Best Wishes to Executive Director Duaine Hathaway on His Upcoming Retirement!

Duaine Hathaway, Executive Director of Georgia CASA for 18 years
After 18 years as Executive Director of Georgia CASA, Duaine Hathaway will retire on October 1st. Duaine has been an outstanding nonprofit leader since he joined Georgia CASA in 2000, after retiring from his 30+ year career with Georgia Power.

Before coming to Georgia CASA, Duaine witnessed first-hand the positive impression a caring individual can have on the lives of children who have experienced abuse or neglect in the person of the late S. Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-fil-A and WinShape Homes. Duaine's connection with WinShape, through his daughter and son-in-law's foster home, allowed him to see the direct impact of Truett Cathy's creation. Inspired by Cathy, his life's work, and the importance of family and supportive adults, Duaine has always remained focused on Georgia CASA's vision of ensuring that every child in foster care has a safe and permanent home.

During his tenure, Duaine's leadership approach has centered around developing an affiliate CASA network simultaneously built on high affiliation and high autonomy. He has promoted leadership development among both Georgia CASA staff and affiliate directors, realizing that by investing in developing leaders, CASA would be recognized as a premier organization across the state. Today, the CASA network in Georgia is recognized nationally for its stability and engagement, as well as for its high credibility and integrity. The CASA organization is seen as a trusted and reliable resource to the juvenile courts, agencies, and children in care.

CASA in Georgia has experienced tremendous geographic growth, as the network has grown from 61 to 151 of Georgia's 159 counties in the past 18 years. Emphasizing the need for building capacity, Duaine generated widespread support for Georgia CASA's efforts through an earlier capital fundraising campaign and most recently through an inaugural three-year statewide growth plan (2015 - 2018) with the goal to serve 13,000 children in foster care in the state with 2,800 CASA volunteers.

CASA volunteers are clearly positioned as credible and sought after best interest advocates in
Gov. Sonny Perdue signs Georgia House Bill 270 in 2007
juvenile court, and Duaine has played a vital role in emphasizing CASA volunteers as critical components of the child welfare system through the passage of Georgia House Bill 270 in 2007, which provided further standing for CASA advocacy and outlined the roles and responsibilities of CASA volunteers years before the new juvenile code was implemented. Duaine has never wavered in his support for volunteer advocacy.

He has maintained Georgia CASA's stable funding base and nurtured relationships with donors, foundations, and legislators, increasing the state allocation funding from $1 million to over $3 million for the CASA network even in the midst of economic downturns and uncertainty. Duaine's stability and consistency have provided reassurance and respect from supporters and leaders alike.  

Duaine states,  "It has been an honor to serve the Georgia CASA board, staff, and the entire CASA family for 18 years. I am proud to be part of an outstanding statewide organization that is dedicated to making a difference in children's lives. As baseball hall of famer Lou Gehrig once declared, I feel like 'the luckiest man alive' to have been connected to the wonderful people that make up the CASA network. Thanks for your passion and commitment to our children. I will leave here knowing that the future for the CASA network is bright and as a better person because of all of you."

Duaine & his wife, Diane
Duaine looks forward to his retirement and spending more time with his wife, Diane, and their family of two daughters, nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and a third great-grandchild on the way.

Working collaboratively; expecting the best; giving more than you take; keeping promises; molding consensus - these are all values that Duaine has instilled, in both his loyal, long-term staff as well as the CASA network, that have served us all well.

Duaine will be remembered fondly for his signature qualities - his impeccable wardrobe and style; his reserved, understated demeanor; his sense of humor; and his admiration for and belief in the power of volunteer advocacy. 

Thank you, Duaine, for all you have done throughout your career with Georgia CASA! You have  trusted us to bring your vision to fruition and  created a team that exceeded all expectations. You have always had a  genuine belief in and respect for each one of us. We  extend our heartfelt appreciation for your humble, servant leadership,  fervor, and commitment to the CASA network.  You will be missed, but never forgotten. You've done so much for all of us!

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