Tuesday, Sep 19, 2017
For Immediate Release
September 14, 2017
COLORADO CASA (COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES)
SELECTS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
DENVER (September 14, 2017) – Jenny Bender has been selected as Executive Director of Colorado CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) an independent 501c3 Colorado based organization whose mission is to promote the success of individual CASA programs in the state of Colorado through the identification and execution of collaborative statewide legislative activities, pass-through funding opportunities, data collection and analysis, and brand awareness. Bender will be responsible for providing the organization with strategic vision and leadership at the state level, supporting the 18 independent local CASA volunteer child advocacy programs across the state of Colorado. This position has been newly restructured and will be Colorado CASA’s most senior role, working closely with the Executive Directors of each CASA program in Colorado, other CASA state offices across the nation, and the National CASA Association. Colorado CASA is headquartered in Denver and Bender will office in Colorado Springs and report to a statewide board of directors. Bender has 15 years nonprofit leadership and fund raising experience. Most recently, Bender served as the Executive Director of CASA of the Pikes Peak Region for two years. As Executive Director of a local CASA program, Bender understands child welfare at both the state and local levels. Prior to CASA of the Pikes Peak Region, Bender was the Executive Director of Newborn Hope for three years. Newborn Hope is a statewide nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of premature babies and their families. Before joining Newborn Hope, Bender’s experience in nonprofit leadership and fundraising spans the sectors of university development and international nonprofits. Bender is deeply committed to the wellbeing of vulnerable children and has adopted children from foster care. She is the 2016 recipient of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption "Angels in Adoption" Award, nominated by US Senator Cory Gardner. “On behalf of the Colorado CASA Board of Directors, we are pleased to welcome Bender to the state office,” said Bryan Teets, Board Chair. “We look forward to beginning the next chapter in our statewide efforts to support local CASA programs as they provide a voice for abused and neglected children across Colorado.”
“I am thrilled to learn that Jenny Bender was appointed to the position of state CASA Director. I enjoyed worked with her in Colorado Springs. I look forward to partnering with her on statewide initiatives and am confident she will do great work on behalf of Colorado's children” said Julie Krow, Executive Director of El Paso County Department of Human Services and former State DHS Deputy Executive Director.
“Over the course of my career, raising support and awareness for vulnerable children has remained my passion and focus,” said Bender. “I’m pleased to join a statewide team of committed leaders who are changing the lives of thousands of children across Colorado.”
In the Press
Colorado Children’s Caucus
Colorado Springs Business Journal
The Gazette
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About Colorado CASA
To learn more go to www.coloradocasa.org
Press Contact
Jenny Bender
Executive Director
Colorado CASA
719-440-7779
Jenny@ColoradoCASA.org