Leigh Anne McKelvey named to "40 under 40" list

Leigh Anne McKelvey, Executive Director of CASA Youth Advocates, was named as one of “the most impressive individuals under the age of 40” by the Philadelphia Business Journal on Wednesday. The honor is part of an annual tradition where the Philadelphia Business Journal selects 40 professionals under the age of 40 to recognize as extraordinary members of the business community – notably for philanthropic endeavors, career achievements, and other civic duties.

“I am truly humbled to be part of this diverse network of leaders from across the region,” McKelvey said. “The progress we’ve made at CASA is reflective of the great team we’ve been able to assemble here. I am so thankful for their hard work, as we work to ensure that children who have experienced abuse or neglect can be safe, have a permanent home, and achieve a bright future.”

Under McKelvey’s leadership, CASA has seen steady growth. The organization’s budget has increased by nearly $1.7 million since 2007, and CASA expanded its services from Delaware County to Chester County in 2015. The organization has dramatically increased the number of children served during her tenure, advocating for nearly 900 children with the help of 450 volunteers annually.

In 2019, McKelvey was key in the founding of the Voices for Children Coalition, whose mission is to improve the lives and well-being of all children in Delaware County by strengthening the systems of care. This coalition of human service, government, health care, education, philanthropic and community members broadens their advocacy beyond the individual child by improving the county’s safety net for all children and families.

McKelvey also serves as chair for the Delaware County Child Death Review Team, which conducts state-mandated reviews of all fatal and near-fatal incidents involving minors. She has also served on the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Delaware County Women’s Commission, and has personally championed some of the region’s abused and neglected children as a CASA volunteer herself.

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CASA Youth Advocates, Inc., works to ensure that each child in Delaware and Chester counties’ child welfare systems lives well, achieves academic excellence, and experiences the joys of childhood by providing them with trained volunteer advocates who speak for their best interests with support and guidance from CASA’s professional staff of social workers and attorneys. CASA has been serving Delaware County’s children since 1992 and expanded its services to Chester County’s children in 2015.