Our Staff
Kristi Bachman
Executive Director
Kristi first came to Northeastern Indiana CASA as a volunteer advocate in 2000. She began working part-time on staff in 2002, then served as Executive Director from 2005-2018. She helped to spearhead what is now our annual fundraiser, CASA Palooza, and led the program from a staff of two to a staff of 8 when she retired. She was awarded the Indiana State CASA GAL Director of the Year in 2008. Her passion for the mission of this program has never wavered. She returned as Executive Director in 2024.
Megan Swaidner
Volunteer Coordinator
Megan Swaidner started her career with Northeastern Indiana CASA in August of 2020 as an Administrative Assistant. The following year, she began casework as a Staff GAL in DeKalb County before becoming a Volunteer Coordinator in September of 2022. Megan graduated from IPFW with a triple minor in Psychology, Sociology, and Human Services, moving on to work in the field of ABA as a 1:1 therapist and program assistant at an autism center in Fort Wayne.
Her passion for working with children in need and helping families has driven Megan to build relationships within the community. She has also become committed to seeing the Northeastern Indiana program grow in new and exciting ways. In her downtime, Megan loves spending time with her family and close friends.
Myrlee Gray
Guardian Ad Litem
Myrlee started as a volunteer with CASA in 2007. She became a staff member in 2008. She is a retired nurse/EMT and has been married for 55 years. Her husband and her enjoy life spent with their five children and five grandchildren.
Phil Tripi
Guardian Ad Litem
Phil joined NEINCASA as a volunteer in 2008 and joined the staff part-time in December 2016. He has been an advocate in 60+ cases for over 130 children from infants through 18 years old. Phil graduated from Tri-State College (Trine University) with a BS in Business Administration, has taken graduate classes at Wright State University and the Executive Management Course at Kent State University. He worked for a variety of local and international manufacturing companies during his 35 + year career. Phil is also a SCORE Business Mentor for small businesses needing assistance. Phil believes that the best way to give back is helping families and children in need. Phil enjoys living at the lake with his wife of 50 years, spending time with family and friends, driving his sixties cars, watching sports, cooking and reading.
Kelly Wilkinson
Case Manager
Kelly has been with CASA as a Staff Guardian Ad Litem since November 2017. She grew up in Noble County and graduated from Central Noble High School. Kelly then went on to attend college at Ball State University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science with a minor in Psychology. Kelly’s background consists of over 11 years with the Department of Child Services as an Investigator and Family Case Manager along with a prior 5 plus years of social work experience through the Youth Opportunity Center in Muncie Indiana and Northeastern Center in Lagrange Indiana. Kelly now lives in Steuben County with her husband Ron and two children. She has spent her entire career focusing on family health and the safety of children in our communities. Kelly is passionate about wanting to see that every child has the best life possible so that they will in turn become better adults/caregivers/parents and lead successful lives.
Sabrina Fritz
Guardian Ad Litem
Sabrina served as a CASA volunteer for five years before joining our staff as a Guardian Ad Litem in the fall of 2022. Previously, Sabrina spent 34 years as an educator, serving as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal, all at the elementary school level. Becoming involved with CASA is a natural transition for Sabrina. It keeps her connected with children who need their own advocate at a critical time in their lives. Sabrina has been blessed with two daughters and four grandchildren. Her part-time retirement allows her to enjoy more time with family and friends. Sabrina is also an avid reader and loves to travel whenever she has the opportunity.