Here to Walk With You Through Adoption

Deena is married with two children. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, art, watching hockey, trying great restaurants, building puzzles, and spending time with her family on their pontoon boat.

What do you do at Open Arms?

I oversee all departments in the company. My position gives me the opportunity to nurture the relationship between hopeful families and expectant mothers throughout the adoption process.

When did you join the team?

July 5th, 2018.

What motivates you to come to work?

I have never had a position drive so much passion in me. I am motivated by our brave and selfless expectant mothers and birthmothers, and I love seeing the connection between an expectant mother and an adoptive family come together.

What is your personal connection to adoption?

Someone close to Deena placed a baby for adoption, allowing her to witness firsthand the bravery, strength, and love involved in that decision. She also knows adoptees, women who have placed children, and families who have adopted.

What advice do you have for waiting families?

Trust the process, keep your heart open, and remember that adoption can be an unpredictable journey.

What inspires you?

Deena says there are too many people to list and that she finds inspiration in people every day.

When are you happiest?

When the sun is shining.

What is your favorite family tradition?

Playing games with her family on holidays, including board games, tag, and football.

What are you passionate about?

Life, her children, her career, learning, evolving, art, music, books, food, and anything that inspires others.

What do you enjoy on your days off?

Time with her children, boating, reading, concerts, and dinner with friends.

Where is your favorite place to be?

Home.

What is one thing you cannot resist?

Angel food cake.

What are you proudest of?

Her children and the people they are becoming.

Favorite TV show?

Schitt's Creek.

Adoption has always been part of Lori's life. Three of her cousins were adopted, and several friends have gone through the adoption process. As a mother of three, she understands the desire to grow a family and finds adoption deeply rewarding.

What do you do at Open Arms?

I am responsible for accepting families into our program and conducting meetings to educate prospective adoptive parents.

When did you join the team?

March 2012.

What motivates you?

Knowing that I will see miracles happening every day.

What is your personal connection to adoption?

Lori has three cousins who were adopted and many friends who have adopted children.

What advice do you have for waiting families?

There is much in adoption that cannot be controlled. Stay positive, be patient, keep the faith, and trust the process.

When are you happiest?

On vacation with her husband and children.

Favorite family tradition?

Watching Christmas Vacation together on Thanksgiving night after everyone has left.

Where is your favorite place?

Hilton Head Island.

What are you proudest of?

Raising her children to be kind and generous people.

Favorite music?

Country, Pink, Katy Perry, and Lady Gaga.

Favorite TV shows?

The Office and Seinfeld.

Kay is part of a non-traditional family herself as a parent and step-parent. She understands the beauty of families created through love and has witnessed adoption within her extended family.

What do you do at Open Arms?

I am the Director of Adoptive Parent Services. I provide support, education, and guidance to waiting families and also work as a Case Coordinator once families enter the connection phase.

When did you join the team?

January 2019.

What motivates you?

Knowing that the work makes a real difference. We give expectant mothers a voice and help adoptive parents grow their families.

What is your personal connection to adoption?

Kay's niece was placed for adoption at birth and later connected with her birth family, giving her two families.

What advice do you have for waiting families?

Trust the process and keep the faith. Focus on what is working rather than only on what is difficult.

Who inspires you?

Her children and their ability to find joy and possibility.

What are you passionate about?

Advocating for people who cannot advocate for themselves and treating others as she would want to be treated.

Favorite place?

The Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas.

One thing you cannot resist?

A good bonfire.

Favorite TV?

Cooking shows and 90s sitcom reruns.

What do you do at Open Arms?

I am an Assistant Director and Adoptive Parent Coordinator. I help walk families through their adoption journey and support them along the way.

When did you join the team?

November 2019.

What motivates you?

I love what I do and find the work fulfilling, especially seeing families grow.

Personal connection to adoption?

Maggie does not have a direct personal connection to adoption but has been drawn to working in the adoption field since she was young.

Advice for waiting families?

Always keep the faith and believe that things happen when they are meant to.

Family tradition?

Camping every year at the same campground, a tradition that has continued as the family has grown.

Days off?

Spending time with family and friends, playing games, eating, and talking.

Cannot resist?

Portillo's cheese fries.

Favorite music?

Fleetwood Mac.

Favorite TV?

The Office.

After moving from Austin to Illinois, Liz wanted to work for an organization that helped families. Her own experience with secondary infertility has also given her insight into the loss, pain, and desire families may experience.

What do you do at Open Arms?

I manage the profile department and work with waiting adoptive parents, helping them understand the process and what comes next.

When did you join the team?

October 2014 as a part-time administrative assistant, later moving into a full-time adoptive parent coordinator role.

What motivates you?

Her coworkers, their passion for adoption, and her son, who gets to see his mother doing work she loves.

Personal connection to adoption?

Liz's mother's best friend adopted two daughters internationally, and Liz remembers welcoming them home.

Advice for waiting families?

Trust the process and continue living your life outside of adoption rather than focusing only on what cannot be controlled.

What are you passionate about?

Gymnastics and reading. Liz was a competitive gymnast and gymnastics coach.

One thing she cannot resist?

Sour candy.

Favorite TV?

Friends.

What do you do at Open Arms?

I am the Admissions Advisor. I am often one of the first people a family speaks with and work to help families feel comfortable and confident with adoption.

When did you join the team?

April 2017.

What motivates you?

Being part of someone growing their family through adoption. Because Katie was adopted herself, the work is deeply personal.

Personal connection to adoption?

Katie was adopted through private adoption at birth, and her parents later adopted her younger sister.

Advice for waiting families?

Live life to the fullest while waiting and trust the process.

Who inspires you?

Her son, Rhys.

When are you happiest?

When she is with the people she loves most.

Passions?

Adoption, Down syndrome, and Multiple Sclerosis.

Favorite place?

Ireland.

Cannot resist?

Pepperoni pizza.

Favorite TV?

Veronica Mars.

What do you do at Open Arms?

I work in admissions, meeting with families beginning their adoption journey, helping them understand the process and answering their questions.

When did you join the team?

June 2019.

What motivates you?

Her love for adoption and the families she works with, along with her four children who are her driving force.

Personal connection to adoption?

Amanda became passionate about adoption after seeing her sister-in-law grow her family through adoption.

Advice for waiting families?

Trust the process and know that there will be unknowns along the way.

What are you passionate about?

Helping others, leading, supporting people, and helping them work toward their goals.

Days off?

Traveling, hiking, making memories with family, and spending time outdoors.

Cannot resist?

Cake and cupcakes.

Favorite music?

Country, hip hop, Disney songs, current hits, and oldies.

Favorite TV?

Real Housewives.

What do you do at Open Arms?

Admissions Coordinator.

When did you join the team?

January 2025.

What motivates you?

Her passion for helping others and finding meaningful work.

Personal connection to adoption?

Tina's stepfather adopted her when she was twelve. Her experience as an older adoptee has given her personal insight into the impact adoption can have at different stages of life.

Advice for waiting families?

Keep an open heart, stay busy, enjoy the little things, and trust the staff and the process.

What inspires you?

People who have big dreams and aren't afraid to pursue them.

What is one thing you cannot resist?

Twix bars.

Favorite place?

Home, especially under a comfortable blanket with a good book and snacks.

Favorite TV?

Schitt's Creek.

What do you do at Open Arms?

I am an Adoptive Parent Coordinator and help guide families through their personal adoption journey.

When did you join the team?

May 2022.

What motivates you?

Knowing she can make a difference in someone's life and support adoptive parents as they work to grow their families.

Advice for waiting families?

Have faith. When one door closes, another can open.

When are you happiest?

When the sun is shining and when her entire family is together.

Favorite family tradition?

Birthday cake for breakfast and Thanksgiving traditions with family recipes.

Days off?

Coffee, walks, yoga, dance, baseball games, visiting her daughters, and family dinners.

Favorite places?

Hawaii and Key West.

Cannot resist?

Cheese, gumballs, and Sour Patch Kids.

Favorite TV?

This Is Us, Parenthood, Schitt's Creek, and Ozark.

What do you do at Open Arms?

I help refer legal services and answer questions for adoptive families once they have been chosen by an expectant mother.

When did you join the team?

September 2021.

What motivates you?

Knowing that every day she can help change someone's life and help create a family.

Personal connection to adoption?

Jennifer has a cousin who adopted her daughter and friends who have adopted or been adopted.

Advice for waiting families?

Remember your why, have faith, and trust the process.

Favorite family tradition?

A traditional Italian Christmas Eve dinner with her extended family.

Days off?

Time on the boat, friends and family, and watching college football.

Favorite place?

On the water.

Cannot resist?

French fries.

Favorite music?

R&B, disco, and country.

What do you do at Open Arms?

I provide advocacy, peer support, and referral resources to expectant mothers as they navigate their adoption journeys.

When did you join the team?

February 2015.

What motivates you?

Empowering women to make informed decisions during difficult circumstances.

Personal connection to adoption?

Samantha develops personal connections with the women she supports and strives to be someone they can rely on.

Advice for waiting families?

How you treat an expectant mother can shape how she perceives the way you will treat your child.

When are you happiest?

During simple moments of peace, gratitude, and connection.

Days off?

Yoga, reading, television, loved ones, and her pets.

Cannot resist?

Taco Bell and a good true-crime documentary.

Favorite music?

The Hamilton Broadway soundtrack.

Favorite TV?

Friends and The Office.

What do you do at Open Arms?

I walk alongside expectant mothers and support them as they navigate their adoption journey.

When did you join the team?

March 2021.

What motivates you?

A passion for helping others and being part of something meaningful.

Personal connection to adoption?

Megan does not have a direct personal connection to adoption, but her previous social-services experience has helped her understand the importance of advocacy and support.

Advice for waiting families?

Trust the process and remember that the journey can unfold in unexpected ways.

When are you happiest?

When traveling and exploring new places.

Family tradition?

An annual family cookie-baking weekend before Christmas.

What are you passionate about?

Helping others and dog adoption.

Cannot resist?

Anything with cheese.

Favorite music?

Country music, including Kenny Chesney and Brett Eldredge.

What do you do at Open Arms?

I work alongside adoptive parent coordinators and the rest of the team to make sure family information is accurate and current.

When did you join the team?

October 2016.

What motivates you?

Seeing families become a reality through the courageous decisions of birth parents.

Personal connection to adoption?

Lesley has four adopted cousins, and her brother and sister-in-law adopted two nieces.

Advice for waiting families?

Learn as much as possible while waiting so you are prepared when an opportunity comes.

Family tradition?

Christmas Eve with her large extended family.

What are you passionate about?

Music and seeing favorite bands live.

Days off?

Sleeping in, movies, and spending time outdoors.

Favorite TV?

Friends and Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

What do you do at Open Arms?

I create family files, prepare profiles, pull profiles for expectant mothers, and prepare initial information packets for prospective adoptive parents.

When did you join the team?

September 2017.

What motivates you?

Being part of a caring company that supports expectant mothers and helps create families.

Personal connection to adoption?

Edie adopted her oldest daughter at age 40 and describes adoption as something that forever changed her life.

Advice for waiting families?

Be patient, trust that there is a plan, and allow things to come together in their time.

Who inspires you?

Her daughters and the team she works with.

When are you happiest?

When surrounded by her daughters.

Favorite place?

The beach.

Cannot resist?

Sweets.

Favorite music?

Alternative music.

Favorite TV?

The Things We Do in the Shadows.

Carolyn adopted her daughter Kaitlyn in July 1989. Years later, her family grew again through private adoption when her son Jordan was born in 1996. Jordan's birthmother later contacted the family about another pregnancy, and their son Anthony was born in 1998.

After experiencing adoption personally and assisting with more than 2,000 adoptions, Carolyn developed a deep commitment to adoption advocacy and supporting birth mothers and adoptive families.

Carolyn holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master's Degree in Communications. She has also been active in infertility and adoption support groups and has spent many years promoting a positive message about adoption.

Sharon's first daughter, Lauren, joined the family through adoption in 1988. About eleven months later, Lauren's biological sister Jennifer was born and also joined Sharon's family. In 1999, Sharon and her husband adopted their son Matthew at birth.

Sharon has an extensive background in marketing and advertising, which she has brought into the adoption field. Her warm and caring nature has been an important part of her work with birth mothers and adoptive families.

She is also active in adoption advocacy support groups and church organizations and considers helping families through adoption a central part of her life's work.

As a Bonus Mom and Adoptive Mom herself, Kelli brings personal experience to her role supporting adoptive parents.

What do you do at Open Arms?

I am an Adoptive Parent Advocate who assists adoptive parents as they go through their adoption journey.

When did you join the team?

June 2024.

What motivates you?

Her family and helping people navigate adoption and grow their families.

Personal connection to adoption?

Kelli and her husband adopted their son through Angel Adoption.

Advice for waiting families?

Be open to the unexpected, remember why you began the journey, allow yourself to experience the difficult moments, and keep moving forward.

Who inspires you?

Her mother.

What are you proudest of?

Her family and what they have built together.

Cannot resist?

Sweets.

Favorite music?

Rihanna, Beyoncé, Chris Brown, old-school Hip-Hop/R&B, Victoria Monét, and New Edition.

Favorite TV?

Living Single.

Nicole and her team work closely with management on legal matters and provide guidance related to adoption, contracts, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, conflict and dispute resolution, and industry best practices.

Nicole also has extensive litigation experience and has taken cases through trial and various stages of appeal.

Her role provides Open Arms with outside legal counsel and professional insight as the agency works through the legal and regulatory aspects of adoption.