Meet our Team

Kim St. Clair

Acting Executive Director

In August of 2023, we welcomed Kim as our Program Supervisor. Prior to that, Kim served as a CASA volunteer for two years, where she saw a sibling group placed into kinship care. Kim’s knowledge gained as a volunteer is a critical part of her role as Program Supervisor, as she is able to use her experiences to help guide other CASAs. Before her time at CASA, Kim cultivated her passion for helping children through raising her own children, and volunteering for a variety of community positions and nonprofit organizations in Central Pennsylvania, such as the DELTA Community, and kid-centric causes, including booster roles for her children’s school, sports, and serving as PTA President for several years. During her extensive professional career, Kim was a Communication Specialist for both KHP Services, a subsidiary of Pennsylvania Blue shield, as well as Keystone Health Plan Central. Kim also served as The Harrisburg City Islanders Academy Youth Coordinator, where she planned youth training sessions, camps, tournaments, and more. Kim attended Penn State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing, which shines through in her keen eye for design, as she keeps our marketing materials looking great, and our office decorations up to date! Today, Kim supervises our CASA volunteers, guiding them through their cases, and offering them support as they learn to navigate the unpredictable nature of the child welfare system. Kim is proud to see the differences these volunteers can make in the lives of the children they serve.

Rachel Farzin, LSW

Advocate Supervisor

Rachel joined our team as an Advocate Supervisor after years of dedicated service as one of CASA’s founding board members, where she played a key role in helping to establish our program in her role as Fundraising Chair. A Licensed Social Worker, Rachel brings a deep well of experience from her work in foster care, substance use treatment, hospitals, and inpatient mental health facilities—experience that gives her valuable insight into the challenges facing the children and families we serve.

Originally from New York, Rachel holds a bachelor’s degree from Manhattan College and a master’s in social work from NYU. She has lived in Harrisburg for over 20 years, where she and her husband are raising their three children. Her passion for advocacy and her commitment to strengthening families continue to shape the work she does every day with our CASA volunteers.

Shemariel Gray

Communications Specialist

In May of 2025, we welcomed Shemariel as our Communications Specialist. Before stepping into this role, she served as an Advocate Supervisor with CASA of the Laurel Highlands, where she supported volunteers and helped guide advocacy for children navigating the child welfare system. That experience gave her a strong understanding of the challenges CASA volunteers and families face, which now informs the way she approaches communication and outreach.

Shemariel is a current law student, with a background in political science and communication arts. She’s always been drawn to the intersection of public service and storytelling and enjoys finding meaningful ways to share the impact of CASA’s mission. During her time with CASA, she’s helped with projects like rebranding materials, creating child-friendly community spaces, and developing training content for new volunteers.

As Communications Specialist, Shemariel supports the organization by coordinating internal and external messaging, managing digital outreach, and creating resources that help connect volunteers, families, and community partners. She’s honored to contribute to CASA’s efforts to ensure every child has a voice.

Executive Board

President - 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!

Vice President - 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.

Secretary - 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.

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.

James Herbert Carter is an executive manager with over twenty years of experience in reviving and starting up programs. His 15 year career at The Milton Hershey School, along with his experience with the juvenile probation system and youth mentorship, make James a wonderful asset to our team.

Brooks R. Foland brings over three decades of legal experience to his role as a mediator. With a background as an advocate and litigator, he has been involved in numerous mediations spanning various areas such as personal injury, including cases involving vehicle accidents, product liability and professional liability claims. Over the years, he has honed his skills through formal mediation training and collaborating with a diverse range of ADR (alternative dispute resolution) professionals.

Ashley Grotte is currently the Assistant General Manager for the Harrisburg Senators Baseball Team, the Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. In her day-to-day role she oversees the team’s marketing, community relations, game entertainment and merchandise departments. Ashley began her career with the Senators fresh out of college in 2010 and has since decided to put down roots in Central PA. She is originally from a small town in Illinois. She was drawn to CASA after learning about the organization’s mission to help the youth in the foster care system. In her spare time she enjoys travelling, baking, reading and spending time with her golden retriever, Ella.

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.

Lisa Myers is Managing Partner of Boyer & Ritter and Chair of the Advisory Services group. Her expertise in providing financial reporting, control, risk, and process improvement has benefited public and private sector entities for more than three decades. Lisa also has extensive experience in providing fraud and forensic accounting services. She has served as the lead investigator on white-collar crime investigations, which has resulted in the discovery of millions of dollars of misappropriated assets.

Tina L. Nixon most recently served as Vice President of Mission Effectiveness, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for UPMC Central Pennsylvania from May 2015 to January 2025. She is currently establishing her own consultancy business focused on advancing equity and community well-being. Before joining UPMC, Tina served as Chief Executive Officer and Director of Resource Development for the YWCA Greater Harrisburg for 15 years, where she expanded vital programs and resources for the community’s most vulnerable populations. With over 25 years of experience in the human services field, Tina has led initiatives addressing hunger, homelessness, workforce development, healthcare, domestic violence, sexual assault, childcare, racial justice, and health equity. Tina is a proud Harrisburg native. When she isn’t advocating for others, she enjoys spending time with her husband and best friend of 30 years, James, and their 28-year-old twins, Miles and Miranda, her greatest supporters.

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.

George Wolfe served as Manager of Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, PA, from 1990 to 2018. He also served as Manager of the Township's Authority for most of his tenure. Prior to Lower Paxton, George worked as a community planner and then as a municipal manager in several communities during a career that spanned 40 years.

George is experienced in the operation and administration of local governments through implementation of plans, policies, and procedures developed by governing boards and commissions. He has experience in programmatic and project specific activities, working independently with people from both public and private sectors who possess divergent backgrounds, characteristics, interests, and expectations.

George received a Master of Arts in Geography from Bowling Green (Ohio) State University. His undergraduate education took place at the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts and graduated with honors.

George and his wife Marcella are residents of Lower Paxton Township. They have three grown children with families of their own.

George began his service to CASA as a Board member in 2024. As a retiree with significant managerial experience, George desires to serve his community and its children by supporting CASA volunteers in their advocacy for abused and neglected children.

Friends of CASA

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.

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.

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.

Past Presidents

(2018-2019) 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.

(2019-2024) 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.