Our Staff
Whitney Pennington, Executive Director
Whitney began her CASA journey as a volunteer in 2016 and quickly grew into leadership roles within the organization, including Volunteer Coordinator and Program Manager. In February 2022, she became Executive Director of CASA of Jefferson County.
Whitney is actively involved in child advocacy and community initiatives at both the local and state levels. She serves on the Indiana GAL/CASA State Advisory Commission, contributing to work focused on Best Practices, Ethics, and Standards. Locally, she serves on the Jefferson County Community Corrections Advisory Board, the Attend and Engage Program Team, the Jefferson County Child Protection Team, and the Board of Directors for Caroline’s Corner. She is also a member of the Safe Place network and serves as a Jefferson County trainer for the Indiana Department of Health’s Handle With Care program.
In addition to her work with CASA, Whitney is a registered Guardian ad Litem for civil family law cases in the State of Indiana.
A Madison native, Whitney’s passion for serving children and families began long before her professional career with CASA. She previously volunteered with missionary programs throughout the southern United States, working with children and families experiencing poverty. Those experiences strengthened her commitment to advocacy and ultimately led her to continue that work in her own community.
Whitney’s educational background includes studies in Paralegal Studies and Accounting, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology. In addition to her professional and academic accomplishments, she is also a self-published author.
Brenda Holbrook, Program Coordinator
Brenda joined Voices for Children in June 2018 as the organization’s full-time Program Coordinator. Today, she serves as a member of the management team at CASA of Jefferson County, where she oversees key administrative and operational functions that support the organization’s programs, staff, volunteers, and overall mission.
Brenda holds a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts from Hanover College, where she also studied education, and later earned her Transition to Teaching Certificate from Goshen College. With more than 20 years of experience in education and youth development, along with an extensive background in small business, Brenda brings a diverse combination of experience, creativity, and organizational leadership to her role. Her career has been consistently guided by a commitment to supporting children, families, and the community.
Brenda is actively involved in a number of local initiatives and organizations. She serves on the advisory committee for the Human Services and Psychology programs at Ivy Tech Community College–Madison and participates in the Jefferson County Substance Abuse Team through Healthy Communities Initiative and Resilient Jefferson County. She is certified in both Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid and is a member of the Safe Place network.
Her community involvement also includes service on the Board of Directors for the Kiwanis Club of Jefferson County and volunteer work with the MadHop Music Festival and other community festivals and events throughout the year. Brenda is also a member of the Ohio Valley Celtic Society and a supporting member of Friends of Clifty Falls State Park.
Michelle Zimmermann, Program Manager
Michelle’s involvement with CASA of Jefferson County began through service on the Board of Directors, where she served as Vice President from 2022 to 2024. She also previously served on the Board of Directors for Prevent Child Abuse Jefferson County. In January 2024, Michelle joined the CASA staff as a Volunteer Coordinator before transitioning into the role of Program Manager, allowing her to take a more active role in supporting CASA volunteers, staff, and the children served by the organization.
A Jefferson County resident since 1994, Michelle brings more than 25 years of management experience in the food service and banking industries. Her extensive leadership background, combined with her passion for the CASA mission, provides a strong foundation for her work supporting advocates and strengthening services for children and families in Jefferson County.
Michelle is actively involved in several community initiatives focused on the well-being of children and families. She serves on the Jefferson County Child Protection Team and the Attend and Engage Program Team and is a member of the Safe Place network. She also serves on CASA of Jefferson County’s Rumble on the River Committee and is certified in both Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid.
Michelle’s commitment to young people extends beyond her professional work. She has previously volunteered in support of the choir and band programs at Southwestern High School and continues to dedicate her time to efforts that strengthen opportunities and outcomes for children in her community.
Mary Jo Hoffman, Staff GAL Advocate
Mary Jo began her service with CASA of Jefferson County as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer in 2019, bringing with her several years of personal experience supporting children involved in the foster care system. Her dedication to advocacy and commitment to children ultimately led her to join the CASA staff, where she now serves as the organization’s Staff Guardian ad Litem.
In her role as Staff Guardian ad Litem, Mary Jo directly advocates for the best interests of children involved in CHINS proceedings, working closely with children, families, service providers, attorneys, DCS, and the court. She brings both professional experience and a deeply personal understanding of the child welfare system to her work, with a strong focus on ensuring each child’s individual needs, experiences, and voice remain at the center of the case.
Since beginning her CASA service, Mary Jo has advocated for more than 45 children and has become known for providing a consistent and trusted presence during some of the most difficult and uncertain periods of their lives. She approaches each case with compassion, persistence, and a willingness to go beyond what is expected to ensure children feel supported throughout their involvement in the system.
Mary Jo’s commitment to children began well before her work with CASA. Her family’s experience supporting children in foster care and ultimately growing through adoption strengthened her desire to advocate for children facing uncertainty and instability.
Outside of her professional role, Mary Jo is a devoted mother of four and has remained actively involved in her children’s schools and activities. She also has a background in entrepreneurship and health and wellness.
Mary Jo is certified in both Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid. Her combination of lived experience, years of child advocacy, and professional service as a Guardian ad Litem brings a valuable perspective to her work and reflects her continued commitment to ensuring children have a strong and consistent advocate.
Beth Sullivan, Volunteer Coordinator
Beth joined CASA of Jefferson County as the full-time Volunteer Coordinator in September 2025. She brings more than a decade of professional experience serving children, families, and individuals in need through roles including Family Case Manager, Patient Advocate, Victim Advocate, and Domestic Violence Advocate.
Throughout her career, Beth has developed extensive experience in crisis response, victim rights education, safety planning, resource coordination, and advocacy for vulnerable populations. Her background in child development, domestic violence awareness, and community-based services provides a strong foundation for her work with CASA volunteers and the children and families they serve.
As Volunteer Coordinator, Beth plays an important role in recruiting, training, supporting, and retaining CASA volunteers while helping ensure advocates have the guidance and resources necessary to provide effective, child-centered advocacy. She is passionate about strengthening families, building resilience, and connecting individuals with meaningful community resources and support.
A lifelong resident of Jennings County, Beth values the importance of strong communities and the relationships that help children and families thrive. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys reading murder mysteries, baking and cooking, gardening, and rainy fall days. Most importantly, Beth enjoys spending time with her family and takes particular pride in being an aunt to her two nephews and great-nephew.