Our Staff

“The Colonial CASA staff works as a team to promote and encourage child advocacy in the greater Williamsburg area.” The Honorable George C. Fairbanks

Executive Director
Rebecca S. Bresee
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Rebecca Scarborough Bresee has been serving Colonial CASA as Executive Director since 2006.  Rebecca is responsible for agency oversight including implementing program activities, fund raising, volunteer coordination, public relations, reporting, finances, personnel management, and office operations, in conjunction with designated staff and board representatives. She supports our board leadership with resource development and community outreach, representing Colonial CASA to the community.  Colonial CASA is the second not-for-profit human services agency Rebecca has led.  She holds advanced degrees in Counseling and Political Science and is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

“Colonial CASA will, as will many agencies today, undoubtedly face many challenges as it aims to fulfill its mission and grow.  Vision, visibility, and collaboration are essential as we all strive to serve the most helpless unheard members of our community – children of abuse and neglect.  I am honored to be in a position to take on these challenges and make a difference!”

Program Director
Sarah S. Serra
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Sarah provides administrative coordination and monitoring of Colonial CASA Volunteer Advocates throughout their involvement on each case. Sarah prepares the initial case file for each advocate, provides assistance in court procedures and case management. She carefully reviews each case prior to assignment. This ensures that the needs of the case are met by the skills of the appointed volunteer advocate.  Sarah works closely with each advocate keeping them apprised of any new developments in their cases. She also reviews all advocate reports to the court prior to the report being filed.  Sarah is a member of the Association for Volunteer Administration (AVA), Greater Williamsburg Association for Volunteer Administration (GWAVA), National CASA.  Sarah also represents Colonial CASA at the area Family Assessment and Planning Team, (FAPT) meetings.  She has been with Colonial CASA since 1996.

Sarah shares the best thing about her job: "Working with an extraordinary group of volunteers who work selflessly and tirelessly to give the abused and neglected children of Williamsburg/James City County hope, a safe and permanent home, and a better future.  They constantly reinforce my belief that anything is possible and I am honored to work with each and every one of them."

Business Services Coordinator
Patricia Toney
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Patricia is the most recent addition to the Colonial CASA family, the Business Services Coordinator, as of September 2007. She assists Rebecca with Program Development, Public relations and Office management. Patricia has had twenty years of experience working with fundraising, corporate sponsorship, volunteer recruitment and program development. She has actively worked with Walsingham Academy, serving as Parent Board President and initiating the Flower and Garden Show, a major fundraiser. She has also collaborated with the Parent Directory. Most recently, Patricia co-founded the first Hispanic Ministry at St. Bede Catholic Church, where she served as Director until December 2006. In the ministry she worked with families and young children.

 She holds and undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education and Psychology, and completed her MA studies in Special Ed. And E.C.E. Patricia has been a regular contributor in the Virginia Gazette with bilingual articles regarding cultural issues.

In addition, Patricia has been teaching Hispanic studies at the College of William and Mary for the past ten years. Patricia is married and has three daughters.

Patricia is very excited to be part of the Colonial CASA team and confesses that:

“Working with such dedicated people, both staff and volunteers, is humbling. Knowing that as CASAs, we can make a difference in the lives of children, allows for a powerful start of my day”.

Volunteer Services Coordinator
Victoria L. Canady
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Victoria has filled the role of Volunteer Services Coordinator since early 2007.  She shares the responsibilities of recruiting, supporting, training, and supervising volunteer Advocates.  Victoria has had over five years management experience in financial institutions and over eight years of experience working with infants and children in both volunteer and business roles.  Her undergraduate degree is in finance and she is currently working towards her MA in counseling.  Her hope in working with families of abused and neglected children is to help people help themselves through education, love, and limits.

Victoria was introduced to Colonial CASA six years ago as a foster parent, and through that experience, she became aware of CASAs and the contributions they make in changing the course of a child’s life. 

Victoria shares the best thing about her job: "Seeing the dedication and attachment exhibited by the staff and volunteers for each family in need, and knowing that each CASA is sharing his/her time and life investing in the well being and quality of the future - through our children."