CASA Appoints new President and Chief Executive Officer
Child Advocates San Antonio (CASA) Announces Angela White as President & Chief Executive Officer
San Antonio, TX – January 25, 2021 – Child Advocates San Antonio’s (CASA’s) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that it has named Angela White as its new President & CEO, effective February 1, 2021. White comes to CASA with a wealth of experience in the field of support programs within the child welfare field. She joins the team after an extensive career in leadership roles in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. White is well-known throughout the San Antonio community for her compassion, leadership ability, and collaborative spirit.
Angela White’s appointment comes at a critical time for the organization; referrals to CASA have stayed consistent throughout COVID-19, even while cases have become more complex. In the past few months, CASA has seen growth in the number of cases referred by the Bexar County Children’s Courts. We anticipate further referrals to come, as prolonged financial hardship and isolation are breeding grounds for potential child abuse and neglect.
In these challenging times, CASA’s Board of Directors considered the need to find someone who would lead with strength, as well as a focus on the core values of the agency: integrity, compassion, collaborative spirit, and a deep sense of commitment to serve children who have experienced neglect and abuse, Juanita Peláez-Prada, Board Chair of CASA, said.
“We found that person in Angela White,” said Peláez-Prada. “Angela’s enthusiasm, grace, wit, love of children, and compassionate leadership will promote and ensure the fulfillment of our mission: to advocate on behalf of abused and neglected children so that they may have stability in a safe and loving home.”
White comes to CASA from her role as Chief Operating Officer of Chosen Care, a non-profit organization focused on helping children heal from trauma by strengthening their families. Prior to that role, White served as the Chief Executive Officer of Alpha Home, a non-profit substance addiction treatment center in San Antonio.
White has also held senior management positions within the private sector, in the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States in various fields, including finance, SAP (IT) project implementation, sales and international customer service, manufacturing and compliance.
White holds a BA in Business and Finance from North Cheshire College (UK) and an MBA in Leadership and Sustainability from the University of Cumbria (UK).
White comes to CASA with enthusiasm, stating, “I am absolutely delighted to accept the position of President & CEO at Child Advocates San Antonio. To be able to work with the dedicated and talented team already in place is a great opportunity. We will continue to build and grow the organization, so that more children within the Bexar County foster care system can have a Court Appointed Special Advocate. My professional experience in leadership and organizational growth, coupled with a deep personal connection to the mission, is a unique combination that allows me to bring exceptional value to CASA”.
About Child Advocates San Antonio
The mission of Child Advocates San Antonio (CASA) is to recruit, train, and supervise court-appointed volunteer Advocates who provide constancy for abused and neglected children and youth while advocating for services and placement in safe and permanent homes. In FY2020, 751 CASA volunteers advocated on behalf of 1,883 children in foster care.
For more information or to set up an zoom media interview, please contact:
Sue Borst
Communications and Marketing Manager
sborst@casa-satx.org | 210.867.1429 (c)
During their TMC case, Nanette was assigned to two young ladies who shared a deep and loving bond with their toddler brother, who had been removed under a separate case. Recognizing that these young ladies had taken on caretaker roles for their brother, Nan wanted their visits to be safe, joyful, and centered around sibling connection rather than responsibility. Understanding the importance of preserving this relationship, Nan amplified the girls’ voices and advocated for consistent, meaningful visits while separate permanency options were being explored. She collaborated closely with the younger brother’s adoptive placement, the girls’ group home, and later their foster placement to create opportunities for the siblings to spend quality time together. When Nan was later assigned to the younger brother’s case during PMC, she was finally able to personally ensure that all three children shared visits outside of the CPS office—providing natural, family-centered experiences that strengthened their bond. Despite the children being on different permanency tracks, living in three separate placements, and facing numerous setbacks, Nan’s commitment to maintaining their connection never wavered. Eventually, the youngest child was adopted. Thanks to the strong, trusting relationship Nan had built with his adoptive family, she was able to continue arranging sibling visits even after his adoption was finalized. Nan coordinated fun, family-oriented outings where the children could enjoy time together and simply be siblings. Soon after, the middle child was also adopted. Nan ensured that all siblings were present to celebrate these important milestones in each other’s lives. She continues to organize opportunities for the siblings to connect and advocates for the oldest youth, who plans to transition out of foster care when they are older. Nan’s focus has always been on the well-being of the children. Despite challenges and complex case dynamics, she remained steadfast in ensuring that the children’s needs and wishes guided every decision. Her dedication to preserving the sibling bond demonstrates her deep understanding of how essential family connection is to achieve true permanency and emotional stability.
Natalie Rodriguez
