Board & Staff

April brings experience serving the Montana non-profit sector, as well as a deep commitment to children. After attending both University of Montana and Montana State University, April spent several years in the non-profit sector in a variety of roles including executive director of the Hamilton Playhouse, Daly Mansion Preservation Trust, Performing Arts Center, all in Hamilton, Montana. In addition, she created a Theater Arts Program for grades 6 to 12 in the Hamilton School System. She most recently was Membership and Events Director of Downtown Missoula Partnership/Missoula Downtown Association.

Elizabeth Bowles is from Missoula Montana, and attended the University of Montana where she received her Bachelor in Political Science. 

Jim FitzGerald MPA, MSW
Throughout his career, Jim has worked with others in strengthening families and improving society’s ability to provide prevention, protection, treatment, and permanency for all vulnerable youth. A dedicated leader in youth advocacy, he has participated in the state and national forum of child welfare, mental health, public policy, and systems change. Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of California, a master’s degree in Public Administration and a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Montana.

Laura Dever and her husband, Chad, were transferred several times with the Montana Highway Patrol and finally landed in Polson in 2020, after many years in Lolo and Great Falls, Montana. Laura was appointed to the Polson City Commission, Ward 2, in July 2021 and then elected to that seat in November. She has a degree from THE Ohio State University and has had careers in book sales and publishing, as well as in health club marketing and management.

Community investment and public service are very important to her: she serves on the State Board of Behavioral Health, volunteered as a CASA/Guardian ad Litem; is a PEO member and a Polson Rotary member; worked with Eagle Mount Therapeutic Recreation; and served for many years on the boards of the Missoula Writing Collaborative and the Women's Hockey Association of Missoula. 

Laura and Chad have a Bobcat son, Chase, and two happy dogs. They all enjoy our public parks and lands. Laura plays hockey with lots of heart. She and Chad are enthusiastic sports fans, terrible golfers, and enjoy skiing despite tricky knees. 

John is President, a Certified Insurance Counselor, and Commercial Insurance Agent for W.A. Mitchell Agency in Miles City, MT. John graduated from Purdue University with a BS in Business and worked for AT&T for 16 years, including 5 years on National Accounts in Phoenix, AZ.  John has 42 years of experience in Sales & Marketing and 24 years of experience as a business Owner.   John’s daughter's work as an LCSW Counselor opened his eyes to the Insurance needs of Non-profit Organizations. His Agency serves many NPO’s in southeastern Montana.  He was a certified high school level Soccer coach & referee for 16 years.  John is active in the Methodist church and is the Montana District Risk Manager for Kiwanis service clubs.  

Karen retired in December of 2006 as Chief Deputy County Attorney, Missoula County Attorney's Office in Missoula Montana and Special Assistant United States Attorney.

Karen holds degrees from Ohio Wesleyan University, University of California, and University of Montana School of Law, where she received her JD with honors. 

Karen is a Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers. Karen is also a member of the State Bar of Montana, American Bar Association, National District Attorney's Association, Montana Supreme Court Commission on Criminal Jury Instructions. 

Karen is the former Chief Staff Attorney, County Prosecutor's Services Bureau, Montana Department of Justice. She has also served as the former Director of Training for the National College of District Attorneys. Karen has done extensive local, state, and national trial advocacy teaching. Karen was also awarded the Distinguished Faculty Award from the National College of District Attorneys in June of 2006. 

Joe Walsh M.Ed Counseling, M.Ed Educational Leadership

Joe is currently the principal at Newman Elementary in Billings, where he is serving his sixth year in this administrator role.  Prior to this position, Joe worked for eleven years with kids and families as a school counselor and LCPC in his own private practice.  For twenty years he has shared his passion for helping families by working as a crisis counselor, basketball coach, mentor, advocate, and member of the parent advisory committee for The Children’s Clinic.  During this time, Joe has also served as an adjunct professor at Montana State University-Billings, teaching several classes in school counseling and human services.  Recently, Joe was named chair of the Advisory Committee for the Family Support Network in Billings.  He and his wife have two children and enjoy being active in their community.

Bob retired in 2013 after more than 35 years in various executive and finance-related positions in private industry.  He began his career in public accounting with KPMG in Billings then moved on to work for a small Billings-based oil and gas exploration firm.  The last 26 years of his career were spent with two independent Coca-Cola bottlers, one in Billings (for 9 and a half years) and then in Sacramento, California (for 16 and a half years).  Bob was raised in Billings, spent nearly 4 years in the U.S. Air Force after high school (Billings Central), then graduated from the University of Montana in 1974 with a degree in Business Administration (Accounting emphasis).  Bob has three grown children and two granddaughters and is enjoying retirement in Billings with his wife, Mary.

Shannon comes to the MTCASA board with extensive experience serving vulnerable populations. Originally from Butte, Shannon began her career in Missoula, working for Youth Homes and Women’s Opportunity and Resource Development.  These organizations allowed her to serve children in foster care, teen parents, TANF families, and people experiencing homelessness. Additionally, she became a CASA volunteer while in Missoula, and the experience never left her.  She is most recently from CASA of Southwest Montana in Anaconda, MT.  Even after 20 years, the work still drew her attention, and she witnessed several children reunite with stronger, more resilient parents reminding her CASA is a vital tool for children in care. 

Dr. Mark Sanz is a retired cardiologist in Missoula who wanted to volunteer with a worthwhile organization and chose CASA.  The chance to work with children who had difficult circumstances and the possibility to improve their lives was, and is, a major reason he volunteers with Missoula CASA.  The devotion of both CASA staff and volunteers has made this a rich and rewarding experience. Hopefully, I can add to the already excellent work by CASA at the state level.