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Team & Leadership

Our Founders

Board of Directors

Jill C Ross - Comfort Cases Board Member

Jill C. Ross

President

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Jill C Ross - Comfort Cases Board Member

Jill C. Ross

President

Jill has nearly four decades of experience in the telecommunications industry leading teams focused on IT systems development, process enhancement, and operational strategy.  Jill is committed to serving others and has a passion for supporting children and youth in the Foster Care system.  She is dedicated to serving on the Comfort Cases Board and making a positive impact.  Jill resides in Maryland with her husband.
Tracy Jacobs - Comfort Cases Board Member

Tracy Jacobs

Secretary

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Tracy Jacobs - Comfort Cases Board Member

Tracy Jacobs

Secretary

Tracy Jacobs is a Senior Project Manager at CCS Project Management, based in the Washington, DC area. She has served as a Board Member at the Sligo Creek Golf Association and held positions at Cradle of Hope Adoption Center and Golden Gate Regional Center. Tracy earned her Masters of Social Work from the University of Maryland, and her Bachelors of Social Work from Elizabethtown College.
Photo of Charlyne H. McWilliams, Comfort Cases Board Member in a gray sweater against a brick wall

Charlyne H. McWilliams

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Photo of Charlyne H. McWilliams, Comfort Cases Board Member in a gray sweater against a brick wall

Charlyne H. McWilliams

Charlyne H. McWilliams is an award-winning communications specialist with more than three decades of experience in public relations and journalism. She specializes in developing strategic communications initiatives that include message development, thought leadership training and media relationships. Charlyne was a board member of a non-profit organization that ignited the love for STEAM (Science Technology, Art and Mathematics) among young black girls. Charlyne resides in Silver Spring with her daughter.

Photo of Comfort Cases board member Christine Freeland

Christine Freeland

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Photo of Comfort Cases board member Christine Freeland

Christine Freeland

Christy is a retired CEO and Co-Owner of the second largest property management group in the United States where she had responsibility for all facets of the organization from profitability, best practices, risk management, legal, and human resources. Providing a home to people was very fulfilling since it is a basic human need for everyone. Christy is excited to join the board of Comfort Cases and looks forward to helping in projects or committees that will support the foster children across our country.

Ed Sumangil

Ed Sumangil

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Ed Sumangil

Ed Sumangil

Ed Sumangil is a retired Colonel with a distinguished 26-year career in the United
States Air Force. He held key leadership roles, including commanding the 7th Bomb
Wing and serving as the Director of the Secretary of the Air Force Senate Liaison
Office, where he collaborated with Senators and their staff to advance critical priorities for the Department of the Air Force. Currently, as Director of Government Relations at SBCC, Ed advises on federal and legislative affairs and builds relationships with policymakers. Passionate about service and supporting children and youth, Ed is excited to contribute to the Comfort Cases mission. He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife, Jennifer, their three children—Amelia, AJ, and Ryan-and their black Labrador Retriever, Crew.

Our Team

Steve Barber - Comfort Cases Chief Financial Officer

Steve Barber

Chief Financial Officer

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Steve Barber - Comfort Cases Chief Financial Officer

Steve Barber

Chief Financial Officer

Steve is Owner and Managing Director for Supporting Strategies. Since 2018, Steve has been helping businesses by providing CFO and accounting services to growing businesses. His consultative and partnership approach has helped him win many awards, including the 2022 Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year. Prior to starting Supporting Strategies, Steve spent 17 years with a large B2B media company overseeing the finance department and assisting with over 50 acquisitions made by the company.
Steve lives in Damascus with his wife and 2 dogs and is a proud parent of a son who is currently attending the University of Kansas. In his spare time, Steve enjoys being outdoors and attending live sporting events. Steve is passionate about nonprofits and their success and serves on the Board of Directors for 4 local nonprofit organizations.
Barrie Carr

Barrie Carr

Community Engagement & Volunteer Coordinator

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Barrie Carr

Barrie Carr

Community Engagement & Volunteer Coordinator

Barrie first became involved with Comfort Cases in 2014 when her son Miles was preparing for his Bar Mitzvah with the requirement to participate in a meaningful social action project. Her entire family soon learned Comfort Cases was more than just a project. It became their mission and they joined forces with Comfort Cases to provide dignity, hope and love to youth entering the foster care system. Barrie now oversees the logistics of all off-site events, including school events, faith-based events, birthday celebrations, nonprofit fairs and major corporate engagements. She serves as the point person and liaison for all partnerships and special initiatives, as well as works closely with, and leads our volunteers in our production suite.

Kenisha J. Manning, D.D.S.

Vice President of Business Development

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Kenisha J. Manning, D.D.S.

Vice President of Business Development

Kenisha Manning serves as Vice President of Business Development at Comfort Cases, where she leads strategic growth initiatives around corporate partnerships and philanthropic engagement. Since first partnering with Comfort Cases in 2018, she has played an instrumental role in strengthening corporate relationships, increasing funding opportunities, and elevating awareness around the challenges faced by youth entering the foster care system.

Kenisha brings extensive experience in corporate engagement and organizational growth. Prior to joining Comfort Cases, she served as President of Operations at Ferguson Manning, a consulting firm specializing in strategic planning and inclusionary solutions for corporations, business owners, and nonprofit organizations. 

A proud University of Michigan alum, Kenisha holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. She is recognized for her collaborative leadership style, deep understanding of corporate structures, and commitment to building long-term partnerships that drive measurable impact and sustainability.

Kenisha is passionate about advancing Comfort Cases’ mission and expanding opportunities for children in foster care.

Nicholas Balestracci Headshot

Nicholas Balestracci

Marketing Director

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Nicholas Balestracci Headshot

Nicholas Balestracci

Marketing Director

Nicholas Balestracci serves as the Marketing Director of Comfort Cases, bringing over 10 years of experience in photography, videography, social media, and mission-driven marketing. With a career grounded in visual storytelling and digital strategy, Nick oversees the organization’s marketing, content production and creation, brand consistency, and social media presence.

Before joining Comfort Cases, Nick spent a decade developing creative media, managing digital campaigns, and helping organizations strengthen their identity through impactful storytelling. His work blends creativity with strategic communication, helping Comfort Cases amplify its mission to ensure that every child entering foster care feels valued, seen, and supported.

At Comfort Cases, Nick leads the development of engaging campaigns, partnerships, and multimedia content that elevate the organization’s national voice and inspire communities to take action.

Angelika Stablow Headshot

Angelika Stablow

Volunteer/Group Coordinator