With Our Gratitude, Farewell to Patty Sabin,

President/CEO of Michigan CASA

Patty Sabin has spent 22 years demonstrating unparalleled passion and commitment to her service with the CASA organization. After serving the past nine years as President/CEO of Michigan CASA, Patty is planning to retire at the end of June this year. 

Under Patty's guidance, Michigan CASA has grown from an organization with a modest budget and limited power to one with a state-supported budget, a growing roster of donors, and a greatly expanded reach. Today, 24 CASA programs in 30 counties serve nearly 2000 children who are a part of the court system because of abuse/neglect. Michigan CASA’s remarkable growth is a testament to Patty's leadership and her collaboration with an exceptional board of directors, a dedicated staff, and selfless volunteers.

Patty says she is looking forward to having the time to learn new skills and hone existing ones. She plans to master pickleball, enhance her golf game, and spend days and nights boating on Lake Michigan with her husband, friends, and family. 

On behalf of everyone at Michigan CASA, we extend our deepest gratitude to Patty Sabin for her extraordinary service and leadership. We can never begin to count the lives that she has changed for the better—from staff, to volunteers, to the thousands of children who have a new hope because of CASA. Patty’s legacy is the foundation on which we will build; her spirit will be our drive and inspiration.

Please join us in expressing our appreciation for and best wishes to Patty as she begins her next chapter. We are immensely grateful for her contributions to Michigan CASA and the larger community.



Thank you, Patty, for everything you have done.

Thank you Kelli Gierz and Kyle Purdy

for your Board Service

Michigan CASA extends deep gratitude to Kelli Gierz and Kyle Purdy, retiring board members whose dedication has greatly influenced our success.

Their expertise, commitment, and passion have been integral to our organization's growth. Kelli's strategic marketing vision and Kyle's analytical prowess have left an indelible mark on the board, setting a high standard for excellence.

As they step down, we express our heartfelt appreciation for their time and effort.

While they retire from official roles on the board, Kelli and Kyle remain cherished members of our Michigan CASA family. Kelli remains on speed dial with the organization and Kyle continues to serve on the Finance & Audit Committee as a community volunteer!  We wish them the best and thank them for their lasting impact on our community.

We are pleased to welcome three new members to the Michigan CASA Board of Directors

Dee Howard



Managing Partner at

Verizon Business

Josita Todd



Retired CIO

from JNJ, Kellogg’s, Abbott Laboratories & Fisher Scientific

Barb Hiemstra



Senior Security Consultant at Steelcase

You can support Michigan CASA today

By pledging a monthly contribution, you have the opportunity to contribute smaller amounts consistently over time, as opposed to a single large donation. This steady commitment ensures a dependable monthly influx of funds for our organization, while also allowing you to allocate your generosity into manageable, budgeted increments. Thank you for your support.

Brenda Baker-Mbacke'

CASA of Oakland County

Brenda Baker-Mbacke' clearly has a heart for children. She has been a stepmother to Malcolm for 36 years, and she and husband, Cheikh Mbacke', are currently legal guardians for her 16-year-old nephew, Logan. She said, “Helping children and families has always been my passion. There is such a satisfaction when you know you helped save a child or kept a family together.”

Baker-Mbacke’ came to Michigan CASA through her work on the founding advisory board of Wayne County CASA in 1999. She continued to work with CASA through her role as a program representative with the Michigan Foster Care Review Board. She has come full circle and is now the Director of Oakland County CASA.  

Her first goal as a new board member is to master Optima, which she called “an excellent investment” and an invaluable source for data.  She holds two other goals for her tenure: first, to ensure that every child in foster care because of abuse and neglect has a CASA volunteer, and second, to see that Michigan CASA is finally recognized statewide “for the work that we do to help stabilize children and families.” She added, “I want Michigan CASA to have the same legislative support and status of programs similar to ours.” 

When not spending time with family, Baker-Mbacke' enjoys collecting miniatures and socializing with her friends. 



Thank you for your work on the Michigan CASA Board of Directors!

Situational Awareness:

Tips and Strategies to Improve Your Safety and Well-Being in the Field

March 20, 2024

4:00 PM

For Michigan CASA Staff and Volunteers

Register Here!

Image by: httpspixabay.comusersphmaxiestevez-16108050utm

Re-Imagining Chapter 7: The Bigger Picture of LGBTQ+ Education and Advocacy for Foster Youth

April 16, 2024

9:30 AM

For Michigan CASA Staff and Volunteers

Register Here!

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Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are everyday people who are appointed by judges to advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children living within the foster care system. A CASA volunteer advocates for one child's case until he/she is placed into a safe, permanent and loving home.