MEET OUR BOARD
CASA of Southwest Idaho's Board Members help raise community awareness, obtain funding and ensure our program legally and ethically complies with all codes of conduct and Federal and State laws. Our team brings a breadth of experience and passion for the children we serve here in Southwest Idaho!
SHELLY SCHWERS
President
Shelly is a 1991 graduate of Pacific University with a degree in Philosophy and Business Management.
She has been a volunteer Guardian Ad Litem since 2015, and has found it to be a rewarding experience on many levels.
With a background in fundraising and leadership roles in various nonprofits over the years including Race for the Cure Boise, PTO and West Valley Little League, Shelly hopes to bring some energy and direction to the fundraising side of the board.
JAN ARRASMITH
Secretary
Jan was born and raised on a farm in Idaho. She earned a bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy from Boise State University and her MBA from Independence University in 2015. She has worked as a Respiratory Therapy in local hospitals for over 22 years. In addition to working in the hospital, she has been teaching and a Respiratory Therapy Program Director for a local college the last 12 years. She is currently working for the State of Idaho at the Division of Occupational and Professional licenses as the Education and Practice Specialist for the Healthcare Boards.
Jan volunteers for the Idaho Society for Respiratory Care Board as a Delegate, Northwest Career Colleges Board, CASA of Southwest Idaho Board, and the AARC Political Action Committee.
She has been married for over 27 years and has two children. In her spare time she loves to travel with her family, skiing, UTV riding, and shopping.
SHAROLYN CARLSON
Treasurer
Sharolyn devoted almost two decades of her life to the corporate world, primarily in finance and management related roles. In the midst of her career, she and her family ventured off to China where they served for two years with a non-profit organization teaching English to university students. In 2017 she moved to Idaho, which prompted an early retirement and provided time to complete a book, volunteer, and take up the sport of pickleball.
Colorado will always be considered home, but she currently resides in Meridian, Idaho with her husband and youngest son.
She is also a Board Member at You Gotta Ask and supports the following additional non-profits:
· Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition
· Ordinary Nurses
· Campus Outreach
· Bee World
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BREEAN MCKINNEY
Board Member
Breean earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Idaho State University, and later her M.B.A.
Active in the philanthropic community, she regularly engages in the organizing and carrying out of multiple galas, fundraisers and events every year all across the Treasure Valley and beyond. She has served in many non-profit roles ranging from child welfare to domestic violence awareness to education and equal access.
Breean is a mother of two human children and lives in Nampa, ID, where she works in marketing and community development.
DIANA THOMAS
Board Member
Diana has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education from the College of Idaho, and served as a teacher and school administrator for 35 years.
After leaving education, Thomas served as a Washington County Commissioner for more than six years and was appointed by Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter to fill a vacancy in the Idaho House of Representatives where she completed the term of Clete Edmondson.
Thomas served two terms as Weiser mayor, and also served as a District 3 director on the AIC Board of Directors, on the Weiser Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees, and on the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council.
Since retiring, Thomas has been involved in the Friends of Weiser Memorial Hospital and Chapter T of P. E. O. where she currently serves as vice-President and on the State of Idaho Membership Committee. She is also a member of Nu Master Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi serving as Corresponding Secretary.
Her outside interests include active involvement in her church, golfing, reading, and other volunteer activities through local cancer support groups. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, Mike, their sons and families.
MICHELLE WELCH
Board Member
Michelle is currently a Realtor with John L Scott Real Estate and retired City of Emmett Councilman.
She grew up on a dairy in Arizona and made her way to Idaho in 2001. She has been a board member and volunteer with CASA since 2019.
Michelle is a graduate of California Polytechnic at San Luis Obispo with a B.S. in Agribusiness.
She has volunteered with American Cancer Society, Gem County Rec District and other organizations through her City Council work.
Michelle is mom to two very
active boys who are engaged in school sports and activities, and they help out on the family farm.