First Judicial District CASA Program : Board of Directors Meeting Schedule
4th Monday of the month, 5:30 to 6:30 pm at the CASA Center for Child Victims; 1417 N 4th Street in Midtown

North Idaho CASA Board of Directors


​Layne McWilliams - President 
Layne has been a part of Cascade in 2010. He has lead Cascade’s efforts in the Municipal Water / Wastewater Sector. He works with cities, utilities, design firms, and regulatory bodies to pave the path for implementation of projects and adoption of SEM in this special sector. As a former wastewater design engineer, he identifies and evaluates energy conservation opportunities within water sourcing, treatment and conveyance facilities, as well as wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal infrastructure. Layne has been a supporter of CASA for years and is an avid SuperHero Society member. He is happy to serve as a Board President to further his support. 
Nick Forsberg - Vice President 
Nick is the co-owner of Atlas Building Group, a local building and land development firm located in Coeur d’Alene Idaho. Growing up in northern Idaho, Nick has been heavily involved in the local community and appreciates being able to raise his family in the same area. Previously, he traveled extensively throughout the United States as the VP of Sales and Performance Strategy for two publicly traded building material companies.  Nick has broad experience in various lines of business, including operations, sales, construction and finance. In addition to spending time with friends and family, Nick enjoys boating, snowboarding, and exploring various parts of the world in search of tropical sunshine during the cold winter months.

​Ninette Goucher - Treasurer
Ninette Goucher is the Principal of Goucher Group, LLC. Ninette graduated from the University of Nevada in 1993 and operated as a sole practitioner in Reno, Nevada prior to moving to Coeur d’Alene in 2005. Ninette was a Partner with Magnuson, McHugh & Co as well as the Director of the Consulting and Accounting Services Department. She then spent a couple years in corporate accounting. Realizing her true passion was working with small business owners, she opened her own firm, Goucher Group, LLC. She is a licensed CPA in Idaho and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. She works with her clients to create a successful foundation for their business through well-organized financial records. She helps her clients monitor performance for continued success and enjoys long-term relationships with them. Ninette is a 2010 graduate of the Chamber of Commerce Leadership Coeur d’Alene Program and a 2018 graduate of the Advanced Leadership Coeur d’Alene Program. She volunteers with many non-profits in the area. She is currently the Treasurer of the EXCEL Foundation and the Coeur d’Alene Symphony and Secretary for the Coeur d’Alene Rotary Foundation Board. Ninette has three children and two grandchildren that she enjoys snow skiing and golfing with. 
Melissa Hook - Secretary 
Melissa is a school counselor at Canfield Middle School where she has worked since 2015. Melissa grew up in Coeur d' Alene and feels fortunate to raise her own family here, and to work with the children of our community. Melissa graduated from the University of Montana with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Human and Family Development. She later graduated with a Master of Arts in School Counseling from Gonzaga University. Melissa has worked with children and in the mental health field for over fifteen years and looks forward to extending her service to the community through her role at CASA. During her free time, Melissa's favorite activity is quality time with her husband and two boys, typically camping, fishing, or exploring the Northwest. Melissa also enjoys Pilates, reading, indoor plants, and snuggling with her Havanese, Finn, and two cats, Opie and Nala. ​
Heather Schmitz
Heather graduated from the University of Washington in 1994. Heather's early career was with Group Health Cooperative. She worked from 1994-2006 with their worksite health team and then worked as the finance manager for the Group Health Community Foundation from 2000-2006. In 2006, Heather started her work in the legal industry and she is currently a paralegal for HWS Law Group. Heather has been involved in numerous nonprofits over the years. Most recently, she was a founding board member for the Coeur d'Alene Police Foundation and served as their treasurer from 2019-2023. In her off time, Heather loves spending time outdoors camping, hiking, boating, and skiing. ​
Kiley Anderson 
Kiley is an attorney and the co-owner of the family law firm, Spokane Divorce Attorneys in Spokane Valley, Washington. While she grew up in Western Washington, Kiley received her Bachelor's degree from Washington State University and graduated from Gonzaga University School of Law and fell in love with the Inland Northwest. Kiley loves to help give back to her community in Northern Idaho and is happy to now be raising her family here. During her free time, Kiley loves reading and spending time at the lake with her family and friends. ​
Brad Wolfinger 
Brad is Sergeant with the Coeur d’Alene Police Department and has over 15 years of law enforcement experience. Brad is a life-long resident of North Idaho, born and raised in Coeur d’Alene. As an officer with the police department, Brad served for multiple years as a School Resource Officer, serving the children of our community. Brad enjoys spending time with his family and friends, coaching his children in a variety of sports, golfing and fly fishing.
Heidi Krueger
Heidi is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in the timber town of St. Maries. She holds the Series 7 and Series 66 licenses as well as life and health licenses. Prior to joining Edward Jones, Heidi spent 21 years in forestry, road building, heavy equipment, and custom homebuilding in North Idaho and Washington. She raised her three children in the Rose Lake area of North Idaho and now spoils her three grandchildren every chance she gets! Heidi is a former CASA and has a profound passion for the CASA organization and a special dedication to the children they serve.
Lori Meulenberg
​Lori is a recently retired Judge. She grew up on a family farm in Minnesota before attending college in Michigan. She graduated with a double major in Sociology and Criminal Justice. In 1983 she met her future husband, Dan, while both were working at an outdoor camp. They were married in 1985. In 1986, she moved with her husband to North Carolina where they both attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Lori’s first experience with the CASA/GAL program was when she had a summer internship with the North Carolina statewide GAL program coordinator in 1988. In the summer of 1989, she interned with the Office of Public Advocacy in Anchorage, Alaska also doing GAL/CASA work. She graduated with a JD degree in 1990 and moved to Idaho. Lori previously served as a prosecuting attorney for Ada County, Bonner County, and the City of Sandpoint. She also represented clients seeking Social Security Disability. From April of 2013 to July of 2024, Lori held the position of Idaho Magistrate Judge, with chambers in Bonner County. Lori was selected to be on the judiciary’s statewide Child Protection Advisory Team, the Domestic Violence Advisory Team, and the Children and Family in the Courts Committee. Lori and Dan have two grown daughters and now that she is retired, she plans to continue traveling, gardening and reading.

North Idaho CASA Board Liaisons

Dan Hammes (Benewah County)
Dan Hammes owns and operates the St. Maries Gazette Record with his wife, Cindy. In addition to the community newspaper, the business is an Internet Service Provider and offers services in St. Maries, the surrounding area and Harrison.
Dan and his wife have two daughters and six grandchildren. The consensus is the grandchildren are quite bright and generally remarkable.

​Lara Gamel Wohllaib (Bonner County)
Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Lara moved to Southern California after high school, where she started a career in the fashion industry. After spending several years as a buyer for a retail chain of 65 stores, she went on to receive a degree in fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles. Lara then enjoyed a wonderful career for 15 years years designing swimwear and traveling the globe for her job. The last 8 years of her career she severed as Vice-President of Design and Merchandising for Manhattan Beachwear which is now on of the largest swimwear companies in the US. After marrying her husband Alex and welcoming her first born, Lara decided she step away from her demanding career and move to Sandpoint, Idaho to be closer to family. Lara now enjoys life as a homemaker and hands-on mom to their 2 children from juggling multiple sports and regularly volunteering at their school. Since their relocation, Lara has found her passion for the community as a volunteer and supporter for services caring for children in need. Lara is heavily connected throughout the community and can always be found working on projects and events to help others. Member of the 101 Women and active with supporting KinderHaven, she is a pillar of the philanthropic community. 

​Brad Corkill  (Shoshone County)
The First Judicial District CASA Program wishes to express its appreciation for the many years of service Brad Corkill has provided us. Mr. Corkill has recently stepped down from the Board of Directors but remains a loyal supporter of CASA. Mr. Corkill and his company, Whiteman Lumber in Cataldo, have been faithful supporters of our mission to serve our community's children.