The Faces of CASA: Meet Our New Board Members

Chris Hickmann:

Chris is a CPA and audit partner. He began his career in Grand Rapids, Michigan, before transferring to Deloitte’s Tri-State in Connecticut. In 2019, Chris returned to Michigan and now serves as an audit partner at BDO.

Throughout his life, Chris has developed a passion for serving at-risk youth. While living in Connecticut he joined the board of Boys and Girls Village, where he served for 12 years. Chris gained significant board experience, seeing the organization through many changes in programs and management. Upon moving back to Michigan, he wanted to get involved with an organization that serves his community’s youth. Chris is excited and honored to join the CASA of Kent County board.

Chris enjoys outdoor activities: hiking and biking in the summer, snowmobiling in the winter. He is the proud father of one son and two daughters, the youngest of whom was adopted from Saint Petersburg, Russia.

David Hodorowski:

Current president of Allied Electric, David has more than a decade of accounting experience. During his career, he has held a variety of roles, including audit manager at KMPG and financial reporting manager at Rev Group, where he had the opportunity to support a team making custom Spartan-branded fire trucks.

David was drawn to CASA of Kent County’s board of directors because he wants to make an impact in his community. He volunteers his time as a board member to impact local children’s lives for the better.

In his personal time, David enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. Together, his family especially appreciates hiking and fishing.

Rachel Render:

Rachel Render is executive vice president for advancement at Davenport University, where she leads philanthropy, alumni engagement, and sponsored programs to advance the university’s mission and impact. She brings more than 20 years of leadership and fundraising experience in higher education, having served at the University of Colorado Boulder, Rice University, and the University of Michigan. Rachel holds a degree in business administration from Central Michigan University.

Outside her professional work, Rachel and her husband, Devin, discovered their passion for CASA while serving as Court Appointed Special Advocates in Houston, Texas. After returning home to Michigan, they were eager to reengage with CASA and continue supporting its vital work. Rachel and Devin are the proud parents of two boys, aged 10 and 8.

Leslie Neal:

Leslie Neal started her postsecondary teaching career at Grand Rapids Community College in 2010 as an adjunct instructor for the college’s Language and Thought department. She currently works as a full-time instructor and department chair of Communication and Speech for Montcalm Community College. However, she still teaches a class or two at GRCC from time to time and even serves as an equity fellow in the college’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Dr. Neal grew up in Detroit, Michigan, but moved to the west side of the state to receive both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Communication Studies from Grand Valley State University. She also spent time studying international communication in London, England. She completed a doctoral degree at Ferris State University in educational leadership.

After learning about the work and mission of CASA of Kent County, it was easy for Leslie to say yes to an organization that works to bring a voice to children. Serving on the board provides an opportunity to lend her expertise to an organization that is creating an intentional space for children and encouraging civic engagement from adults.

In her time away from the classroom, Leslie and her spouse find delight in raising their two children in the greater Grand Rapids area. During school breaks, they travel wherever the wind blows, allowing them to broaden their world view. Currently, Dr. Neal has traveled out of the country over 20 times, with her favorite visited country being Kenya.

This story is featured in the Spring 2026 edition of CASA Connect, CASA of Kent County’s quarterly newsletter. Click here to view a pdf version of the newsletter.