Barker's StaffOne of
Barker’s most distinguishing assets is our well-trained and experienced
professional and administrative staff. Our staff includes persons who, in
addition to their professional credentials, are also themselves birthparents,
adoptive parents, and adopted persons.
Continuing in the tradition begun by Ruth and
Richard Barker, our staff also provides consultation services and in-service
training for teachers, physicians, nurses, social workers, and parent groups in
the community.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
MARILYN C. REGIER, Ph.D., LCSW-C
BS, Valparaiso University; MSW,
Indiana University Graduate School of Social Services; PhD, The Heller
School at Brandeis University.
Dr. Regier has over 30 years
experience in the social work field, including extensive experience in
both international and domestic adoption, and is herself an adoptive
parent. Much of her clinical experience focused on adolescents, and she
has also conducted research in the area of social policy and alcohol.
Prior to her appointment at Barker, she directed international adoption
programs in seven countries in Asia and Eastern Europe, and began a
domestic program that included strong outreach to the African-American
community. A frequent conference speaker and writer in the adoption and
child-welfare field, Dr. Regier has also served as a spokesperson for
positive adoption education on radio and television. Dr. Regier is a
Past President of the Maryland Coalition for Adoption, a consortium
of the State's licensed private adoption agencies. (mregier@barkerfoundation.org)
DIRECTORS
LINDA ADAMS
Director, Finance & Administration
BS, San Francisco State University
Linda Adams joined the Barker staff in 2004 and has over 20 years of
accounting and management experience in both the corporate and the
non-profit sectors. In her role as Director of Finance and
Administration, Linda works closely with the Executive Director and with
the Board of Trustees. She also manages the administrative components of
key agency events, such as the Annual Conference and the Annual
Phonathon, and oversees human resources for Barker. (ladams@barkerfoundation.org)
SANDRA FULTON, MSW, LGSW
Director, Domestic Programs
BSW, George Mason University; MSW,
Virginia Commonwealth University
Ms. Fulton administers all aspects of The Barker Foundation’s Domestic
Programs, including the Comprehensive and Individual Services Programs,
minority outreach, and foster care. Prior to accepting this position,
Ms. Fulton worked as a consultant for Barker, facilitating Pre-adoption
Groups, and completing home studies for both domestic and international
families. Her past experience includes serving as the Director of Birth
Parent Services for another private adoption agency, as well as direct
clinical work as a birth parent counselor. Ms. Fulton first began her
social work career in the public sector, working for a local social
service agency with child protective services, foster care, and family
services.
(sfulton@barkerfoundation.org)
TINA JI, LLM
Director, International Programs
JD, Peking University; LLM, University
of Virginia School of Law, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
She has worked in
the adoption field since 1992, first with Children’s Hope
International in St. Louis, and for the past ten years with Families
Thru International Adoption (FTIA). Ms. Ji also developed humanitarian programs in China. In
2001 she started a foster care program in China which currently
trains foster parents to care for over 100 children in
non-institutional settings. She has also led efforts to help many
orphanages improve conditions for the children, including provision
of medical care. She is active with Joint Council on International
Children’s Services and has also been substantially involved in the
Hague Treaty and compliance issues for U.S. agencies. (tji@barkerfoundation.org)
VARDA ROSENBLUM MAKOVSKY, LGSW
Director, Family & Post-Adoption Programs
BS, New York University; MBA, New
York University Stern School of Business; MSW, University of Maryland
School of Social Work
Ms. Makovsky heads the Department of Family and Post-Adoption Services,
providing ongoing comprehensive support services to adoptive and birth
families. Her prior social work experience includes providing therapy
and counseling to adults and children, working in child welfare
services, and counseling and educating victims of domestic abuse. (vmakovsky@barkerfoundation.org)
STAFF
SUSANNE CULVER
Receptionist & Administrative Assistant
Sue Culver joined The Barker
Foundation in May of 2000. As Receptionist/Administrative Assistant, she
greets and takes calls from clients who are interested in adoption and
provides them with the needed information. Sue also assists with
administrative aspects of the pre-adoption training groups and with the
Annual Conference. (sculver@barkerfoundation.org)
MEG HERMAN, MSW
Birth Parent Counselor
Post Adoption Social Worker
BA, College of the Ozarks; MSW, University of
Maryland
Ms. Herman counsels birth parents and their families when they are
considering adoption. After the adoption, she continues to provide
counseling and support to both birth parents and adoptive families. Ms.
Herman also serves in the Department of Family and Post-Adoption
Services by helping to provide ongoing support services to adoptive and
birth families. Her prior experience includes child development
education and counseling to at-risk Latino families and teenage mothers
through the Early Head Start Program, as well as mental health work with
at-risk Latino students in several local elementary schools.
(mherman@barkerfoundation.org)
SUE HOLLAR, LCSW-C
Senior Social Worker
Korean Adoption Program Coordinator
BS, Lenoir-Rhyne College; MSW, Syracuse University
Ms. Hollar is the Director of the Korean Adoption Program and brings to
The Barker Foundation more than fifteen years of child welfare and
adoption experience in the District of Columbia and at the federal level.
Her background includes directing foster care and treatment foster care
programs and managing federal reviews of state child welfare systems. Ms.
Hollar has developed and conducted training for foster care and adoption
staff throughout the country.
(shollar@barkerfoundation.org)
CAROLINA KENRICK
International Program Coordinator
Nursing Degree, Universidad de Chile
A native Chilean educated as a nurse
in Santiago, Ms. Kenrick worked in clinics and in the community, caring
for families and children living in impoverished areas. In 1978, she
immigrated to the U.S. She joined the American Adoption Agency in 1985,
which merged with Barker in 1998. For the past 17 years, Carolina has
worked continuously in the area of international adoption. At Barker, she
coordinates all programs from overseas, as well as works with
Spanish-speaking families from the U.S. and abroad. (ckenrick@barkerfoundation.org)
BETH KIRBY
Executive Assistant
Foster Care Coordinator
AA, General Education, Montgomery College
Ms. Kirby serves as Executive Assistant to the Executive Director and in
this capacity works closely with the Board of Trustees. She also
coordinates Barker’s Foster Care program and oversees the recruitment,
training, and support of the dedicated families who become part of this
vital component in the Domestic programs. Since 1997, she has served in
the Coordinator capacity and in 2004 was awarded The Richard B. Barker
Award in recognition of her remarkable work with foster care. Ms. Kirby
and her husband served as Barker foster parents for 10 years before she
assumed the coordinator position. Her prior background includes work
with young children in school and daycare programs (bkirby@barkerfoundation.org)
LIZ KUTTLER
International Program Assistant
B.A., University of Vermont
Liz Kuttler joined The Barker Foundation staff in October, 2007. Her
prior experience includes child development research at the National
Institutes of Health. In her role as the International Program
Assistant, she works closely with adoptive families throughout their
adoption process. Liz assists in facilitating adoptions from China,
Colombia, India, and other countries.
AMANDA MARTIN
Domestic Program Assistant
BS, Family and Community Services, East Carolina
University
Amanda Martin joined The Barker Foundation staff in
2006. In her role as Domestic Program Assistant, she works with
families throughout the home study, post-placement, and court
finalization process, offering support and assistance at each step in
the process. (amartin@barkerfoundation.org)
ELIZA C. NIEMANN, LCSW-C, LICSW
Senior Advisor to the Executive Director
BA, University of Virginia; MSW, The
National Catholic School of Social Work.
Ms. Niemann offers consultation and assistance on a wide range of
domestic, international, post-adoption, and development issues. Prior to
assuming the senior advisory position, she served as Director of
Domestic Programs at Barker from 2003 – 2007. Ms. Niemann is a frequent
presenter at adoption workshops, conferences, and on radio and
television. (eniemann@barkerfoundation.org)
ANJALI SINGH
International Program Assistant
B.S., The American University
Anjali Singh joined the Barker Foundation Staff in May 2006. In her role
as Korea Program Assistant, she works with families in the Korea program
throughout the entire adoption process. (asingh@barkerfoundation.org.)
AIMEE
SIROIS, LGSW
Senior Birth Parent
Counselor
BSW,
Cabrini College; MSW, Rutgers University
Ms.
Sirois counsels birth parents and their families when they are
considering adoption. After the adoption, she continues to provide
counseling and support to birth parents and adoptive families. Prior
to joining the Barker staff, Ms. Sirois provided individual and
group therapy to adolescents with mental health conditions.
She also worked with children in the foster care system in
Philadelphia, PA.
CONSULTANTS
SANDY BATTON, LICSW, LCSW-C
BS, University of Pittsburgh; MSW, University of
Cincinnati
Ms. Batton works with adoptive families during the
home study and post-placement processes. With over thirteen years of
experience in the adoption field, Ms. Batton has assisted many families
in adopting both domestically and internationally. In addition, Ms.
Batton’s previous experience includes providing birthparent counseling,
as well as search and reunion services to birthparents and adult
adoptees who wish to reconnect later in life.
LISA BRIDGES, LCSW-C, LICSW
BA, Ohio University; MSW The National Catholic School of Social Service
Ms. Bridges is a licensed clinical social worker
who assists families with the home study and post-placement processes
of international and domestic adoption through the Barker
Foundation. Ms. Bridges also has extensive professional experience
in therapeutic foster care in Maryland and the District of Columbia
including clinical case management, group facilitation, intake, and
supervision. Prior to entering the field of social work, Ms.
Bridges worked in association management as a writer, editor, and
service coordinator.
KATE COOPERSMITH, RN, MSN, CS
BSN, Seattle University; MSN Catholic
University
Ms. Coopersmith is a psychiatric
mental health clinical nurse specializing in working with women
considering adoption and in post-adoption counseling with those who have
made an adoption plan. A birth mother who placed a child over 20 years
ago, she has facilitated Barker’s monthly support group for birth parents
since 1990. Ms. Coopersmith speaks to adoption groups and at conferences
and workshops. Her media appearances include an interview on the Diane
Rehm show.
CYNTHIA DIAZ, MSW, LGSW
BSW, West Virginia University; MSW, University of
Maryland at Baltimore
Mrs. Díaz works with adoptive families throughout the home study
process. She has worked in the field of adoption for the past two years.
Mrs. Díaz has a variety of relevant professional experiences, including
working with children in foster care and their families, teenage mothers
and infants, and in an educational setting with emotionally disturbed
children. Most recently, Mrs. Díaz has led groups for new mothers and
their infants and currently works as a social worker in the Special
Education Office of the Falls Church City Public Schools.
BARBARA DONESKY, LCSW-C
BA, State of New York University; MSW,
University of California.
Ms. Donesky works with families in
pre-adoption groups and subsequently during the home study and
post-placement process. She has many years of professional experience in
both international and domestic adoption, as well as in counseling.
ELLEN D. EULE, LCSW-C, BCD
BA, City University of New
York/Brooklyn College; MSW, National Catholic School of Social Service.
At Barker, Ms. Eule facilitates
pre-adoption groups for prospective adoptive parents. As a clinician,
she has worked with children, adolescents, and adults. Ms. Eule’s
professional experience includes significant work in pregnancy loss and
infertility counseling, and home study consultation and assessments for
both international and domestic adoptive families.
RICHARD ELLSBURY, MSW,
LGSW
BA, Catholic University; MSW, National
Catholic School of Social Work
Mr. Ellsbury worked for a number of years in both the
child welfare and the mental health fields before embarking on another,
unrelated career. He returned to social work and became involved in
adoption work after becoming an adoptive parent himself. Mr. Ellsbury
currently works with families in pre-adoption groups and
subsequently during the home study and post placement processes.
AMY EVERSMEYER, MSW
B.A., University of Virginia; MSW, Virginia
Commonwealth University
Ms. Eversmeyer has over ten years of experience in the field of foster
care and adoption. With the Barker Foundation, she works with families
through the home study and post placement process. She has experience
with domestic and international adoption, with a specialty in older
child (foster adopt) placements, including intervention strategies for
emotional and behavioral concerns.
LISSA FRIEDMAN
BA, MSW, University of Maryland
Ms. Friedman works with families in pre-adoption groups and the
subsequent home study and post-placement processes for both
international and domestic adoptions. She has many years of experience
in the field of child welfare including the design and implementation of
a state-wide program to teach independent living skills to teens in
foster care.
SOPHIE HOTCH, MSW, LCSW-C
Director, Project Wait No Longer
BS Louisiana State University, MSW University of
Texas
Ms. Hotch is the Director for Project Wait No
Longer: Permanency for Foster Youth, a Barker initiative that seeks
to find permanent homes for children currently living in the public
foster care system. Ms. Hotch brings to the program experience directing
treatment foster care programs in California, and is herself an adoptive
mother.
shotch@barkerfoundation.org
CAROL HUTTAR, MSW, LGSW
BA, George Mason University; MSW, George Mason University
Ms. Huttar is the Director for Project Wait No Longer: Permanency for
Foster Youth, a new Barker initiative that seeks to find permanent homes
for children currently in the public foster care system. She manages the
Project’s overall administration, outreach and training objectives, and
also contributes to Barker’s domestic adoption and post-adoption
departments. Ms. Huttar has a strong background in marketing,
administration and social work. Her prior experience includes work with
individuals with disabilities, domestic violence and adoption.
(chuttar@barkerfoundation.org)
MICHELLE S.C. HOWARD, LCSW, LICSW
BS, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State
University; MSW, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Ms. Howard has been working in the adoption field for several years. She
facilitates pre-adoption groups for adoptive families and works with
them during the home study and post-placement process. Her professional
experience includes developing educational programs for adoptive
parents, children and teens and counseling adopted persons and their
families. She is a frequent presenter on ethnicity and identity issues
in international adoption. Ms. Howard played an integral role in the
development of the new Pre-Adoption Group curriculum. Currently, Ms.
Howard is the President of Korea Homeland Tours, an organization that
provides services for adoptive families who travel to Korea.
DIONNE JOHNSTON, LICSW, LCSW-C
BA, Pennsylvania State University; MSW, Tulane University
Ms. Johnston works with adoptive families throughout the
home study and post-placement process and also facilitates pre-adoption
education and training groups. She is licensed to provide clinical
counseling, and her prior work includes birth parent counseling,
post-adoption counseling, and facilitation of support groups for young
adult adoptees.
BETH LIGHTBODY, LCSW, LCSW-C
B.A. West Virginia University; M.A. Hood College;
M.S.W. Virginia Commonwealth University
Ms. Lightbody has many years of adoption-related experience working with
families in the home study and post-placement process. Over the years,
she has facilitated adoption groups both at Barker and at other adoption
agencies. She herself is an adoptive parent and stays active in the
Eastern European adoption community, mentoring and facilitating groups.
Previously she worked in healthcare and private practice.
CLAUDINE MCDANIEL-JOHNSON, LGSW
B.A. University of Virginia; M.Ed. Howard University;
M.S.W. Howard University
Ms. McDaniel-Johnson works with adoptive families during the home study
and post-placement phases of the adoption process. She brings to her
work 10 years of adoption experience and has worked with children in the
foster care and adoption system in Washington, D.C. Ms.McDaniel-Johnson
also has extensive experience counseling children who have been abused.
MELISSA F. NEW, LGSW
Post-Adoption Specialist
B.A., Washington and Lee University, M.S.W., The
National Catholic School of Social Service
Ms. New began her work with The Barker Foundation in 2006 and currently
specializes in post-adoption services to adopted persons and to birth
parents. Her prior experience includes crisis pregnancy counseling, as
well as work in mental health and therapeutic foster care, where she
focused on children, families, and adolescents in the Northern Virginia
Latino community.
ANTIONETTE PARKS, LCSW-C, LICSW
BSW, Howard University; MSW, Howard University
Ms. Parks works with adoptive families during the home study and
post-placement phases of the adoption process. Her work with adoption has
focused on increasing awareness in the African-American community
regarding for the need of adoptive families. She has extensive counseling
experience working with children and adolescents, especially with
adolescent mothers. She is also an adoptive parent.
CHERYL TAYLOR-MORRISON, MPA, MSW, LGSW
BA, Frostburg State University; MPA, George Washington University; MSW,
University of Maryland School of Social Work
Ms. Morrison works with Project Wait No Longer: Permanency for Foster
Youth, a Barker initiative that places waiting, older foster children with
permanent parents. She provides education and outreach services, with a
special focus on the African American community. Formerly the Director of
African American Studies for the Smithsonian Resident Associate Program,
Ms. Morrison also conducts domestic and Project Wait No Longer
homestudies. She is a psychotherapist and life-coach in Montgomery County,
where she assists adults experiencing depression, anxiety, addictions, and
those with infertility and adoption concerns.
(ctmorrison@barkerfoundation.org)
AMEE VYAS, MSW
BS, James Madison University; MSW, Virginia
Commonwealth University
As a contract worker for the Barker Foundation, Ms. Vyas works with
families during the
home study and post-placement process. She also facilitates pre-adoption
groups for prospective adoptive parents as well as post-adoption groups
for children. Her prior experience includes collaborating with Federal,
State, and local agencies on adoption issues, extensive adoption
research, writing and editing publications, and providing technical
assistance to prospective adoptive parents, birth parents, and
professionals in the field. Ms. Vyas also has experience working in the
mental health profession and disability determination service.
ANGELA WILLMORE, LGSW, MSW
BS, Kent State University; MSW, University of South Carolina
Ms. Willmore facilitates Pre-Adoption Groups, works with families through
the home study and post placement process, and provides information,
consultation, and counseling to prospective adoptive parents. Ms. Willmore
has worked in the field of adoption for nearly 10 years, with a specialty
in international adoption. Her prior professional experience includes
extensive work advising and assisting prospective adoptive parents prepare
a dossier for international adoption. She also worked with orphans while
living in Mexico.
Home • About Barker • Pregnancy Services • Adopting A Child • Adopted Persons • Post-Adoption • Homeland Tours • Resources • Events Calendar • Bookstore • Job Opportunities • Newsletter • Support Barker!
