Joy M. Bruce is the Executive Director of CASA New Orleans, a nonprofit organization that fights for the rights of abused and neglected children. Under her leadership, CASA New Orleans has diversified their funding and programming, becoming the first CASA program in the state to secure funds to follow youth after they transition out of foster care at 18. In 2016 the organization expanded again, adding the 34th JDC to serve the children of St. Bernard Parish. She is the former Director of Impact Initiatives at the Capital Area United Way, where she created and supported community impact projects in the ten-parish region served by the organization. A certified ACE Educator, her career and volunteer work include a variety of nonprofit roles, all in support of collaborative development and increasing resiliency.