Children’s Advocacy Alliance Names Holly Welborn as Executive Director
Las Vegas (January 18, 2023) – The Children’s Advocacy Alliance (CAA) today announced the appointment of Holly Welborn as executive director, after a rigorous national search that included a strong emphasis on the ability to create positive policy changes through advocacy, exceptional organizational development and sound fiscal management.
Holly is an attorney and accomplished civil rights and social justice advocate. She has dedicated her career to making Nevada a better place to live for everyone, especially children.
Holly most recently served as a Deputy in the Washoe County Alternate Public Defender’s office, but she is best known for her work as Policy Director for the ACLU of Nevada. During her time at the ACLU, Holly advocated on a wide variety of issues including criminal and juvenile justice reform, First Amendment freedoms, voter protection, and more. She is most proud of her work to reduce the use of solitary confinement in Nevada correctional facilities and to end the practice of transferring youth to the adult criminal legal system.
“As we rebound from the historic pandemic, the critical needs of Nevada’s children and families have only increased, and the many cracks in our systems have been uncovered,” said CAA’s Chair of the Board Lynn Purdue. “In Holly, we know we have a leader for Children’s Advocacy Alliance who can amplify their voice during the upcoming legislative session and beyond. Holly brings an incredible passion for this mission, as well as the experience to ensure that Nevada’s most vulnerable populations are boldly represented. We are thrilled to have her lead our team.”
Youth justice has always been central to Holly’s work. During law school she focused on youth law and interned for Legal Services for Children where she represented children in delinquency and dependency matters, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status applications, and school expulsion proceedings.
“I am thrilled to join the CAA team,” said Welborn. “For years, I’ve seen first-hand the successes and perseverance they have shown as they work to improve conditions for Nevada’s youngest citizens. I look forward to building on the organization’s proud history, as we work with our community partners and continue to grow as the independent voice for Nevada’s children and families.”
Holly received her bachelor’s in political science from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and her law degree from Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco.
She currently serves as a board member of the Institute for a Progressive Nevada, Planned Parenthood Votes Nevada, and the Nevada Coalition Against the Death Penalty. She previously served as a gubernatorial appointee to the Nevada Sentencing Commission and the Advisory Commission on the Administration of Justice. Holly was recognized as a Reno-Tahoe Young Professionals 40 under 40 finalist and is a recipient of the Community Leadership Award from Silver State Equality. As a Nevada native, a first-generation college graduate and lawyer, Holly strives to give back to her community through her advocacy and philanthropic efforts.
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About the Children’s Advocacy Alliance
The Children’s Advocacy Alliance (CAA) is a community-based nonprofit organization that
advocates for policy changes that benefit Nevada’s children and families through research and current data to promote evidence-based policies that ensure every child has a
chance to thrive. CAA engages the community by bringing people together to address
challenges and opportunities around children’s issues to leverage collective strength toward
improving the systems that support the well-being of Nevada’s children.
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