CASA of Fresno and Madera Counties has named Christa Sharpe as its new executive director. Sharpe will lead the nonprofit in its efforts to support foster children in the region.
Sharpe brings international experience to her new role, including anti-human trafficking work in Southeast Asia where she led teams involved in criminal investigations, crisis care, legal support, and survivor advocacy. She replaces Wilma Hashimoto, who is retiring after serving as executive director since 2018.
According to CASA, Sharpe has two decades of experience working in child protection, justice system improvement, and nonprofit management. Her early career included direct service roles supporting immigrant and refugee communities, survivors of sexual violence, and youth mental health at organizations such as the Marjoree Mason Center and former Cedar Vista Psychiatric Hospital in Fresno. She also worked with Young Life, the U.S. Senate, and Catholic Charities.
Sharpe most recently served as interim chief of staff for World Hope International in the Washington D.C.–Baltimore area. She is returning to Fresno with her husband Ben and their son Isaac to be closer to family.
“I have long admired CASA Fresno and Madera Counties’ vital work supporting children and youth in foster care,” said Sharpe. “I am thrilled to join this dedicated team of staff, advocates, supporters, and youth to continue making a meaningful impact in our community.”
From 2005 to 2008, Sharpe was director of survivor support for International Justice Mission (IJM), an organization that partners with local authorities worldwide to address extreme violence. In that position she worked in Cambodia on efforts that reportedly helped reduce child trafficking by 72% across three cities over two years through cooperation with government agencies and community groups.
Her leadership background includes serving as IJM’s regional president for Asia Pacific as well as interim chief of staff at World Hope International. According to CASA’s announcement, these roles focused on strengthening operations, increasing revenue, and improving program alignment. Sharpe holds a master’s degree from Case Western Reserve University and a bachelor’s degree from Tulane University.
