Donna has been with Heart to Heart from its very beginnings. She advocates for the best practices for birth families and loves working with the staff. Donna loves fall because of all the food!
Jodi is the Clinical Director at Heart to Heart Adoptions and provides compassionate and comprehensive support to adoptive families, birth parents, and adoptees. Jodi completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies in 2002. She then completed her Master’s Degree in Social Work in 2004 and earned her License as a Clinical Social worker in 2008. Jodi has worked with individuals and families in a variety of settings. She began working in community-based programs to provide support to at-risk youth and families. This led to her interest in helping develop an intensive mentoring program for incarcerated youth, and eventually to working with homeless young adults in Chicago. Jodi previously worked in Adoptions as a Birth Mother Case Manager, Adoptive Family Case Manager, and Program Director. She also had the opportunity to train volunteers and professionals on Infant Adoption Awareness throughout the state of Utah. In addition, Jodi has experience providing individual, couples, and family counseling. She finds great joy in helping others manage difficult situations, establish connections to resources, and build greater happiness in their lives. Some days we witness painful, life-changing decisions and great miracles come together. I’m grateful that I get to help build families. I enjoy working with Birth Parents, Adoptive Parents, and Adoptees. They trust us during vulnerable times and inspire me with their great love and persistence. Adoption is not an easy path, but it is worth the miracles.
I have been with Heart to Heart Adoptions for 13 years. I love talking with families, helping them understand the process, and supporting them through their journey to grow their family. I also love getting to know the courageous, brave women choosing adoption for their child. I am passionate about my work. It has been a joy working along side the amazing women here at Heart to Heart.
Patti likes working at Heart to Heart Adoptions because of the commaraderie within the team. "We work well together and play well together." Spring is Patti's favorite season because the days are getting longer.
Luci completed her degree in Social Work at the University of Utah - Go UTES!! She is certified in non-violent communication and also enjoys working with individuals in recovery. Luci has served on the board of numerous non-profit organizations as well as in many leadership positions. Luci has been with Heart to Heart for almost 15 years. She has worked in almost every capacity within the agency. Luci finds it inspiring to watch the connections form between birth families and adoptive families. Seeing endless miracles while working with Heart to Heart has made her truly believe that everything happens for a reason. In her spare time, Luci enjoys traveling, watching trash TV, reading, and spending time with her husband and seven kids.
ViAnn likes working at Heart to Heart Adoptions because she gets to use her skill and creativity to benefit the business. ViAnn's favorite season is summer because she loves to get outside and walk.
Nancys favorite thing about Heart to Heart Adoptions is the relationships she has developed. Nancy favorite season is fall because she loves the beautiful colors, the crisp smells, the perfect temperatures, and football.
Michelle's loves working at Heart to Heart Adoptions because she loves birth moms. She loves talking to them, getting to know their unique needs, and assisting them in anyway possible. Michelle also loves the staff. Michelle's favorite season is summer because of the sunshine and the beach!
Darla has worked with women, young women, children and families for over 35 years. She received a bachelor's degree in Family Studies and is presently finishing a master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. At Heart to Heart, her talents are varied as she works with birth mothers and adoptive families; relinquishments; marketing; and research and development. Darla works in the Adoptive Family Department matching birth families and adoptive families, supporting adoptive families through the adoption process.
Sharyn has a bachelor's degree in Family Life with an emphasis on family counseling from Brigham Young University. She is currently working on her MBA at Western Governors University and will be graduating in 2022. Sharyn is a family and baby photographer. She has worked at Heart to Heart Adoptions for four years. She was previously a member of the Board of Directors for Non-Profit Organization. She is also fluent in French.
Katie has a double B.S. in Graphic and Web Design from Utah Valley University. Katie has been with Heart to Heart Adoption for three years working with web design and as a case manager. Katie was a graphic designer at McNeil Printing prior to working with Heart to Heart . Katie is also a talented photographer using her skills at weddings, graduation, and with some of our adorable newborns. Katie loves all forms of creating from drawing, painting to planning a party. Previously, Katie was a case manager at the Adoption Center for Choice, a position she loved. As an adoptee herself, Katie feels privileged to work in adoption as a way to paying it forward for her wonderful life.
Deanna has been with Heart to Heart Adoptions for over seven years. Deanna has two passions in her life: children and numbers. Working at Heart to Heart, Deanna can fulfill both passions. Deanna has a Montessori teaching certificate. Deanna is a certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor. You can often hear Deanna express her commitment to both adoptive families and birth parents alike in honoring the business side of adoption as precious and sacred.
"You will have to make up for the smallest of your size by the courage and selfless devotion to duty, for it is not life that matters, but the courage, fortitude and determination you bring to it". - Muhammad Ali Jinnah Hi guys. My name is Mallory, I just turned 20, but don't let my age fool you. I graduated from high school a year early. I will be going to the University of Utah in the fall of 2022. I volunteer with the American Red Cross regularly. I enjoy reading, walking and rock climbing. Not to brag or anything but I do make some of the best popcorn, -it's on par with the movie theaters. I believe that hard work is very important for success. I am not afraid to get my hands dirty to accomplish my goals. I aim to be dependable. I hold integrity with the highest value. Everything i do, I keep integrity in mind. I am an introvert but forming connections with other people make life worth living. If you had asked me what I would be doing for my job almost 2 years ago, working at an adoption agency would have never been an option. To be honest sometimes I feel like I am going insane, but I can't imagine my life without being submerged in the adoption world. One of my core values is helping people. I love that this job allows that. I am extremely blessed to make a difference in people's lives. These people range from AMAZING coworkers to STRONG birthmothers to KIND adoptive families. I don't deal a lot with the adoptees since they're usually babies, but I love to see the growth that happens. It takes my breath away. I work in the legal department. I create files, input data, communicate with attorneys and different states. I love to see how all the pieces come (case management, traveling, legal, adoptive family department and financial) together to result in something truly beautiful. I believe that you get out of life whatever you put in. I know that Heart to Heart Adoptions is putting good into the world, and I am lucky to be apart of it. I can't even express how meaningful it is to me.
Lori has a BA in Communications and has loved being part of Heart to Heart Adoptions for seven years. As a case manager, she enjoyed the close interactions in caring for birth mothers as they progressed in their journey through pregnancy, birth, and sharing life. As Legal Coordinator, Lori values accurate paperwork and records as she prepares for placement signing, coordinates with attorneys, agencies, and judges for finalizing, and complies with the laws of Utah State Licensing. She loves conversing with adoptive families in explaining the process after being matched with a birth mother. Lori considers it a great please to work with a staff of talented, kind, good-hearted women who truly watch over and care for our birth mothers and adoptive families.
Kathy received her Bachelor's Degree in Child Development. She has experience in working with both children and adults in various settings. She has served in leadership positions, as well as worked with multiple non-profit organizations. She volunteered for months with an organization in Costa Rica because she loves interacting with people from different backgrounds. At Heart to Heart Adoptions, Kathy helps birth mothers in the adoption process and supports them along the way. She finds joy in making connections with and learning from the birth mothers, adoptive families, and her coworkers.
As a mother of two, I realize how parenthood is a special gift in this life. I love seeing the connection of the birth families with the adoptive families and the lifelong commitment they make to one another to ensure each child feels loved and cared for throughout life. This position can be emotionally challenging at times but also very rewarding. I love to read, learn, cook, and spend time with my family! Wendy works closely with our birth families, making sure they feel cared for and supported. She strives to make the adoption experience for birth mothers her number one priority through their emotional journey. Wendy began her career with a twenty-year leadership position, helping manage a team of over 85 employees and a budget of over $1 million annually. Her passion for people led her to work in the health policy field, becoming a community outreach coordinator for Utah Health Policy Project. Wendy believes policy directed at helping families is always the right direction. She has a BS in Child Development and Family Studies, a BS in Community and Consumer Studies, and a minor in Political Science. As a mother of two, Wendy realizes how parenthood is a special gift in this life. She loves seeing the connection of birth families with adoptive families and the lifelong commitment they make to one another in ensuring each child feels loved and cared for throughout life. “This position can be emotionally challenging at times,” Wendy admits, “but also very rewarding.” In her spare time, she loves to read, learn, cook and spend time with her family.
Being a part of something bigger than herself is why Sherry has been at Heart to Heart for over 15 years. She feels honored to be a small part in the incredible journey of adoption. She loves springtime because it brings about hope and, she says, "the weather is perfect!"
Heart to Heart Adoptions
101 North Marion Suite 208
Oak Park, Ill 60301
Phone 708-663-4189
Call toll free:
Birth Parents 877-437-3424
Adoptive Parents 866-712-3678[/su_column] [su_column size=”2/3″][su_gmap width=”500″ height=”380″ address=”1110 North Boulevard, Oak Park, IL 60301″][/su_column][/su_row]
