Georgia CASA Announces Nominees for 2026 Karen N. Sibley CASA Volunteer of the Year Award
Tuesday, July 14th, 2026
Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocates (Georgia CASA) is proud to announce the nominees for the 2026 Karen N. Sibley CASA Volunteer of the Year Award, honoring outstanding CASA volunteers whose dedication, compassion, and advocacy create meaningful change for children experiencing foster care across Georgia.
Each year, Georgia CASA’s Awards of Excellence recognize individuals who go above and beyond to support children and families navigating the child welfare system. The Volunteer of the Year Award celebrates advocates who demonstrate exceptional commitment, build trusted relationships with children, and ensure their voices are heard in court and throughout their journey toward safety and permanency.
This year’s nominees represent the strength and diversity of Georgia’s CASA network, with volunteers serving children in communities across the state. Together, these advocates have spent countless hours visiting children, attending hearings and meetings, collaborating with families and professionals, identifying resources, and providing the consistency and encouragement every child deserves.
The 2026 Karen N. Sibley CASA Volunteer of the Year nominees are:
- Dawn Carter McDonald, Gwinnett County CASA
- Chrissy Denmark, Enotah CASA, Inc.
- Brenda Gray, Advo-Kids CASA, Inc.
- Sally Helm, Savannah/Chatham County CASA
- Johanne Higdon, Henry County CASA, Inc.
- Jane Johnson, Rockdale CASA, Inc.
- Patricia Johnson, Coastal Plain CASA, Inc.
- Allison Lee, Hall-Dawson CASA Program, Inc.
- Susan McCullough, Juvenile Court of Cobb County/CASA
- Laelah McEntire, Chattahoochee CASA
- Jack McLaughlin, Northeast Georgia CASA, Inc.
- Lori Mims, Floyd County CASA
- Mark Najjar, CASA of Forsyth, Inc.
- Max & Cheryl Parrott, CASA of Northwest Georgia
- Heather Radforc, CASA of Paulding County, Inc.
- Tina Rhodes, CASA of Polk & Haralson, Inc.
- Liliana Rivera, Murray/Whitfield CASA Program
- Dr. Eve R. Sauer, CASA of the Appalachian Judicial Circuit
- Mary Starck, DeKalb County CASA Program
- Gary Stevenson, Alcovy CASA Inc.
- Betty Stewart, Atlanta CASA, Inc.
- Wendy Whiddon, Piedmont CASA, Inc.
“These volunteers represent the very best of CASA advocacy,” said Angela Tyner, Advocacy Director of Georgia CASA. “They show up consistently, build relationships rooted in trust, and remind children who are experiencing foster care that they are not alone. Their service demonstrates the extraordinary impact one dedicated volunteer can have in a child’s life.”
The 2026 Karen N. Sibley CASA Volunteer of the Year will be announced during Georgia CASA’s annual Awards of Excellence celebration at the annual Georgia CASA Conference on August 22. The award is named in honor of Karen N. Sibley, whose lifelong commitment to children and advocacy helped strengthen the CASA movement throughout Georgia. Learn more about each nominee here.
