Leadership

Mark M, President & Chief Executive Officer

I earned both my BBA and MBA from the University of North Texas and then worked as a financial consultant and in various fundraising capacities with North Texas not-for-profit organizations. Just before joining Gladney in 2008, I served for seven years as Director of Finance and Gift Planning for Harris Methodist Health Foundation and then as Chief Development Officer for Big Brothers Big Sister of North Texas.

Ellen Wilson, Interim Chief Financial Officer, CPA

I earned my BBA in Accounting from the University of Texas at Arlington. As a CPA, I spent time in Public Accounting, Banking and Oil & Gas before joining the Gladney Team. I have been with Gladney since 1999 and previously served as VP of Finance for the Gladney Fund. In 2006, I took the reigns of Chief Financial Officer for the Gladney Center helping ensure good financial stewardship of the resources entrusted to us and overseeing the facility management of the beautiful Gladney Campus. In addition to duties as the CFO, I also participate with the Gladney Fund Board in the long-term investment management of Gladney’s endowment.

With the support of my husband and three children, I have been blessed to have the opportunity to focus my professional attention on the long-standing mission of the Gladney Center to Build Bright Futures through Adoption.

Heidi C, Executive Vice President & General Counsel, JD

Heidi Bruegel Cox is the Executive Vice President and General Counsel for the Gladney Center in Fort Worth, Texas, and has worked as an attorney in the field of adoption for over 25 years. She is a Fellow in the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys and serves on the board as secretary for the National Council for Adoption.

As a child advocate, Heidi is active in educating the public and promoting legislative initiatives to protect children and support positive adoption practices, Heidi previously served as a gubernatorial appointee to the Texas Adoption Review Committee which examined the child welfare system, seeking solutions to remove barriers to adoption for children in foster care.

Heidi has also served on the board of the Texas Family Law Council, which supports the efforts of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. Heidi was inducted into the Adoption Hall of Fame at the National Council for Adoption Annual Gala in Washington, D.C.

Jennifer L, Vice President, Communications, Communications, Education & Marketing, BA Communications

Jennifer Lanter is the Vice President of Communications for the Gladney Center for Adoption. Jennifer provides a unique and engaging perspective on the subject of adoption and has worked in the adoption field for over 16 years. In addition to her professional experience with adoption, Jennifer and her family adopted a precious little boy 10 years ago.

As a Fort Worth native, Jennifer Lanter received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Texas in Arlington. She began her career at the Gladney Center and has since dedicated her career to creating bright futures through the miracle of adoption.

Jennifer has extensive media experience and has worked with People magazine, Oprah Winfrey Network, Lifetime, MTV, Washington Post, New York Times and several other media outlets. Jennifer is passionate about public speaking and loves the message of hope and adoption across the world!

Lisa S, Vice President, Donor Relations, Development

Lisa Schuessler joined Gladney in 2008. Throughout her tenure at Gladney she has served in various fundraising capacities and now leads Gladney’s Donor Relations efforts. Lisa has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with an emphasis on Advertising from San Diego State University.

Lisa’s favorite role is to serve as a connector for Gladney, linking people’s time, talents, and treasures with the heart of our mission. Her team does that through written requests, creative communications, one-on-one conversations, genuine and intentional relationship building, updates for donors on the impact of their gifts, and special events, including The Gladney Cup.

Personally witnessing the impact you can make when you serve alongside those who need you, fuels her desire to be an adoption advocate and volunteer with several organizations in her community. Lisa found her love for community engagement at a young age when she found herself constantly looking for ways to serve. She and her husband, Jeff, have three sons and are proud to call Fort Worth home.

When you couple giving hearts, who want to see lives changed, with Gladney’s belief that every child deserves a loving and caring family – anything is possible. Together, We Are Gladney!

Gongzhan W, Vice President & Executive Director - Asia, PHM

I joined the Gladney Center for Adoption in 1994. Before Gladney, I was working for ESPN Sports Network as its Director of Mandarin Language Service. I did my undergraduate in the Shanghai International Studies University, formally known as Shanghai Foreign Language Institute before I came to U.S. in 1987. With a Fulbright scholarship, I attended Columbia University and obtained a Master of Philosophy in Political Science in 1989. In the past twenty-three years, I am responsible for Gladney's New York Office and running its Asia adoption programs from New York.