About Us
Board of Directors
Sharonda Arnold Ocean, Chair
Sharonda Ocean is a licensed Clinical Social Worker with a passion to eradicate homelessness. Sharonda is the founder of Ocean Motivation Mental Health Services, LLC. Over the last 18 years, she has utilized her skills and expertise in the mental health field serving the Durham community. She has also worked with Stop Soldier Suicide in implementing a strategic plan to decrease the veteran suicide rate to a civilian parity by 2030. Sharonda resides in Durham, North Carolina.
Why does Sharonda serve on CASA’s Board?
As a person that experienced sheltered homelessness and has worked closely with populations experiencing chronic homelessness, I understand the traumatic effects that homelessness has on individuals, families and communities. It is important that we all have access to affordable, stable and permanent housing to mitigate the trauma homelessness causes.
Tina Konidaris, Vice Chair
Tina Konidaris is a North Carolina native, currently residing in Wake Forest. She went to NCSU and received her BSW with a focus on geriatrics. After having worked for several years in nursing homes, she entered the mortgage business in 2002 where she quickly found her skills a perfect match. Her passion for helping others and her work ethic translated beautifully to the mortgage industry where year after year she has been in the top 1% of all originators nationwide! Tina’s personal mission is to help end homelessness in her community. Tina lives with her partner Jeff and their blended family of 2 girls and 4 boys. When she is not working or donating her time to charity, Tina is involved in a remodel of one of Raleigh’s oldest homes, located on Blount St and built in 1874~.
Why does Tina serve on CASA’s Board?
Having experienced homelessness myself, I understand how frightening it can be to have no where of your own to call home. I serve on CASA’s board because I want to be a part of an organization that is making a tangible difference in our community. I am committed to ending homelessness in Wake, Durham, and surrounding counties.
Jenn Johnson, Treasurer
Jenn lives in Raleigh and is an executive of a biopharmaceutical company where she leads a number of global teams focused on strategic partnerships, collaborations, funding and medical affairs operational teams. Jenn is also a CPA and a licensed real estate broker. In her spare time, Jenn enjoys spending time with her two children and Scout (her dog).
Why does Jenn serve on CASA’s Board?
As someone who has experienced homelessness, I recognize the impact that having a home has on so many aspects of your life and well being. I am passionate about supporting an organization who is making a difference in the lives of others and contributes to giving them a place they can call home.
Catherine Clodfelter, Secretary
Catherine Clodfelter is a lawyer with Parker Poe and practices municipal law and business litigation. In particular, she advises communities on infrastructure expansions that will support and sustain their growth and development. She previously worked in public health and most recently for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), providing technical assistance on the role of law in supporting core public health activities. A harpist and distance runner at heart, her most practiced hobby these days is finding new ways to be more efficient.
Why does Catherine serve on CASA’s Board?
Lack of housing is a moral and economic problem we created, and it is therefore a problem we can fix. Too many of our laws and community practices only exacerbate the problem. CASA focuses on an actual solution. I am passionate about solving the problem because if our community lacks affordable housing, we lose people and our community is the lesser for it. Availability of affordable housing is a sign of respect for and investment in ourselves and the future of our community.
Mike Bauldree
Mike has served as an executive at several software companies, where he led global teams across customer engagement, strategy, and operations. Currently on sabbatical, he dedicates his time to volunteering with organizations that support the most vulnerable members of our community. Mike also enjoys playing golf, gardening, and traveling with his wife, Jen.
Why does Mike serve on CASA’s Board?
We are fortunate to live in such a high-growth area of the country. But with that growth comes a widening economic gap. The need for affordable housing is more critical than ever before. I’m inspired by the work CASA NC is doing—making a meaningful difference in people’s lives and offering the agency and dignity they deserve.
David Bennett
David joined the CASA board in 2025. He currently serves as President of Centrant Community Capital, a mission-driven consortium of financial institutions that provides financing for affordable multifamily housing across the Southeast – including loans for several CASA properties. Previously, David worked at Credit Risk Management, LLC, a bank consulting and loan review firm based in Raleigh, NC, and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, serving as coordinator for the bank’s Affordable Housing Program (AHP) and Predevelopment Loan Fund. Originally from Atlanta, David has called Wake Forest home since 2005. As the parents of two recent college graduates, he and his wife are adjusting to life as empty-nesters and are looking forward to more travel opportunities in the years ahead.
Why does David serve on CASA’s Board?
Having worked in the field of affordable housing for many years, I view this opportunity as a natural extension of my on-going professional and personal desire to support the creation and preservation of quality housing for all. Housing exists on a spectrum, and a functioning society needs safe, affordable housing options available for everyone, regardless of their income level or phase of life. I have long admired the skill and dedication with which the CASA staff serve those among us whose needs are greatest, and am proud to support their efforts.
Rob Griffin
Rob Griffin joined CASA’s Board in 2009 and has served as CASA’s Board Chair. His background is in real estate development and management, and he currently works at TriProperties as the Associate Director of Development. Rob and his wife Veronica are proud parents to daughter Eleanor and Everett and two Jack Russell terriers, Brooke and Sammy. Rob also makes and sells his own brand of BBQ sauce, Souse vinegar-based BBQ sauce. He loves spending time with family, riding his motorcycle and playing basketball.
Why does Rob serve on CASA’s Board?
Too many people spend too many nights without shelter in our communities. Veterans who have already sacrificed so much for our country shouldn’t sacrifice having a place to call home.
Jean Gross
Jean became involved with CASA in 2018, a couple of years before she retired from her private practice as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, where she saw adult individuals and couples. In addition to her private practice she’s been active in the local community with organizations that focused on a variety of issues such as abortion rights, food insecurity (served on the board of the Food Bank), helping those aging out of foster care (The Hope Center at Pullen), voting rights and of course, affordable housing. Jean also loves gardening, going on walks, spending time with friends and family, and traveling. Jean lives in Raleigh with her husband Don.
Why does Jean serve on CASA’s Board?
I was drawn to CASA because they’ve proven to be effective champions of what should be a basic human right – having a safe and affordable place to live. Helping those in my community whose basic needs are not being met adequately has always been important to me.
Levi Zsuppan
Levi joined CASA’s Board of Directors in 2022, and leads the Medical Specialty Group for Truist Bank in the Triangle – advising local physicians in all aspects of financial planning. A licensed attorney and an avid college basketball fan, Levi and his wife live in Raleigh with their yellow lab, Maui.
Why does Levi serve on CASA’s Board?
I am inspired by the work that CASA has done in the community that I’ve been blessed to grow up in. With the economic prosperity that this area has seen, it is our responsibility to be advocates for safe and affordable housing.