By Sara Blake
CASA of Travis County’s 2025 Board Chair, Claire Dunham, has a challenge for every member of our community: “Maybe you have family members who are volunteers or supporters, and you've heard their stories. Maybe you know someone whose life was changed by a CASA volunteer, or maybe you are that person. Or perhaps you’re new to CASA and still learning about its impact. In any case, there is a place for you here!” Claire says. “If we all do our critical part for children who need us, just imagine what a beautiful future lies ahead for CASA and our community!”
“Helping to build enterprises from the ground up has allowed me to see what extraordinary things can happen when a group of bright and compassionate people come together with a mission,” says Claire emphatically. “And I can’t think of a better example of this than CASA.”
Claire’s sense of community arises from her childhood in Houston: “My parents, though divorced, created a remarkably stable and consistent home for myself and my three siblings,” Claire recalls. “I know that so much of my life’s trajectory is due to supports around me that not everyone has.”
This was one of the realizations that drew Claire to CASA after a successful career in start-ups, primarily in operations and customer success roles. “Helping to build enterprises from the ground up has allowed me to see what extraordinary things can happen when a group of bright and compassionate people come together with a mission,” says Claire emphatically. “And I can’t think of a better example of this than CASA.”
A few years ago, Claire began to do some soul-searching for ways to contribute more to her community. “Then a friend called asking me to consider serving on the Board of an organization called CASA. I was familiar with CASA through my husband’s family which included a CASA volunteer and staff member,” Claire describes. “After researching CASA on my own, it felt unmistakably clear that I wanted to be part of this.”
"After researching CASA on my own, it felt unmistakably clear that I wanted to be part of this.”
Claire’s first year on the board was spent learning about CASA’s in-depth safety metrics to reduce child suicide rates, incidences of abuse, and runaway occurrences. “It was harrowing, but I was inspired seeing CASA face these issues head on with a strong focus on advocating for children’s safety,” says Claire. In Claire’s second year on the board, she helped lead CASA through a Praesidium audit – a child abuse prevention program that provides internal education and trainings. “This is the only CASA program in the nation accredited by Praesidium,” Claire explains, “and to me that shows just how seriously they take abuse prevention. Watching them choose to hold themselves to such a high standard of accountability was so impressive to me.”
CASA never stops asking ‘what will provide this child with a better and brighter future?’
One of Claire’s favorite moments during board meetings is when CEO Laura Wolf shares a recent story of CASA’s impact. One story that stood out to her was about a group of siblings, one who was unable to walk. CASA was able to secure safe placement with their uncle, keeping all the siblings together, but the situation was tough – all the children were sharing one bed, and the uncle struggled having to carry the child who couldn’t walk.
Claire describes how CASA arranged delivery of new beds, a wheelchair donation and organized a special bus pickup for school transport. “This story highlights for me CASA’s financial efficiency—rather than simply buying a wheelchair, they leveraged community resources and helped the family feel even more supported,” she says. “I love hearing stories like this because they demonstrate how purposeful CASA is with the donations they receive, and why I’m deeply committed to supporting their work.”
Perhaps because of her experience in the entrepreneurial world, Claire appreciates the continuous innovation of CASA’s programs. “We are always looking ahead for indicators of success for each child; even after aging out of the child welfare system. CASA never stops asking ‘what will provide this child with a better and brighter future?’
