David C. Mills named chair of Casey Family Programs’ Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees of Casey Family Programs has selected David C. Mills as its next chair. Mills, who will begin the position on June 1, 2016, succeeds Bob Watt, who is retiring.

Casey Family Programs is the nation’s largest operating foundation focused on safely reducing the need for foster care and building Communities of Hope for children and families across America. Casey Family Programs works to influence long-lasting improvements to the safety and success of children, families and the communities where they live.

Mills brings deep financial expertise and a long commitment to improve the lives and opportunities of children and families to his role as chair of the Casey Board of Trustees. He was first appointed to the board in December 2007 and has led the work of the investment committee. Mills has nearly 30 years of experience managing public pension plans and investments, and another 14 years in governance and foundation management.

“I’m honored to serve as board chair of a visionary foundation that is leading the conversation about how to prevent the need for foster care and building hope for children and families in communities across the nation,” Mills said. “I am deeply invested in Casey’s mission and belief that we all have a role to play in nurturing the safety, success and hope of every child.”

Mills served 11 years as an alternate trustee and three years as executive director of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board before retiring in May 2007.

There, he directed the investments of the Wisconsin Retirement System and six state-sponsored trust funds. Previously, he held various positions over 11 years with the Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds, including that of deputy secretary and chief operating officer.

He also served eight years at the Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services, including as director of the Bureau for Children, Youth and Families. He began his career in higher education as an administrator at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and as an assistant dean at Cornell University. He and his wife, Teri, have been foster parents themselves and have two adult adopted sons.

Watt joined the board in 2008 and became board chair in 2013. During his tenure, Casey Family Programs worked to increase Communities of Hope across the country, to safely reduce the number of youth in foster care and to expand the number of tribal relationships in formal consulting agreements. Additionally, Watt helped oversee the integration of advancing knowledge about brain science and trauma into the foundation’s work and advocacy.