Lariana Forsythe

CEO

Lariana Forsythe joined Community Action Stops Abuse –or CASA-- as its CEO in 2017. With more than 20 years of nonprofit experience with the Boys & Girls Clubs, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and Special Olympics, Ms. Forsythe earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix on scholarship while a full-time, single mom, a Bachelor of Science from Arizona State University, and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE).

The Tampa Bay Business Journal named Ms. Forsythe Business Woman of the Year in 2018. Ms. Forsythe currently serves as a board member for the Pinellas County Homeless Leadership Board as well as a member of the St. Anthony’s Hospital’s Mission Integration and Community Affairs Committee.

With Ms. Forsythe’s leadership, CASA has received various national and local accolades for its innovative services and program launches. In 2021, CASA began serving as the provider of domestic violence training and technical assistance for the State of Florida.

In 2022 CASA opened Florida’s only Family Justice Center and in 2023 was awarded the prestigious Purple Ribbon Award for best new domestic violence service launch for the CASA Family Justice Center in the United States.

In 2024 CASA expanded its physical footprint in Pinellas County, opening a satellite office providing housing, advocacy, and injunction for protection legal services in Clearwater.

Also in 2024, CASA expanded outside of Pinellas County with the formation of CASA Marion, LLC, and now serves as the certified domestic violence organization for Marion County in addition to Pinellas County.

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https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2018/08/13/lariana-forsythe-2018-businesswoman-of-the-year.html

https://www.tampabay.com/pinellas/casas-ceo-a-domestic-abuse-survivor-herself-urges-breaking-the-silence-about-abuse-20190305/

http://northeastjournal.org/business-smarts-empowering-community-service/

https://www.fox13news.com/news/pinellas-county-home-to-floridas-only-family-justice-center-for-domestic-violence-survivors