| 2011 Board of Directors | |
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Dawn Scott (President) is an adoptive stay-home mother parenting her toddler daughter, Ava together with husband of 18 years, David. Prior to relocating to Austin from Dallas in 2000, Dawn worked in marketing, sales and training for a nationwide telecom provider. She has also enjoyed employment in the wine industry both in Texas and previously in California. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, she studied Rhetoric and Art History at U.C. Berkeley and San Jose State. A 22 year member of Beta Sigma Phi International, she has served on the Boards of several Chapters and City Councils. Dawn joined AKA four years ago, and believes the education, sharing and support offered by triad members to be critical to her understanding of issues that directly impact her family. You can contact Dawn at dawn11scott@austin.rr.com. |
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Robyn Gobbel, LCSW (Vice President) is a therapist and adoption home study specialist. Her practice, Gobbel Counseling & Adoption Services, is located in Bastrop, TX and serves children and their families. After growing up in the Midwest, Robyn has lived in Central Texas since 2004. Robyn is interested in adoption both personally and professionally, as adoption as touched many aspects of her life. Robyn completed her undergraduate degree at Miami University in Ohio, then moved to Salt Lake City to obtain her master's degree in social work at the University of Utah. In 2009, she earned a postgraduate certificate in Therapy with Foster and Adopted Children. Robyn first came to AKA in 2007. She is consistently humbled by the fact that the best way to learn about adoption is not from books or professionals, but from the families living adoption every day. Robyn has enjoyed becoming more involved in AKA, joining the board in 2010 and moving into the role as chair of the Education Committee. You can contact Robyn at robyn@gobbelcounseling.com. |
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Mike Schoenfelder (Treasurer), an adoptive parent, was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. In 1983, he moved to Austin to attend The University of Texas. Mike earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering with high honors, then went on to earn his Master's degree in Engineering. While pursuing his Ph.D., Mike co-founded a computer consulting business that continued for 10 years. After another 10 years with Avaya, Mike now works as a technical project manager and software architect for Overwatch Systems, a subsidiary of Textron Systems. With Katy Schoenfelder, Mike co-parents their two wonderful children, Griffin and Maeryn. In addition to volunteering with AKA since 2003, Mike has been an active volunteer in his faith community. Mike appreciates the knowledge obtained from AKA and wishes to give back to such a uniquely helpful organization. You can contact Michael at mschoenfelder@austin.rr.com. |
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Stephanie Holmes, LMSW (Secretary) is a Foster Care and Adoption Specialist with Children's Protective Services. Her adoption career began in 2003 when she worked for a private adoption agency serving as the Adoptive Parent Coordinator. She then earned her Master's Degree in Social Work from UT Austin, during which time she became involved with AKA. She has served as our Volunteer Librarian as well as our Educational Chairman. Stephanie is impressed with the mission and purpose of AKA, and she finds both the supportive and educational roles of the organization to be imperative in the adoption journey. As Educational Chairman, Stephanie works to uphold our commitment to reach the entire adoption triad with support and education as well as to bring professionals in the adoption community together. You can contact Stephanie at S.Holmes.LMSW@gmail.com. |
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Rowena Fong, Ed.D., MSW (Member-At-Large) is the Ruby Lee Piester Centennial Professor in Services to Children and Families in the School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin. She has written books in the areas of child welfare, immigrants and refugees, and culturally competent practice. A graduate of Harvard University (EdD), the University of California at Berkeley (MSW) and Wellesley College (BA), Dr. Fong's interest in adoptions began when she was doing clinical social work in Oakland California and worked with adopted children and families as a social worker in a Day Treatment and Residential Treatment Center. When she was a professor at the University of Hawaii she helped Casey Family Programs set up their POI (permanent option initiative) with adoptive families and did focus groups and research with all TRIAD members. She has also worked with American families who have adopted children from China and has done training for fost/adopt parents in China with the Beijing Child Welfare Institute. You can contact Rowena at rfong@mail.utexas.edu. |
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Nyla Lengacher, LCSW (Member-At-Large) is an adoptee that was born in Indiana. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology at the University of New Orleans in 1989 and a Master of Social Work degree from Yeshiva University in New York City in 1991. Nyla has a private counseling practice in Austin and works with couples, teens and adults. She specializes in mood disorders, thought disorders, issues related to adoption, generalized anxiety and social anxiety. Believing in the mission of the AKA, Nyla became a member 4 years ago and recently joined the Board. She appreciates the support that AKA has given her over the years during her search and reunion and wants to help support others through their journey. You can contact Nyla at nyla@nylalengacher.com. |
All meetings are held at the Settlement Home, 1607 Colony Creek Dr, Bldg. B, Austin, TX
Adoption Knowledge Affiliates
PO Box 4082 Austin, TX 78765
512.442.8AKA
Email: aka@adoptionknowledge.org