Marguerite Casey Foundation Announces Changes to Board of Directors

Marguerite Casey Foundation announced that of its April 2008 Board of Directors meeting, Dr. America Bracho has replaced Gary Severson on its Board. Both Ms. Bracho and Mr. Severson currently serve on the Board of Trustees of Casey Family Programs.

When Marguerite Casey Foundation was created by Casey Family Programs in 2001 to further Casey its outreach and enhance its 38-year record of leadership in child welfare, one of the stipulations was that the president and CEO of Casey Family Programs as well as two members of its board of trustee would actively serve on the Marguerite Casey Foundation Board of Directors.

Mr. Severson has been a board member with the Marguerite Casey Foundation since its inception and has been instrumental in shaping the organization as it exists today. He will continue his tenure with the Casey Family Programs Board of Trustees.

“Gary has been deeply engaged and a true joy to work with. We’ll miss his tireless commitment to our mission of creating a movement of working families who can advocate for themselves,” said Luz Vega-Marquis, Marguerite Casey Foundation president and CEO.”

“We will certainly miss Gary, but are very happy to have someone of America’s caliber join us,” Vega-Marquis added. “Not only does she bring an expertise in public health and community building, she knows intimately the challenges faced by our grantees and the families they serve and is committed to their betterment.”

Dr. Bracho is a recognized expert in Latino health issues and public health who joined the Casey Family Programs board of trustees in January 2008. She is the executive director and founder of Latino Health Access, a community-based center located in Santa Ana, CA that works to provide health services and create healthy communities. A native of Venezuela, Dr. Bracho practiced medicine for several years before coming to the United States to receive training in public health at the University of Michigan.