The board of trustees is responsible for ensuring that the varied assets of Casey Family Programs are properly and effectively used in support of the organization's objectives and purposes. The board works collaboratively with the president and chief executive officer to develop and review existing and proposed programs, as well as to promote strategic partnerships across the United States.
Shelia Evans-Tranumn joined the board in 2003 and became chair in 2011. She has worked her entire career in the education sector and currently is executive director of a New York City charter school. She retired in 2010 as associate commissioner of education for the New York State Education Department, Office of School and Community Services. She serves on numerous boards and commissions that address education, race and gender issues, and has received over 400 awards, citations and proclamations recognizing her contributions. Learn more
Joan Poliak has been a trustee since 1982. She retired from Family Services in Seattle as the director of family education and support services, where her departmental focus was on homeless children and families, children’s support services, outreach services and preventive education. She is active on national, state and local boards, including the Child Welfare League of America, Marguerite Casey Foundation, and the King County Commission for Children, Youth, and Families.
America Bracho, Secretary
America Bracho, a recognized expert in Latino health issues and public health, joined the Casey Family Programs Board of Trustees in January 2008. She is the executive director and founder of Latino Health Access, a community-based center working to provide health services and create healthy communities. Located in Santa Ana, Calif., the center was started to assist and engage low-income members of the local Latino community, especially those with multiple needs.
Sharon McDaniel was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Casey Family Programs in 2005. She is the founder, president and CEO of A Second Chance, Inc., a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit that serves children in kinship care. Throughout her career, she has worked to improve opportunities for children in foster care. Before founding A Second Chance, she was a child protective services caseworker, a permanency services administrator and a director of adoption services. She also is an alumna of foster care and currently a kinship caregiver.
Gary Severson has been a Casey Family Programs trustee since 1996 and served as chair from 2001 to 2011. He is the former chairman of the board of First Interstate Bank of Washington (now Wells Fargo). He also has chaired Pacific Lutheran University’s Board of Regents, Laird Norton Financial Group and Washington Council on International Trade. He formerly was president of Pacific Coast Banking School and Japan-America Society of the State of Washington. He was a founding director of Marguerite Casey Foundation.
Dave Mills was appointed to the board in December 2007. He served many years as executive director and chief executive officer of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board before retiring in May 2007. There, he directed the investments of the Wisconsin Retirement System and six state-sponsored trust funds, and he directed short-term cash management for state and local units of government. Previously, he held various positions of responsibility within the Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds, including that of deputy secretary/chief operating officer for 11 years.
Bob Watt was appointed to the Casey Family Programs Board of Trustees in April 2008. He retired in December 2007 as vice president of state and local government relations and global corporate citizenship for The Boeing Company. Previously, he was president and CEO of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce. His career history includes leadership positions with PhyCom Corporation, five years as president of Family Services of Seattle/King County and more than 12 years at Youth Eastside Services, the last five as executive director. He was also Seattle’s deputy mayor under Norm Rice.