Leadership & Staff

Board of Directors

Belay Gebru

Board Member

Belay Gebru

Board Member
Founder, Hope for the Fatherless Belay T. Gebru (“Uncle Ben”) founded Hope for the Fatherless (HFTF) in 2012 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His own story as an orphan is one of tremendous tragedy and redemption, both of which shaped much of his ministry to the fatherless of Ethiopia. Belay began HFTF with a vision to see children thriving in families instead of being cared for in institutions. Today, HFTF serves orphaned and vulnerable children through small-group, family-based homes, domestic adoption, and family sponsorship. Belay is gifted in inspiring those around him to champion excellence for the most vulnerable. Prior to starting HFTF, he served as a child advocate for sponsorship with Compassion International and tour staff for the His Little Feet children’s choir. Today he serves as executive director at HFTF and is married to Koki. They have two beautiful children, Oni and Pat.

Phil Goad

Board Member

Phil Goad

Board Member

Founder and Principal Toxicologist, Center for Toxicology & Environmental Health

Dr. Goad and his wife, Starla, have three children and eight grandchildren. They have a passion for marriage ministry and are long-time supporters of FamilyLife, headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. They also serve with organizations involved in care of orphans and vulnerable children in the US and around the world. They are actively involved in their church and love to teach and mentor others who share a desire to follow in the steps of Jesus Christ. Dr. Goad currently serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate in the foster program in Pulaski and Perry Counties, Arkansas. Dr. Goad is Founder and Principal Toxicologist at the Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health (CTEH), L.L.C. an environmental consulting firm. He previously served as an adjunct assistant professor in the College of Medicine, Division of Interdisciplinary Toxicology, and the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Harding College in Searcy, Arkansas (1977) and a Ph.D. degree in Interdisciplinary Toxicology from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (1982). Over the last 30 years, he has been active as a consultant in the area of human toxicology and has been involved in numerous projects involving the measurement of exposures and the assessment of the effects of chemical exposures on humans, including risks associated with accidental release of chemicals into the environment. For eight years prior to that, he conducted experimental studies examining the potential toxic effects of chemicals.

Beth Guckenberger

Secretary

Beth Guckenberger

Secretary

Co-Executive Director of Back2Back Ministries

Beth and her husband, Todd, live with their family in Cincinnati, Ohio where they serve as Co-Executive Directors of Back2Back Ministries. After graduating from Indiana University, the Guckenbergers moved to Monterrey, Mexico where they lived for 15 years. Between biological, foster, and adopted children, they have raised ten children.

Beth is the author of nine books including adult and children’s titles. She travels and speaks regularly at conferences, youth gatherings and church services. Her style is based in story-telling and she draws from her vast field experience as a missionary, Bible teacher and parent for illustrations of biblical concepts.

Dr. Jerry Haag

Chairman of the Board

Dr. Jerry Haag

Chairman of the Board

President/CEO of One More Child

Dr. Jerry Haag is the President/CEO of One More Child. During his tenure as president, he has guided the expansion of ministry sites from nine locations in Florida to more than 50 locations around the globe. Under his presidency, One More Child has launched its Anti-Trafficking, Child Hunger, Single Moms, Family Support (prevention) and Global programs to meet immediate and long-term needs of children and families.

Under Dr. Haag’s leadership, One More Child has increased from serving 3,351 children and individuals in 2007 to more than 320,000 in 2021.

Dr. Haag earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in finance from Baylor University and earned a Ph.D. in finance and real estate in 1995 from the University of Texas at Arlington. He has led and participated in humanitarian aid, emergency relief, childcare and ministry to children and families in countries around the world.

Dr. Haag has served on the Florida Faith-based and Community-based Advisory Council since 2013, where he was appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist, Gov. Rick Scott and Gov. Ron DeSantis. He also serves as the chairman of the board of directors for the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO) and is a member of the Forbes Nonprofit Council.

He has been invited on numerous occasions to share his expertise with national and world leaders – to include the United States Health and Human Services, the White House, the President’s Office of the Dominican Republic and the President’s Office of Guatemala.
He has also served as a member of the Child Welfare Innovation workshop group with American Enterprise Institute, a Washington, D.C. based think tank that researches government, politics, economics, and social welfare.

Dr. Haag is passionate about long-term policy change to impact vulnerable children, and he had the pleasure of participating in a distinguished seminar on Religion and U.S. Foreign Policy, sponsored by the Institute on Culture, Religion and World Affairs at Boston University.

He preaches regularly in churches throughout the nation, and he and his wife, Christi, also enjoy speaking together. Additionally, he has authored, presented and published academic articles relating to his business expertise and has been honored several times for his business, professional and civic achievements.

In 2018, Dr. Haag was awarded the 2018 George W. Truett Distinguished Service Award by the Baylor Line Foundation and was honored at its Hall of Fame Gala for his exceptional leadership in meeting the needs of children around the world.

Dr. Haag has served on the faculty and administration of both public and private universities, including serving as Baylor University’s Vice President for University Development.

From 2000-2007, Dr. Haag served as president and CEO of the South Texas Children’s Home. He also has corporate work experience with AT&T and is a Certified Financial Planner.

Dr. Haag and his wife, Christi, live in Lakeland, Fla. They are proud parents to their adult sons Ben and Brady, and are thrilled to have Ben’s fiancé, Maddie, and Brady’s wife, Katie, as part of their family.

Aixa de López

Board Member

Aixa de López

Board Member

 Author, Speaker & Advocate

Aixa was born in Guatemala City and it’s where she has lived her entire life. She’s married to Alex López (pastor) and is mom to four: Two of which came through the miracle of adoption. After their decision to adopt, Alex and Aixa have become a voice for the vulnerable children of their country.

She holds a degree in graphic design, is a published author (Lágrimas Valientes/Brave Tears-and -upcoming- Para Siempre/Forever, Lifeway Español) writes regularly on her blog Corazón a Papel (Heart to paper) and other online magazines and is a public speaker. She serves as President to Alianza Cristiana para los Huérfanos de Guatemala, an organization that serves as bridge connecting vulnerable children to the resources of the Church in Latin America.

Ray Padrón

Board Member

Ray Padrón

Board Member

Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor, Brightworth

Ray Padrón has over 30 years’ experience in financial services, from accountancy to senior management. Currently Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor at Brightworth, an Atlanta-based fee-only wealth management firm with approximately $3 billion in assets under management, Ray previously served as the firm’s President and COO.

Ray began his financial career with what is now PricewaterhouseCoopers. He has worked for the Marriott Corporation as a Tax Manager and served as Vice President of Accounting Operations and Financial Reporting for Finalco Group, Inc. In 1986, Ray became a Principal and Senior Vice President of Finance for Capital Associates, Inc., a regional venture capital firm that provided both capital and funding services for portfolio companies.

In 1988, Ray created ARC Financial Services, a financial planning firm that focused on the unique needs of business owners. He later merged ARC Financial Services with Ronald Blue & Co. (RB & Co.), a national wealth advisory firm. Ray’s career at RB & Co. included the starting of the Washington, D.C. branch office, the incubation and creation of their Baltimore, Md. branch, and eventually becoming the Vice President of Practice Areas and Chief Financial Officer at the RB & Co.’s national headquarters in Atlanta.

He is a Certified Public Accountant and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner. Ray completed the Investment Management Consultants Association’s Investment Analyst Program at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and is a Certified Investment Management AnalystSM. In addition, he is an Accredited Estate Planner®, a Chartered Life Underwriter and a Chartered Financial Consultant. Ray has been named several times in Atlanta magazine’s list of Five Star Wealth Managers*.

Ray is currently on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and Junior Achievement of Georgia. Ray also serves on the Executive Committee of the Buckhead Coalition. He recently became the past President of CEO Netweavers, a community of CEOs and trusted advisors committed to helping and improving the Atlanta business community. Ray is also a founding board member of Matchbook Learning, a national non-profit K-12 school management organization focused on a unique blended, competency-based model of learning for struggling schools. He is an active member of Business Executives for National Security (BENS), a non-profit organization focused on bringing the private sector together with our government partners to apply best business practice solutions to its most difficult national security challenges. He is a past member of the board of directors of the Financial Planning Association of Georgia and also a past chairman and board member of an international faith-based ministry. Over the years Ray has been a frequent speaker to executives on retirement planning. He has also spoken on operational excellence within the financial planning and wealth management industry.

Ray and his wife, Sharon, have four grown children and nine grandchildren, and are active members at Perimeter Church in Johns Creek. His hobbies include international travel, golfing with friends, reading and exercise.

Dr. Albert Reyes

Treasurer

Dr. Albert Reyes

Treasurer

President and CEO of Buckner International

Dr. Albert L. Reyes is President and CEO of Buckner International, a non-profit international ministry that transforms the lives of orphans, vulnerable children, families and elders.

He is the sixth President and CEO of the 140-year-old organization based in Dallas, Texas. He previously served as President of Buckner International and President of Buckner Children and Family Services. Prior to his service at Buckner, Reyes was president of Baptist University of the Américas in San Antonio.

Reyes also has served as pastor of three churches and was involved in numerous roles within the Baptist General Convention of Texas, serving as its President in 2005. He serves as Vice President of the North American Baptist Fellowship.

Reyes received a bachelor of business administration degree from Angelo State University, and master of divinity and doctor of ministry degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also earned a doctor of philosophy degree from Andrews University and completed post-doctoral study at the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies, Oxford, England.

He is the author of The Jesus Agenda: Becoming an Agent of Redemption (Believers Press, 2015) and Hope Now: Peace, Healing, and Justice when the Kingdom comes near (Iron Stream Books, 2019). Reyes and his wife Belinda have three adult sons and are members of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas.

Gary Schneider

Board Member

Gary Schneider

Board Member

Gary Schneider has served for 20 years as a full-time missionary, called to share the love and hope of Jesus Christ with orphaned children worldwide.

He is the founder and President of Every Orphan’s Hope (EOH), a ministry in Zambia, Africa, that rescues, raises, and restores orphans to life in Christ, in a family, in a home, and in a community where they are known and loved. (everyorphan.org) EOH does not build or operate orphanages. Rather, they provide a holistic care model for orphans and vulnerable children, from newborns to graduating college students transitioning to work/life independence. The ministry’s goal is family permanency for every orphan through reunification, long-term foster care, adoption, and temporary placement in alternative care family homes for children without parental or family support.

Gary’s passion for helping develop entrepreneurial skills and opportunities for young adults in Zambia also led to the creation of Chicks-4-Orphans, The Narrow Road Bike Shops, Bikes for Orphans, and The Bread of Blessing Bakery as small business sustainability initiatives creating skills training, jobs and revenue to support EOH’s holistic orphan care ministry.

Gary is also the founder of Orphan Sunday. This annual event calls the Christian Church to minister the love of Christ to orphaned children in their community on One Day with One Voice for One Purpose – to invite orphans into the family of God as adopted sons and daughters through faith in Jesus Christ.

Gary has been married to his wife Debbie for 38 years, and they have four children ages 18 to 34, one through adoption. They love their newest roles as Papa G and Gammy to their grandson Armie. Gary and Debbie are avid Formula1 and Kansas City Chiefs fans and enjoy traveling and cheering on their youngest daughter as she competes for championship titles in International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Curtis Yates

Board Member

Curtis Yates

Board Member

Partner, Yates & Yates

Curtis Yates is a partner with the firm Yates & Yates, serving as literary agent for some of today’s most respected Christian communicators. Curtis especially enjoys working alongside articulate, passionate Christian communicators to counsel and protect them, fiercely advocate for them, and help them advance life- and culture-transforming messages for the sake of the Kingdom. He cares deeply about issues of soul care and spiritual formation in an age awash in technology and celebrity. Curtis and his wife Karen live in southern California with their three children.

Emeriti Board Members

Mike Douris

Emeritus Board Member

Mike Douris

Emeritus Board Member

President, Orphan Outreach

Mr. Douris has over 46 years of experience managing children services domestically and internationally. His experience includes work at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Lufkin Independent School District, Dallas County Juvenile Probation Department, and Buckner International. Mr. Douris holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Sam Houston State University in Criminal Justice and a Master’s degree from Dallas Theological Seminary.

Mr. Douris served 22 years at Buckner International. He was Vice President of Buckner International where he led the development of Buckner’s international program and managed domestic and international adoption and orphan care programs. Prior to developing Buckner’s international program, Mr. Douris served 11 years in executive management at Buckner Children and Family Services managing and developing services to children in the whole spectrum of care.

Additionally, Mr. Douris served as the chairman of the Dallas County Mental Health Children’s Committee. He has developed childcare programs including therapeutic foster care, assessment centers, residential treatment, family preservation, community-based services, as well as international programs including adoption, foster care, transitional living, therapeutic residential programs, community based services and family preservation services. Mr. Douris developed an annual Russian National Children’s Conference in partnership with the Russian Chamber of Commerce. He has provided consultation on children’s issues to government officials in numerous countries including Russia, Latvia, Peru, Guatemala, Honduras, and Kenya.

Currently, Mike one of the founders and serves as President of Orphan Outreach a 501c3 non-profit ministry-serving children in Guatemala, Honduras, Russia, Latvia, Kenya, India, Ukraine and Nepal. In addition, Mike is a founding board member of the Christian Alliance for Orphans, a coalition of adoption agencies, orphan care organizations, and churches that work with children throughout the world and serves on the advisory board of Faith to Action.

Mike has been married to his wife Anita for 46 years and has three children and two grandchildren.

Dr. Sharen Ford

Emerita Board Member

Dr. Sharen Ford

Emerita Board Member

Sharen Ford, Ph.D., is a nationally-recognized child welfare consultant and the retired Manager for Permanency Services for the Colorado Department of Human Services in the Division of Child Welfare Services.  She retires with 30 years of comprehensive work history with the department.  She oversaw six programmatic areas including the Foster Care and Adoption Program and supervised a team of professional staff.

Dr. Ford is the former President of the National Association of State Adoption Programs (NASAP) and the Association of Administrators for the Interstate Compact on Adoption Medical Assistance (AAICAMA).  She currently serves as the Director for Foster Care and Adoption at Focus on the Family and is as committed as ever to raising awareness regarding the need for every child to have a permanent family.

Tami Heim

Emerita Board Member

Tami Heim

Emerita Board Member

President & CEO, Christian Leadership Alliance

Tami Heim has been the president and CEO of Christian Leadership Alliance, headquartered in San Clemente, CA, since January 2012. Her professional career includes executive leadership experience in the technology, marketing, publishing and retail industries. She has served as a partner in The A Group – Brand Development, executive vice president and chief publishing officer for Thomas Nelson Publishers, and as the president of Borders, Inc.

After graduating from Purdue University in 1980, she entered the management-training program at Federated Department Stores and continued to serve in various leadership roles until she left in 1996. At the time of her departure, she was responsible for the operations of both the LAZARUS and Goldsmith’s chains.

Her board experience includes serving on the nonprofit boards of EQUIP, Lead Like Jesus, Christian Alliance for Orphans, Growing Leaders. Christianity Today, and Christian Leadership Alliance. Tami and her husband, Dale, are actively involved in ministry at Long Hollow Baptist Church. Since 2010, they have been leading mission teams to Haiti to love and disciple orphans.

Tami and Dale find great joy in spending time with their two daughters, son-in-law and two grandsons.

Andy Lehman

Emeritus Board Member

Andy Lehman

Emeritus Board Member

Vice President, Lifesong for Orphans

Andy serves as Vice President at Lifesong for Orphans (whose mission is Gospel centered orphan care to 8,000 children in 13 countries and creating sustainable businesses within those orphan care locations — to generate income which fuels orphan care projects, develops meaningful skills for orphans, create jobs for orphan graduates and create jobs for caregivers – which helps prevent orphans and preserve families.

Lifesong builds teams of business owners and orphan advocates who want to offer their skills, energy, investments and expertise to come alongside business to help orphans. Orphans and vulnerable children become equipped and discipled to become capable Christian business leaders…and where 100% of net-profits from businesses fund and sustain the Gospel centered orphan care ministry.
In addition, Andy and the Lifesong Impact team have started, acquired and invested in U.S. based businesses (through both charitable and for-profit impact investments) to create redemptive business as a “giving engine” to fund orphan care.

Andy and his lovely wife, Jill, are adoptive parents and have 4 children – Travor, Haley, and Caleb, and Hope.

Barbara Rainey

Emerita Board Member

Barbara Rainey

Emerita Board Member

Founder & Creator, Ever Thine Home

After graduating from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history, Barbara joined the staff of Cru in 1971. Her husband, Dennis, whom she married in 1972, is the President and CEO of FamilyLife, a ministry of Cru that is headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. Together they have six children, plus six more grafted in by marriage, and 24 grandchildren. She is the author or coauthor of more than 35 books, including the Moments Together for Couples, and Moments With You marriage devotionals, the Growing Together series, A Symphony in the Dark and her most recent Letters to My Daughters: The Art of Being a Wife.

Having faithfully served alongside Dennis for more than 45 years, both in ministry and at home, Barbara has recently launched a new endeavor called Ever Thine Home®. This new blog of encouragement to women to help them experience the reality of Christ in their homes is accompanied by a line of products for women helping them share their faith at home. Her heart for Ever Thine Home is based on the familiar Old Testament instruction:

“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:9, ESV)

You can read more about Barbara’s work at EverThineHome.com.

CAFO Staff

Charity Betts

Design Manager

Charity Betts

Design Manager

Location:

Ohio

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

The United Kingdom, all of it

Favorite pastime activity: 

Baking or making food to be enjoyed by others

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee, please!


More about Charity:

Charity serves as CAFO’s Design Manager. She is passionate about making the mundane interesting and the complex digestible. Prior to CAFO, she was a freelance graphic designer who collaborated with Fortune 500 and other national companies as well as extensively serving the local church and various nonprofits.

She and her husband, Stephen, find much joy in partnering together to serve the local church through vocational ministry. On any given Sunday, you may find Charity serving on the worship team or in the children’s ministry… she can also identify every paint color used on the walls at their church.

Charity and Stephen’s favorite date night is an evening filled with live music and their family loves to travel and explore new places. One of her favorite things that keeps her closer to home, is practicing hospitality on a regular basis.

Connie Britton

Director of Accounting

Connie Britton

Director of Accounting

Location:

Georgia

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Alaska

Favorite pastime activity: 

Spending time with family and walking

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee because i goes better with chocolate


More about Connie:

Connie Britton is the Director of Accounting for the Christian Alliance for Orphans where she is passionate about using her gifts for kingdom work and to support the CAFO mission.

Connie is an experienced Finance Leader and has served in megachurches over the past 24 years. Prior to her role at CAFO, Connie served as the Director of Finance at First Baptist Atlanta under Dr. Charles Stanley, where she oversaw the financial operations. In this role, she had the responsibility of managing a multimillion-dollar budget for a congregation spanning over 12,000 members with global reach and large-scale community impact. She also served as the Controller at Capital Christian Center in Sacramento, California. She received her BS in Accounting and is grateful to share her gifts and abilities with nonprofit organizations.

Connie loves spending time with her family and traveling to interesting destinations.

Sara Brunsting

Membership & Community Support Specialist

Sara Brunsting

Membership & Community Support Specialist

Location:

Illinois

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Italy

Favorite pastime activity: 

Playing cards and/or board games

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee (as long as it’s flavored)


More about Sara:

Sara is a passionate and dedicated individual who puts 110% of herself into whatever she does. God and her family have infused a servant’s heart within her, which colors every area of her life. Through her jobs over the years, as well as her volunteer experiences serving adoptive and foster families both within and outside of CAFO, she simply loves bringing all that God has given her to serve the people she is blessed to be working alongside.

She has a Bachelors of Arts in Human Services and a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, both from Judson University. After completing her masters, she worked for 2 years at Judson University, providing counseling services to the students, as well as teaching about and promoting awareness of mental health issues to students and staff on campus. Although she is not currently practicing as a counselor, she is incredibly passionate about helping people understand how their experiences have shaped who they are today.

When not working or volunteering, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She has six brothers and one sister, which have added many, many sisters-in-laws, nephews and nieces. Being an Aunt has been one of the best experiences of her life…even being Honorary Auntie to many of her friends’ kids. Coming from a such a big family has shaped her heart for families and children and her desire to see them thriving in every area of life.

One of her long-term goals is to become certified as a financial advisor or financial counselor. She wants to help people and families improve their finances, so that they can have more financial freedom to do what God is calling them to do.

Elizabeth Correll

Vice President of Engagement

Elizabeth Correll

Vice President of Engagement

Location:

Texas

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Alaska

Favorite pastime activity: 

Beach Volleyball

Coffee or Tea?

Why does this have to be either or? Chai Latte.


More about Elizabeth:

Elizabeth Correll is the Vice President of Engagement for the Christian Alliance for Orphans where she loves to watch families and the local church transform as they show God’s unfailing love to orphans and vulnerable children in their communities. Elizabeth works to provide connection and collaboration among Christians and child advocates around the world through a variety of best-practice initiatives and the annual CAFO Summit.
Prior to this role Elizabeth served in the White House Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives under President George W. Bush where she spearheaded outreach and organized trainings for faith-based organizations nationwide. She received her BS in English Education and Masters of Music Education and thoroughly enjoyed teaching junior high and high school for a short season before moving to Washington, DC.

Robin Garcia

Digital Communications Coordinator

Robin Garcia

Digital Communications Coordinator

Location:

Texas

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Barcelona

Favorite pastime activity: 

DIY home projects, organizing, riding bikes with my kids, binging reality tv shows

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee


More about Robin:

Robin serves as the Digital Communications Coordinator for CAFO. Prior to this role, Robin spent 10 years in the education field working as an early childhood teacher and parent resource educator. Most recently she created digital content for teachers and parents.

Robin earned a M.Ed. in Montessori Education from Southern Methodist University and a BBA in Business Marketing from Dallas Baptist University. With a heart to help families and an eye for marketing, she is excited to bring these passions to life in her role at CAFO.

When she isn’t working, Robin loves spending time with her husband, Ben, and 4 young children. Much of their free time is spent with their church where Ben serves as the worship pastor. A good date night probably involves eating good food and enjoying all the fun things Fort Worth has to offer, such as two-stepping and strolling the Stockyards.

Aaron Goin

Chief Operating Officer

Aaron Goin

Chief Operating Officer

Location:

Tennessee

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Italy

Favorite pastime activity: 

Time with family and friends

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee


More about Aaron:

Aaron grew up in Knoxville where he met his wife Kerri. Their two teenagers, Gracie and Mason, keep them busy with school, sports and other activities. They enjoy spending time outdoors, especially in the mountains or at the beach.

As the Chief Operating Officer at CAFO (Christian Alliance for Orphans), Aaron leverages his background in Finance from the University of Tennessee and an MBA from Tennessee Tech University to support the organization’s initiatives. He brings a wealth of experience, having previously spent over 16 years as the Executive Pastor, Operations, at Faith Promise Church. In this role, he developed systems that allowed the church to reach and impact thousands in their community.

Aaron is a passionate advocate for the local church and believes that equipping Christians to care for vulnerable children is a powerful way to transform communities.

Jason Johnson

National Director of Church Engagement and Mobilization

Jason Johnson

National Director of Church Engagement and Mobilization

Location:

Texas

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Doc’s house in Back to the Future.

Favorite pastime activity: 

Construction projects around the house.

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee. Lots of coffee.


More about Jason:

Jason and his wife Emily met their senior year in college and were married just after graduating. They have four daughters and a long story…and anyone who’s been in the world of foster care and adoption can relate to that…it’s a long story! 🙂

After growing up in a ministry home in Dallas, TX Jason attended Texas A&M University (where he Emily met…Gig ‘Em!) and began working at a church during his time there. After graduating in 2002 he began his pastoral ministries studies at Dallas Theological Seminary while working in ministry.

In 2008, alongside a core team of people in the North Houston area, Jason and Emily had the privilege of planting and leading a church. It was here that many, including their family, became involved in foster care. The church then founded a non-profit committed to serving, supporting and equipping foster and adoptive families in the city of Houston.

In 2013, combined with 14 years of church-based ministry and leadership experience and their family’s foster and adoptive journey, Jason began working for an organization helping church leaders implement structures and strategies of ministry within their churches and developing resources to encourage and support foster and adoptive parents along their journeys. This ultimately led to his current role as the Director of Church Mobilization and Engagement with CAFO. In his work he speaks and teaches at churches, conferences, forums and workshops on church and nonprofit ministry strategies and best practices as well as encouraging families that are in the trenches and those that are considering getting involved.

Much of his time is also spent coaching and consulting with church and organizational leadership teams around the country on how to start, lead and grow ministries within their church or build the most effective church engagement strategies within their organizations.

Jason is the author of ReFraming Foster Care (for families and support groups), Everyone Can Do Something (for church and ministry leaders), The ALL IN Curriculum (small group based study for those considering), Effectively Engaging Churches (for organizational leaders and advocates) and blogs regularly at Jason Johnson | Blog.

Jason and Emily and their four girls live in Texas and enjoy whatever it is they’re doing, as long as it’s together.

If you are a pastor, ministry leader, advocate, organizational non-profit leader, foster or adoptive family or potential foster or adoptive family, Jason would love to connect!

Lisa Krauss

Staff Accountant

Lisa Krauss

Staff Accountant

Location:

Indiana

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Alaska and Hawaii

Favorite pastime activity: 

Spending time with family and friends

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee


More about Lisa:

Lisa is serving as the Staff Accountant for Christian Alliance for Orphans. She is the wife of Leonard and mom to two adult boys Michael and Matthew and lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Lisa graduated from University of Northwestern Ohio and has had various accounting roles, with her latest at a non-profit in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She is very excited to join the CAFO family in serving in God’s Kingdom for vulnerable children.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Jedd Medefind

President

Jedd Medefind

President

Location:

Washington, DC

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Yellowstone National Park

Favorite pastime activity: 

Fly fishing

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee, extra dark!


More about Jedd:

Jedd Medefind loves journeying life with his wife, Rachel.  He relishes wrestling matches with his five children—Siena, Marin, Eden, Lincoln, and Phoebe.  Most of all, he desires to reflect the heart of Jesus Christ in all of life.

Jedd has seen (and experienced!) that lives are turned upside-down when Christians begin to reflect God’s heart through adoption, foster care and service to orphans worldwide.  This kind of love transforms not only vulnerable children, but also those who open hearts and homes to them.  Churches begin to look different, too, as the entire community pulls together for children who’ve known great hurt.  Finally, the change touches even onlookers, who encounter the Gospel not only in words, but made visible before their eyes.

Desiring to spur this kind of transformation through the Church, Jedd serves as President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans.

Through CAFO, more than 225 respected organizations unite in shared initiatives, along with a wide network of churches.  CAFO’s membership works in tandem to inspire and equip families, churches and organizations for effective service to vulnerable children and families — from adoption and US foster care, to aid and empowerment programs worldwide.

Prior to his this role, Jedd served in the White House as a Special Assistant to President George W. Bush, leading the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.   In this post, he oversaw reform efforts across the government to make community- and faith-based groups central partners in all Federal efforts to aid the needy, from prisoner reentry to global AIDS.  As described by the Harvard Political Review, these reforms “fundamentally changed the government’s strategy for improving the lives of the downtrodden…”

Previously, Jedd held a range of posts in the California State Legislature.  He also helped establish the California Community Renewal Project, which strengthens nonprofits in some of the state’s most challenged communities.  He has worked, studied and served in more than thirty countries, with organizations ranging from Price-Waterhouse in Moscow to Christian Life Bangladesh.

Books written by Jedd include Upended and Four Souls.  He also writes articles and op-eds for publications ranging from the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post to Comment Magazine, and engages radio interviews with both faith-based and mainstream outlets, from NPR and Al Jazeera to Moody Radio.  Jedd’s most recent book, Becoming Home, offers a brief-yet-rich exploration of how families and communities can embrace vulnerable children with wisdom and love through adoption, foster care, mentoring and more.

SPEAKER REQUEST FORM

Rachel Medefind

Rachel Medefind

Director, Institute for Family-Centered Healing & Health
Rachel Medefind

Rachel Medefind

Director, Institute for Family-Centered Healing & Health

Location:

Virginia

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Alaska

Favorite pastime activity: 

Listening to books while running!

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee! Black for the first cup, creamer for the third.


More about Rachel:

Rachel serves as Director of CAFO’s Institute for Family-Centered Healing & Health.

She and her husband, Jedd, have welcomed children via birth, adoption, and foster care. Rachel has served as the primary educator for their five children through the majority of their school-aged years.

Rachel’s professional career began with a focus on physical therapy. After graduating from Loma Linda University’s School of Allied Health Professions, she provided care and recovery therapies in hospitals and clinics for patients following serious injuries, surgeries, and strokes. This work convinced Rachel that whole-person healing is necessary for true health and thriving. She also saw that small actions can be transformative when consistently repeated over time.

Later, Rachel studied at King’s College, London, receiving a Master of Science in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health, with a special focus on children who’ve experienced severe deprivation. She is also a certified TBRI practitioner. Before these studies and since, Rachel has advised, cared for, and walked alongside many parents from across the US and beyond who are raising children with a history of trauma.

Rachel speaks and teaches often on education, parenting, and formation. She’s also written on these themes for publications ranging from The Washington Institute to Comment Magazine. Rachel has served on the board of several organizations that work to better the lives of vulnerable children and families in the US and globally.

Ashley Phelan

Senior Manager of Engagement

Ashley Phelan

Senior Manager of Engagement

Location:

Central California

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Ireland

Favorite pastime activity: 

Visiting the East Coast – my other home!

Coffee or Tea?

Will you still like me if I say neither? My favorite beverage is…lemonade!


More about Ashley:

Ashley is deeply passionate about connecting, equipping, cheering on, and supporting the Church in the call of caring for vulnerable children and families.  As such, Ashley joyfully serves as Senior Manager of Engagement – centering most of her time around healthy and collaborative relationships, Gospel-centered growth, and Biblical Hospitality.  Before coming to CAFO full-time, Ashley served as a foster care and adoption social worker in Central California for 14 years.  Ashley continues to have the privilege to occasionally serve locally by leading support groups, consulting/coaching, and speaking/training on foster care and adoption related themes.

Ashley received her MS in Christian Counseling through Cairn University and is currently pursuing her D.Min. in Strategic Christian Ministry at Liberty University. Ashley is also a TBRI Practitioner, MSOYW Facilitator, and SAFE certified.

Beyond school and work (which is not a job – but a calling!), Ashley enjoys volunteering with various Young Life and church activities, taking her niece and nephew on adventures, going to her other home – the East Coast, and quality time with loved ones.  Ashley is always up for a trip to the mountains, trying a new restaurant, doing something out-of-the-ordinary and memorable (especially with her favorite people), and Broadway musicals.

Jenny Pope

Director of Communications

Jenny Pope

Director of Communications

Location:

Texas

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

China and Greece

Favorite pastime activity: 

Traveling, reading, walking, organizing things, watching movies & experiencing new adventures with my family!

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon


More about Jenny:

Jenny is a Texas girl with a passion for storytelling and a deep love for following Jesus. In 2004, she graduated from Baylor University with a B.A. in journalism and moved to New York City to work in public relations on Broadway. One year later, she returned to her Texas roots of steaks and salsa, married her best friend and college sweetheart Chris, and began her dream job in communications at Dallas-based global ministry, Buckner International.

Jenny served at Buckner for 10 years in various roles, including Publications Editor, Associate Director of PR and Director of Marketing and Media Relations. She later returned to school and received her master’s degree at Dallas Baptist University. In 2012, Jenny and Chris became parents to son Miller, and in 2015 to daughter Emmeline, who lives with a rare neuromuscular disease, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and breaks down barriers everywhere she goes! Most recently, Jenny served as Director of Communications at University Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas.

Jenny is thrilled to be on the CAFO team and champion the Church’s voice so that every orphan and vulnerable child can experience God’s unfailing hope and love. When she’s not working, Jenny loves traveling (and planning trips), reading, musical theater, family movie nights, long walks and drinking good coffee (or wine) on the patio with friends!

Anna Price

Development & Discipleship Coordinator

Anna Price

Development & Discipleship Coordinator

Location:

Kentucky

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Ireland

Favorite pastime activity: 

Hosting friends, searching for the country’s best BBQ, and watching Survivor.

Coffee or Tea?

Can I just have the coffee cake?


More about Anna:

Anna first felt called to ministry at just age 5, not having any idea what that meant! After a college mission trip to West Africa, Anna came back home with a passion for serving vulnerable children and families and inviting others to do the same.

Anna has spent the last ten years working in international missions and local rescue mission fundraising. She loves connecting people with where God is calling them to give their time, prayers, and resources.

At home in a suburb of Cincinnati, Anna lives with her husband (and all-around better half) Chris and daughter Eliza, who is 3 going on 16. You’ll most likely catch her dreaming up her family’s next adventure, inviting way too many people over for dinner, or trying (and failing) a new recipe.

Ashley Reyes

Brand & Culture Director

Ashley Reyes

Brand & Culture Director

Location:

California

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

The Holy Land. I want to walk where Jesus walked.

Favorite pastime activity: 

Opening my box of art supplies, taking a long walk with my husband and paddle boarding on the lake.

Coffee or Tea?

There’s no competition here and I’m not picky, COFFEE!


More about Ashley:

Driven by her heart for children, Ashley received her BA in Christian Education from Biola University and furthered her education by receiving a certificate in Graphic Design from CSU, Stanislaus.

Awakened to the orphan crisis on her first global missions trip right after college, the Lord has led Ashley on a beautifully unfolding journey. Ashley joined CAFO in 2011. Ashley serves as the Brand & Culture Director responsible for all of the CAFO print, online, mobile and brand designs as well as holding the culture of CAFO, which she would say is the heart of the organization. She also leads the training and onboarding of new CAFO team members including interns, volunteer leaders, contractors and employees.

Ashley strives to visually display and share the stories of the growing Christian orphan care movement. Creating beauty from pain and expanding who the “orphan and vulnerable child is” through graphics and other visual media is what motivates her every morning. She truly believes she has the best job out there!

Ashley, a native-Californian, enjoys traveling, leading worship at her church, spending time outdoors, walking around the block with her husband to reach Fitbit challenge goals, observing the ways of a teenaged boy and learning how to express her feminine heart in a home outnumbered by boys.

Meredith Smylie

Sr. Data Analyst

Meredith Smylie

Sr. Data Analyst

Location:

Michigan

Place to Visit:

Australia

Pastime:

How can I choose? But probably biking

Coffee/Tea:

Coffee!


More About Meredith:

Meredith serves as the Sr. Data Analyst at CAFO. She joined CAFO after spending several years at a CAFO member organization, House of Providence, where she served in a variety of administrative roles, including Program Analyst. In this role, she developed an internal data collection and evaluation program aimed at assessing and improving all aspects of the program.

Prior to her time at House of Providence, Meredith worked at Yale as an environmental researcher after attaining a Master’s Degree in Marine Biology at the College of Charleston. This massive career shift from biological research to orphan care took place after coming face to face with the realities of orphans and vulnerable children in her local community. Meredith strives to use her God-given abilities, passion for data, and unconventional career path to support orphan care efforts both near and far.

Meredith enjoys spending her time exploring the beautiful state of Michigan, trying new recipes, or working on a new puzzle.

Sarah Temple

Executive Assistant

Sarah Temple

Executive Assistant

Location:

Alabama

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Antartica (seriously!)

Favorite pastime activity: 

Spending time with my family at the lake.

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee with a touch of cream


More about Sarah:

Originally from Dayton, OH, Sarah seems to continually find herself moving south! She spent several years in Louisville, KY completing her Bachelors in Biblical Studies from Boyce College, and most recently in Birmingham, AL serving with a gospel-centered, international orphan care ministry for 7 years.

With a desire and passion to serve both personally and professionally in the world of orphan care, adoption, and foster care, Sarah comes to CAFO with 10 years of administrative experience and is eager to serve and support the work CAFO is doing on behalf of the fatherless locally, and around the world.

Sarah is also engaged personally in advocating for vulnerable children and families as a licensed foster parent.

CAFO_GlobalNetworks_FullColor_LightBackground

Alex Cáceres

Global Coordinator

Alex Cáceres

Global Coordinator

Location:

Mexico

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Just one? Machu Picchu and The Louvre.

Favorite pastime activity: 

Reading and movies

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee!


More about Alex:

Alex is married to Mónica and they are parents to Alegría, Mónica Estrella and Samuel. They became a foster family 8 years ago and that opened for them a window to the world of orphaned and vulnerable children.

God called Alex to become an advocate for OVC and, with his family, he started ABBA Adopción y Acogimiento Familiar to bring awareness to the Church in México and equip Christians to answer to God´s call to defend the cause of the fatherless, as well as to advance children´s right to belong to a loving and nurturing family in México. He also pioneered the creation of Cristianos Unidos por un México sin Huérfanos (CUMESH, Christians United for a Mexico Without Orphans), a nationwide network of churches, organizations and individuals committed to serve OVC.

He has served also as Orphan Sunday National Coordinator in México and Orphan Sunday Coordinator for Latin America before taking up his current role.

Alex lives with his family in Monterrey, Northeast Mexico, where he enjoys the mountains surrounding his home city.

Laura Cooper

Project Manager

Laura Cooper

Project Manager

Location:

Georgia

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Norway

Favorite pastime activity: 

Traveling and running

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee


More about Laura:

With an abiding love for the nations, Laura serves as Project Manager for the Global Network. She is passionate about equipping and supporting those serving children in communities around the world, and feels blessed for the opportunity to take part in this work. Prior to her role at CAFO, Laura worked in non-profit development and education.

Laura and her husband Andrew believe deeply in marriage ministry and family preservation. They enjoy serving as volunteers in these ministries at their local church. Laura and Andrew are parents to three active boys (Perry, August, and Bowman) who keep them on their toes! As a family they enjoy travel and adventure!

Ade Olowo

Africa Coach

Ade Olowo

Africa Coach

Location:

Texas

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Bahamas

Favorite pastime activity: 

Watching NBA and college football games

Coffee or Tea?

Tea


More about Ade:

Ade, and his wife Jenni, are adoptive parents to Kiva and Isaiah. As a young believer, Ade was first introduced to orphans at the age of 21 in Nigeria at his church. This began his journey working with orphans in orphanages, serving as a house uncle to 15 boys and reconciling some of the boys back to their biological homes. Ade moved to the US in 2011 with Jenni and worked for a church; they now lead a foster care bridge organization.

Ade loves coaching African leaders in his role with CAFO Global Network and enjoys helping connect churches, NGOs and government leaders as they form active networks to support best practices of caring for orphans and vulnerable children in their communities.

David Hennessey

Director, CAFO Global Network

David Hennessey

Director, CAFO Global Network

Location:

Georgia

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Ireland with my wife, Lisa.

Favorite pastime activity: 

Watching movies, hiking in the woods (not at the same time).

Coffee or Tea?

Tea.


More about David:

David left his professional career in 2005 to bring his business knowledge to international ministry.   David believes that combining passion for orphan care with a focus on ministry excellence creates profound impact for the fatherless.  It is with this conviction that he desires to inspire, equip, and connect local churches and ministries around the world to wisely and effectively serve orphans and vulnerable children, ultimately bringing glory to Jesus Christ.

David’s wife, Lisa, and five girls (all adults now) have personally served in Russia and Ukraine for six summers.  Through their YouthReach International efforts, the Hennessey’s met one of their daughters while living in Russia.  They were immensely blessed to be able to adopt her in the summer of 2008.  Their family continues to be involved in orphan ministry within their church, and one daughter has returned to the mission field with her husband to serve vulnerable children and families.

Prior to this role, David served as Executive Director for YouthReach International, an orphan mentoring ministry serving in Eastern Europe.  In this position, he pioneered an orphan mentoring program using local volunteers, encouraged US and international churches to support orphan care efforts, and streamlined operations for the ministry.  Previously, David served as Director of Professional Services for ScanSource, a bar-code and wireless data collection distributor, helping usher new technologies into a value-added reseller market. David joined CAFO in 2012 to launch the Global Movements Initiative, which has evolved into the CAFO Global Network.

More Than Enough

Amanda Baird

Manager of Network Programming

Amanda Baird

Manager of Network Programming

Location:

Georgia

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Ireland

Favorite pastime activity: 

Camping

Coffee or Tea?

Tea


More about Amanda:

It was during an Orphan Sunday service in 2014 that she and her husband Jacob first had their eyes and hearts opened to the great need for loving foster parents in their area. They opened their home the following year and were parents to many kids over the next few years. They currently have three children, both biological and adopted.

Amanda has a degree in Science, Technology and Culture from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She has always loved working with and advocating for children and prior to working at CAFO she was a Kindergarten teacher.

Jeremiah Brown

Director of Operations

Jeremiah Brown

Director of Operations

Location:

Indiana

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Africa

Favorite pastime activity: 

I love reading, especially as on the beach. However, I also enjoy coaching baseball when I’m not on a beach.

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee & Tea, and sometimes together…I will take all the caffeine I can get!


More about Jeremiah:

Jeremiah is husband to Cyndi Lee, and dad to two amazing boys, Micaiah and Josiah.

Adoption has been a major part of Jeremiah’s story and faith journey. Jeremiah’s mom was a single parent until he was 5 years old. Three years later, Jeremiah’s Dad not only was decreed his dad legally, but gave him the same last name. This launched not only a deep desire in Jeremiah to adopt, but also gave a clearer picture of God’s love as He adopts us as His children.

Jeremiah and Cyndi are honored to be adoptive parents.

Jeremiah serves as the Director of Operations for the More Than Enough team and currently lives in Noblesville, Indiana.

Katie Casselberry

Director of Communications

Katie Casselberry

Director of Communications

Location:

Colorado

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Spain—I would love to spend a few weeks exploring the art history and architecture scene.

Favorite pastime activity: 

Hiking and reading

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee, though tea makes a strong showing during the winter


More about Katie:

Katie Casselberry serves as Director of Communications for More Than Enough, where she leads our communications focused on US foster care and equips local churches, organizations, and advocates to effectively cast a vision of more than enough where they live. 

Katie joined CAFO from International Justice Mission (IJM), where she served as Global Sr. Lead for Brand and PR Messaging. In this role, she led messaging strategy and content for IJM’s global brand, and created trainings and resources to equip staff across IJM’s five regions to amplify and unify IJM’s voice. Prior to her time at IJM, Katie was Director of Marketing and Communications at the Chalmers Center for Economic Development.

Outside of work, you’ll find Katie serving as local Auntie to her sister’s family, hiking, baking, or trying to rehabilitate her classical piano skills.

Rachel Jackson

Data Analyst

Rachel Jackson

Data Analyst

Location:

South Carolina

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Japan

Favorite pastime activity: 

Watching movies or trying new restaurants

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee, always!


More about Rachel:

Rachel Jackson is currently serving as the Data Analyst for More Than Enough. When Rachel was six years old, her family adopted two of her older sisters from Ethiopia, which God has used to place a special burden on her heart for vulnerable children and families. Throughout high school and college, the Lord continued to provide opportunities for her to intern and volunteer with various adoption and foster care agencies, eventually allowing for her to cross paths with the CAFO team! Rachel has enjoyed getting to use her God-given abilities, including her eye for detail and love for data, to serve the CAFO community in her current role.

Rachel graduated from Clemson University in 2019 with a degree in Sociology and recently earned her Master of Social Work degree from the University of South Carolina. In her free time, she enjoys trying new restaurants, going to the movie theater, and serving on the audio/visual production team at her church.

Jason Weber

National Director of More Than Enough

Jason Weber

National Director of More Than Enough

Location:

Texas

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Machu Picchu, Peru

Favorite pastime activity: 

Renovating old stuff

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee (with enough chocolate in it to make it not taste so much like coffee)


More about Jason:

Jason and his wife Trisha first gained a passion for children in foster care while living and working in the inner city.  Many of the kids and families they encountered in their neighborhood had experienced foster care at some point in their lives.  Partially as a result of this experience, Jason and Trisha became foster parents and have been caring for and adopting children from U.S. foster care since 2001. They have had the privilege of adopting their five children from foster care. Jason has helped to produce and write several books, bible studies, and other tools all created to serve the Church as it cares for hurting kids.  He eagerly anticipates the day when God, through his Church, provides more than enough for kids and families in foster care.   Jason serves as the National Director of Foster Care Initiatives for the Christian Alliance for Orphans and currently lives in Plano, Texas.

Trisha Weber

Operations Coordinator

Trisha Weber

Operations Coordinator

Location:

Texas

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

I would like to visit each continent.

Favorite pastime activity: 

Doing creative projects with my husband.

Coffee or Tea?

Depends if chocolate is involved.


More about Trisha:

Trisha Weber serves as the operations coordinator for CAFO’s Center on Applied Research for Vulnerable Children and Families. She earned her BSW and began full-time ministry serving urban churches and vulnerable families in Denver, CO. Partially as a result of this experience, Trisha and her husband, Jason, were foster parents for ten years and have had the privilege of adopting their five children from foster care. Trisha loves coaching foster and adoptive families through their journeys and supporting local church leaders and social workers. She is a co-author of the HomeBuilders Bible Study, Considering Adoption and of the resource Preparing for Transracial Adoption. In her free time, she loves to work on creative projects with her husband, go on adventures with her family, and sit with friends for long meals talking deeply and laughing hard. Trisha and family, live in Plano, Texas.

CAFO_Research_Logos_Research_FullColor_LightBackground-06

Julie Bolos

Communications Coordinator

Julie Bolos

Communications Coordinator

Location:

Wisconsin

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Patagonia is at the top of the list, but my travel wishlist is never-ending!

Favorite pastime activity: 

Traveling, reading classic literature, hiking, sewing, cooking, and trying new artistic endeavors!

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee, black!


More about Julie:

Julie works as the Communications Manager for CAFO’s Center on Applied Research for Vulnerable Children and Families. Prior to this role, she has worked with vulnerable children and families in various capacities and in multiple countries. Most recently, she and her family were living and working in Southern Peru where they were supporting the care of vulnerable children and families and helping to build the vision for family-based care solutions in Peru.

Julie received a MA in Counseling from Denver Seminary and a BA in Communication from Colorado State University. Born and raised in Colorado, Julie loves to travel and explore the world with her husband and three kids. They have had the opportunity to live in Scotland, Israel, and Peru. She enjoys few things more than evenings spent with friends, new and old, over good food and good conversation.

Joscey Brecheisen

Administrative Coordinator

Joscey Brecheisen

Administrative Coordinator

Location:

Illinois

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Hawaii

Favorite pastime activity: 

Spending time with my family, biking, traveling and watching documentaries.

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee


More about Joscey:

Joscey Brecheisen serves as the Administrative Coordinator for the Research Center. Prior to this role, she worked as a family support specialist in a Head Start program in her community. She has worked in the foster care system as well as the Early Intervention program of Illinois. After studying and volunteering in Central America while earning her BS in Social Work, she felt a call to help support and strengthen families and children. She and her husband moved to the west side of Chicago 27 years ago for full-time ministry with youth and families. They helped plant and lead a house church while mentoring many youth through Bible studies, camping trips, and living in their home. In her free time, Joscey loves watching documentaries, biking, hiking, and traveling with her husband and 3 children.

Katrina Brown

Finance Coordinator

Katrina Brown

Finance Coordinator

Location:

California

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Paris

Favorite pastime activity: 

Camping and leisurely walks

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee


More about Katrina:

With a background in Child Development and working with children in various settings for over 10 years, Katrina quickly witnessed the importance of approaching children’s well-being and development through their families and community. After many international trips, God’s prompting, and a hunger to learn more about community support systems for families, Katrina went to graduate school and received her Master’s degree in International Community Development. She is passionate about seeing vulnerable families strengthened and supported so their children can thrive.

Katrina and her husband, Jonathan, have been serving on their church ministry team for the last 4 years, supporting families involved in Safe Families for Children or Foster Care (and are an approved Safe Family themselves). Katrina is honored to be part of the CAFO team!

Katrina loves camping, exploring new cities, and road-tripping with her husband. Some of her favorite pastimes are going on walks (preferably by a body of water), playing board games, and watching cooking shows.

Analu Cornejo

Latin America Liaison

Analu Cornejo

Latin America Liaison

Location:

Peru

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Hawaii

Favorite pastime activity: 

Dancing and spending time with friends doing anything fun outdoors

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee


More about Analu:

Analu lives in Arequipa Peru. She serves as the LA Liaison for the Research Center. For the past years she has worked serving vulnerable children and families along a team of psychologists and Social Workers with Kids Alive. She Graduated from the Saint Agustin University in Arequipa. She has a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College. She has worked both for Non-Governmental institutions and in private practice cross-culturally serving English and Spanish speaking client.

Analu enjoys learning more about how to serve the Lord better at her church and with her profession. She loves spending time playing with her two nephews who are 5 months and 2 years old.

Joy Fitterer

Learning Manager

Joy Fitterer

Learning Manager

Location:

Tennessee

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Greece

Favorite pastime activity: 

Attending a MLB or minor league baseball game

Coffee or Tea?

Tea


More about Joy:

Joy serves as the Learning Manager for CAFO’s Center on Applied Research for Vulnerable Children and Families. Prior to this role, Joy has spent the last 18 years as a public school teacher, instructional coach, university professor, director of education and nonprofit board member for organizations serving students and families in the U.S. and abroad. She has also served the local church as a Missions Director and Director of Leadership Development. As a lifelong educator and learner, Joy is especially passionate about creating experiences that foster growth and development for the vulnerable and overlooked.

Joy received an Ed.D. in Learning Organizations and Strategic Change from Lipscomb University, a MS. in Cultural and Educational Policy from Loyola University-Chicago, a MS. in Language, Literacy and Specialized Instruction from DePaul University, and a BS. in Secondary Education, English, and Journalism from Butler University.

When she isn’t working, Joy loves exploring fun restaurants, sport stadiums, and hidden gems in new cities with her husband and two daughters. She also enjoys tending to her garden, supporting the local theater scene, anything creative and crafty, coffee shop conversations with good friends, and cheering on her hometown Chicago Cubs. Joy and her husband are also adoptive and former foster parents, and together, they love to partner with and support other adoptive and foster families as well as those who feel called to wrap around them.

Dr. Mandy Howard

Dr. Mandy Howard

Research Fellow
Dr. Mandy Howard

Dr. Mandy Howard

Research Fellow

Location:

Alabama

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Gates of the Arctic National Park, AK

Favorite pastime activity: 

Hiking and camping

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee before 9am, tea anytime after!


More about Mandy:

Dr. Mandy Hiles Howard is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Samford University. She came to Samford after serving as the Assistant Director of the TCU Institute of Child Development. She worked closely with Drs. Karyn Purvis and David Cross in the development of Trust-Based Relational Interventions, which is a trauma-informed evidence-based approach to working with children who have a history of trauma.

Mandy’s professional interest broadly falls under the category of applied developmental psychology. Her work integrates theory, research and practice in a concentrated effort to increase understanding of the interpersonal processes underlying mental health and quality of life for children and youth in non-traditional care. Her research has generated a great deal of political and public policy interest both nationally and internationally. Some of her major engagements include addressing Australian Parliament and meeting with the Prime Minister, speaking at the internationally simulcasted Empower to Connect Conference, and training professionals within the Department of Family and Protective Services in multiple states.

Megan Roberts

Project Assistant

Megan Roberts

Project Assistant

Location:

Alabama

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

New York City

Favorite pastime activity: 

Reading, drawing, exercising, walking my dog, listening to music

Coffee or Tea?

Neither! I prefer water 🙂


More about Megan:

Megan began her journey with CAFO as a volunteer research assistant during her undergraduate degree. One thing lead to another, and now she has been working for CAFO as a research center project assistant for the past few years! Throughout the end of her undergraduate career and into her graduate studies, she has been a part of the Research Center’s team. Now, she is currently balancing her graduate counseling degree, her work with the CAFO Research Center, and her counseling internship. Ever grateful to have been a part of the Research Center during her beginning professional career, Megan hopes to continue her work with CAFO well beyond her graduation day next Spring!

Dr. Nicole Wilke

Director, Research Center

Dr. Nicole Wilke

Director, Research Center

Location:

Peru

One place I’ve always wanted to visit:

Thailand

Favorite pastime activity: 

Hiking

Coffee or Tea?

Tea


More about Nicole:

Dr. Nicole Wilke serves as Director of CAFO’s Applied Research and Best Practice Initiative. Prior to this role, she worked as a child and family therapist, missionary, in juvenile detention, and with children with special needs. Through her professional and personal life, she has gained extensive experience with foster care, adoption, residential care, trauma recovery, transitioning to family care, OVC research, and cross-cultural ministry. Nicole has degrees in Psychology, Family Studies, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Permanency and Adoption Competency. She lives with her family in Peru, where they work to see vulnerable children raised in families.

Stay connected with news and stories of impact in your inbox

English