After nearly four decades of exemplary leadership, Marcia “Marty” Sink, founder, president, and CEO of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of New Hampshire, is announcing her retirement as of July 1, 2026. Since establishing the organization in 1989, Sink has dedicated her career and so much of herself to giving New Hampshire’s most vulnerable children – those who have experienced abuse and neglect – a voice in court and a chance at a brighter future. Thanks to Sink and all she has helped build, thousands of children throughout the state have benefitted from the compassion, dedication, and critical advocacy CASA volunteer guardians ad litem (GALs) provide.
Reflecting on her career, Sink said: “It’s hard to express how grateful I am for the gift of working for CASA of NH all these years. Being a part of developing and expanding the organization has been a tremendous joy and a privilege. The partnerships we have created with our stakeholders have given us the ability to become a trusted partner in this work. All those relationships are important, but it is the belief of the NH Judiciary in CASA – their recognition of the value of our work – that has been the backbone we needed to grow over the years and ultimately advocate for thousands of victims. My life has been full and blessed, and I look forward to the future knowing the passionate, professional, and caring people who make up CASA will continue to further the mission.”
A longtime Manchester, NH, resident, Sink was a foster parent when she first witnessed the challenges and shortcomings of the foster care system. Motivated by the fact that she never met the GAL assigned to her son’s case, she originally hoped to volunteer with a then-novel organization, the Seattle-based Court Appointed Special Advocates. Learning that CASA was not yet established in New Hampshire, she and a committed group of stakeholders founded CASA of New Hampshire.
With no legal background but a deep commitment to children, Sink grew CASA of NH from 10 volunteers in two courts to a widely respected and trusted organization with an average of 600 current volunteers who advocate annually for children across the state. Under Sink’s leadership, CASA of NH has trained more than 3,000 volunteers who have advocated for over 13,000 children in New Hampshire’s court system. Today, CASA of NH has been welcomed into every district and family court in the state.
Recognizing Sink’s extraordinary work, The Hon. Judge Susan Carbon said, “Marty Sink is a force of nature. Nearly 40 years ago, she embarked upon a challenge to the court system – to open its doors to volunteers from all walks of life to represent the best interests of children in cases of abuse and neglect. This was no small feat. Courts are slow to change, but her gentle and persistent persuasion led to a profound and unique way to bring the voices of children into court. She grew CASA of NH out of whole cloth, and court by court, judge by judge, convinced us that volunteer advocates could provide insight and understanding into the lives of children, the likes of which had never been done before. We as a court system are deeply indebted to Marty for bringing such a visionary program to New Hampshire. The presence and participation of CASA in courtrooms all across New Hampshire has vastly improved our ability to serve children and families in these difficult cases.”
Throughout her 38-year tenure, Sink’s leadership extended far beyond CASA. She has served on numerous state and national boards and task forces, including Chair of the National CASA Board of Directors, the Attorney General’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect, the New Hampshire Child Fatality Review Team, an executive committee member on both the Merrimack County Model Court Project and the New Hampshire Court Improvement Project, the New Hampshire Access to Justice Commission, the New Hampshire Oversight Commission on Children’s Services, and Gov. Shaheen’s Judicial Selection Commission. Her efforts have strengthened New Hampshire’s child welfare and judicial systems while amplifying the voices of the children CASA of NH serves.
“For nearly four decades, Marty has been a leader among leaders in New Hampshire and nationally – a tireless, audacious, and unparalleled advocate for the well-being of the most vulnerable children in our communities,” said CASA of NH Board of Directors Co-chair Evelyn Aissa. “Marty built CASA of NH into one of the most vital non-profits in our state – all with the spirit of believing in the promise of each and every child and the power of ordinary community members to step up to help ensure they have the safe homes and strong futures they each deserve. As we celebrate the gift of Marty’s leadership, CASA of NH is on its strongest footing ever today and ready for the next chapter of great leadership!”
CASA of NH Board of Directors Co-chair Paul Chant adds that, “I have had the pleasure of chairing the boards of the Bar Association and the Bar Foundation and of practicing law throughout New Hampshire for the last 39 years. I can think of no individual who has affected the lives of the citizens of New Hampshire in the legal system during that time more than Marty Sink. Marty brought to New Hampshire what was then an emerging national model of providing extraordinarily trained volunteer advocates to become the voice for the best interests of vulnerable children who experienced abuse and neglect. What a novel idea then. What an established idea now. Marty is also one of the strongest-willed, driven, and caring people I know. For so long, her life has been laser-focused on her ‘CASA kids.’ Through Marty’s love and devotion to her work, more than 13,000 kids have had the support of a committed, caring, attentive volunteer advocating for their best interests. What a career!”
He continues, “Marty built an amazing organization with truly exceptional people. People love to work for CASA. Her commitment and profound love for her kids permeates CASA of NH, from the attention and support given to the advocates, to the raising of substantial funds each year through donor relationships, and, of course, in building a talented, strategic board that is well-prepared to guide the organization into its next season. The CASA professional staff are mission-driven, compassionate, and caring people who bring CASA of NH’s values to life throughout the state.”
Sink’s decades of advocacy have earned her widespread recognition and numerous awards, including Keene State College’s Outstanding Women of New Hampshire Award, New Hampshire Business Review’s Outstanding Women in Business Award, an honorary Doctorate of Laws and Letters from Saint Anselm College, the Governor’s Award for Volunteer Management, the University of New Hampshire’s Granite State Award and New Hampshire Women’s Fund NH Women of the Twentieth Century Award. Notably, in 2001, she received the prestigious New Hampshire Bar Association’s Frank Rowe Kenison Award, which recognizes an individual who makes substantial contributions to the betterment of New Hampshire citizens through the administration of justice, the legal profession, or the advancement of legal thought. She is one of only two non-lawyers to ever receive that award.
To ensure a seamless continuation of the organization’s critical work, CASA of NH’s board of directors has appointed a search committee and engaged the national search firm Kittleman & Associates to assist in selecting the organization’s next leadership. Sink will remain in her role until her successor is in place.
On Oct. 24, CASA of New Hampshire held its Annual Celebration at the Manchester Country Club in Bedford. It recognized those valued advocates, supporters, and friends who have all played a role in helping to change children’s lives over the past year.
