Announcing Marin CASA’s New Executive Director: Sherene Chen
We are delighted to share the wonderful news that we have hired a new Executive Director – Sherene Chen. Sherene lives in Mill Valley with her husband, two sons, and two dogs. She is thrilled to join Marin CASA and contribute to the vital work that Marin CASA provides for the foster youth in Marin County.
Sherene comes to Marin CASA with a wealth of work and volunteer experience, as well as personal experience as a licensed foster family. This background will allow her to jump right in to effect valuable leadership and stability for Marin CASA.
After earning her MBA from The University of California Berkeley, she worked for over a decade in finance, including time in various investment banks such as Goldman Sachs. Sherene has volunteered, run, and been on the boards of many Marin-based organizations that benefit youth. Most recently, she served as the Executive Director for Bloom Marin where she successfully led its acquisition by the YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley.
Sherene and her family are a licensed foster family and have had the opportunity to help six children in various ways. She has seen – firsthand – the essential service provided by Marin CASA volunteers. We are so proud to find a new leader who is ever-passionate and familiar with our work. Sherene’s professional experience is indispensable, her Marin connections run deep, she understands the system and trauma-informed care, and we are truly lucky to bring her on board. Sherene will officially start on March 11 and until then we are working closely with her to start the on-boarding process.
Sherene officially joins Marin CASA on March 11th, and can be reached at: [email protected]
Announcing Marin CASA’s New Program Director : Lauren Koenigshofer
We’re rounding out our team at Marin CASA and are thrilled to share that we’ve hired a new Program Director – Lauren Koenigshofer. Lauren joins Marin CASA with a diverse background in social and behavioral sciences, sociology, and a pending Master of Business Administration. She lives in Sonoma County with her partner and two cats. When she is not working, Lauren finds joy in exploring the outdoors. With a strong commitment to lifelong learning, Lauren aspires to pursue a doctorate.
Lauren brings vast experience in advocacy to Marin CASA. She worked as a Case Supervisor at CASA of Sonoma County gaining a deep understanding of the child protection and juvenile justice systems. Her expertise extends to working with underserved populations, including victims of crime and trafficking, where she provided essential support services such as housing and wrap-around care. In her most recent Director role at Social Advocates for Youth, she honed her leadership skills by managing various programs catering to vulnerable youth, from youth shelters to career services sectors, all while prioritizing trauma-informed care.
Lauren’s commitment to empowering youth and providing them with the support needed to thrive aligns seamlessly with CASA’s mission. Her experience in leading diverse teams and managing multifaceted programs equips her with the skills necessary to drive impactful change and program oversight.. At Marin CASA, Lauren foresees fostering a nurturing environment where every child’s needs are met with compassion and expertise.
Lauren officially joins Marin CASA on March 4th, and can be reached at: [email protected]