NACC Board of Directors

With representatives from the fields of law, medicine, and youth engagement, the NACC Board of Directors offers a multidisciplinary perspective on child welfare issues and policies. This integrative group guides NACC’s strategic direction.

To contact a board member:

EMAIL THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS

  • Dawne Mitchell, JD

    NACC Board President

    Attorney in Charge

    The Legal Aid Society, Juvenile Rights Practice

    New York, New York

  • Currey Cook, JD

    NACC Board Vice President

    Director of the Youth in Out-of-Home Care Project

    Lambda Legal

    New York, New York

  • Sheri

    Sheri Freemont-Castañeda, JD

    NACC Board Secretary

    Managing Director

    Casey Family ProgramsJudicial and National Engagement

    Denver, Colorado

  • Janet Bledsoe, JD, LLM, CWLS

    NACC Board Treasurer

    Director, Attorney ad Litem Program

    Administrative Office of the Courts

    Fort Smith, Arkansas

  • LaShanda Taylor Adams, JD

    NACC Board Past President

    Legal Director

    Children’s Law Center of Washington, DC

    Washington, District of Columbia

  • Mickey Aberman, JD, MBA

    NACC Board Member

    James, McElroy, & Diehl, P.A.

    Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Kathryn Banks, JD

    NACC Board Member

    Associate Dean for Experiential Learning

    Saint Louis University School of Law

    St. Louis, Missouri

  • Hon. Karen Braxton, CWLS

    NACC Board Member

    Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Section

    Third Circuit Court of Michigan

    Detroit, Michigan

  • January Contreras

    January Contreras, JD

    NACC Board Member

    Executive Director

    Children’s Action Alliance

    Phoenix, Arizona

  • LilCrystal Dernier, MS, MNM

    NACC Board Member

    Family Visitation Supervisor

    Children’s Home of Florida

    Miami, Florida

  • Justin Grosz

    Justin D. Grosz, JD

    NACC Board Member

    Co-Founder

    Justice for Kids

    Based in Florida

  • Amy Harfeld, JD

    NACC Board Member

    National Policy Director, Senior Staff Attorney

    Children’s Advocacy Institute, USD School of Law

    Washington, District of Columbia

  • Leslie Starr Heimov, JD, CWLS

    NACC Board Member

    Executive Director

    Children’s Law Center of California

    Monterey Park, California

  • Priya Konings, JD

    NACC Board Member

    Managing Director of Organizational Infrastructure

    National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice

    Washington, District of Columbia

  • Yali Lincroft, MBA

    NACC Board Member

    Vice President

    Philanthropic Services, Whittier Trust

    Seattle, Washington

  • Clark Peters

    Clark Peters, PhD, JD, MSW

    Associate Professor

    University of Missouri School of Social Work

    Based in Missouri

  • Meghna Roy

    Meghna Roy

    NACC Board Member

    Vice President, Product Management

    Ontic

    Based in Texas

  • Dan Wilde, JD

    NACC Board Member

    Attorney

    Wyld Law Office

    Cheyenne, Wyoming

EMERITUS BOARD MEMBERS

Founded in 2017, NACC’s Emeritus Board is an advisory body of prior board members. Emeritus Board members provide advice, technical assistance on specific projects, and assist in fundraising efforts. Members are selected by NACC’s Nominating Committee and voted on by the full Board. They serve a 10-year term and participate in NACC Board meetings as nonvoting members.

  • Candace Barr, JD

    Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada

    Henderson, Nevada

  • Donald C. Bross, JD, Ph.D.

    Professor of Pediatrics (Family Law), Associate Director for Pediatric Law, Policy and Ethics

    Kempe Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect

    Aurora, Colorado

  • John B. Ciccolella, JD

    Ciccolella Family Law, P.C.

    Colorado Springs, Colorado

  • Robert Fellmeth, JD

    Executive Director/Professor

    University of San Diego Law School, Children’s Advocacy Institute

    San Diego, California

  • John Myers, JD

    Visiting Professor of Law

    UC College of Law

    San Francisco, California

  • Henry J. Plum, JD

    Attorney & Consultant

    New Berlin, Wisconsin

  • Janet G. Sherwood, JD, CWLS

    Deputy Director

    Advokids

    Corte Madera, California

  • John H. Stuemky, MD

    Section Chief, Pediatric Emergency Medicine

    Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center

    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

  • Sonia C. Velazquez

    Leader in the non-profit sector with a focus on child welfare, child labor, international development, and human rights

    Chicago, Illinois

  • Chris Wu, JD

    Principal Court Management Consultant

    National Center for State Courts

    Arlington, Virginia