Staff

Tess Fletcher, Executive Director

Tess Fletcher is the Executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy Alliance. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Central Baptist College in management information systems and her master’s degree from Arkansas State University in public administration.

Tess currently serves on the board of directors for Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas and is president of the Conway Morning Rotary Club. She was born and raised in Louisiana and moved to Conway to attend college. Tess resides in Conway with her husband, Eric, and two children.

Autumn Kissire, Development Coordinator

Autumn Kissire is the Development Coordinator with the Children’s Advocacy Alliance. She graduated from Arkansas Tech University with a degree in Criminal Justice. She then earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in Criminal Justice/Sociology with an emphasis in Criminology.Autumn previously worked with the Children’s Advocacy Alliance for three years as the Forensic Interviewer. She has over six years’ experience working with abused and neglected children and child abuse prevention and awareness.

Autumn is from Center Ridge and currently resides in Greenbrier along with her fiancé, Zac, and children.

Lisa Johnston, Forensic Interviewer/Family Advocate

I’m finishing my BS with a double major of Sociology and Criminology, graduation in May. Honor societies for both of those. Former Girl Scout leader. Mom of three daughters. Volunteer my time when I can. Was a stay at home mom prior to finishing my degree work. Intern turned Clinical Coordinator. I LOVE all things music and believe in laughter. I’m honored to do my small part in order to help the kids and families we see begin to get their lives back on track.

I’ve been married to my husband for 16 years and settled in Conway when we got married. Originally from Kirby, Arkansas which is in the southwest part of the state. Prior to going back to school I was also an Escalation Manager for Hewlett Packard.

Joseph Shelton, Family Advocate/Forensic Interviewer

I graduated in December of 2013 with a degree in Sociology where I had an emphasis on family and cultural structures. I was a caseworker for DHS and discovered that my soul requires a decent and ethical moral standard. To that end I left and got the job at the CAC and immediately fell in love with all that we do. I’ll never look back. I have two girls, a 7 year old and a 1 and a half month old. This year I will have been married for 10 years, hence the grey hair I hide very well.

Deb Kennemer, Lead CASA Coordinator

Deb is the Lead Advocate Supervisor of the CASA program. She began volunteering for the CASA program in 2002 and became a staff member in 2010. Deb has a heart for the children we serve; she is always working in their best interest. She is originally from California and has been married to Joe Kennemer for 18 years. Between them, they have 5 grown children, 14 grandkids, and 2 great grandbabies. She also loves her many dogs, cats, and horses. She chose this line of work in hopes she could help kids. Deb is dedicated to finding a way to provide advocates for every child in our district. She is for the abused, neglected, and forgotten child. “I love working with the kids and families, I just hate the reasons we have to.”

Leia Smith, Outreach and Marketing Coordinator

Leia Smith is a Development Intern for the Children’s Advocacy Alliance. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education from the North American Montessori Center. She is currently studying Public Relations and Communication at the University of Central Arkansas. She has been working with the CAA since February of 2016.Leia is an avid advocate for children in our community. “These kids just need someone to be a support system in their lives; they deserve more than anyone can give. The best we can do is make an active effort to be their voice, their support, and their guiding light to a safe and permeate home.”

Debra Lance, CASA Coordinator

Debra is an Advocate Supervisor with the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Program. She has been a part of CASA for 6 years and loves meeting new people and helping children in need. Debra chose this profession to help those children who are in need of safe permanent homes find their forever home.
Debra is originally from Whittier, CA and loves spending time with her Parrot, Sweetie, and being involved with her church. Debra’s favorite motto she relishes is having the faith of a mustard seed.

Sue Smith, Office Manager

I am originally from Illinois but lived in California for around 30 years before moving to Arkansas. I have lived in Arkansas for 23 years and have loved every minute of it. I have been working for the Children’s Advocacy Alliance for 13 years. My first year I was an experience Works employee and I guess they liked my work because CASA hired me. When I first started we were known as CASA. I have watched the agency grow and feel blessed that I have been a part of the Growth. Of all the jobs I have had in my life, working for this agency has been the most fulfilling and rewarding just knowing I have had a part in helping the children that we represent.

Staff

Mailing Address

Conway Center

Clinton Office