Judy Doverspike

“The board was weary, the staff exhausted and the community was losing interest in the traditional approaches utilized for CASA’s fund-raising activities,” she said.

But Doverspike wasn’t discouraged by the agency’s anemic budget.

The former social worker stepped into the fray and applied what she called a “new type of leadership,” with an emphasis on strategic planning and financial management. Doverspike restructured CASA’s operating budget and garnered an additional $150,000 for the nonprofit – a nice boost for a small operation with just eight employees.

“I have not pursued evolutionary change,” she said. “I have provided leadership for revolutionary changes.”

CASA of Southwest Missouri was formed in the late 1980s by a group of citizens concerned about the number of abused and neglected children entering the state’s foster care system. An average of 39 children in Greene County enter foster care each month, according to CASA of Southwest Missouri’s 2005 annual report.

Doverspike shares her passion for helping abused and neglected children with anyone who will listen. She speaks to civic organizations, media outlets and individuals about the importance of recruiting and training CASA volunteers, who currently number more than 100.

At Doverspike’s urging, CASA expanded its holiday card program to include everyday note cards. She has also secured $30,000 in underwriting support and various in-kind donations to turn the fund-raiser into a year-round sales campaign.

“The agency will benefit from the increased revenue, and even more people will become aware of CASA and its work,” she predicted.

Doverspike, who serves on the Missouri CASA board of directors, considers herself a servant-style leader who has encouraged and empowered her staff to succeed. Doverspike’s career began in the 1970s as a county social worker with what was then known as the Division of Family Services of the Missouri Department of Social Services. She later moved to St. Joseph, where she directed the city’s senior citizens center, and then to Alaska, where she was the Associate Director for Catholic Social Services of a diocese.

More recently, Doverspike served as executive director of two social service agencies in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.

Personally speaking

Please tell us about your family.

My father, “Parson Bill,” was an ordained pastor of the Disciples of Christ denomination and served churches in Kentucky, Illinois and Missouri. My mother, Frances, is a retired high school English teacher. She resides in Republic. I have one brother, Charlie, who is the director of logistics for Miller Truck Lines in Stroud, Okla. My husband is the finance manager for Discovery Center. His son, Ty, along with wife Michelle and their two sons live in Nixa. Our two daughters, Heidi and Amy, live in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota.

Besides your parents, who do you consider a mentor or role model?

My mentor and best friend is my husband, Kim. He has been my professional coach for 27 years and has most influenced my not-for-profit management skills. My role models are my aunt and uncle, Darlene and Donald Woods. Aunt Darlene and Uncle “Smokey” are in their 80s and have been married 60-plus years. What I know about unconditional love and growing old gracefully, they have taught me.

Tell us something about you that most people probably don’t know.

I have rafted Class IV and V rapids of Nenana River in Denali National Park, Alaska.

Beyond the Golden Rule, what philosophy do you live by?

Attitudes are caught, not taught.[[In-content Ad]]