Staff « Lifeline Adoption

Lifeline Staff of Professionals

The Lifeline team has many years of combined experience in helping families navigate through the international and domestic adoption process and counseling women in a crisis pregnancy. Each social worker has at least a degree in Social Work, and all are licensed appropriately by their state’s Board of Social Work Examiners.

Our team appreciates the opportunity to serve every child, woman, and family with professional skills, training, and experience. Our team is presented below.

	Executive Staff
	Executive Director: Herbert Newell Herbie Newell holds a master’s in Accounting from Samford University. He joined the Lifeline staff in 2003 as executive director/administrator. From January 2004 – December 2008 he served as the president of the Alabama Adoption Coalition. Herbie was chosen as a Hague Intercountry Adoption evaluator and team leader by COA in 2006 and serves in that capacity currently. In 2008, Herbie helped in founding the National Christian Adoption Fellowship for which he currently serves as Chairman of the Board. He and his wife Ashley live in Birmingham. Ashley is the former assistant Director of Sav-a-Life Vestavia Hills. Herbie worked with Warren, Averett, a prominent accounting firm for 4 years in auditing before God lead him to Lifeline. Herbie and Ashley are parents to son, Caleb, and daughters, Adelynn and Emily; Ashley is now a full-time mom.
	International Director: Dave Wood Dave Wood holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Theology from Liberty University. He comes to us with over 25 years of professional experience working with families and children. Dave has served in most every pastoral position along with serving as Director of Precious Child, a crisis pregnancy center. Dave’s passion is finding incredible families for orphaned children through the avenue of International adoption. Dave is married to Johnna and they are the proud parents of three children, Katie, Kristen, and Harrision.
	Development Staff
	Development Director: Kate Anderson Kate Anderson received her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Samford University in 2004. She joined lifeline in March of 2011. Prior to Lifeline, Kate served as Fundraising Manager for Governor Bob Riley’s Re-Election Campaign and Inaugural Committee and spent four years as Co-Director of Finance for the Alabama Republican Party. At Lifeline, Kate unites her fundraising experience with her passion for orphans and adoption. Kate and her husband John live in Birmingham.
	Development and Marketing Coordinator: Krisha Yanko Krisha earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – International Business from Auburn University in 2007. She is humbled and thankful to be part of the Lifeline staff as Development and Marketing Coordinator where she has the great joy of planning events, fundraising, and being an ambassador for adoption through Lifeline. She said “each morning is a gift, but to work towards the mission of placing precious children in loving homes where Christ is present is ‘immeasurably more than all I could ask or imagine.’ “
	Administrative Staff
	Administrative Director: Cathy Johnson Cathy joined the Lifeline family in 2006 after serving with Student Life Ministries as an Events Coordinator for five years. Since coming to Lifeline, she has fulfilled various roles including Director of Development and Fundraising, Bookkeeper, and Executive Assistant. She currently serves as the Director of Human Resources and Administrative Services using her gifts of organization and administration to create an environment of structure and efficiency. Cathy earned her Bachelor’s degree in Health Administration from Auburn University. She and her husband, Paul, are the parents to three sons, Foster, Cooper, and Parker.
	Administrative Coordinator: Marie Collier Marie came to Lifeline May of 2007 after doing an internship here the previous semester. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Judson College in 2007. She assists both domestic and international social workers, along with other administrative duties. She is the wife to Cody, and a mother to Abigail.
	Administrative Coordinator: Anna Eidson
	Administrative Assistant: Briana Gray Briana graduated from Samford University in the Fall of 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in Family Studies. She was able to experience Lifeline through her senior internship at Samford and officially joined the Lifeline staff in January of 2011. Briana enjoys playing a part on the administrative team and getting to assist in a variety of ways. She is thankful for the Lord’s placing her at Lifeline and for the opportunity to serve on a staff that honors The Father to the fatherless.
	Administrative Assistant: Alesia Barton Alesia joined the Lifeline family in June of 2011. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Bible and Theology with an emphasis in Counseling from Southeastern Bible College in 2011. She is currently in the process of earning a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Montevallo. Alesia enjoys getting to assist the international social workers along with her other administrative duties. She is thankful for God’s provision in placing her at Lifeline and for getting to see God glorified as children are united with the families He ordained for them from the beginning.
	Assistant to the Executive Director: Ramsey Pursell Ramsey graduated from Auburn University in 2011, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies. Her role ever since joining the Lifeline team shortly after graduation has been to assist Lifeline’s Executive Director, Herbie Newell, and to serve the staff as Hospitality Coordinator with various functions at the office. Because of her passion for people and the God-given purpose He has placed on her life to serve, she is very thankful to be in an environment where she can unite these passions with her work skills and for others to experience the gospel through them.
	Bookkeeper: Lauri Mehaffey Lauri Mehaffey graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Lauri joined lifeline in January 2011 as our Bookkeeper. She enjoys getting to work with a lot of different people and loves having a small part in all areas of lifeline. Getting to be a part of all areas of lifeline allows Lauri gets to see how the Lord uses everyone’s gift’s and talents to bring himself glory in the process of providing families for His precious children.
	International Adoption Staff
	Senior Supervisor of Social Services: Lea Anne Parker, LGSW Lea Anne Parker has been employed with Lifeline Children’s Services since May of 1987. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Mississippi. She later obtained a Master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Alabama. Lea Anne has experience working with birth families and domestic and international adoptive families. She has assisted in five hundred adoptions while serving at Lifeline.
	Manager of International Services: Geoffrey Ketcham Geoffrey Ketcham graduated from Beeson Divinity with a Masters of Divinity. He is working as the manager of international services. He is passionate about bringing children home to Godly families. Geoffrey and his wonderful wife, Jama, have two sons and a daughter. Their lives have forever been changed through their adoption and are thrilled to be assisting families as they seek to adopt.
	Executive Coordinator of International Programs: Karla Thrasher, LBSW Karla has a degree in social work from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She and her husband Jamie have three precious children, Michael, Mary Allison, and Lucy. She began working with Lifeline in 2001. She works with the international program as a crucial liaison and help for prospective parents. She serves the China program as our stateside liaison working with Lifeline’s expanding Special Needs Program, travel, and families seeking to expand their families through China adoption. “I sincerely enjoy watching our program grow and seeing families some together as a part of God’s perfect plan.” (China Program Coordinator)
	Coordinator of International Programs: Rachael Michelle Belue, MA, LBSW Michelle has a degree in social work with a minor in Spanish from the University of North Alabama and a Master of Arts in Missiology from Southwestern Seminary. With an educational and professional background in social work and cross cultural ministry, Michelle has experience in a number of social service settings and international contexts. She has traveled overseas in Central and South America, Africa, and Europe and is excited to be a part of ministry to the nations through international adoption and orphan care. (Focuses on our Latin American, Eastern European, and African countries. She also serves as the Taiwan Program Coordinator.)
	Post Placement Coordinator: Jackie Maddox, LG Jackie joined the Lifeline staff in September of 2010. She graduated with a Masters in Social Worker from the University of Alabama in May of 2004. She completed a Bachelors Degree in Social Work from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Jackie has experience in working with special needs children birth to three with Alabama’s Early Intervention Program. Her previous position was service coordination and family training for children with special healthcare needs and their families. She is happy to be a part of the ministry here at Lifeline. She is married and they are the proud parents of a son, Elon.
	International Social Worker: Lynn Beckett,LBSW Lynn received her bachelors of social work from the University of Georgia in 1981. She worked in the area of foster care and adoption in Georgia and Virginia before joining Lifeline staff in 1989. I have just recently returned to Lifeline staff after a leave of absence and feel that it is an incredible privilege to be able to be a part of this ministry that is so committed to the care of orphans both here in the states and around the world. Lynn is married to Brian and they have two daughters. (Contract International Families)
	International Social Worker: Mallory Blackmon, LBSW, MSW Mallory was thrilled to join the team of Lifeline in 2009. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Troy University and a Masters of Social Work from the University of Alabama. She currently oversees the Haiti adoption program while also conducting home studies for Lifeline’s international department. As a member of an adoptive family, she knows first hand the blessings of adoption. She is excited and thankful to be a part of orphan care ministry, and is honored to serve in a position that allows her to fight on behalf of adoptive couples and orphans around the world. (Focuses on our Haiti & China programs )
	International Social Worker: Claire Davis, LGSW Claire joined the Lifeline Staff in May 2009. She earned a degree in Sociology from Samford University in 2006 and continued her education at the University of Alabama. Claire graduated from UA in 2008 with her Masters in Social Work and is a Licensed Social Worker. Claire and her husband have a son whom they adopted from Uganda. At Lifeline, Claire works with families adopting internationally; specifically from Uganda. She feels blessed to be in a position where she can help bring children home to their families.(Focuses on our Uganda/Africa programs)
	International Social Worker: Amy Partain Dummier, LBSW Amy came to Lifeline in February 2005 to work with the International Adoption Program. She graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1996 and is a licensed Social Worker. She and her husband live in the Birmingham area and have three children, Jackson, Harrison, and Emerson. They had the blessing of adopting Harrison from Russia in May of 2004 and Emerson from China in 2008. Amy currently works with our China program. (Focuses on our China Program)
	International Adoption Specialist: Logan Gibbons Logan joined the Lifeline Staff in May of 2011. She graduated from Samford University with a degree in Family Studies. At Lifeline, Logan serves as an International Adoption Specialist. She assists families adopting internationally focusing on China and Tawain adoptions. She feels blessed to be able to assist families grow through adoption. Logan and her husband, Codie, currently live in Birmingham, AL. (Focuses on our Taiwan & China programs)
	International Social Worker: Jana Lombardo, LBSW Jana has been with Lifeline since 1992 after she graduated from Auburn with a bachelor’s degree in social work. She worked for six and a half years as a domestic social worker/ birthmother counselor until the birth of her first son Eli. She then began working on a part time basis. She and her husband are also proud parents of another son, Gideon. Jana has been serving Lifeline for over nineteen years and serves Lifeline as the program coordinator for Ukraine and Hungary. She is also the point person for Lifeline’s Bulgaria program which encompasses all of Lifeline’s Eastern European Countries. (Focuses on our Ukraine, Hungary, & Bulgaria programs)
	International Social Worker: Heather Schuck,LGSW Heather joined the Lifeline staff in May of 2011. She earned a degree in Biblical Studies and Counseling from Southeastern Bible College and received her Masters in Social Work from the University of Alabama. From a very young age, Heather has had a passion for children in need of loving homes which made her a natural fit to the international wing of Lifeline. She is currently the Program Coordinator of Uganda. Heather feels incredibly blessed to be a part of bringing orphans and parents together, all the while being able to share in Christ with families throughout their adoption journey. Heather and her husband Ryan currently live in Birmingham.(Focuses on our Uganda/Africa programs)
	International Social Worker: Beth Stanley,LGSW Beth joined the Lifeline staff in August 2011. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Mobile in 2008 and continued her education at the University of Alabama, where she received a Master’s in Social Work in 2011. Beth is a licensed social worker and works with Lifeline’s Latin American program. Beth has had the opportunity to travel overseas to several countries in Central & South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. This has caused her to have a growing passion to serve others in foreign contexts for God’s glory. Beth firmly believes that God has blessed her with the exciting opportunity to serve children and families of all nations through working here at Lifeline. (Focuses on our Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, & Peru programs).
	International Education Counselor: Whitney White Whitney is excited to be a member of the Lifeline team. She moved to Birmingham from Georgia in 2010 for her husband, Adam, to begin residency in Emergency Medicine at UAB. Whitney received an undergrad degree in Psychology with a minor in leadership, and then went on to pursue a master’s degree in Community Counseling. She is interested in everything international, has a deep love for people (of all ages) from around the world, has a heart for adoption, and is passionate about counseling. Therefore, she is honored to be serving as the International Education Counselor.
	International Social Worker: Ashley Yeager, LGSW Ashley joined the Lifeline staff in October of 2011. She earned a Bachelors degree in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Mobile in 2009. She also earned a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Alabama in 2011, and is a Licensed Social Worker. She currently lives in Birmingham with her husband Bryan. At Lifeline, Ashley is blessed to be involved in the post adoption process with families who have adopted internationally. She is very grateful to be apart of the Lifeline staff and excited about seeing God work through adoption.
	Domestic Adoption Staff
	Supervisor of Domestic Social Services: Margo Harwell, LGSW Margo has been with Lifeline since March, 2005. She has a Master’s degree in Social Work from Louisiana State University and has worked with families and children in various settings for several years. She and her husband are the proud parents of three great children. Margo was personally blessed by adoption when her parents adopted her as a baby.
	Coordinator of Birth Mother & Foster Care Services: Laura Armstrong, LGSW Laura joined the Lifeline staff in January of 2006. She graduated with a Masters in Social Worker from the University of Alabama in May of 2004. Laura has experience in working with the foster care system of Alabama. Her previous position was to recruit and license foster homes for a therapeutic foster care agency. Her true passion has always been to offer Christian counsel to women in need. She is excited about the opportunity to minister God’s love to those he brings to Lifeline.
	Education Coordinator: Traci Newell, LBSW Traci is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and is a licensed social worker. She has worked in the adoption field since 2001 and at Lifeline since 2003. As Lifeline Children’s Service’s Education Coordinator, she is in charge of the education iniatives aimed at high school students, prospective foster parents, crisis pregnancy centers, mentors, and much more. Her passion is educating people about foster care and adoption so that they can serve the Lord in these ministries. She is the wife of Marc and mother of 2 beautiful daughters, Chrissy and Lily.
	Foster Care Social Worker: Allison Pittman Fuqua, LGSW Allison joined Lifeline in January of 2008. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Alabama and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from Samford University. Prior to joining staff, Allison interned at Lifeline in the areas of international adoption and maternity care. She has worked extensively in the International Department, primarily with Lifeline’s Latin American programs. She currently works in Lifeline’s Foster Care Department and is excited to have the opportunity to serve children and families in this capacity. Allison and her husband, Tyler, have the privilege of doing regular mission work in the country of Peru.
	Reunion Counselor: Sommer Bradshaw, LCSW, PIP Sommer joined the Lifeline staff in May of 2004. She is a licensed clinical social worker and has a background in counseling, with experience in a variety of different issues. Sommer works primarily with adults seeking a reunion with their birth parents. Being an adoptee herself, she is passionate about helping others in their adoption journey and in seeking information on their biological history.
	Domestic Social Worker: Renee Griffin, LBSW Renee obtained her Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Alabama. God led Renee to Lifeline Children’s Services in 1982 where she has worked with birth mothers, adoptive couples and foster families ever since. Currently, she works primarily with our domestic adoptive couples and co-ordinates our Lifeline interim foster care. She is married to Dan Griffin. They are the proud parents of four children and two grandchildren.
	Domestic Social Worker: Amy Griner, LBSW Amy earned a Bachelor of Social Work from Taylor University in 1987. She has a variety of social work experience including working with physically and mentally disabled adults, child protection, and women experiencing a crisis pregnancy. For many years, God has fostered a passion for adoption and orphan care in her life. Amy is excited to be working at Lifeline with prospective adoptive parents seeking to grow their families through domestic adoption. Amy and her husband Dewayne are privileged to be the parents of 3 young adult children: Ben, Sam, and Emily.
	Birth Mother Counselor: Gina Linden, LGSW Gina came to Lifeline in January of 2003. Gina received her Masters in Social Work from Florida State University. She uses her administrative gifting to assist in various detailed needs in Lifeline’s domestic program. She also works with birth mothers considering adoption. She enjoys meeting with the women to discuss adoption and offering the truth of Jesus Christ. The freedom of sharing with girls was the driving force that led her to leave her home in Florida, where she worked with clients who were dealing with substance use and abuse.
	Birth Mother Counselor: Kara Leigh Pritchard, LBSW Kara Leigh earned her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Auburn University in 2008, and is humbled by the opportunity to work with women who are courageously considering adoption for their unborn child. She believes it is the character and heart of God to be known in these places, that the comfort, peace and wholeness of Christ may be made full in the lives of the brave women who would consider such a selfless act. She is thankful to be a part of this ministry here at Lifeline, and is expectant to see God move His Kingdom forward in the days to come.
	Birth Mother Counselor: Michelle Stabb, LBSW Michelle moved from Kansas to join the Lifeline family in August of 2010. She graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Social Work from Fort Hays State University. She is humbled to be able to support, encourage, and walk through the beautiful choice of adoption with courageous birthmothers. Michelle knows it is an honor to represent such a reputable agency, and is excited to see God continue to move in big ways.
	Alabama Case Workers
	Central Alabama Case worker: April Martin, LGSW April served as an intern with Lifeline in the early 1990’s after receiving a degree in social work from Auburn University. After graduation she joined the Save-A-Life staff as a social worker. She and her husband, James, are the parents of 2 adopted children. In August 2001 April joined Lifeline as a Central Alabama Case Worker in one of our satellite offices.
	Central Alabama Case worker: Melinda Lanier, LGSW Melinda grew up in Eclectic, AL. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Asbury University and a Master’s of Social Work from the University of Alabama. She enjoys helping people and is honored to do so through such a prestigious organization. She joins Lifeline on a part-time basis to serve Central Alabama through adoptions, birthmother counseling, and adoption awareness.
	Central Alabama Case Worker: Maegan Schwindling, LBSW Maegan was excited to join the team of Lifeline in February of 2011. She is a licensed social worker with a Bachelors of Social Work from The University of Alabama. She serves birthmothers, domestic families, international families, and crisis-pregnancy centers in the Central Alabama area. She and her husband reside in Montgomery, Alabama. In the past, Maegan had several close friends adopt internationally through Lifeline. Because of those relationships, she has always had a place in her heart for Lifeline’s ministry. She is very grateful to be apart of their team as a social worker.
	North Alabama Case Worker: Gisella Sharpe, LBSW Gisella joined the Lifeline team in March 2011. God moved her into this ministry after working for a number of years serving children and families involved with the state foster care system and public education system. She graduated from Alabama A& M University in 2000 with a Bachelor’s of Social Work and she is professionally licensed. Sella sees her work with Lifeline as an opportunity to help families share the love of Christ in their own homes and throughout the world. She and her husband Tim have three amazing children and love serving in their local church.
	South Alabama Case Worker: Lauren Strickland, LCSW Lauren joined the Lifeline staff in May of 2011. She graduated with a Masters in Social Work from Tulane University and has a background in counseling, having worked primarily with children and families in crisis situations. She now serves birthmothers, domestic families, international families, and crisis-pregnancy centers in the South Alabama area. She feels blessed to be a part of such an incredible mission and is grateful to have the opportunity to walk alongside birthmothers and families on their journey and to share with them the healing and restoration Christ alone brings.
	Lifeline Village Staff
	Lifeline Village Coordinator: Keesha Franklin Kesha Franklin is the Program Coordinator at Lifeline Village, Lifeline’s Maternity Home. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and is currently working on her Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling. She enjoys every opportunity to minister the love of God to all those she comes in contact with on a daily basis. God has placed a passion within her to minister to the needs of young girls and women. She has been married for over ten years and has 3 wonderful children.
	(un)adopted Staff
	(un)adopted Coordinator: Amy Floyd Amy earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Auburn University in 2008. Before joining Lifeline in 2011 Amy served on the mission field in East Asia for 2 years. Amy is currently working on her graduated degree from Beeson Divinity School. She is working with our (un)adopted ministry and enjoys all the ends and outs that goes into her position as (un)adopted coordinator. Amy is thankful to be a part of this ministry and excited to see the hope of the gospel transform communities of disenfranchised orphans and abandoned children.
	Ambassadors to the Dominican Republic: Jason and Michelle Little Jason and Michelle joined Lifeline in November of 2010. They serve as Lifeline’s ambassadors to Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. The Little’s have a passion to shepherd community leaders to meet the needs of the marginalized & vulnerable people in their communities by developing an outward focus among local churches and para-church ministries through holistic community transformation. Their desire is for today’s orphaned and forgotten children to become tomorrow’s leaders in overcoming spiritual, social, and economic poverty through the gospel. Jason and Michelle and their daughters, Kaelyn and Marli, moved to Puerto Plata in June of 2011.
	Dominican Republic Operations Manager: Jaime Soto
	Georgia Staff
	Georgia State Director: Daniel Taylor, LBSW Daniel holds a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Social Work from Auburn University. He served on staff with an at-risk children’s ministry for over two years before the Lord directed him to serve with Lifeline. Through the experience of seeing the pain of so many children growing up in broken families, he has developed a passion to see children raised in loving, Christian homes by both father and mother. Daniel and his wife Sarah have two sons, Daniel Isaac and Noah David. Daniel and his family are excited to be currently adopting from Uganda.
	Georgia Case Worker: Joy O’Malley, LMSW Joy received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Social Work from the University of Georgia and is a Licensed Social Worker. She gained invaluable experience working as a School Social Worker for two years.She has always had a heart for adoption, and is excited to now be a part of it working with Lifeline in Georgia. She is thankful to be able to work with birthmothers and domestic & international adoptions, as well as provide adoption education services. She is happily married to Garrick O’Malley and currently lives in Peachtree City, Georgia.
	International Adoption Specialist: Amy Hart Amy has worked for Lifeline since 2010 and was a volunteer for Lifeline for several years prior after the adoption of their daughter Jillian from China. Amy graduated from Stephen F. Austin University with a Bachelors in Education that included an emphasis on social work. Upon graduation Amy taught parent education classes to pregnant and parenting teenagers in a Texas school district. Amy and her husband Mike have served as foster parents for the state of Alabama and for Lifeline Children’s Services. Working with foster care and adoption has been a dream ever since high school . Seeing this dream come to fruition has been such a blessing. Amy and Mike live in Atlanta with their three children, James, Lynsey and Jillian
	International Adoption Specialist: Andrea Sisler
	Kansas Staff
	International Adoption Specialist: Lisa Kelly Lisa graduated from the University of Iowa in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. In 2003, adoption touched her and her husband’s heart as they awaited the adoption of their daughter from China. In 2004, Lisa began working in adoption. Lisa wanted other families to know and feel the same love that they had been BLESSED with by the adoption of their daughter. Children are a passion for both Lisa and her husband. They feel that every child deserves to know and feel the love of God through their parents. Lisa, her husband Pat, and 3 children, Ryan, Bailey, and Ella live in Kansas. Lisa joined the Lifeline staff in December of 2010 and is honored to be a part of Lifeline Children’s Services.
	Kentucky Staff
	International Adoption Specialist: Lesley Scott Lesley holds a Master’s Degree in Education from Liberty University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Boyce College (major in Bible, minor in counseling). She is a gifted case worker with over 10 years of experience in administration. Lesley is an adoptive mom and she hopes to utilize her personal adoption experiences as she ministers to families of Lifeline. Lesley considers it a privilege to walk the adoption journey with families and has a passion and love for adopted children. She is humbled to be a part of this exciting and growing ministry. Lesley and her husband, Thom, are happily parenting two boys, Eli and Noah, both adopted from Ethiopia.
	International Adoption Assistant: Brittney Armstrong Brittney holds both a Bachelors and Master’s Degree in Teaching from the University of Louisville. She worked in elementary education for 7 years. Brittney left the classroom to stay at home after her family adopted their son, Dawit, from Ethiopia in 2010. Brittney is very passionate about orphan care and adoption and is excited to walk with families through the adoption process. In addition to Dawit, James and Brittney have two sweet daughters; Gracie and Avery.
	Washington Staff
	Washington State Director: Kari Almquist , BSW Kari holds a Bachelors degree of Social work from Walla Walla College in College Place Wa. She joined the Lifeline team in 2012. Kari is excited to be able to offer support to those adopting in Washington through Lifeline Children’s Services. She is humbled to be a part of such an amazing ministry uniting orphans with their forever families. She and her husband Mark have 5 children, their youngest daughter was adopted from China. Kari is passionate about Lifeline’s mission of offering a hope and a future for children around the world.
	Washington Case Worker: Chris Clarke, MSW,ACSW Chris holds a master of social work degree from Boston University and has many years of experience in adoption, medical social work and as faculty at a state university. She is passionate about adoption and is excited to be serving children and families in their path toward each other and beyond. She joined Lifeline in 2011. Chris and her husband, Bob, are the parents of two adult children – one by birth (a pastor) and one by adoption (a teacher of ESL) – and three granddaughters.