SPEAKERS — Filled

Jamie Finn

Jamie C. Finn is the author of best-selling book Foster the Family, the founder and president of Foster the Family, the host of the Real Mom podcast, the founder and owner of Goods and Better, a TBRI practitioner, and a sought-after speaker for retreats, conferences, and events for foster and adoptive parents. Her popular social media accounts offer a glimpse into the real life of a foster parent and provide encouragement to thousands of foster parents. Jamie is wife to Alan and the mother to seven children, including her two biological children, three adopted children, and two children welcomed through foster care. Jamie is passionate about encouraging and equipping foster and adoptive parents and advocating for vulnerable children and families.

KIMBERLY GLAUDY

Kimberly Glaudy is a resident of Houston, TX who has worked in youth and community development organizations for over 20 years. She received her Bachelor's degree in Cultural Anthropology and coupled that with a Master's in Organizational Management and Leadership. Kimberly's dedication to serving others led her to career opportunities working alongside homeless families, Somali refugees, children and youth in state custody, minor females who survived sex trafficking, as well as lay church members. In 2018, Kimberly joined the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at Texas Christian University. In this position, Kimberly taught Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) to service providers in various sectors throughout the United States and globally.
Today, Kimberly leads a therapeutic group practice dedicated to meeting the clinical needs of underserved population and people of faith. When Kimberly is not providing therapy, training, or participating in public speaking engagements, she is making great memories with her wonderful husband or with one of her five dynamic adult children.

Jennifer Woolley

Jennifer has a unique adoption perspective because she has walked through the adoption journey as a birthmother and as an adoptive mother. Faced with an unplanned pregnancy at 18, she made the heart wrenching choice to place her son for adoption. After marrying her husband, God led them through infertility to reveal His plan for them to grow their family through adoption. Twelve years after placing her son for adoption, they were given the chance to become parents through the very same adoption agency.
As an adoptive mom, Jennifer attempts to embrace the loss and rejection that she feels as a birthmother, as an opportunity to help her sons better understand the complexities of their own stories and see their adoptions as a loving choice.
By vulnerably sharing her story, she hopes that those touched by adoption will be encouraged and equipped and that it will serve to demonstrate the provision and faithfulness of a loving God, who can use even the deepest of hurts, for His glory and our good.

Jason Johnson

Jason is a writer and speaker who encourages families and equips church and organizational leaders on their foster care and adoption journeys.
He currently serves as the National Director of The Pure Religion Project with Christian Alliance for Orphans. In his work he develops resources, coaches leaders and teaches in a variety of contexts on church-based ministry structures, organizational leadership and strategy. He is also a sought-after speaker for churches, retreats, conferences, and events for foster and adoptive parents as well as for those considering getting involved.
Prior to his work at CAFO Jason spent 14 years in church staff ministry, including planting and pastoring a church in Houston. It’s there that his family's foster care journey began.
Jason and his wife, Emily live in Texas with their daughters. He has authored 4 books: Reframing Foster Care, Everyone Can Do Something, The ALL IN Curriculum and Effectively Engaging Churches. You can find many of his resources at www.jasonjohnsonblog.com.

Kondo Simfukwe

Kondo Simfukwe is an advocate for vulnerable populations, a sought-after speaker, host, and event emcee committed to bringing people together and reminding us of our shared humanity.
After a trip to Haiti with his wife, Melissa, they felt moved by their faith to adopt three sisters from Haiti—a decision that changed their lives forever. Together, they have become advocates for vulnerable populations, foster youth, and adoption. He believes regardless of our circumstances, we all have the power to change the life of a vulnerable child.
When Kondo is not on stage, he enjoys playing games with his family, attending his kids’ events, serving his church, running, playing tennis, or trekking the hiking trails of his hometown. Kondo aspires to be remembered not only as a captivating speaker who brought people together but also as a man devoted to his family, a champion for equality, and someone who brought light and life into every space he walked into.

Mia Arrington

Mia Arrington is a former foster youth, adoptee, and a licensed social worker, who is passionate about mental health and encouraging healing for adoptees, adoptive parents, former foster youth, birth parents and more. Mia is the owner of A Fostered Love LLC, a space where she uses her voice to speak truth about her lived experienced while pointing back to the only source who can speak truth and heal hearts, Yahweh.
Mia is trained in ADOPTS a trauma-based, attachment theory focused certification to help children, adolescents and caregivers navigate the impact foster care and/or adoption has had on their lives. She currently serves clients at South Collective Counseling in Parsippany, NJ. Mia is passionate about encouraging others to know what God's love looks like and how to live a life reflective of that same love. Mia co-hosted the Fallow House Podcast and has been featured in The Forgotten Initiative Podcast & From Foster to __ podcast.
When Mia is not working, she is a wife, mom, daughter, sister and friend. She is from North Jersey and enjoys reading (especially Biblical Fiction), the beach, traveling and so much more. She is an encourager and cheerleader by nature, always cheering friends to be who God made them to be and to walk in the purpose He has for their lives. She loves encouraging others to dig deep in God’s work, ask questions and get to know the God who loves them dearly.

Stef Loveland, MS

Stef Loveland is deeply passionate about Jesus, people, and adoption. As a mom, wife, daughter, friend, and counselor, Stef is grateful to pursue all three. As an adoptee herself & a Mom through adoption, Stef has a heart that beats fast for leaning into adoptee stories and navigating all of the elements involved, specifically grief and loss. Stef’s story has been shaped significantly by her faith, adoption, and her Mom moving Home to Heaven in 2017. Stef and her husband West love adventuring with their son Shepherd, daughter Annie, and their two dogs Kamp and Boomer.

Stef began her therapy career in private practice with a focus on identity development and journeying with adoptees and their families. Currently Stef counsels, speaks, & is writing her first book, Kept. As well as a series of therapeutic guidebooks to serve hearts well inside and outside of therapy. Stef holds a M.S. in Community Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from John Brown University. Additionally she holds her B.S. in Elementary Education from Pittsburg State University and spent a Bible Institute year studying leadership and Bible.

Mary Ann McMillan

Dr. Mary Ann McMillan, a former foster youth and adoptee, is an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at Azusa Pacific University. Her educational background includes Law and Criminal Justice, Intercultural Studies, and a Doctorate in Education focused on orphan care in Rwanda. She has extensive experience working in various capacities in nearly 30 countries, providing training and support in various areas for Christian NGOs and government officials.
Dr. McMillan is passionate about advocating for foster youth and adoptees, as well as championing human rights. She is actively involved in ministry roles, including serving on the Outreach team and women's Bible study at her local church. In her leisure time, Dr. McMillan enjoys reading, traveling, watching movies, and capturing moments through photography. She loves to write and values time spent with her large family of 80 nieces and nephews.

Kristen Thomas

Kristen is a foster/adoptive single mom who also aged out of the foster care system herself as a teen. She is currently in graduate school in pursuit of her license in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Regent University. While Kristen has recently closed her foster home to pursue higher education, her doors have remained open to other aged out foster youth as they transition into programs and or stability.
Kristen and her adoptive daughter Elise have been featured in a PBS Special with Lidia Bastianich which highlights Kristen's overcoming incredible odds and adversity. In 2008, Singer and Songwriter Matthew West wrote the song "The Story of Your Life" to honor the testimony of Kristen following Jesus in the midst of aging out of foster care. Above all, Kristen is loving being a mom and pursuing her passions of seeing systems and communities transformed in their care of vulnerable populations.

Lainie Hartley
[Melinda Melo]

Melinda is one of nine children born to her mother, Annie, who struggled with several undiagnosed mental illnesses while living in the slums of Regent Park, Toronto, Canada. Melinda was neglected and exposed to violence, abuse, crime, and substance abuse. At three years old, Melinda’s mother surrendered her into the foster care system for a year, and then again, when she was nine.
At fifteen, Melinda escaped her kinship home and embarked on a naïve and lonesome independence that continued the familiar cycle of abuse and trauma she was accustomed to. Melinda reunited with siblings and became consumed by the depths of their generational trauma. At her lowest, Melinda entered a Christ-Centered recovery program that changed the course of her life. With newfound hope and stability in Jesus, she met Mike, who showed her how to love, and be loved, unconditionally.
Melinda went to college to study mental illness, developmental disabilities, and dual diagnoses, graduating with honours. Her studies led her to pursue a redemptive relationship with her mother, who she and her siblings tirelessly, boldly, and emphatically advocated for to receive treatment. Mike and Melinda welcomed her into their home in 2023, and became her caregiver.
Melinda and Mike have been married for 14 years and enjoy life in the country outside of London, ON. Together they are biological parents to Molly and Lilly, adoptive parents to their son, Oakley, and have welcomed several children into their home through foster care.
Melinda is an advocate, traveling speaker, and author of her memoir, "Simply Neglect," which will be released during the summer of 2024.

Melissa Corkum

As an adoptee and adoptive mom, Melissa Corkum provides insight and resources to adoptees, parents and professionals through her speaking, coaching, and writing. She is a TED Speaker, Safe and Sound Protocol Practitioner, Cultivate Connection Facilitator, Certified Enneagram Coach, and co-founder of Adoption Wise. Additionally, she co-authored *Reclaim Compassion* and *Foundations for Overcoming and Preventing Blocked Care*. Melissa and Patrick live in Maryland and have six kids and two grandchildren.

BRIttany Salmon

Brittany Salmon is a professor, writer, and Bible teacher. She has a MA in intercultural studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, an MA in teaching from NC State University, and she has a doctorate from Southeastern Seminary. She is the author of the book It Takes More Than Love with Moody Publishers.
Brittany is passionate about taking theology and applying it to everyday life. And yet the people closest to her think of her as the friend who loves oversized sweatpants and a great conversation over coffee. She lives in Wilmington, North Carolina with her best friend, Ben, and their five children.

Aixa de LÓPez

Guatemalan mom to four: Two of which came through the miracle of adoption.
Graphic designer, published author/illustrator and public speaker. She serves as board member with Christian Alliance for Orphans and also with Alianza Cristiana para los Huérfanos.

Jackie Darby

In 1963 I was an abandoned newborn baby left to die in the garbage dump of Seoul Korea until I was found by a missionary nurse. The scars on my body from the rat bites are a constant reminder of the abandonment & rejection that I experienced the first days of my life while I laid amongst the garbage. I was then placed in an orphanage and became eligible for adoption….
Today I am a full-time missionary with my husband Randall in Guatemala, and we are the founders of our ministry Start With One Global. This December we will celebrate 30 years of living and serving on the mission field. (Our first year was spent studying Spanish in Guadalajara, Mexico and the last 29 years have been in Guatemala.) We’ve been happily married for almost 34 years and enjoy our adult kids Caleb & Jenna who were born and raised on the mission field. During the first eight years in Guatemala, Randall & I established a youth home for orphaned /abandoned teenagers and a total of 17 teens lived with us over the course of eight years as if they were our own kids. For 17 years we also had a unique ministry “El Oasis” for women who worked in prostitution. We came along side of those who were willing to leave this lifestyle behind and start a new life for themselves and their children. Currently we are focused on encouraging and empowering leaders in a variety of ways to create self-sustainable resources so that they can have a greater impact in their communities with the Gospel.

Jodi Jackson Tucker

Jodi Jackson Tucker leads Second Mothers, a global community of women united to support foster and adoptive parents and vulnerable children. Second Mothers offers events for parents, an online support group, a video channel, and relief to vulnerable mothers and children in crisis. Jodi previously served as the Global Director of Orphan Sunday for the Christian Alliance for Orphans, where she led the expansion to more than 90 nations. She is the author three books, including Healing for Every Heart in Adoption, Second Mother: A Bible Study Experience for Foster and Adoptive Moms and Fasten Your Sweet Belt: 10 Things You Need to Know About Older Child Adoption. Jodi earned her Master’s Degree at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and is a Certified Chaplain. She serves on the council of Safe Families, which seeks to prevent children from entering foster care. Jodi is a recipient of the Angels in Adoption award from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. She and her husband, Jerry, are parents of eight adult children, five through domestic and international adoption.

Dr. Sharen Ford

Dr. Sharen Ford is the director for Focus on the Family’s foster care and adoption efforts. In this role, she helps raise awareness of the need for foster parents, adoptive families to provide loving and stable homes for the more than 391,000 children in the U.S. foster care system. She also makes post-placement resources available for those involved in the life of a child in foster care—for a season, or a lifetime. Prior to her current role, Ford worked for child welfare services at the Colorado State Department of Human Services where she served as the manager for permanency services. She is the former president of the National Association of State Adoption Programs (NASAP) and the Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on Adoption Medical Assistance (AAICAMA). Ford has won several awards including the Paul Singer Award from the Congressional Coalition for Adoption Institute; the Adoption Activist Award from the North American Council for Adoptable Children; the Adoption Excellence Award from the Federal Department of Health and Human Services; and the Minority Adoption Leadership Development Institute Award. Ford received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from Benedictine College, a Master of Education from the University of Missouri – St. Louis and holds a doctorate in counseling psychology from Cornerstone University. Ford lives in Aurora, Colorado. She enjoys spending time with her daughter and grandson who’s in his sophomore year at an HBCU.

Ann Maura Hinton

Ann-Maura Hinton, MS Ed, Ed Therapist is the director of Bridge Educational Service, a ministry of Lifeline Children’s Services. She has over thirty years of teaching experience in a variety of different learning environments with children with learning differences. Ann-Maura is the mother of three grown children and lives in Cary, North Carolina with her husband, Robbie.

Sara worley

Sara Worley is a family therapist and the manager of the Parent Coaching Program at Lifeline Children's Services, a holistic orphan care ministry headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama and serving all 50 states and around the world. Sara received a Master of Arts in Church and Community Ministries from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a Masters of Social Work from the University of Alabama before joining the staff at Lifeline in 2019. Sara focuses her therapeutic work on trauma and adoption, and particularly values equipping and partnering with parents in the therapeutic process. Sara is married to her husband Collier and they live in Birmingham with their cat, Biggie.