Board Member Spotlight -
Mike Piscopo
"When you look at your own life, many of us can identify people who were looking out for us and willing to help put us on the right path. Not every child has that, and CASA helps fill that critical role."
For Mike Piscopo, the path to CASA began through a longtime connection to the organization with his employer, Holman. After learning about CASA's need for board members and taking time to better understand its mission, he felt called to get involved. Now in his second year of board service, Mike is driven by CASA's commitment to advocating for children who may not otherwise have someone in their corner. "When you look at your own life, many of us can identify people who were looking out for us and willing to help put us on the right path," Mike shared. "Not every child has that, and CASA helps fill that critical role."
Mike's passion for helping young people extends beyond his work with CASA. A former college baseball player, he spent time coaching youth baseball in Boston and found great fulfillment in helping young athletes grow and develop. Professionally, he has built a career in customer service, sales, and sales leadership, experiences that have helped shape his approach to community service and leadership. One of the most meaningful parts of serving on the board, Mike says, is hearing firsthand about the impact CASA advocates have on children's lives. The mission moments are incredibly powerful; some of the situations children face are difficult to hear about, but hearing how an advocate's involvement impacted a child's life reminds you why this work matters.
Looking toward the future, Mike sees tremendous opportunity for CASA to expand its reach. As a resident of Camden County, he is particularly aware of the growing need for advocates in his community. Less than 25 percent of children in out-of-home placement in Camden County currently have a CASA advocate. "We're doing important work for the children we're serving today, but imagine the impact if every child who needed an advocate had one."
Mike believes one of his most important responsibilities as a board member is helping support CASA's staff and ensuring they have the resources needed to succeed. He hopes to help by making connections that benefit the organization, supporting fundraising efforts, and helping create opportunities for CASA to serve even more children. For those interested in board service, Mike encourages people to think carefully about how they want to contribute. Board service looks different from direct volunteer work, it involves governance, planning, oversight, and helping move the organization forward. If you're interested, start a conversation. There are many ways to get involved, whether through committees, advisory roles, or eventually serving on the board.
Outside of work and community service, Mike enjoys spending time with his family. He and his wife are raising their two-year-old daughter and are eagerly preparing to welcome another child in the coming months. When he finds free time, you'll likely find him on a golf course or cheering on his favorite Philadelphia sports teams! As for the CASA community, Mike has a message of gratitude and encouragement: "I once heard someone say that the opposite of love isn't hate—it's apathy. It can be easy to look at difficult situations and wonder what difference one person can make. But our community chooses action instead. Despite the challenges facing many of our children, people continue to step up, get involved, and make a difference. That's a beautiful thing."