CWLA Board of Directors

CWLA’s Board of Directors actively participates in the governance of the organization. The Board reflects the diversity of CWLA’s member organizations and the children and families they serve, and embraces the principles, values, and goals of the CWLA National Blueprint for Excellence in Child Welfare.

Board Officers

Board Members

Rick Azzaro
Harrisburg, PA

Emilio Benitez
Dania Beach, FL

Kwesi Booker
Minneapolis, MN

Angela Connor
Durant, OK

John Damon
Jackson, MS

Paul Dann
Stoneham, MA

Jed Dews
Charleston, SC

Vannessa Dorantes
Hartford, CT

Yaridis Garcia
Clearwater, FL

Ernestine Gray
New Orleans, LA

Leslie Gross
Baltimore, MD

Constance Gully
St. Louis, MO

Richard Heyl de Ortiz
Albany, NY

Tammy Mello
Westborough, MA

Darcey Merritt
New York, NY

Alex Morales
Upland, CA

Stacey Tadgerson
Lansing, MI

Alan Vietze
Vallejo, CA

Carnitra White
Annapolis, MD

CWLA Chairmen’s Council

The CWLA Chairmen’s Council is comprised of past Board Chairs and key board leaders.  It provides guidance to CWLA’s President & CEO and current Board Chair on issues that CWLA identifies as critical to advancing its mission.

Council Members