July 2026 - Board Member Spotlight
Board Member Spotlight - Virgena Wieseler, Pierre SD
Tell us a little about yourself. I moved to Pierre in 1989 to accept a promotion within Child Protection Services with the Department of Services (DSS). I was the Division Director for Child Protection Services from November 1999 to May 2020 when I became the Chief for Children and Family Services with DSS until my retirement in June 2022. I am married to Dennis Wieseler, and our family consists of our son, Joseph, our daughter Abbie, her husband, Cutter, and a grand puppy named Derby. I love retirement and manage to stay busy with travel, gardening, spending time on the river, volunteering, reading, attending a book club, and hanging out with friends.
What inspired you to join the Central SD CASA Board of Directors? Having worked with children and families for over 40 years, I thought being part of building a CASA Program would fit well with my skills and would provide an opportunity to continue to help children and families in a different way. I attended a community meeting in December 2022 about starting a CASA Program in the Sixth Circuit. After I retired, I mentioned to Sara Kelly I was interested in joining the team building a CASA program. I was the secretary of the Board from June 2023 to July 2026 when I became President of the board.
What impact do you hope Central SD CASA will have on our communities in the coming years? It is my hope Central SD CASA will recruit enough volunteers for every child or sibling group involved with the Sixth Circuit Court System.
What motivates you to give your time and talents to Central SD CASA? My motivation comes from collaborating with a talented group of people who are invested in starting a successful CASA Program to provide children with an advocate in the court system.
What is your favorite book, movie, or quote? My favorite book is The Women by Kristin Hannah. I do not have a favorite movie, but I like RomComs. I recently watched Five Star Weekend on Peacock – a good “chick flick”!
What would you say to someone considering becoming a CASA volunteer or supporter? Take the first step and reach out to a board member or a volunteer. You do not have to decide about becoming a board member, supporter, or volunteer right away; take your time to make a decision that is right for you. If you are thinking about becoming a volunteer, fill out an application and begin the process. There will be opportunities along the way to decide if being a volunteer is right for you,
In one sentence, what does Central SD CASA mean to you? The Central SD CASA website says it best: The goal of the SIXTH CIRCUIT CASA Program is to recruit, train and supervise volunteers to assist the court in protecting the best interests of abused and neglected children and therefore provide greater assurance of a safe, permanent home for each child.
