About

Where Hope is Born

For more than 135 years, Gladney has been a pioneer and leading voice for improving the lives of children, adoptive families and birth parents. With unwavering commitment, we have focused on our mission and made a difference in the lives of birth parents, families and children in the United States and around the world. We believe every child deserves a loving and caring family and we will not rest until all children know the love and stability of a forever home.

Gladney is currently licensed in Texas, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania.

Gladney Mission

Creating Bright Futures through Adoption

In 2022

123

children were placed with adoptive families through Gladney

Gladney Vision

For the sake of the children and those who love them, Gladney is dedicated to creating the finest adoption experience possible while forging new paths in serving the mission of adoption.

Mark Melson, President & Chief Executive Officer

This is why

The Gladney staff explains why they do what they do every day.

Heidi Bruegel Cox, Executive Vice President & General Counsel

This is why

The Gladney staff explains why they do what they do every day.

Jennifer Hart, Vice President of New Beginnings and Residential Services

This is why

The Gladney staff explains why they do what they do every day.

I grew up around adoption and always knew I wanted to be a part in one way or another. Working in the field is very different from what I imagined as a child. For me, now, it's more about the kids and helping prepare our prospective parents to be the best parents they can be.

Ashley Whiteside, Vice President of Domestic Adoption

This is why

The Gladney staff explains why they do what they do every day.

Through all of my years with Gladney, I have sat in awe of the strength and selflessness of birth mothers. I am humbled by the opportunity to work with families in some of their most intimate/vulnerable moments and I am blessed to be a part of placing children in forever homes.

Natalie Bowen, Director of Development

This is why

The Gladney staff explains why they do what they do every day.

My "why" for working at Gladney boils down to connections--not the networking kind, but the kind that link life seasons and lessons together in special ways: my dad helped start the first Wednesday's Child program that advocated for waiting children in foster care, a friend in my grad school cohort shared her passion for the mission of adoption, my sister and brother-in-law adopted my niece through Gladney and maintain an open adoption, I have learned so much from birth parents and adult adoptees who share their stories in an effort to challenge misperceptions and increase understanding, and I believe in Gladney's Why--every child deserves a loving and caring family.

Ryan Doty, IT Supervisor

This is why

The Gladney staff explains why they do what they do every day.

My "why" is named Taylor (Guatemala) and Xander (Colombia). My family would not be complete if it weren't for these two. After experiencing the all-night cram sessions of paperwork, being fingerprinted 5,000 times, and all the hurdles that are outside of anyone's control with an adoption; I knew that I wanted to use my IT background to help simplify the parts of the process that can be controlled.

Kerry Tobar, Adoption Education Manager

This is why

The Gladney staff explains why they do what they do every day.

A student placed her daughter after hearing an AdoptED presentation in her high school class. I had the opportunity to speak with her and listen to her amazing story. During our conversation she proudly shared photos of her daughter, spoke lovingly about the family she chose, and talked about her dreams to become a NICU nurse. What if she hadn't been in that classroom that day and not heard the option of adoption? She is my why.

Glynna WIlson, Insurance Coordinator

This is why

The Gladney staff explains why they do what they do every day.

The Ripple Effect- every action creates an everlasting change; make it positive.

Jackie Teixeira, Program Assistant

This is why

The Gladney staff explains why they do what they do every day.

Because it makes a difference.

Mary Chapman, Lead Asia Program Caseworker

This is why

The Gladney staff explains why they do what they do every day.

My grandmother and her younger brother were sent to live in a children's home because their family didn't have the money to care for them. One of the women who worked at the home fell in love with them and took them into her family to foster. They were given all of the love and support needed, and were able to grow up in a loving family. Their foster mother even made sure they maintained good relationships with their birth family. My grandmother was able to go to college and become a nurse. She later raised a family and helped my grandfather run a successful florist business. Who knows what her life would have been like if she had grown up in the children's home. There are so many children worldwide in the same position my grandmother was in. I hope I can give many children the same opportunities my grandmother had by helping to find their forever families.

Nancy Robbins, Education Manager

This is why

The Gladney staff explains why they do what they do every day.

Whether it's buying billboard space and sharing the adoption message, sharing a beautiful photo of a waiting child on social media, or finding new keyword phrases to share adoption as an option -- every task, every day helps someone know that they are not alone and there is help.

Sue Turner, Program Assistant

This is why

The Gladney staff explains why they do what they do every day.

Adoption is a choice and the people who make the choice to adopt are doing so from a heart that is 120% ready to dedicate their life to loving their future child. It is a privilege and honor to be a part of participating and watching miracles happen every day.

Susanne Smith, Executive Assistant

This is why

The Gladney staff explains why they do what they do every day.

Gladney is so much more than a paycheck. It is a passion, mission, and family. I am privileged to witness each day the power of showing up, unconditional love, and hope; not only in my work, but in my home and family as a Gladney mom.

Tanya Houk, Director of Child Advocacy

This is why

The Gladney staff explains why they do what they do every day.

My why is getting to work with people that want to make a difference in a child's life, and then helping them do it!

Shannon Plog, Community Engagement Specialist

This is why

The Gladney staff explains why they do what they do every day.

My why is getting to work with people that want to make a difference in a child's life, and then helping them do it!

Vicki Carter, Program Assistant

This is why

The Gladney staff explains why they do what they do every day.

I came to Gladney from the corporate world, because I was at a time in my life that I truly wanted to do something that made a difference. The moment I walked in the front door of Gladney for my initial interview many years ago, I knew that this is where I was meant to be. That feeling has never changed. I am so blessed to play a small part in creating families and changing lives forever.

Wendy Stanley, Program Manager

This is why

The Gladney staff explains why they do what they do every day.

Why - ? Because when I first learned about international adoption as a young adult, I think I was about 23 years old - I knew I could make a difference. I wasn't sure at that time what my family might look like - but I knew that I could help parents navigate the process of adoption so that children could live their lives in a family. I wanted to help parents through the "hard part" of the process so they could get on with the wonders of life - and focus on the important part. The part of life where a parent gets to know their child inside and out, and care each and every day about the little things, and the big things, that happen to a child who experiences life surrounded by a family that nurtures, teaches, and provides opportunities.

Lindsay Hatcher, Asia Program Caseworker

This is why

The Gladney staff explains why they do what they do every day.

Every day I get to work doing something that I feel called and passionate about, helping people become parents and finding families for children.

Malea Mikeworth, Options Counselor

This is why

The Gladney staff explains why they do what they do every day.

I have seen adoption from a lot of different sides throughout the years (friends that are adoptees, internships, etc.). I do this to help women feel as though they are heard and not alone. I want them to feel empowered and know about all their options so they can make the best decision for themselves and their child.

Emma Humphrey, Adoption Education and Design Specialist

This is why

The Gladney staff explains why they do what they do every day.

I get to do what I love while also knowing it's something bigger than myself and that it truly does make a difference in creating beautiful forever families.

Rose Tucker, Residential Coordinator

This is why

The Gladney staff explains why they do what they do every day.

Why not give everything your all?

Christina Autry, Home Study Practitioner

This is why

The Gladney staff explains why they do what they do every day.

I have a desire to see all children have a loving and positive permanent place to call home. The small part I play at Gladney can have a big impact on the lives of children and families.

Brandi Stuck, Logistical Coordinator

This is why

The Gladney staff explains why they do what they do every day.

I am honored with having the opportunity to be involved in finding permanent homes for children. A loving family is everything.

Katie Hurst, Social Media Specialist

This is why

The Gladney staff explains why they do what they do every day.

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