group, Pennsylvania’s top public relations firm. She helps companies, governments, and other agencies solve complex marketing and communication challenges.

Gloria Merrick has an extensive range of experience related to community service. She is the Executive Director of the Latino Hispanic American Community Center, a non-profit organization that serves the greater Harrisburg area by providing basic human needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. In this role, Ms. Merrick maintains leadership and oversight responsibility, and oversees initiatives related to business and workforce development and quality-of-life programs. Ms. Merrick previously worked as a special assistant at the Pennsylvania Department of Health. She serves on various boards including the Harrisburg Public Schools Foundation and the Historic Harrisburg Association. She has received several awards, including the 2018 Martin Luther King Drum Major Award.

Sarah Pearce is a CASA volunteer. She serves as an Educational Consultant CASA and Educational Decision Maker when necessary. Over her twenty years she has served as an Advisor for the Pa. Dept. of Education on state and federal laws, regulations and policy. Eight of those years in the Legislative Affairs Office. Prior to that, she served as Program Staff to choose, train and assign hearing officers for special education hearings. Worked with school districts and agencies to develop special education and early intervention programs. Ms. Pearce served on the Harrisburg School Board eight years and the Susquehanna Township School Board for six years. She has served on the Harrisburg Parking Authority and Broad Street Market Authority. She is an active member of Pine Street Presbyterian Church. She is the mother of two adopted, now adult, fine young men.