This year, Carolyn Hahn Kremer is retiring from her role as Executive Director of The CASIE Center in South Bend and her long-time leadership work with the Indiana Chapter of NCA.
Carolyn’s volunteer work with the Junior League and her career in child advocacy spans a quarter century and has forever changed the trajectory of CACs, abuse prevention, and advocacy in Indiana for generations.
Many of her friends, colleagues, and past and present board members wish to share the following about Carolyn and her amazing career.
Vicki McIntire
Close friend and former colleague, St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office
Carolyn Hahn is an amazing woman. She took a nascent program – the CASIE Center – and with her hard work and charm, made it into a vibrant nationally recognized program. Because of her dedication, children who have been abused have a safe space to tell their very difficult story.
Carolyn is also the pride of Jr. League. This month she will receive the [Junior League’s] Mary Lou Swartz Award for her outstanding work in our community.
Timothy Curran
Managing Partner, SouthBank Legal
Carolyn hired me as an intern in 1998. I was a second-year law student with no relevant experience. But Carolyn gave me a shot, and I’ll always be grateful. She entrusted me with observing and offering feedback on forensic interviews, assigned me a mix of mundane tasks (like organizing VHS tapes) and sensitive ones (like summarizing interview transcripts), and, most importantly, challenged me to grow — to be better and do better.
Carolyn asked me to create and deliver an age-of-consent presentation for high school students, including those at an alternative school. Those students weren’t accustomed to a wide-eyed, earnest, and clueless law student. And I wasn’t prepared for teens navigating such challenging life circumstances. There was laughter (about me), a chalkboard eraser thrown (at me), and ultimately, mutual respect earned. We learned to listen to, and appreciate, each other’s perspectives — not for what we’d done in life, but for who we were.
Another morning Carolyn told me to leave my desk and go play with a 6-year-old girl in the front room. We played house. I had never played house. (“No, no, if you leave the gate open, the dog will run away!”) That seemingly small moment became a big lesson. Carolyn taught me to embrace discomfort, connect with a child in need, and recognize the value of taking the time to bring someone even the smallest amount of joy.
During that internship, Carolyn treated me as she treats everyone—with compassion, dignity, and a sense of empowerment. I’ve had many bosses since then. She was the best.
Thank you, Carolyn, for your kindness, your leadership, and the impact you’ve had on so many lives. Happy retirement — you’ve earned it!
Past stories and news involving Carolyn Hahn Kremer
New bill defining Child Advocacy Centers in Indiana law heads to Governor’s desk for signature
Jan Lutz
Indiana Chapter of NCA Director
Carolyn, what a journey we have been on together. Our commitment to children and families spans over 25 years. Our partnership has been like no other. We have assisted one another in growing our leadership skills, playing to one another’s strengths and supporting each other when the work has been difficult.
How many times have we said that it shouldn’t be so difficult to do such important work, but we have supported one another through the best of times and the worst of times?
You have been a mentor for so many and so many stand on your shoulders. You have paved the way for others to be successful — a true sign of leadership.
Enjoy your retirement; it is so well deserved.
Dr. Bob White
Practice Medical Director, Pediatrix Medical Group
I met Carolyn more than 30 years ago in the early days of our child abuse task force in St. Joseph County. Her energy and leadership were crucial to the founding and growth of the CASIE Center. It took a very special person to bring medical professionals, advocates, police, prosecutors, law enforcement, judges, and charitable organizations together — no one before Carolyn had been able to bring these disparate and often oppositional groups together – not here, not anywhere in Indiana.
Since then, The CASIE Center has become the standard for others in Indiana and beyond and the model is so clearly optimal that it will persevere and continue to serve children and families long after Carolyn steps down — which is the highest measure of success for a leader.
Sharon McManus
Board Secretary, The CASIE Center
When our mutual boss, Michael P. Barnes, left the prosecutor’s office, Carolyn believed I should come work at The CASIE Center. Carolyn is a true force of nature and one to whom it is difficult to say no. So I joined her there and spent 11 years. They were years full of learning and teaching on both if our parts. I can honestly say those years were some of the most meaningful of my working career.
Carolyn is a born leader. She is an enthusiastic, exacting and compassionate person. She reads people well and can help enable each person to excel in almost any circumstance. I had two employers in a career that spanned over 30 years, Carolyn and Prosecutor, eventually Judge, Barnes. I could not have asked for better mentors. Most importantly, they each became cherished friends.
Emily Perry
Executive Director, Susie’s Place CACs and Indiana Chapter of NCA Board President
I remember the very first time I ever worked a case that involved a child witness to a homicide. It was 2009 and I called Carolyn in a complete panic.
She of course answered her phone because she has always made herself available any time someone needed her. She calmly prepared me to go into that room and provide the best interview to that child. She equipped me with great questions but more than anything, she let me borrow her confidence until I could find my own.
Carolyn is a gift.
More stories and news involving Carolyn Hahn Kremer
The CASIE Center celebrates monumental achievements, impactful cases over 25 years of service
Indiana CACs conduct 10,958 forensic interviews in 2017 – the highest caseload ever
Gary Fox
Board Member, The CASIE Center
I have always been impressed with Carolyn’s passion for the mission and how deeply she cares about and wants to help in these very emotional and difficult situations. Her reputation not only locally but on a state wide basis, has dramatically helped the Center become a voice state wide directly impacted legislation, but also in obtaining grants and funding.
As I have had the opportunity to work with her on the financial side of the practice, I have been impressed by her attention to detail and financial wisdom. I know that The CASIE Center would not be the outstanding organization it is today without the leadership, sweat equity and reputation that Carolyn has consistently provided.
The CASIE Center, St. Joseph County and the State of Indiana are significantly better off because of the passion that she has for the mission of being an advocate for kids.
Kevin Wilcox
Former CASIE Intern and Current Board Member
I first knew Carolyn from being her neighbor and a friend of her son, Jeff. During college I was looking for some real-world experience and an opportunity to volunteer my time. Carolyn graciously allowed me to find both of those at The CASIE Center.
From Day 1, I saw how Carolyn wore many hats. Running the Center, maintaining a building, interacting with the community, interacting with members of the judicial system, raising funds, playing with children in the waiting room, and most importantly, interviewing the children who visited the Center. Carolyn had a gift to do it all. Years later, I joined the Board. Carolyn’s commitment to the Center increased as it grew.
Jokingly, Carolyn would talk about knowing more about facilities management than she ever thought she would by managing the Niles Avenue building. Carolyn had a knack for grant writing and communicating the important work of the Center. She was also very protective of the Center’s resources and was very detailed in tracking every penny. The seniority of her staff is a testament to the environment she led, especially considering the tough work they all do.
Carolyn’s work touched countless lives. She has left The CASIE Center in a great spot which will allow it to support our region long into the future.
Pat Cressy
Past Prevent Child Abuse Board Member and friend
First, I admire Carolyn for her dedication to protecting the innocent victims of abuse. No one can do such immense work alone and Carolyn is a great team builder. She can identify people’s strengths and put their talents to the most effective use.
Enjoy retirement, Carolyn, knowing you have been a change- maker.
Amy Stewart-Brown
New Executive Director, The CASIE Center
Carolyn has been my mentor, confidant, and friend since I began as the executive director of the Family Justice Center of St. Joseph County in 2016. From the very start, Carolyn took me under her wing and became my biggest cheerleader, supporting me through that often-lonely journey. She has shared countless insights and advice over the years, but the most powerful lessons are the ones she demonstrated through her actions. Two of those lessons stand out to me and resonate daily:
- Never say, “that’s not my job,” and
- Leaders committed to the long haul don’t get swept up in every high or low.
Carolyn wears many hats, but I think one of her favorite titles is “Janitor-in-Chief.” She’s the first to tackle a leaky sink, take out a stinky trash bag, or spread salt on icy sidewalks. Carolyn understands the power of stepping up to do the work that is often overlooked. Even as she prepared for her retirement and my transition into the executive director role, Carolyn has made it a priority to remain on call as a Forensic Interviewer, covering weekends and holidays — knowing that those shifts place the heaviest burden on the team. She truly understands that this work is rarely glamorous, but when you give it your all, the rewards are immeasurable.
Over her 30 years of service, Carolyn has faced it all. Yet, she continued to show up every single day. She has taught me that you can’t fall apart with every challenge, and you shouldn’t be distracted by every victory. Carolyn takes the time to celebrate, express gratitude, and realign — but she always keeps moving forward. This is an incredible skill and one I strive to emulate, as it is the key to longevity in this field.
Thank you, Carolyn.
For everything you’ve done and will surely continue to do.
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25 years ago teams across Indiana set out to reform how every community responds to child abuse