Executive Director
Kristi Williams Dumas
Kristi is a native of California and a transplant to West Virginia. She received a Bachelor of Science from California University Bakersfield, a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University Northridge, and a Doctor of Psychology with an emphasis in Forensics from Argosy University of Orange. She has worked in the mental health field for over 25 years. Dr. Dumas is a forensic psychologist by trade. She is recognized as a qualified expert witness andprovides court testimony on the local, state, and federal levels. She also employs her training in organizational psychology to offer an array of consulting services from legal entities to nonprofit agencies. Dr. Dumas is a professor and part of the faculty for the Judicial Educational Series to train judges on mental health issues. She is considered a pioneer of child advocacy in Raleigh County, WV, having founded CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of New River for abused and neglected children in the city of Beckley. Dr. Dumas serves as the program’s Executive Director. Kristi is dedicated to the betterment of her community through philanthropy and civic engagement. She is a member of the 2023 cohort of the distinguished Leadership West Virginia program. Dr. Dumas serves as the Chair of the City of Beckley Human Rights Commission. Kristi is honored to be the West Virginia Alumni Fellow of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation where she represents and advocates for the over 5.5 million military caregivers across the nation. She is a member of American Psychology Law Society, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and The Links Incorporated. Kristi is co-host of a podcast and the author of the book Unstuck: Moving Toward Your Ideal Life.
Angela L. Alston, MPH
Board Member
Angela L. Alston, MPH is a seasoned public health executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience spanning public health and higher education, including extensive work advancing health equity and expanding access to care across West Virginia. She serves as Executive Director of the Southeastern Area Health Education Center at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, where she leads initiatives to strengthen the healthcare workforce, expand clinical training opportunities, and improve care in underserved communities. She is recognized for building strategic partnerships with academic institutions, community organizations, and healthcare providers, and for her expertise in program development, grant management, and workforce pipeline initiatives. Angela holds a Master of Public Health from Purdue University and is a recipient of the National AHEC Organization’s Andy Nichols Award for Social Justice.
Board Member
Amanda Ciochetty-Bodkin
Amanda Ciochetty-Bodkin is a seasoned Human Resources leader and strategic advisor with over 15 years of experience, spanning the private and government sectors. Specializing in employee engagement, compensation law, and organizational development. Amanda has built a reputation as a trusted consultant dedicated to helping organizations prosper through operational excellence.
Beyond her professional practice, Amanda is a devoted civic leader. She currently serves as an officer and active member on multiple Boards of Directors, focusing on initiatives that empower West Virginia’s children and strengthen local communities.
A proud alumna of West Virginia University, she holds a Master’s in Legal Studies (MLS) and a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration. Amanda is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (LSSBB) and a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). She resides in Shady Spring, West Virginia, where she balances her board service with her love for gardening, cooking, and kayaking.
Jeri Knowlton
Board President
Jeri Knowlton serves as Board President of CASA of New River, bringing nearly 30 years of experience in marketing, communications, and community engagement to the organization. With a professional background spanning healthcare, higher education, destination marketing, and workforce development, Jeri is passionate about using strategic communication to advance causes that strengthen families and communities.
In addition to her leadership role with CASA, Jeri serves as Director of Public Relations for Hospice of Southern West Virginia and teaches Social Media Strategy for West Virginia University’s College of Creative Arts in Morgantown. She earned her MBA from Ohio University in 2010.
Jeri believes deeply in the power of community involvement and refers to authentic service as making “deposits of goodwill” — the only responsible way to conduct business and leadership. Her commitment to CASA of New River reflects her heart for advocacy and her belief that every child deserves a safe, stable, and hopeful future.
Shameka Mitchell, MSW
Board Member
Shameka Mitchell, MSW is the Director of Foster Care for Region II and Region IV in West Virginia. She holds a Master of Social Work degree and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Social Work (DSW) at Walden University.
A graduate of Concord University, Shameka began her career with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (WV DHHR) in Raleigh County. She served as a Youth Service Worker and later as a Youth Service Supervisor, gaining extensive experience supporting children and families involved in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.
During her tenure with WV DHHR, she served on the Juvenile Drug Court treatment team under the Honorable Judge Kirkpatrick, working collaboratively to support youth and families impacted by substance use. Through these work and other professional roles, she has developed significant experience partnering with judges across the region, strengthening court–community collaboration and advocating for the best interests of children and families.
Shameka also worked as a therapist at Life Strategies, specializing in depression, anxiety, couples therapy, and family therapy. Her clinical experience informs her leadership approach, ensuring that foster care services remain trauma-informed, child-centered, and family-focused.
She currently serves as a Program Director at Pressley Ridge, overseeing foster care services in Region II and Region IV in West Virginia. In this role, she is deeply engaged in community partnerships and strategic relationship-building to expand resources and improve outcomes for children in care. She also serves as a board member of CASA of the New River, further demonstrating her commitment to advocacy and judicial collaboration on behalf of vulnerable youth.
Shameka leads with the belief that “Anyone can do anything with the right people behind them.” This personal motto guides her work in foster care—building strong teams, empowering families, supporting foster parents with evidence-based training, and ensuring children have the stable, supportive environments they need to thrive.
Jennifer Pharr
Board Member
Jennifer Pharr is a visionary nonprofit executive with more than a decade of success in fundraising, development, and community engagement across West Virginia. As Vice President of Community Engagement and Executive Director of the FamilyCare Health Centers Foundation since March 2024, Jennifer leads a team dedicated to advancing health equity, visibility, and access through philanthropy and strategic partnerships. Jennifer also serves as a two-term Charleston City Council Member At Large, where she is recognized for her collaborative leadership and commitment to inclusive growth. She has helped champion youth sports tourism, neighborhood redevelopment, and local economic initiatives that continue to enhance quality of life throughout Charleston. Beyond her professional and civic leadership, Jennifer is a proud entrepreneur who operates a successful family-run Airbnb business with her niece and son. The business reflects her deep belief in legacy, homeownership, and generational opportunity.
A passionate storyteller and historian of impact, Jennifer authored a book that chronicles FamilyCare’s journey from its humble beginnings in 1989. The forthcoming work captures 35 years of care, community resilience, and the organization’s enduring commitment to West Virginia families. She was also a featured speaker at the 2025 West Virginia Women’s Summit, where she addressed more than 500 women leaders on the future of healthcare access and innovation.
Jennifer’s community involvement is extensive. She is the Chapter President of The Charleston-Institute Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, a Founding Member of 10 in 10, Inc. and African American Heritage Night at the local baseball park, and serves on the Charleston Visitors Bureau Board of Directors and Charleston Urban Works. She is a graduate of Leadership West Virginia, Class of 2023, and a graduate of Boston University Professional Education, where she earned the Professional Fundraising Certification. She has also been recognized with the Charleston Main Streets Urban Leadership Award and the Charleston Area Alliance “We Love Our Community” team award for Best Redevelopment for the Atlas Building in Charleston.
Jennifer Pharr is a connector, a changemaker, and a champion for community advancement. Her work reflects the power of purpose-driven leadership that transforms organizations, strengthens partnerships, and builds opportunities that last for generations.
Christina Kostenko
Board Member
Christina Kostenko is a proud native of Beckley, West Virginia who is deeply committed to serving her hometown community. She earned her business degree from West Virginia University before continuing her education at Appalachian School of Law.
School of Law in Virginia, where she obtained her law degree.
After completing her education, Christina returned home to Beckley and founded Kostenko Law Firm.
Through her firm, she focuses on child protective services work and serves as a guardian ad litem, advocating for the safety and best interests of children in her community. Christina remains dedicated to using her education and experience to make a meaningful impact in the lives of local families. She earned her business degree from West Virginia University before continuing her education at Appalachian School of Law in Virginia, where she obtained her law degree.