Our Agency Team of Experts

Amanda A

Social Services Manager
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Amanda A

Social Services Manager
Email Address: Amanda@nightlight.org
Favorite Adoption Story: I don’t have just one favorite adoption story! Each adoption that I have been involved in becomes my favorite and leaves an impression on my heart. My most impactful adoption story is my grandmothers. She was adopted domestically as an infant into a wonderfully loving and supportive family. Even though her adoption was closed and she never learned who her birthparents parents were, her parents always spoke positively and respectfully of her birthparent’s decision. Through my grandmother’s story, I grew a passion for adoption and pursued a career in the adoption field.
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Biola University; Master of Social Work, California State University, Long Beach
Responsibilities: As a social services manager, I review home studies and post adoption reports, conduct international referral reviews, support families in post adoption, and supervise local social services employees

Beth B

Executive Director
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Beth B

Executive Director
Email Address: bethb@nightlight.org
Favorite Bible Verse: Mark 10:13-16
Favorite Adoption Story: My family has been touched by adoption in many ways, but my new favorite story is the adoption of our son, Bryan, who we adopted from Colombia in 2018. We had no intention of becoming adoptive parents, so it was definitely something God put on our hearts and in the hearts of our other children. It became clear after hosting Bryan during one of Nightlight’s hosting opportunities that he was meant to be part of our family. There have been plenty of struggles and ups and downs, but also much joy and love. We are so grateful to have him as part of our family.
Education: Bachelor of Science in Family Science, Brigham Young University
Responsibilities: Executive Director of the Snowflakes Embryo Adoption Program.

Dana

Executive Director
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Dana

Executive Director
Email Address: dana@nightlight.org
Favorite Bible Verse: Philippians 4:6-9
Favorite Adoption Story: I now have two! I began working at A Helping Hand Adoption Agency (which later became Nightlight Christian Adoptions) the first week of May, 2007. That very same week, in Guatemala, a precious little boy was born. Four months later, our Guatemalan caseworker walked through the office holding two files in the air, one in each hand, praying “Dear God, we lift the files of these two boys up to you. We know that you know where their families are and we pray, dear Lord, that You will send them our way. Do not keep them waiting!” I asked to see the files and immediately fell in love with the most beautiful baby boy I had ever seen. One month later, we began the process of adoption. One year later, this little boy became my son! In November, 2020, my cousin was hospitalized due to Covid-19. She had custody of a child through the state foster care system she was planning to adopt. She was looking for someone to keep her while she recovered. I asked my husband if we could step in as “fictive kin” and he said “Sure! We can take care of a baby for 3 or 4 weeks!” My cousin went on a ventilator the following day and took months to recover from the virus. In the meantime, my husband and I had fallen head over heels in love with the happiest, most joyful little girl and were praying individually for what we later learned was the same thing. Neither of us wanted to ask my cousin, we wanted her to ask us to adopt her! She called a few days later after learning from her doctors that she would never recover to the ability to chase after a toddler and care for a child on her own and asked if we would like to make her our little girl. Our 3 to 4 weeks turned into forever in August, 2021!
Education: Dana holds an Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Child & Family Studies from Eastern Kentucky University. Her Master’s Degree in Child & Family Studies was earned from Western Kentucky University. Dana is a member of the National Council on Family Relations and is certified as a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE).
Responsibilities: As Executive Director, Dana oversees the programs of the Kentucky office, supervises its employees and runs the day to day functioning of the office.

Kelsey

Executive Director
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Kelsey

Executive Director
Email Address: kelsey@nightlight.org
Favorite Bible Verse:  2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so the Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Favorite Adoption Story: My favorite adoption story would have to be about my little boy, Isaiah, whom I adopted while living in South Sudan in 2009. Isaiah who was 13 months old at the time, was living on the street with his 9 year old sister Rose, and they had lost both parents to AIDS only a month after Isaiah was born. Isaiah was HIV positive from birth and as a result of it going untreated for so long, he passed away shortly after I adopted him. When I first met Isaiah he was extremely unhappy, malnourished, and had never experienced joy or laughter. Isaiah, though only 1 year old, showed obvious indicators of neglect, distrust, anger, and an absence of love. I was privileged to spend 4 months with Isaiah and in my short time of loving and caring for him I saw God’s love transform this child from being an angry, distrusting, and hurting little boy to a boy full of love, laughter, and joy. It taught me about the power of love and how important it is for every child to know they are loved, accepted, and worthy. Though this story had a tragic ending, it’s beautiful because Isaiah was able to know and experience love, self-worth, acceptance, and joy before he left this earth. It is now my objective, hope, and aspiration that every child will have a loving home and family and will know they are unconditionally loved because nothing is more transforming and powerful than LOVE.
Education: Masters of Social Work from the University of Louisville
Responsibilities: Kelsey is responsible for the training, supervision and support of Social Services Staff in the Colorado office, including the Domestic Program Coordinator, the Home Study Coordinator, Interns, and Home Study Writers. She also reviews all home studies completed in Colorado, and works with out of state agencies on completing and reviewing home studies for mutual International Adoption clients from their states.

Lara

Executive Director
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Lara

Executive Director
Email Address: lara.kelso@nightlight.org
Favorite Bible Verse: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”-Psalm 30:5
Favorite Adoption Story: I have been involved with a number of domestic adoptions, however I will admit that the adoptions of my son and daughter stand out as two of my favorite. I feel like I am able to assist adoptive families by drawing from our personal adoption experiences, relationships with our children’s birth parents, and my own process of coming to accept my infertility. I understand that the adoption process can leave one feeling extremely vulnerable. I understand that there are many questions and concerns. It’s scary. But I have witnessed many, many successful and joyful outcomes. Every adoption is a blessing to me.
Education: Lara holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Lindenwood University and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Missouri Baptist University. In addition she maintains a Licensed Professional Counselor status through the State of Missouri.
Responsibilities: As Executive Director, Lara oversees the programs of the Missouri office including domestic and international adoptions, supervises its employees, and runs the day to day functioning of the office. Lara brings over 15 years of vocational experience in adoption to her work at Nightlight, but she also provides the personal insight of being an adoptive mother twice. Lara holds a Bachelor of Science in Business as well as a Master of Arts in Counseling from Missouri Baptist University and is a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Lizzy

Executive Director
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Lizzy

Executive Director
Email Address: liz@nightlight.org
Favorite Bible Verse: Isaiah 30: 18 Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!
Favorite Adoption Story: One of my favorite adoption stories is about a beautiful relationship between a birth and adoptive family. I once worked with a young birth mother post-delivery, who was unsure on how to handle the future of her baby’s life because she knew she couldn’t provide, but didn’t think she could live without knowing if her baby was happy and in good hands. When I told her about open adoption, she was so happy because she never thought it would be possible to see her baby after making an adoption plan. As soon as the adoptive family met the birth mother, they immediately welcomed her into their family. They have spent most holidays and birthdays together and she is getting to watch her child grow up in a loving household. A year after the adoption, the birth mother graduated from college and the adoptive parents attended her ceremony with the child. I have no doubt that the child is beyond loved by both their biological and adoptive family and it has been so amazing to watch the relationship between both families grow and develop.
Education: Lizzy received her Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Mississippi and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of South Florida.
Responsibilities: Lizzy serves as the Executive Director and Domestic Program Coordinator in the Florida office. Lizzy assists adoptive families throughout their adoption journey and works with expectant parents who are making an adoption plan by offering counseling, connecting them to resources, and by providing ongoing support during and after their pregnancy. In addition, Lizzy does marketing outreach throughout Florida to different pregnancy resource centers, hospitals, and medical facilities.

Marissa

Executive Director
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Marissa

Executive Director
Email Address: marissa@nightlight.org
Favorite Bible Verse: “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” Psalm 27:13-14
Favorite Adoption Story: My favorite adoption story is that of a family in my hometown. After having 5 biological children, they completed an international adoption of a child with special needs… and then another one… and then another one! Yes- they have 8 children total. Their adoption story reminds me of the Lord’s infinite love for us- He continually pours out his love and makes a way when it seems there is none.
Education: Marissa holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Sciences from the University of Georgia, as well as a Master of Science in Nonprofit Administration from Louisiana State University, Shreveport.
Responsibilities: As Executive Director, Marissa oversees the day to day operations of the Georgia office and the adoption programs managed there, as well as coordinating an advisory board and fundraising efforts.

Nichole C

Executive Director
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Nichole C

Executive Director
Email Address: Nichole.chase@nightlight.org
Favorite Adoption Story: It is hard to pinpoint a favorite adoption story, as I believe all adoption stories are incredible and unique. I have had the privilege of being a part of many. I look forward to being a continued support for both expectant parents and adoptive families through this journey of love, selflessness, and vulnerability.
Education: Masters of Social work from University of Southern California. Licensed Master Social Worker in South Carolina.
Responsibilities: Nichole leads the team in our SC office and provides oversight of adoption programs managed there.

Rebekah

Executive Director
texasexecutive-directors, home-studies

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Rebekah

Executive Director
Email Address: rebekah@nightlight.org
Favorite Bible Verse: Jeremiah 29: 11-13: “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’”
Favorite Adoption Story: There are so many but the one that stands out the most is one from a number of years ago around a baby boy who was born and after two days of testing we came to find out that he had been born with only a brain stem. As we were looking for his forever family, a young couple who was in the home study process contacted me (they had adamantly stated that they were not open to special needs) and said that this was their son. A few weeks later baby JoJo was placed for adoption. I was there for his first birthday (a milestone many thought would never happen). This little boy had a smile that would light up the room and a belly laugh like no other. At just over two years old he went to be with Jesus but it was incredible to see the impact that his life had on so many, mine included.
Education: BSW from Gordon College, MSW from Baylor University; TBRI certified
Responsibilities: As Executive Director, Rebekah oversees the programs of the Texas office, supervises its employees and runs the day-to-day functioning of the office.

Rozdi

Executive Director
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Rozdi

Executive Director
Email Address: rozdi@nightlight.org
Favorite Bible Verse: Mark 9:23 all things are possible to him who believes
Favorite Adoption Story: I believe adoption is such a great option for someone who is wanting to expand their family as well as do God’s work. I have several friends that have been adopted and it has been such a good experience for them.
Education: I have a BA in Psychology and MHR (Masters in Human Relations) from the University of Oklahoma. I also have my LPC.
Responsibilities: Ensures compliance with state laws and regulations, and overseas the home study program, domestic adoption program, and foster care program in the Oklahoma office

Sonja

Executive Director
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Sonja

Executive Director
Email Address: sonja@nightlight.org
Favorite Bible Verse: Psalm 82:3 Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
Favorite Adoption Story: Working in international adoption you visit many countries, with some orphanage facilities being worse than others. Many years ago while visiting an orphanage in Africa, I met an older boy who was rail thin and with hollowed eyes who grabbed my arm and asked me to find him a family. You could see the desperation in his face. The attorney we worked with at the time told me every time she visited the orphanage, the boy asked her why she was only placing babies and toddlers with families and why families only wanted young children. He pleaded with her to find him a family too. This story broke my heart, we made it our mission to find this child a home and within a few months, we were able to find that family for this child. That was many years ago and today this child is thriving.
Education: MA
Responsibilities: Executive Director of the Indiana office. Oversees the programs in the Indiana office including the Bulgaria, Ukraine, Haiti, Samoa, Burkina Faso, Dominican Republic, Liberia, Portugal programs in addition to overseeing Anchored in Hope and Birth mother services in Indiana. Ensures compliance with state and federal laws and regulations. Provides guidance and assistance to the Advisory Board and fundraising activities.
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