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Board & Staff

Staff Members

Board Members

Staff

Our dedicated team of staff and volunteer board members work tirelessly to support our CASA volunteers and the children they serve. Together, we bring decades of experience in child advocacy, legal systems, and community service.

Click a Staff Member to View Their Profile.

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How CASA Helps

4,500

total children served

100%

number of cases accepted by CASA

220

active cases accepted by courts

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Carla HendricksAdvocate Supervisor

Carla Hendricks has served Williamson County CASA as an Advocate Supervisor since April 2023. She joined Williamson County CASA after having served as a Team Lead at CASA Nashville. As a nearly 20-year resident of Franklin, she is grateful to serve youth and families in her “own back yard”. Her CASA journey began in 2017 when she trained to become a volunteer advocate, unaware that she would eventually serve as a CASA staff member.

Carla earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from Howard University in Washington, D.C., and has served in various roles in education, publishing, and child welfare organizations. After becoming an adoptive parent, she immersed herself in trainings and certification programs surrounding child welfare, adoption, foster care, and childhood trauma and resilience. Today she stands as a fierce defender and advocate for children that have been touched by neglect and abuse and intentionally strives to help children and teens feel seen and heard. She feels privileged to serve Williamson County CASA and join its 70-plus volunteer advocates as they sacrificially serve youth and promote family reunification.

Dede FosterAdvocate Supervisor

Dede Foster is an Advocate Supervisor at Williamson County CASA, where she has served since 2024. A Franklin native, Dede earned her undergraduate degree in Social Work from Lipscomb University and her master’s degree in Human Services with a concentration in Trauma Counseling and Crisis Response from Liberty University.

Before joining Williamson County CASA, Dede worked in the criminal justice field, where she gained valuable experience advocating for vulnerable populations. She was drawn to social work by a deep sense of calling—a desire to empower others, amplify the voices of those in vulnerable situations, and serve her community with compassion and purpose.

Lottie Zavala Advocate Supervisor

Lottie Zavala is an Advocate Supervisor at Williamson County CASA, where she has served since August 2024. A native Tennessean, wife, and mother of three adult children, Lottie earned both her Master of Science in Social Work and her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She became a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in March 2025.

Before beginning her formal social work training, Lottie volunteered for six years as a Court Appointed Special Advocate with CASA Nashville—an experience that inspired her to pursue a career in social work. Her professional experience includes serving as a Graduate Intern with the Safe Baby Court of Davidson County and completing an Undergraduate Internship with CASA Nashville.

Lottie’s passion for social work is rooted in a commitment to helping others and a belief in the power of compassion, advocacy, and community. She is dedicated to being a voice for those in need and to strengthening families through meaningful support, connection, and empowerment.

Danyelle McReynolds Office Manager

Danyelle McReynolds is the Office Manager at Williamson County CASA, where she has served since September 2023. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Tennessee Tech University and her master’s degree in Criminology from the University of Memphis.

Danyelle spent nearly a decade at Youth Villages, a nonprofit mental health provider for children and families, where she worked as a residential counselor, managed Department of Children’s Services placement contracts for Tennessee, and developed quality assurance measures and training programs. After becoming a full-time mom to her three sons, she remained deeply involved in her community through volunteering with Cub Scouts, church leadership, and numerous PTA roles.

Danyelle believes that children need champions who uplift and encourage them, leaving impressions of hope and love on their hearts. She considers it an honor to support the CASA volunteers who serve as those champions for abused and neglected children.

Danielle McMorran Director of Development

Danielle McMorran is the Director of Development at Williamson County CASA, returning to the organization in 2024 after previously serving from 2012 to 2016. During her time away, she gained valuable experience as Director of Engagement at Defy Ventures, working on initiatives within America’s criminal legal system, and as the first Culture Ambassador at Southwestern Family of Companies.

For over 15 years, Danielle has collaborated with leaders and community members from diverse backgrounds, building authentic relationships and inspiring action around shared values. She is passionate about creating systems that unite people and provide safe spaces for all—skills she brings to her work advancing CASA’s mission.

Danielle believes that every child deserves a safe and permanent home, and that recognizing our shared humanity is essential to creating lasting change. Her work across multiple systems has deepened her understanding that limited opportunities often shape people’s realities, and that meaningful progress requires communities coming together to support one another. She is honored to be part of a network of advocates and donors committed to this vision. A Nashville resident for 14 years, she is the proud mother of two sons.

Stuart TutlerExecutive Director

Stuart Tutler is the Executive Director of Williamson County CASA, where he champions the rights of children in the juvenile court system and works to ensure every child has a safe, permanent home. Based in Franklin, Tennessee, Stuart’s career spans real estate, education, healthcare, and nonprofit advocacy.

Stuart’s leadership journey began in healthcare management with Phycor Inc. and Vanderbilt Management Services, where he developed expertise in strategic planning and organizational development. He later served as headmaster of New Hope Academy, a Christ-centered school committed to racial reconciliation and educational excellence, where he fostered a diverse, inclusive environment and provided heartfelt support to students and families.

Through every chapter of his career, Stuart has remained a steadfast advocate, bridging industries and uplifting lives with compassion, vision, and purpose.