In the past year, Lakeway CASA of Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson and Sevier Counties has served over 200 children. Our volunteers advocate for one to two family groups at a time to ensure quality advocacy. We are made up of over fifty committed child advocate volunteers, ten board members, and a staff of one full-time Executive Director, three Advocate Coordinators, one Advocate Coordinator Assistant, and a Recruitment and Development Coordinator. Lakeway CASA conducts investigations and interviews that the courts do not have the resources to conduct, serves as a trusted friend to the child, and expedites the child’s placement in a safe and loving home. Without CASA, court proceedings are often postponed needlessly because investigations are not complete, and important details that are critical to the child’s healing and well-being can be overlooked.
Lakeway CASA is a non-profit, 501c3 agency. Lakeway CASA serves children ages birth to 18 years old in Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, and Sevier County.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR : Natoisha Hager
Natoisha comes to Lakeway CASA with experience in the non-profit sector working with at-risk youth and volunteer management. Natoisha studied elementary education at Marshall University. She dedicates much of her time to advocating for children as well as serving as a coach to middle and high school cheerleading teams. Natoisha is active in her church and enjoys spending time with her husband
ADVOCATE COORDINATOR-Hamblen County: Amy Spears
Amy grew up in Grainger County and worked for many years in the Grainger County School District. She became CASA Volunteer in 2022. Amy has been married for 26 years and has three children. In her free time, she and her family enjoy traveling, the beach, game nights, and bonfires.
BOOKEEPER: Shey Cudd
Shey is a proud Air Force veteran and a Registered Radiology Technologist having worked in both radiology and mammography over the last 16 years. She has two wonderful children. Shey began her journey with CASA as a volunteer in Spring of 2020 and transitioned to staff in February 2021. When not working, Shey loves hiking, stand-up paddle boarding, working out and cooking. Shey is originally from California and has lived all across the country as well as Turkey. She loves Tennessee and is thankful to live in such a gorgeous place!
ADVOCATE COORDINATOR – Grainger & Jefferson Counties: Julia Aberle
Julia is a native of California. She is the proud mother of two boys, ages 21 and 29, she has a 4-year-old granddaughter as well. She moved to Tennessee in June of 2016and joined CASA as a volunteer in March of 2021. In July of 2021, she joined CASA staff as an Advocate Coordinator for Grainger County. Julia has an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice and a passion for advocacy. In her free time, she loves to read and watch NFL football. Her favorite authors are Nora Roberts and Stephen King, her favorite football team is The Dallas Cowboys.
ADVOCATE COORDINATOR – Sevier County: Jamie Schnell
Jamie is a native New Yorker who has lived in Tennessee with her family since 2012. She started off her CASA journey as a volunteer advocate, joining as Advocate Coordinator for Sevier County in January of 2022. Jamie has a passion for law and is educated in psychology, paralegal studies and photojournalism.
ADVOCATE COORDINATOR ASSISTANT – All Counties: Marie Zani
Marie is a native of East Tennessee. She started with CASA as a volunteer in 2021 and during her two years of advocacy, she was blessed to meet many precious children that allowed her to be their voice. As the Assistant Advocate Coordinator in Sevier County, she looks forward to making an impact on the children Lakeway CASA serves.
Board Members
CHAIR: Kris Yarlett
Mr. Yarlett is the chair of the Lakeway CASA Board of Directors. Kris served for nearly 10 years in the United States Air Force. He currently works as a Financial Advisor. Mr. Yarlett holds a bachelor’s degree from the United States Air Force Academy, a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, and a master’s degree in financial planning from Golden Gate University. He, his wife Hannah, and their children are members of All Saints Episcopal Church in Morristown, TN. Mr. Yarlett is very active in the community, serving on the Board of Directors for the East Tennessee Foundation, Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce, All Saints Episcopal School, and is a member of Rotary. In addition to his position as a board chair, Mr. Yarlett will assist in fundraising, event planning, financial/accounting, marketing/public relations, social networking/community relations, government relations, and volunteer recruitment/services.
His responsibilities as Chairman are detailed in our bylaws.
VICE CHAIR: Shireena Weaver
Shireena is a Morristown native. She graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work and then earned her master’s degree from UTK. She has worked in the private and public sectors, serving at the Tennessee Department of Human Services, Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare Systems, and Life Care Centers of America. She currently works for the Social Security Administration as a Customer Service Representative. She has served on the CASA Board since 2022. She takes great pleasure in serving the organization, as CASA was her very first internship placement as a social work student. Shireena is married to Jeremy Weaver and is the mother of two beautiful daughters. She is an associate minister of Dominion Life Worship Center, where she serves as the Women’s Ministry Director, a Youth Ministry Leader, and Children’s Church Teacher, and is on the Board of Directors. Shireena has also previously served on the Friends of Hospice Board of Directors. Outside of current Youth Ministry involvement, she has worked with children in multiple capacities, including working at Girls Inc. of Morristown during her collegiate years and serving alongside her husband, who formerly served as the Youth Director at Abundant Life Church.
SECRETARY: Marie Cunningham
Marie Cunningham is the Director of Operations at Weichert Realtors – Tiger Real Estate in Dandridge, Tennessee. She and her husband, John Cunningham, have been married for 34 years and are the proud parents of two daughters.
Their eldest daughter, Grace Cuthbertson, and her husband, Brad, are the parents of Marie’s pride and joy—her granddaughter, Billie, who is truly the apple of her Nana’s eye. Their younger daughter, Malorie Harckham, and her husband, Heath Harckham, reside in New York City.
Marie brings a wealth of experience to the Lakeway CASA Board of Directors, having served as the Office Manager at Fountain Plaza Pharmacy, Director of Children’s Ministries at Trinity United Methodist Church. Director of Children’s Ministries at Washington Baptist Church (Pelzer, SC), Owner and Director of The Lighthouse Children’s Center (Rogersville, TN) and Founder of “National Association for the Education of Young Children, Hawkins County, TN Chapter in addition, Marie is active in the community, having served on the Morristown Chamber of Commerce as an ambassador, M.A.T.S. Board of Directors, helping to start their now widely known annual Christian Concert Fundraiser, and Crossroads Downtown Partnership on the Economic Revitalization Committee. Currently, she is an ambassador with the Cocke County Chamber of Commerce and Co-Founder of a large “women in business” networking group. In addition to her position as secretary, Marie will assist in fundraising, event planning, policy, marketing/public relations, social networking/community relations, child welfare, and volunteer recruitment/services.
TREASURER: Jake Stokely
Jake is a member of the Board of Directors and serves as Treasurer. He is an agency owner for Farmers Insurance, holds a Bachelor’s Degree from West Point and a Master’s Degree from Ohio State University. He served as an officer in the US Army from 1998 to 2008. He is a member of the American Legion and VFW. He is also active with HOLA Lakeway and the Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce. Along with the responsibilities as treasurer, Jake assists in fundraising, event planning, community relations, and recruitment. He is married to Mindi (Kammann), and they have two children (Hannah and Chance).
MEMBER: Sue Baldus
Ms. Baldus is a member of the Board of Directors and has two children, 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She sold real-estate for over 25 years and has been a member of the Rotary Club since 1988, serving on their Board of Directors for 8 years. She has served on the Douglas Cherokee Advisory Board and the Central Services Board of Directors. She also served on the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity for 15 years. Serving 5 of those years as President. Along with the responsibilities as a board member, Ms. Baldus helps with fundraising, event planning, marketing/public relations, and volunteer recruitment/services
MEMBER: Lisa Glover