CASA of the Eastern Panhandle (CASA-EP) has announced that Executive Director Michelle Sudduth will retire on June 30, 2026, concluding more than seven years of transformative leadership. The announcement was made by the organization’s Board of Directors as part of a board-led succession planning process designed to ensure leadership continuity and long-term stability.
Since joining CASA-EP in 2018, Sudduth has guided the organization through one of the most significant periods of growth and impact in its 23-year history. At the start of her tenure, CASA-EP operated with a $250,000 budget and a staff of two. Today, the organization has grown to a $1.6 million budget, a team of 12 staff members, three regional offices, and a dedicated corps of approximately 75 trained volunteers serving children and families across Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan Counties.
During this time, CASA-EP expanded well beyond traditional court advocacy. Under Sudduth’s leadership, the organization developed innovative and prevention-focused programs, including Fostering Futures Forward youth programming, education advocacy, family reunification and prevention services, a parent visitation center, and an endowed scholarship fund designed to support young people for generations to come.
“Michelle has led CASA-EP through one of the most significant periods of growth and impact in our history,” said Kim Himes, Chair of the CASA-EP Board of Directors. “Her leadership strengthened every part of the organization—from governance and finances to staff, volunteers, and community partnerships—and, most importantly, expanded the number of children who have someone standing up for them when it matters most.”
Sudduth also guided CASA-EP through extraordinary challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, rising child welfare caseloads, funding shifts, and major system changes. Throughout these challenges, she built strong internal systems, transparent financial practices, and a culture grounded in accountability, collaboration, and mission-driven work.
Board member Amy Panzarella, who chairs the Executive Director Transition and Selection Committee, noted that Sudduth’s leadership created lasting strength: “She built an organization that is not only larger, but stronger, more stable, and more effective. Her focus on people—staff, volunteers, families, and board members—created a culture that will continue to serve this community long after her retirement.”
In sharing her decision, Sudduth reflected on her time at CASA-EP, noting the profound impact the role has had on her personally and professionally. She expressed deep gratitude to Emeritus Board Members Carol Asam and the late Val Smith for recruiting her into the role and shaping her journey with the organization.
The CASA-EP Board will begin a comprehensive search for the organization’s next Executive Director in the coming weeks and will continue working closely with Sudduth throughout the coming year to ensure a smooth transition and to position the organization for continued growth and impact.
As CASA-EP looks ahead, the Board, staff, volunteers, and community partners remain committed to the organization’s core mission: ensuring that every child who has experienced abuse or neglect has a strong, consistent advocate and the opportunity to heal, thrive, and build a safe, stable future.
For more information about CASA of the Eastern Panhandle and its programs, visit www.mycasaep.org.
