Julie Gumm
Julie is married to her high-school sweetheart and the mother of four children from two continents. As an adoptive mother, she is passionate about helping people understand the many different ways they can care for the fatherless. Julie and her husband have been debt free since 2007. God’s provision for the cost of their adoption inspired Julie to write the Amazon #1 Bestseller “Adopt Without Debt: Creative Ways to Cover the Cost of Adoption.” She loves speaking to groups on adoption, global orphan care, and financial freedom, and has been a guest on The Dave Ramsey Show.
Presenting “Debt-Free Adoption”
Aaron Eske
Growing up in Nebraska, Aaron watched Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego Monday-through-Friday on the carpet while eating a bag of Ruffles potato chips. As a result, to this day he has high cholesterol and can recite nearly every word to the theme song. After he moved away from Nebraska, Aaron had the opportunity to put on his global gumshoe shoes in earnest as he journeyed in search of his adopted siblings’ orphanages and origins. A family trauma during his teenage years had severed his connections with his siblings and in order to close the distance, he traveled to 23 cities throughout India, Korea, and Ethiopia visiting the places where his brother and sisters lived while he ate Ruffles on the carpet. Workwise, Aaron’s done everything from cleaning strangers’ apartments in London’s Soho to serving as Press Secretary for Senator Ben Nelson. Most recently he was the Communications Director of the Angelina Jolie-supported Global Action for Children and currently helps non-profits spread their word at M+R Strategic Services. For more, see autobiography: My Family, A Symphony (A Memoir of Global Adoption).
Presenting “Adoption’s Footsteps & Missteps” and “Politics of Adoption & How Affects Your Adoption”
Robyn Gobbel
Robyn Gobbel, LCSW is a therapist in private practice in Austin, TX. Her therapy practice specializes in adoption, trauma, and attachment. Robyn holds a certificate in Therapy with Foster and Adoptive Children and Families from Portland State University. She is trained in the EMDR Integrative Team Treatment Approach developed by the Attachment and Trauma Center of Nebraska, which was developed to treat children with early developmental trauma. In addition to her clinical work, Robyn is the President of the Board of Directors of Adoption Knowledge Affiliates, a non-profit organization dedicated to the education and support of all adoption triad members. Robyn blogs about parenting, adoption, and adoptive parenting at www.gobbelcounseling.com/blog.
Presenting “Attaching After Adoption” and “Understanding Behaviors in Your Adopted Child”
Candice Thompson, MOTR
Hi! I’m Candice Thompson, lover of God, my husband, my handsome son (whose birth country is DRC), coffee, running in trails, laughing until my stomach hurts, visiting with old friends and new ones, exploring new places in Indianapolis and across the globe. I truly enjoy life and appreciate the opportunity to be invited into others lives through my profession and passion. I attended Anderson University where I met my husband on the cross-country team and we were married in 2005. I graduated in 2005 with my BA in Exercise Science and Psychology. I received a Masters in Occupational Therapy from the University of Indianapolis in 2008. I have worked in a variety of settings: burn unit, adult physical rehabilitation, school system, and outpatient pediatrics. I have worked with children with special needs for 9 years in various roles, but since 2007 as an occupational therapist. Ok, that’s the “official” stuff that is important, but what do I care most about… I care that individuals young and old are able to participate in life to the fullest! We all need help in life, some more than others and in different ways. At times occupational therapy (OT) is indicated to enrich a person’s life with tools for their toolbox to best participate and function in daily life. I consider it a great privilege to share a very important snapshot into the world of sensory processing and play techniques at the Crossroads of America Adoption Conference this year.
Presenting “Sensory Play Techniques”
Heidi Weimer
I am a 30-something nose-ringed mom to ten-going-on-something stellar kids (4 via my belly and 6 via adoption from Ethiopia), wife to one heroic husband, children’s book author, lover of justice, adoption promoter, and sold-out follower of Jesus. My mantra: “My life is not my own.” And one day that will be my tattoo. Maybe.
Presenting “Staying the Course: Perservering In Process & Post-Adoption” and “Older Children & Special Needs Panel”
Pamela Reilly
Pamela Reilly, CNHP, CNC, CPH, is a Naturopathic Practitioner in Indianapolis who has over 25 years of experience helping families improve health and behavioral issues. Pamela and her husband are blessed to have a blended family that includes step children, adopted children, children of three different races, children with behavioral issues, children with special needs, children who are gifted … and an abundance of love. She is also a former foster parent. Pamela’s experience parenting and fostering children with diverse needs taught her much about how food affects behavior. She combined her parenting experience with advanced training in Naturopathy, Nutrition, Herbalism and other complementary therapies. She is currently finishing a doctorate program in Naturopathic Medicine. By using a holistic, family-based approach, Pamela helps many parents improve their own health and behavioral issues as they help their children. Pamela’s passion to help others grew after she endured a variety of extreme health conditions which no one could alleviate. Through extensive research and study, Pamela was able to identify and eliminate the cause of her symptoms and was able to reverse them. She was also able to drop from taking sixteen prescription medications daily to only taking two. She understands what it’s like to be sick and tired of being sick and tired and applies her passion and compassion to helping others rise above and conquer their illnesses.
Presenting “Impact of Nutrition on Behavior”
Dr. Boris Gindis
Boris Gindis, Ph.D. received his doctorate in developmental psychology at the Moscow Academic Research Institute of General and Educational Psychology and his post-doctoral training in School Psychology at the City University of New York. He is a licensed psychologist (NY and AZ) and a nationally certified bilingual (Russian/English) school psychologist. Dr. Gindis specializes in clinical work and research in the field of international adoption. He is the founder and Chief Psychologist for the Center for Cognitive-Developmental Assessment and Remediation (BGCenter) located in Airmont NY and Phoenix (AZ) (www.bgcenter.com) . The Center provides developmental, psychological, and educational evaluations and other services for internationally adopted children in cooperation with a network of bilingual mental health and education specialists. Dr. Gindis is the principal instructor at the BGCenter Online School (www.bgcenterSchool.org) where he teaches courses for parents of internationally adopted children and school and adoption agency professionals. Dr. Gindis is the author of over 60 scientific articles and book chapters, has served as a guest editor for psychology journals, and has been a keynote speaker at national and international conferences.
Presenting “Successful Advocacy in Schools for Internationally Adopted Children”
Amber (aka AmFam) from American Family
Amber is the mother of two girls: one biological daughter (9) and one daughter who was adopted from Asia (6). She the author of American Family (http://american-family.org), a popular blog about parenthood, adoption and life in her Midwestern interracial family. Despite the popular belief that it is impossible find a birth family in her daughter’s home country, Amber successfully searched for and located her daughter’s birth family in 2010. Her daughter’s two families met for the first time in early 2011. By sharing the joys and challenges of opening an adoption that straddles tow cultures, Amber hopes to help other adoptive parents make informed choices about birthparent searches, making contact and openness.
Presenting “Open International Adoption”
Christina Romo
Christina Romo is a Korean adoptee who was adopted by a wonderful family when she was two-years-old. She is not a social worker, but has been working for a national adoption organization for about six years. She served as a Guardian ad Litem and currently volunteers as a sexual violence crisis advocate. She also owns a part-time photography business. Earlier this year, she found her voice as an adoptee and shares her thoughts and experiences through her blog, “Diary of a Not-So-Angry Asian Adoptee”. She lives in Minnesota with her husband and their two biological sons.
“Transracial Adoption from an Adult Adoptee’s Perspective”
Shalimar Scott
Shalimar Scott is a single mother from Indiana. She has adopted 4 children, 2 boys domestically and 2 from Haiti. Shalimar knew from a young age that she was called to be a mother but she thought that would be in the traditional way. She attended Anderson University to pursue social work and never dreamed that she would become a single mother of 4. She began her mission work in Haiti 14 years ago and was moved by a young father who was searching for someone to care for his son and then 4 years later she was on a trip to Haiti when she met a baby girl with a life threatening condition that needed immediate medical care in the United States. She also knew a young mother in Indiana that was struggling to raise her 2 sons. She tried to mentor her for 12 years before realizing that the mother was not able to provide a stable home for her children. Shalimar was awarded custody when the boys were 12 and 8 and dealt with the challenges of taking in older children. She spends her time helping families through the process of Haitian adoptions and by directing a camp for families in the Midwest that have adopted from Haiti. Shalimar has dealt with the blessing and challenges of raising children from a different race and culture.
“Single Parent Adoption Panel”
Kimberly Wyman
As a single woman in her late twenties, Kimberly traveled to Guatemala to foster her son until he was legally able to leave his birth country. Forever changed by her experiences, she went on to bring her daughter home from Ethiopia immediately following her arrival back to the States. Once again molded by new experiences, Kimberly resigned from her design company and started a non-profit, ADOPT MORE, to build awareness of vulnerable children worldwide while being a full time mother. Kimberly is the author of “You are my baby. I am your mommy.”
“Single Parent Adoption Panel”
Brooke Randolph
Brooke Randolph’s interest in working in the adoption field began while supporting a friend making the choice for another couple to parent the child she was expecting. That experience led her to explore more information and resources about adoption.
Brooke brings to MLJ Adoptions, Inc. 15 years of child care and child education experience, a master’s degree in counseling, the experience of a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, training as an Adoption Specialist, Indiana family law trainings, experience as a Parenting Coordinator, a passion for the orphans of the world, and a heart to equip and prepare parents to create the best situation possible for each child. As Director of Adoption Preparation, Brooke reviews home studies for all of our clients, manages our education courses and seminars, and teaches some Adoption Preparation Education courses for prospective adoptive parents. Brooke is currently in the adoption process herself.
“Single Parent Adoption Panel”
Carrie Abbott
Carrie Abbott is a Korean adoptee. She lives in Indianapolis with her husband Jake and their two biological daughters, Eva (5) and Maddie (8). Carrie is passionate about food, small business development, social media, and the hospitality industry. She is a candy maker and business owner of Frittle Candy made in Indianapolis and distributed throughout the city.
“Birth Parent & Adoptee Panel”
Kim Tant
Ms. Tant is a Case Manager for On Your Feet Foundation (OYFF). OYFF is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides personal support to birthparents to help them get “back on their feet.” OYFF focuses on helping clients build a better life by giving them the tools they need through case management and coaching, monetary grants and through the creation of a community of other birthparents.
“Birth Parent & Adoptee Panel”
Tatiana Slaughter
My name is Tatiana Slaughter. I am 21 years young and grew up in a Ukrainian orphanage until the age of 16 when my American family adopted my sister, two brothers and myself. As of now, I am a full time beautician and would eventually like to run my own salon. I have enjoyed my time in America and love being part of this wonderful country. I am blessed to have reached goals that I would not have been able to reach before, and I am continuing to grow in faith and confidence.
“Birth Parent and Adoptee Panel”
Hank Tajkowski
Hank is a birth father who endured an incredible journey of hardships and triumphs that ultimately led to the reconnection with his birth child. The reconnection came 22 years later after completing a private adoption in the Midwest. To this day, he maintains a relationship with the birth mother, the adoptive parents, the adoption agency, and of course the son he was able to bless another family with. Hank currently lives in Chicago, works as a CPA and Certified Financial Planner, and is a grateful husband to Sally and father their 9 year old triplets–Sydney, Blake & Bryce.
“Birth Parent & Adoptee Panel”
Dawn Easterbrook
Dawn Easterbrook is 39 year old single mom from central Indiana. She is raising an 8 year old daughter and placed her son for adoption 4 years ago with a family in Ohio. She has a semi-open adoption with her son’s parents that is continually changing as the years go by. She works full time for a medical insurance company while she is attending school full-time in pursuit of her bachelor’s degree. She hopes to continue on to receive her master’s degree in social work with the dream of one day working in the adoption industry working with birth moms. Her own social worker at the adoption agency has been her inspiration to follow this dream. In her spare time she enjoys reading and scrapbooking.
“Birth Parent & Adoptee Panel”
Mark Miller
With his wife Judy, Mark parents a multiracial family created through birth and adoption. He has found his kids to be particularly wise, unflinchingly honest, and four of the best teachers around. Mark says the best thing about being a father is watching the positive impact he makes on his kids as they grow towards adulthood.
“Fathers in Adoption Panel”
Tony Stewart
Tony is a husband and father of four, soon to be five children. He has two older children, ages 23 and 20, and two children at home, ages 12 and 9. He and wife, Michelle, anticipate bringing home their first adopted child from Bulgaria later this year. Tony has worked in the stainless steel industry, mostly as a salesman, for 24 years but his passion is for children. He has been a coach for several sports over the years and has taught Sunday school groups from college age, to high school, to his current position leading children’s church for kindergarten through 6th grade students. Tony and Michelle’s work for orphans may have begun to bloom in early 2011 when they decided to adopt a child of their own, but the work is merely beginning as their hearts continue to be broken for orphans around the world and as they long to be advocates and voices for the world of adoption.
“Fathers in Adoption Panel”
Sean Thompson
Sean and his wife Candice have experienced the miracle of adoption through their son Isaiah. He was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and is now 14 months and brings so much laughter and joy to life every day. Sean is a fourth year resident in the Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics residency through IU and when not in the hospital or spending time with family spends as much time as possible outside running and biking.
“Fathers in Adoption Panel”
Mark Moore
Mark Moore is the executive director of a mission organization called Louder Than Words. Mark and his family have served in the country of Honduras for 12 years and counting. They work with the Lenca Indians, an indigenous people of southwestern Honduras, and the amongst many orphans. Mark has a passion for the orphans of the world. He is also a Spanish teacher at Gaston Christian School in Gastonia NC. Marks wife Amy is on staff with MLJ Adoptions as the Special Needs Director.
“Fathers in Adoption Panel”
Lydia Tarr
Adoption first touched my heart in 1998 while on bed rest with my third pregnancy; I saw a television program about adoption and it forever changed me. As I began exploring all the available information on adoption, I discovered that few people really seemed to understand the Biblical perspective. I began to feel led to share with others what the Bible says about caring for orphans and to help them wade through the information, hoping that more Christian families might also decide to grow their families through adoption. Around this same time, our church held a ministry fair with a sermon titled “What is your Passion”. My passion is my family. I grew up in a family of divorce. At the time, my husband and I had been married for 15 years, and I knew that was a huge blessing for our children. I love my kids so much, and it broke my heart to know that there were so many children in the world without the security of a loving family.
“Honduras & Nicaragua Session” and “Mexico Session”
Stephanie Brough
Ever since Stephanie was a teenager she volunteered her time to work with children in need. She always had dreamed of having biological children and adopting a few as well. In October of 1998, Stephanie and husband Curt had their first child and they were well on their way to fulfilling Stephanie’s dream. They went on to have four biological children and felt as if their family was complete. In the spring of 2006 Curt and Stephanie heard about a group of orphaned children coming to Indianapolis on a hosting program. They immediately thought what a great thing it would be to take care of a child for a couple of weeks while these children visited America. Their inital plan was not to adopt this child, but a few days into his visit the whole family fell in love with this little boy. While visiting him, Curt and Stephanie fell in love with two other boys and felt it was God’s plan for all three of these boys to become their sons. One year later in March of 2010, Curt and Stephanie returned to Ukraine to bring their sons home. The boys were 11, 13 and 13 yrs old at the time of adoption. Stephanie’s dream has been completed!
“Older Children & Special Needs Panel”
Amy Moore
Amy is a life-long resident of North Carolina who joined the MLJ Adoptions team in 2011. She is married to Mark, the mother of six, and a graduate of Appalachian State University. In 2001, Amy and her husband Mark founded Louder than Words Ministries – a missions mobilization ministry that works primarily in Honduras. Each summer they pack up their family and “move” to Honduras for two months. In 2006, Amy and Mark signed up to adopt a “healthy baby girl 18 months or younger” from Guatemala. What they received was a beautiful baby girl that within a week of coming home to NC was diagnosed as profoundly deaf. In 2007, baby Mariah was the youngest child in North Carolina to receive bilateral cochlear implants. Amy has helped several couples through their adoption journey. Because of her journey with Mariah, Amy became interested in a young deaf boy from Honduras. For the past year, Marlon has been living with her family, and they are seeking a way to continue to help him develop language skills. Amy’s calling in life is to help children find forever families, especially children with special needs.
“Older Children & Special Needs Panel”
Sonja Brown
Sonja grew up in the Indianapolis area and attended the University of Indianapolis, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Sociology in 1983. Upon graduation, Sonja moved to Dallas, Texas, were she continued her education, earning her Master’s Degree in Business & Human Relations and returned to Indianapolis in 1996. Sonja is kept busy as the African Program Director and the Pacific Island Program Director for MLJ Adoptions, Inc. Additionally, Sonja volunteers for The Fatherless Foundation, an Indianapolis foundation dedicated to assisting orphans, orphanages and adoptive families worldwide. Sonja started her career in adoption in 2003 when she began working with Michele L. Jackson, as a paralegal, assisting with domestic and international adoptions. Over the course of the years Sonja found working with children and placing orphans with forever families rewarding and dedicated to making this her life’s work. Sonja has been with the agency from its beginnings and continues to research new countries and possible programs where children are in need of homes. Working with children and spreading the word about adoption is Sonja’s passion. Sonja is a mother to three children and the author of two published books, Starting Over and My Face Is Falling.
“Congo Session” and “Samoa Session”
