Advisory Board

Agnes Leshner, MA (Chair) is a psychologist and family therapist who for over 25 years was the director of Montgomery County Child Welfare Services. She now serves on the Montgomery’s Kids board and is the leader of the 3L Advisory group.

Ronna Cook, MSW, MA is a social services research and policy consultant with over 40 years of experience in survey and evaluation research, social services delivery, and special education. She serves as treasurer of Montgomery’s Kids and as Chairperson of Montgomery County Child Protective Services Citizens’ Review Panel.

Francha Davis is the Executive Director of the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program of Montgomery County, an organization that provides volunteer advocates for children in foster care.  Ms. Davis has been with CASA of Montgomery County for 24 years. She is currently Chair of the Montgomery County Commission on Juvenile Justice’s Legislative and Community Outreach Committee, and a member of the Maryland State CASA Association’s Board of Directors.

Joanne Evans, Med, RN, PMHCSN-BC is an advanced practice nurse with over 40 years experience in a wide range of settings including clinical, academic and leadership. Her areas of expertise are mental health, crises management, leadership and nutrition.

Jane Fidler, MA is an Adjunct Professor at Montgomery College in the Department of English and Reading. Previously she was the Director of Training at the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services.

Susan Gardner, PhD has a background in health care delivery, evaluation and epidemiologic health research and medical care regulation and policy. After retiring she has volunteered with several nonprofit agencies to assist in program evaluation and volunteered in programs supporting and enhancing education in Montgomery County.

Deborah Kearse, Esq is an attorney who has been active in serving the needs of youth in foster care in Montgomery County for over 10 years. Deborah has an affinity for providing positive encouragement and support to young mothers in the 3L program. Ms. Kearse formerly worked as an attorney for the Child in Need of Assistance Unit of the Maryland Legal Aid Bureau, and as an Associate County Attorney for Montgomery County, representing Child Welfare Services. Ms. Kearse currently works for the Department of Homeland Security, handling cases involving allegations of employee misconduct.

Yonette F. Thomas, PhD is Senior Science Advisor, Association of American Geographers and New York Academy of Medicine. Faculty Affiliate with the Maryland Population Research Center at the University of Maryland College Park and Voluntary Associate Professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.