Ohio CASA Executive Director Doug Stephens selected to serve on National CASA Leadership Council

Ohio Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Executive Director Doug Stephens has been selected to serve on The National CASA/GAL Association (NCASAA) National Leadership Council (NLC), guiding important conversations on volunteer advocacy.

Stephens will serve on the NLC for the 2026 term, joining a small group of select state program directors and other CASA program leaders.

The NLC is a working council whose purpose is to represent the interests and perspectives of the entire network and ensure those voices are elevated to NCASAA staff and the Board of Trustees.

“It is an honor I do not take lightly to be chosen to serve on the National Leadership Council and work with this group,” said Stephens. “Anything I can add to or learn from NCASAA’s work will benefit the Ohio CASA Network.”

The NLC also plays an important role in strengthening connections across the network and fostering collaboration and accountability in advancing the CASA/GAL mission and vision.  

The NLC is an important part of the NCASAA structure, whose mission, together with state and local member programs, is to support and promote CASA volunteer advocacy so every child who has experienced abuse or neglect can be safe, have a permanent home, and the opportunity to thrive.

Stephens has been with the Ohio CASA/GAL Association since April 2011. He has served as Executive Director since 2012.

Since taking on the role of Executive Director, CASA programs in Ohio have increased from serving children in 36 counties to serving children in more than 60 counties.

One of Stephens’ top priorities is having a CASA volunteer available for every child in need across Ohio.

Prior to that, he served as The Supreme Court of Ohio liaison to Ohio CASA and the board treasurer and has over 40 years of service to Ohio courts.

You can learn more about Ohio CASA’s mission here.