Amber N. Kirk-Harvey

As Chief Deputy of Operations & Child Programs at Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Cook County, Amber Kirk provides executive leadership for one of the nation’s largest CASA organizations, guiding program innovation, operational strategy, and data-driven accountability in service of children and families navigating the child welfare system. 

Grounded in lived experience as one of eighteen children , Amber leads with radical empathy and an unwavering belief in the power of advocacy. Her leadership has expanded CASA’s impact through initiatives such as C.I.T.Y. (Creating Independent Transitions for Youth), workforce and internship partnerships, and benchmark hearings that elevate youth voice and improve outcomes for young people aging out of care. 

Prior to CASA, Amber held senior executive roles in higher education and youth development, including Interim Vice President of Operations & Enrollment Management at Salem University, where she drove historic enrollment growth and institutional turnaround, and Chief of Operations at Lighthouse Youth Center, where she built community-rooted mentorship and education pipelines. 

Guided by the wisdom of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, Amber Kirk leads with courage, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to restoring dignity, opportunity, and hope.