Success is commonly defined as “the degree or measure” of something turning out well. This April, we are exploring the theme of success and examining what it looks like from various unique perspectives at Henrico CASA.
Our Executive Director, Jeannine Panzera, brings insight into what success looks like for our organization as a whole – how we collectively define, pursue, and celebrate it.
Leading with Intention
Before joining Henrico CASA, Jeannine’s career was shaped by law and public service. She found that she was always drawn to roles that combined advocacy, systems change, and direct service, all spaces where she could lend her skills to help shape better outcomes for vulnerable populations. That deep-rooted passion ultimately led her to CASA, where her legal background merged with her heart for community impact.
Success is a Shared Mission
That same passion fuels the way she leads Henrico CASA, with intention and belief in the power of a team. “There is no ‘I’ in team,” she says. “Success has never been about a title or individual recognition. It’s about building a strong, passionate team where each person is empowered to grow and contribute their unique strengths to a shared mission.”
At CASA, our team includes not only staff, but our volunteer Advocates, Board Members, and Ambassadors. Jeannine works to ensure every person feels seen, valued, and part of the mission.
“I’ve worked hard to create a culture where collaboration and shared purpose are at the heart of everything we do,” Jeannine says. “That means giving our staff the space to become experts in their areas while also encouraging connection and alignment across the team. It means valuing our Board Members as thought partners and celebrating our advocates as the essential boots-on-the-ground changemakers that they are.”
Measuring Impact, Not Just Outcomes
At Henrico CASA, impact goes far beyond our data points, it lives in the personal stories that reflect real change. While measurable outcomes like permanency rates and court
rulings matter, Jeannine reminds us that the most powerful indicators are seen in the personal stories of those we serve.
“There are so many ways we see the impact of our work, but the most meaningful indicators are often the ones that do not show up on paper,” Jeannine says. “To me, it is often in the stories–when a child begins to feel safe, when a caregiver sees the benefit of showing up more consistently, or when a judge tells us that our Advocate’s investigation and report made all the difference in a complex case.”
Into The Future
As Henrico CASA marks three decades we reflect on the powerful court advocacy we have accomplished, while looking ahead with renewed vision and purpose.
“We are proud to be experts in child and courtroom advocacy, but we also recognize that our work must continue evolving. We are unfortunately seeing a steady increase in child abuse and neglect cases, and while we are proud to have continued to meet every referral, we also see the gaps and the moments when children and families need more support than our current system(s) can offer.”
Henrico CASA’s next chapter will continue to be rooted in unwavering advocacy. Together with our advocates, partners, and supporters, we will continue to stand for every child’s right to safety, stability, and a future filled with possibility.
