CASA of Los Angeles (CASA/LA), the nonprofit organization that recruits, trains, and supports volunteer advocates for children in foster care, today announced the appointment of Shakoya Green Long, MSW, ACSW, as its new Chief Executive Officer. Green Long brings more than 26 years of executive leadership experience in nonprofit management, social services, and child and family advocacy to one of Los Angeles County’s most critical child welfare organizations.
“Every child in foster care deserves to know they are seen, heard, and supported—and CASA’s volunteers make that a reality every single day,” said Shakoya Green Long, CEO, CASA of LA. “I am humbled and honored to lead this incredible organization. My own experience in the foster care system has never left me. It drives everything I do. I look forward to working with CASA’s dedicated staff, volunteers, and community partners to deepen our reach and ensure that every child who needs an advocate has one.”
Green Long’s appointment reflects CASA/LA’s commitment to centering community voices and fostering leadership grounded in empathy. A former foster youth raised by her grandmother in Compton, she brings lived experience alongside professional expertise—a rare combination that positions her to lead with both credibility and compassion on behalf of the children CASA/LA serves.
Most recently, Green Long served as Chief Executive Officer of Thomas House Family Shelter in Orange County, where she accelerated the organization’s revenue from $1.3 million to $2.5 million—a nearly 92 percent increase—while spearheading the rollout of a $1.2 million CALAIM Community Supports Program and securing a transformative strategic partnership with CalOptima. She also raised $250,000 in 24 hours for the organization’s Help Them Home Initiative. Under her leadership, Thomas House earned her a promotion from Executive Director to CEO within two years and a Chase ICON Award for Nonprofit in 2025.
Prior to Thomas House, Green Long held senior leadership roles at the National Health Foundation, where she doubled the budget of the Recuperative Care program from $1.1 million to $2.7 million, and at Los Angeles Brotherhood Crusade, where she served as Senior Vice President of Programs. She began her career at Los Angeles Job Corps, developing workforce readiness and case management programs for young adults. Green Long holds a Master of Social Work from California State University, Dominguez Hills, a Master of Arts in Human Behavior from National University, and a Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Development from San Diego State University. She also serves as an adjunct professor at Pacific Oaks College.
A recognized leader in the nonprofit and social services sectors, Green Long currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of the National Women’s Shelter Network and as a member of the Orange County Continuum of Care Board, where she chairs the Domestic Violence Committee. She is also a 2025 participant in Coro Southern California’s Women in Leadership Program.
What They’re Saying:
“On behalf of the Orange County Community Foundation, we extend our deepest gratitude to Shakoya Green-Long for her exceptional leadership and steadfast commitment to unhoused families,” said Tammy Tumbling of the Orange County Community Foundation. “During her tenure as CEO of Thomas House, Shakoya led with vision, compassion, and an unwavering dedication to creating lasting pathways to stability for those in need. Her impact will be felt for years to come—not only through the lives she has touched directly, but through the strengthened foundation she leaves behind. While we will miss her leadership in Orange County, we are excited to see her continue this important work in Los Angeles County.”
“Having worked alongside Shakoya, I have seen firsthand how she translates her personal history into professional excellence,” said Kellie Hawkins, Managing Partner at EKA. “Her appointment is a win for the entire child welfare community. By building on the essential advocacy of CASA/LA, Shakoya brings a rare depth of perspective that honors the resilience of foster youth while navigating the complexities of the system with seasoned authority. I have watched her lead with both heart and logic, and I am confident that her leadership will further elevate the standard of care and advocacy our youth deserve.”
“Shakoya Green Long is a passionate, powerful, and effective advocate for the safety, economic security, health, and wellbeing of women and children in the Los Angeles community and, in her leadership of the National Women’s Shelter Network, across the nation,” said Constance Collins, President of the National Women’s Shelter Network, Inc. “Her tireless commitment to advancing the cause of the most vulnerable in our country shines brightly.”
“Shakoya Green Long leads with a rare blend of vision and heart, grounded in authenticity, guided by integrity, and driven by accountability,” said Curtis R. Silvers, Jr., Managing Principal of The Silvers Group. “Her commitment to respecting every individual fosters a culture where teams feel valued, empowered, and united in purpose. Through her leadership, CASA Los Angeles will not only be strengthened internally, but positioned to create deeper, more meaningful impact across the communities it serves.”
About CASA of Los Angeles
CASA of Los Angeles (CASA/LA) recruits, trains, and supports community volunteers to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates for children who have experienced abuse or neglect and are in the foster care system. CASA/LA volunteers speak up for the best interests of children in the courtroom and in their daily lives, helping them find safe, permanent homes and the support they need to thrive. For more information, visit casala.org.
