Board of Directors
Child Advocates of Fort Bend is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of a diverse group of 30 business and civic leaders representing a variety of professional sectors, geographical regions, ages, genders and ethnicities. Our Directors share a passion for impacting the lives of abused and neglected children in our community. We are fortunate that every year, 100% of our Board Directors make a financial contribution. They are also actively involved in outreach and ambassadorship as well as serving as CASA and CAC Volunteers.
- Jill Curtis, President
- Bruce Longaker, Vice President
- David Lanagan, Secretary
- Jim McClellan, Treasurer
- Jim Lockwood, Parliamentarian
- Eileen Akerson, Past President
- Farha Ahmed
- Dr. Betty Baitland
- Cynthia Barratt
- Brigit Engleman
- Carrie Fix
- Joe Freudenberger
- Valerie Golden
- Narmin Kermally
- Rhonda Kuykendall
- Matthew Martin
- Ruthanne Mefford
- Marcelo Moacyr
- Irfan Motiwala
- Mike Nelson
- Apurva Parikh
- Nancy Olson
- Elexa Orange-Allen
- Carlos Perez
- Darrell Roth
- Pat Somers
- Lynne Spiwak
- Patti Tuma
- Shiroz Virani
CAC Advisory Council
In addition to our Board, Child Advocates of Fort Bend is supported by three advisory councils. The CAC Advisory Council provides program guidance and expertise. Their members are subject matter experts ranging from attorneys, law enforcement officers, medical providers, child welfare specialists, school superintendents and administrators, placement agencies and community representatives. They meet monthly to advise on programming, community outreach, outcomes measurement, and the legislative and legal issues impacting our cases.
- Jeff Craig, Chair
- Alex Hunt, Vice Chair
- Vita Goodell, Secretary
- Farha Ahmed
- Jill Curtis
- J Noe Diaz
- Kyle Dobbs
- Sheriff Eric Fagan
- Henry Garcia
- Kristy Gutierrez
- Dr. Karen Gollaher
- Brandon Harris
- Alex Hunt
- Ruthanne Mefford
- Chinnu Meher-Homji
- Afshi Charania Merchant
- District Attorney Brian Middleton
- Zeenat Mitha
- Melissa Munoz
- Mark Poland
- Jamie Reyna
- David Rider
- Cherise Roberts
- Marc Smith
- Bridgette Smith-Lawson
- Jeanne Wallace
- Jheri Walters
- Jarita Wharton
- Christie Whitbeck
- Jonathan White
Volunteer Council
Volunteer Council is comprised of ten to twelve Child Advocates of Fort Bend volunteers, with various lengths of service or experience, representing the Children’s Advocacy Center and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) programs. Members meet monthly and serve at least one year. The Council serves as a link between staff and volunteers to facilitate communication and provide volunteer support. Volunteers are encouraged to become an active part of the Council’s activities by either serving a term, providing input or sharing resources. Council activities include, but are not limited to social gatherings, case closing celebrations, current issues, special events such as the Sugar Land Light of Hope Event, National Adoption Day, support for staff during CAFB Specialized Programming, and participation in swearing-in celebration of new volunteers.
- Nancy Dale, Chair
- Donna Anderson
- Kathy Eyring
- Carrie Fix
- Debbie Hanks
- Alexis Jackson
- Chinnu Meher-Homji
- Kathy Roos
- Julia Saller
- Lynne Spiwak
- Sheri Walters
Friends of Child Advocates of Fort Bend
Friends Council is an auxiliary group dedicated to direct assistance to the children we serve. Friends Council raises funds through annual membership ($50/year) and currently has approximately 100 members. Friends membership form
- Pat Somers, President
- Alexis Jackson, Treasurer
- Lynn Halford
- Jessica Kij
- Joyce Levine
- Sue Lockwood
- Judy Maddison
- Lisa Moore
- Daisy Ohnimus
- Karen Shaw
CAFB adheres to a strict Zero Tolerance for Child Abuse Policy in our practices and operations.
