SEI Voices for Children Director Receives GAL/CASA Program Director of the Year Award

Melissa Herzner was recently recognized at the annual state conference in Ft. Wayne.

Executive Director Melissa Herzner receiving her award from State Director Rae Feller. Photo provided.

(Southeast Indiana.) - SEI Voices for Children Executive Director Melissa Herzner recently received the 2024 Elaine S. Fuller Memorial Award for Excellence as the GAL/CASA Program Director of the Year. 

Herzner, who took over as SEI Voices for Children Executive Director in February 2022, was nominated for the award by the entire Voices staff. She also received letters of support from Judge Ryan King, Board Member Dan Mattingly, CASA Volunteer Sandra Liming, DCS LOD Michelle Smith, Bridges Director Melissa Hughes, and YES Home Director Amy Phillips. 

In presenting Melissa her award State Director Rae Feller referred to her nomination letter quoting, "While Melissa is an incredibly supportive leader and supervisor, what makes her an amazing Director is her heart for advocating for children. Melissa is always the first to jump up and take action when it concerns the safety and well-being of a child. She never asks a volunteer or staff member to do something she hasn’t offered to do first. Her heart and mind is always focused on the child’s best interest and many times it falls to staff to remind her to care for herself. This dedication was made clear this past year as Melissa has fought her battle with breast cancer. Throughout multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation and hospital stays she has never left her post. She has built a wonderful team that has stepped up when necessary, but only because we have forced her to focus on herself. While she is still dealing with complications from her battle with breast cancer, we are so thrilled to be able to say that Melissa is cancer free! Her passion for our mission is unmatched and we are so lucky to have her leading our team and serving the children of Ripley County."

Ms. Feller also commented that she knows Judge King thinks he has the best CASA program in the state and she herself wished that she had "a Melissa" leading every program.

Herzner was joined by her husband Louis, and her parents Stan and Deborah to witness her receiving her award.