Built by the people it serves.

A transracial adoptee, author of You Should Be Grateful, host of The Adoptee Next Door, and subject of the documentary CLOSURE. She founded AMS to create the space she needed at 13, at 23, and at 33 — because adoptees don’t need to be fixed. They need to be met.

A Seattle-area educator with over a decade in secondary and higher education. She entered reunion with her biological family at 32 and knows firsthand the power of adoptee community during that season. As a mentor, she creates calm spaces to explore the full complexity of the experience.

Born and adopted in California and raised in England. She has been in contact with her birth family for over twenty years — “often difficult, sometimes lovely, and always complicated.” She brings that hard-won honesty to every mentoring relationship and is writing a memoir on adoption and belonging.

Born in South Korea, adopted as an infant by a white family, and raised on a farm in Minnesota. With nearly 20 years in the adoption field as an advocate, educator, and administrator, she brings both personal and professional depth — and a genuine love of being in community with fellow adoptees.

Discovered she was adopted at 20 and entered reunion with her biological family at 30. She came to AMS first as a mentee and found real acceptance and inclusion in its spaces. Now a mentor, she’s committed to creating spaces where adoptees feel heard, seen, and valued — especially in the complicated middle of it all.

Brings over 20 years of experience in executive and operational support across corporate, nonprofit, and entrepreneurial environments. Known for her discretion, reliability, and systems-thinking, she keeps AMS running behind the scenes — translating vision into clear, streamlined execution.

Fundraising strategist, researcher, and nonprofit leader with a PhD in Philanthropic Studies from Indiana University. As an Ethiopian immigrant and mother of two, Kidy is committed to community, connection, and ensuring every adoptee has access to meaningful support and belonging.

A Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 25 years of clinical experience and an adoptee herself. She earned her DSW at Rutgers, where her research focused on amplifying adoptee voices in social work theory and practice — a rare combination of lived experience, clinical depth, and academic rigor.

Assistant Professor at the University of Oklahoma’s Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work and Director of the Center for Adoption and Family Well-Being. Her research focuses on adoption, permanency, and mental health, with policy work at the state and national level.

A Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with 20+ years supporting individuals, children, and families. An adoptee herself, she specializes in adoption, trauma, grief, and identity development, and holds advanced certifications in TBRI, EMDR, and IFS.

A scholar, researcher, and adoptee whose work focuses on adoption, child welfare, disability, and race. She and a team of adoptees developed the Adoptee Consciousness Model — a framework at the core of the Mentor Skills Lab. Associate Professor at the University of Washington Tacoma.

An adoptee and clinical social worker with over 25 years in community mental health and education. She developed the Adoption Trauma Spectrum, a lifespan framework presented internationally. Assistant Professor of Social Work at the University of West Florida.

A leading scholar in Whiteness Studies, bestselling author, and racial equity educator who coined the term “White Fragility” in 2011. She works with organizations worldwide and brings that expertise directly to AMS’s curriculum on racial awareness in adoption.

An Episcopal priest serving the Diocese of New York as Canon to the Ordinary. An adoptive mother and development consultant, she created the Adoptive Parents 4 Adoptees Fund.

A financial professional and adoptive father based in Seattle with 15+ years in the financial industry. His approach centers on building trust and meaningful relationships.

A nonprofit leader, adoptee advocate, and scholar-practitioner with 25+ years in grants and program management. She founded the Adoptee Prayer Collective and holds a D.B.A. from Wilmington University.

An adoptive mother and nonprofit strategist with deep experience in organizational resilience and equity-centered practice, built over a career at The Field.

A transracial adoptee, former foster youth, and public policy professional. Currently Director of Public Policy and Finance at Oakland Thrives, advancing equity for children and families.

An adoptive mother of two and leadership professional with 20+ years in organizational development and education, focused on strengthening community networks.