Who We Are

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.

Elaine is a retired school administrator from Polson.  She served for 36 years in the Polson school district as a teacher, special education director, and principal of Cherry Valley Elementary School. She developed the Polson Partnership Project, a nationally recognized school-based child and family support program, for the Polson school district. She is an educational consultant providing professional development for teachers and administrators in the areas of early literacy, leadership, and culturally responsive teaching. Elaine is married to Tim Meeks, a retired art teacher and artist for 51 years. They have two children and four grandchildren.  They have made their home on the west shore of Flathead Lake for 44 years.  
Elaine has been an active CASA advocate in Lake County from 2014-2018.

Jennifer spends her time cultivating three enterprises. Her first priority is raising her busy and bright son. Jennifer and her husband were foster parents who became a permanent family when they adopted their son after nearly 3 years. Jennifer has been a Gallatin County CASA/GAL since 1999. Jennifer’s professional work as a facilitator for conservation and community development projects has offered challenges and celebrations as local citizens collaborate to develop local solutions and visions for a better tomorrow. The Boyers are the owner-managers for Farm 51, a goat farm that supplies sustainably raised goat meat to local restaurants and grocers. Jennifer dedicates her remaining hours to the causes and campaigns that inspire her and has fishing and running habits. 

Glenda Noyes is the Executive Director of the CASA/GAL of Gallatin County Program in Bozeman

Montana. Glenda holds a B.S. in English and Political Science from Montana State University. Following

an 18-year career in county government, Glenda took over the Director position in July 2016. She has

been a foster parent for five years, parenting both therapeutic and state children. For the last fifteen

years, Glenda has been involved in her community with a restorative justice program, the drug

treatment court, and with the homeless and mental health communities – all which prepared her for

working with the families served by CASA/GAL. Glenda is the proud parent of three children and

grandma of five.

Ann Marie McNeel serves in Lake County, Montana, as an attorney and judge, and as the Executive Director of CASA of Lake & Sanders Counties. She has a background in public policy and received her undergraduate degree at Boston University. Having grown up in Wisconsin, Ann Marie and her husband moved to Montana in 1990. She worked at the Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation and finished law school at the University of Montana School of Law in 1998. She clerked on the Montana Supreme Court and has since raised her own two children in Mission Valley and the Missoula area. When asked what she likes most about CASA, she says that the volunteer advocates are an amazing group of interested and dedicated individuals.

John is President, a Certified Insurance Counselor and Commercial Insurance Agent and 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 work as a LCSW Counselor opened his eyes to the Insurance needs of Non-profit Organizations and 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.  

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.

My name is Alexandra Plant, I am a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and reside on the Flathead Reservation. I graduated June of 2020 with a Bachelors in Psychology, and am currently pursuing my Masters Degree. I have much experience in the child welfare system and currently work for Tribal Education, as a Community Development Specialist. I have two amazing boys and one playful husky. I love where I live and being a part of this community. My goal with my education and work has always been to make a positive impact in the lives of others. It is an honor and pleasure to serve on the Board for MTCASA.  

Ryan has been a licensed and practicing attorney in the state of Montana for approximately 20 years. She is a member/owner of Christian Samson and Baskett, PLLC, in Missoula, where is primarily practices family law. She is the Vice Chair of the Montana State Bar Association Family Law Section, and she works closely with professionals throughout the state on matters closely related to children and families. Ryan is passionate about protecting the rights of children in Montana. She has been active in drafting and teaching parenting orientation programs for the District Courts in Missoula and Ravalli Counties. Ryan has addressed the Montana Legislature numerous times over the past six years. Ryan is also the Chair of the Continuing Education Committee of the Family Law Section of the Montana State Bar Association. 

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.

While born and raised in the Missoula area, Shyanne has been loving life on the Hi-Line for over a decade. Shyanne is the Office Manager for the Glasgow Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture. In this role, Shyanne is very active in community events and business promotion. She is also involved in Two Rivers Economic Growth, Caring Hands, Inc., and loves being able to contribute to Montana CASA/GAL. 

Shyanne is a former CASA Program Coordinator and continues to be passionate about advocating for children in Montana. 

Shyanne also spends her days raising daughters, Aspen and Amani, and two Catahoula Leopard dogs. Shyanne's better half, Jeff, is a businessman in Glasgow. 

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.