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STAFF

CASA of Missoula employs a dynamic team of individuals who are all passionate about empowering children and families in our community. Each member of our staff team dedicates their time to furthering the mission of CASA of Missoula and are committed to supporting the CASA volunteers who advocate for abused and neglected children in Missoula and Mineral County.

Scott Appel

Executive Director

Staff Bio:
Scott and his family have a long history with CASA. Scott served on the CASA of Orange County Board of Directors for six years, the last two as Chairman. Scott’s wife, Maura, was an Advocate in Orange County and two of his children started a club in their high school to raise money in support of CASA. Scott and Maura recently moved to Missoula after falling in love with the community during their visits to their son, who is attending the University of Montana.

Scott has over 35 years of professional experience providing public and private companies with accounting, auditing, financial reporting and business advisory services. He spent the last 20 years in executive management positions with professional services organizations. Scott recently retired from Hein & Associates LLP where he served as the Office Managing Partner of the Irvine Office and as a member of the firm's Executive Committee and then from NextLevel where he served as the Managing Partner of the Seattle Office.

Why did you decide to join CASA?
"I believe that we have an obligation to provide every child with a safe and healthy environment and the opportunity to grow and thrive. CASA helps make that happen for those children most at risk."

Office: (406) 542-1208 ext. 100
Fax: (406) 542-1211
Email: [email protected]

Kate Morris

Development Manager

Staff Bio:
Kate was born and raised in Montana, and is passionate about improving the lives of youth and helping our communities thrive. To that end, she’s worked with various nonprofits since 2009, including Child Care Resources, The Poverello Center, and the Zootown Arts Community Center, where she served as the Development Director for two years. Kate has worked as a freelance grant writer since 2012.

Kate also loves to write and teach, and holds a MA in Theatre from the University of Montana and an MFA in Writing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she then served as a Faculty Lecturer in Liberal Arts. Kate has also taught with the American School Foundation of Guadalajara and the University of Montana. Her plays have been produced in various cities in the United States, and her writing can be found published in print and other corners of the internet. When not helping or making stories, she is out in the woods.

Why did you decide to join CASA?
"Children and their wellbeing are really important to me. I have always wanted to spend my life helping to improve as many lives as possible. I loved being a teacher because I think knowledge and agency are crucial to happiness, even and especially for kids. I think a lot about the systems of protection, care, and service we create as a society. Sometimes these systems, which are made by and for adults, forget the perspectives and needs of children. For years, CASA has been an important organization to me because it focuses on children and their experiences during times when community care is essential. Our societal conditions raise children nearly as much as their families, and I want to raise the perspectives of children within our social systems. I feel very lucky to join CASA because I see this organization as one that can grow and influence our society to change toward better systems of care."

Office: (406) 542-1208
Fax: (406) 542-1211
Email: [email protected]

Margaret Person

Program Manager

Staff Bio:
Margaret grew up in Cascade, where the plains meet the mountains in Central Montana along the Missouri River. She first traveled to Humboldt State University in Northern California on a high jump and triple jump scholarship but later transferred home to finish a Marketing and Management degree at the University of Montana. Margaret became an AmeriCorps Senior Leader for the Montana Campus Compact, focusing on post secondary education for first-generation college students in Montana. Later, she began her work for the Missoula Food Bank & Community Center focusing on programs for the youth of Missoula as well as the senior population. These two roles greatly impacted the trajectory of her career and further ignited her passion for the Missoula community. Margaret enjoys rafting, fly fishing, running, gardening, cooking and spending as much time as possible outside with her two dogs, Caddis and Keta, and her husband Jake.

Why did you decide to join CASA?:
"I greatly admire the work that CASA provides for our community, and the positive impacts that it makes for so many children. I am constantly inspired and thoroughly enjoy working with volunteers and discovering their unique qualities, along with their selflessness and dedication to the mission of their choice. Volunteers make the world go round, and I’m so happy to be there to offer support!"

Office: (406) 542-1208 ext 101
Fax: (406) 542-1211
Email: [email protected]

Ike Wallace

Education Manager

Staff Bio:
Ike was born and raised in Missoula. He graduated from Montana State University in Bozeman with a degree in Elementary Education in 2014. He has worked as an Educator in formal and informal Elementary, Middle, High School, and adult education classrooms and programs across Montana, Wyoming, Southern California, and also in Thailand. He enjoys fly fishing, running, gardening, traveling, and trying new things. When not in the CASA of Missoula office, you may see him walking with his dog Vinnie in the North Hills of Missoula or running around town with members of the Hellgate High School Cross Country team, of which he is an alumni and assistant coach.

Why did you decide to join CASA?:
"Having worked in the field for a variety of non-profit organizations, I was drawn to the Education Manager position at CASA of Missoula for the opportunity to continue to work as an educator helping train and maintain our network of volunteers and also to learn more about the administrative side of non-profit work. Almost everyone I’ve mentioned my new professional opportunity to has known someone who is or has been a CASA volunteer. I’m excited to learn more about how CASA is making a positive difference for youth and their families in our community and to be a part of that process."

Office: (406) 542-1208 ext. 102
Fax: (406) 542-1211
Email: [email protected]

Lindsay Nugent

Volunteer Coordinator & Retention Specialist

Staff Bio:
Lindsay grew up in Somers, New York, and went to Siena College just outside of Albany, New York, where she majored in Political Science. After graduating in 2020, she spent a year with Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest, where she served as a JV/AmeriCorps member with Missoula Interfaith Collaborative here in Montana. There, Lindsay served primarily as an Employment Specialist with MIC's division Missoula Works— where she assisted folks from marginalized backgrounds to reenter the workforce— while also working with different aspects of MIC's Housing Advocate Network. During her JV/AmeriCorps year, she fell in love with Montana and is thrilled to be back in Missoula working with CASA. Lindsay's simple pleasures are caramel iced coffee, an abundance of sunshine, and befriending every cat and dog that crosses her path.

Why did you decide to join CASA?:
"I had heard so many wonderful things about the important work that CASA of Missoula does in our community before joining this organization. Connecting dedicated volunteers with children in need can make an incredible difference in those kids' lives, and I'm so excited to be a part of that process!"

Office: (406) 542-1208 ext. 103
Fax: (406) 542-1211
Email: [email protected]

Manon Damboise

Volunteer Coordinator

Staff Bio:
Manon has extensive experience working in conflict resolution for the Canadian Government and has obtained a bachelor degree in Industrial Relations. She is a proud native of Quebec, where she spent her life until moving to Montana with her husband in 2012. It was at that time that she first volunteered with CASA. She enjoys the outdoors, hiking, reading, camping and spending time with her husband, Rob, and their two sons, Gabe & Mathis.

Why did you decide to join CASA?
"As an involved resident of Missoula, and a mother, I can’t think of a better way to invest in my community then to ensure our most vulnerable youth have a better future. I’m inspired by the dedication our volunteers have for the CASA mission, and I’m honored to be here to support them!"

Office: (406) 542-1208 ext. 104
Fax: (406) 542-1211
Email: [email protected]

Maria Goheen

Events & Outreach Coordinator

Staff Bio:
Maria Goheen started with CASA of Missoula as an intern in different positions throughout the organization. She is on the Women’s Tennis Team at the University of Montana and recently graduated with a Bachelors in Political Science and minors in Psychology and International Development Studies. Maria is currently pursuing a Masters in Public Administration and Public Health.

Why did you decide to join CASA of Missoula?:
"I decided to join CASA as I believe in the importance of advocating for children's best interest with the goal to provide a safe home. I have enjoyed my time as an intern and have grown more passionate regarding furthering CASA's mission. I look forward to my new role as the Events and Outreach Coordinator."

Office: (406) 542-1208
Fax: (406) 542-1211
Email: [email protected]

INTERNS

CASA of Missoula is fortunate to work with several students interested in learning more and furthering their college careers by interning. Each year, CASA of Missoula welcomes students to apply to intern throughout the semester. We have different methods of compensation (including work study or college credit). Our positions introduce students to the court system and help them strengthen valuable skills. We encourage our interns to attend the Fall or Spring CASA Pre-Service training (30 hours) to gain a well-rounded perspective of the program, abuse and neglect cases, and the social welfare system. Please contact [email protected] to learn more.