Dana Strader recently began her two-year term as president of CASA OC’s Friends of CASA (FOCASA) auxiliary group where she is tasked with managing a large board and supervising the efforts of event chairs who plan and execute one of CASA OC’s largest annual fundraisers. She’s also the Advisory Board president for her children’s school where she spearheaded a $15-million dollar capital campaign to build a school gym and other facilities. She serves as a founding board member of an auxiliary supporting Segerstrom Center for the Arts which works to help expose local individuals and families to the arts. And, in her spare time, Dana recently got her real estate license and works as part of a busy real estate team. She juggles all of this after stepping away from her law career to “slow down” a few years ago.
Dana was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and went to college at UC Santa Barbara before attending law school at Santa Clara University. She had an early understanding of the challenges faced by children in the foster care system since her mother spent her entire career working in Child Protective Services. Dana would spend time in her mom’s office and would see firsthand what kids experienced in the system. According to Dana, “I knew early on that this was an issue that was going to be very important to me.”
Dana first got involved with CASA OC in 2017 when she was invited to be a part of the annual Celebration Gala planning committee. Within a couple of years, she was chairing that event including navigating the complex waters when Celebration was held as a “virtual” event in 2020 during the peak of the Covid pandemic. She soon found herself on the FOCASA board and in 2022 assumed the position of president - a term she will serve for two years.
The FOCASA auxiliary is tasked with fundraising and service in support of the mission of CASA. Dana oversees the efforts of the 16 women on the board and guides fundraising events and community outreach including shopping days and the annual holiday luncheon and fashion show. The holiday luncheon will net over $500,000 which goes directly to support the work of CASA in Orange County.
Dana said, “The holiday luncheon is one of the top 3 luncheons in Orange County every year according to the Orange County Business Journal. It’s a beautiful and fun event. Lugano Diamonds is our exclusive jewelry partner and sponsor and they always contribute something lovely as an opportunity drawing prize. The fashion design partner and runway show is always fun.” She added, “More importantly, we always have an amazing speaker, either a former CASA youth or an advocate. To hear them share their stories is extremely impactful. People who attend really get an idea of what children in the system experience and how their support can ultimately help.”
Dana’s goal during her two-year term as FOCASA president is to further develop educational outreach for their members and the broader community. According to Dana, “When people hear about what’s going on in the system, when they hear advocates or former youth speak, and learn why it’s so important for kids to have an advocate, that’s when they’re hooked. It leads to a “trickle-down” effect where members talk to other people they know and bring them on board to bring greater resources to the organization.”
Dana has a unique vantage point on donating time and treasure to CASA OC since she has such an impressive track record as a community volunteer. She spoke highly of CASA OC with Regan Phillips as the CEO. “Regan is an excellent leader. I’ve watched her at the helm since she started and have seen what she has done to take the organization to greater heights. The organization runs so well. They know what the needs are, they tell us what those needs are, and they give us the tools we need to help support the program. Everyone who works there is wonderful. The infrastructure makes it very easy for volunteers to get in there and really execute and deliver.” She concluded by saying, “I love CASA. It truly is one of a very few organizations where you can actually see that you’re making a difference. Funds raised go to educate the advocates and mentors. Statistically, you can see how much better a child does when they have an advocate. There is a tangible connection between the fundraising we do, the dollars we give, and the end result with these children. There really is no better organization to support.”