Conference Keynotes & Speakers
Keynotes
Lorraine Dusky
Lorraine Dusky is an award-winning journalist, editor and author who prefers to write stories that will make a difference. Her controversial memoir, BIRTHMARK, published in 1979, was the first from a mother to write about the grief of giving up a child to adoption. She began her career as a newspaper reporter when she was 14, writing for her hometown newspaper. Her goal was always to break out of old-fashioned "women's news," yet her life and writing has been greatly shaped by the daughter she gave up for adoption, culminating in her recent book, HOLE IN MY HEART.
Other books include THE BEST COMPANIES FOR WOMEN and STILL UNEQUAL: THE SHAMEFUL TRUTH ABOUT WOMEN AND JUSTICE IN AMERICA, HOW TO EAT LIKE A THIN PERSON and TOTAL VISION.
A native of Michigan, she has lived in Sag Harbor, New York, since 1980.
Lorraine Dusky is an award-winning journalist, editor and author who prefers to write stories that will make a difference. Her controversial memoir, BIRTHMARK, published in 1979, was the first from a mother to write about the grief of giving up a child to adoption. She began her career as a newspaper reporter when she was 14, writing for her hometown newspaper. Her goal was always to break out of old-fashioned "women's news," yet her life and writing has been greatly shaped by the daughter she gave up for adoption, culminating in her recent book, HOLE IN MY HEART.
Other books include THE BEST COMPANIES FOR WOMEN and STILL UNEQUAL: THE SHAMEFUL TRUTH ABOUT WOMEN AND JUSTICE IN AMERICA, HOW TO EAT LIKE A THIN PERSON and TOTAL VISION.
A native of Michigan, she has lived in Sag Harbor, New York, since 1980.
Melissa Guida-Richards
Melissa Guida-Richards is an author, adoptee, and advocate based in Pennsylvania. She was adopted in 1993 from Colombia to a family in the USA. She is the content creator behind the Adoptee Thoughts Podcast and Instagram that she founded to help elevate adoptee voices and educate adoptive parents on the nuances and complexity of adoption. She's recently had interviews on Good Day L.A., but she is most known for her viral essay, “My Adoptive Parents Hid My Racial Identity From Me for 19 Years.” Melissa has also had work in The Independent, Insider, Huffpost, ElectricLit, and is a contributing writer at The Everymom.
Melissa Guida-Richards is an author, adoptee, and advocate based in Pennsylvania. She was adopted in 1993 from Colombia to a family in the USA. She is the content creator behind the Adoptee Thoughts Podcast and Instagram that she founded to help elevate adoptee voices and educate adoptive parents on the nuances and complexity of adoption. She's recently had interviews on Good Day L.A., but she is most known for her viral essay, “My Adoptive Parents Hid My Racial Identity From Me for 19 Years.” Melissa has also had work in The Independent, Insider, Huffpost, ElectricLit, and is a contributing writer at The Everymom.
Patricia Martinez Dorner, MA, LPC
A pioneer in open adoption and post adoption services, Patricia Martinez Dorner has been a relentless proponent of adoption reform. Her adoption focused practice includes education, support and training to individuals and professionals. She is a frequent conference speaker and author of many adoption related books. The adoptive mother of 2 adult daughters, she lives adoption personally and professionally.
A pioneer in open adoption and post adoption services, Patricia Martinez Dorner has been a relentless proponent of adoption reform. Her adoption focused practice includes education, support and training to individuals and professionals. She is a frequent conference speaker and author of many adoption related books. The adoptive mother of 2 adult daughters, she lives adoption personally and professionally.
Speakers
Sally Ankerfelt
As an ordained pastor, certified coach, and adoptive parent of three children, Sally holds a unique perspective of the role a faith community and its practices can play in either supporting or harming adoptees and all those in the adoption constellation. Sally is a co-founder of Growing Intentional Families Together, an adoption coaching company that supports families before, during, and after adoption.
As an ordained pastor, certified coach, and adoptive parent of three children, Sally holds a unique perspective of the role a faith community and its practices can play in either supporting or harming adoptees and all those in the adoption constellation. Sally is a co-founder of Growing Intentional Families Together, an adoption coaching company that supports families before, during, and after adoption.
Melanie (JaeHee) Chung-Sherman, LCSW-S, PLLC
Melanie (JaeHee) Chung-Sherman, (she/her) is a licensed clinical social worker and TSBSWE-Board approved clinical supervisor through the State of Texas. She also holds a clinical social work license in Oklahoma and Louisiana. She is a Certified Theraplay® Practitioner and EMDR trained clinician. JaeHee is the founder and director of a private practice in North Dallas where she specializes in working with predominantly QTBIPOC-identified clients and transracial adult adopted individuals. She was a Clinical Manager for a nationwide eating disorder clinic in the south-central region--and will soon be joining UT Southwestern’s Paul Bass Psychiatry Clinic as a psychotherapist. She was the Regional 3 Representative for the NASW-Texas State Board of Directors from 2019 to 2022. She has worked in the field of child welfare, mental health, university counseling, medical social work, and as an adjunct professor of Social Work. She is a DSW/doctoral clinical social work student at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa (Roll Tide!). Her passion includes education and elevating the voices of marginalized and oppressed groups, particularly adopted folx & women/femme of color, to combat mental health stigma, address power-based violence, and combat structural oppression.
Melanie (JaeHee) Chung-Sherman, (she/her) is a licensed clinical social worker and TSBSWE-Board approved clinical supervisor through the State of Texas. She also holds a clinical social work license in Oklahoma and Louisiana. She is a Certified Theraplay® Practitioner and EMDR trained clinician. JaeHee is the founder and director of a private practice in North Dallas where she specializes in working with predominantly QTBIPOC-identified clients and transracial adult adopted individuals. She was a Clinical Manager for a nationwide eating disorder clinic in the south-central region--and will soon be joining UT Southwestern’s Paul Bass Psychiatry Clinic as a psychotherapist. She was the Regional 3 Representative for the NASW-Texas State Board of Directors from 2019 to 2022. She has worked in the field of child welfare, mental health, university counseling, medical social work, and as an adjunct professor of Social Work. She is a DSW/doctoral clinical social work student at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa (Roll Tide!). Her passion includes education and elevating the voices of marginalized and oppressed groups, particularly adopted folx & women/femme of color, to combat mental health stigma, address power-based violence, and combat structural oppression.
Liz DeBetta, PhD
Liz DeBetta is a scholar/artist/activist who uses her work to inspire change. She teaches writing and is the co-director of Act Risk No More, a non-profit theater for social change group that believes in using the arts as a way to heal trauma. She is passionate about using stories as activism especially in the culture of adoption.
Liz DeBetta is a scholar/artist/activist who uses her work to inspire change. She teaches writing and is the co-director of Act Risk No More, a non-profit theater for social change group that believes in using the arts as a way to heal trauma. She is passionate about using stories as activism especially in the culture of adoption.
Karlos Dillard
Karlos Dillard is a published author and Social Media Foster Care Advocate. Karlos is a Transracial Adoptee who was adopted from the Michigan State foster care system at the age of 9. He has a social media platform that is focused on providing accessible, diverse, and ethical adoption and foster care education. Formerly, Karlos was a commercial actor working for companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Mercedes Benz, and many more.
Karlos has led training for foster families and adoption agencies on transracial adoption, adoption trauma, and financial literacy for foster youth. He has partnered with organizations like TreeHouse for Kids in Seattle, WA using his large social media platform to fundraise over $10,000 worth of toiletries, backpacks, and suitcases for foster youth. Karlos was also the Keynote Speaker for Treehouse for Kids' annual Champions Luncheon. He is a frequent speaker in many different settings, including colleges, adoption agencies, and conferences, his latest being the Keynote Speaker for Delaware State DSCYF Destined for Greatness annual graduation ceremony.
Karlos has used his story of being a foster youth and an adoptee growing up in a white world to curate deep conversations about race in America. With his unique insight on racial tensions between the white and Black communities, he has been able to curate impactful conversations online and off where everyone learns to value each other and their experience, while learning about systemic racism, privilege, and their role in it.
Karlos wrote an engaging memoir, Wards of the State: A Memoir of Foster Care, which is about his lived experience in the Michigan State foster care system, surviving more than 30 placements. He is a phenomenal speaker and always shines a light on the dark truths of the foster care and adoption systems.
Karlos Dillard is a published author and Social Media Foster Care Advocate. Karlos is a Transracial Adoptee who was adopted from the Michigan State foster care system at the age of 9. He has a social media platform that is focused on providing accessible, diverse, and ethical adoption and foster care education. Formerly, Karlos was a commercial actor working for companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Mercedes Benz, and many more.
Karlos has led training for foster families and adoption agencies on transracial adoption, adoption trauma, and financial literacy for foster youth. He has partnered with organizations like TreeHouse for Kids in Seattle, WA using his large social media platform to fundraise over $10,000 worth of toiletries, backpacks, and suitcases for foster youth. Karlos was also the Keynote Speaker for Treehouse for Kids' annual Champions Luncheon. He is a frequent speaker in many different settings, including colleges, adoption agencies, and conferences, his latest being the Keynote Speaker for Delaware State DSCYF Destined for Greatness annual graduation ceremony.
Karlos has used his story of being a foster youth and an adoptee growing up in a white world to curate deep conversations about race in America. With his unique insight on racial tensions between the white and Black communities, he has been able to curate impactful conversations online and off where everyone learns to value each other and their experience, while learning about systemic racism, privilege, and their role in it.
Karlos wrote an engaging memoir, Wards of the State: A Memoir of Foster Care, which is about his lived experience in the Michigan State foster care system, surviving more than 30 placements. He is a phenomenal speaker and always shines a light on the dark truths of the foster care and adoption systems.
Renee Gelin
After losing her son to a devastating unnecessary adoption Renee discovered her purpose – to help other mothers avoid unnecessarily separating from their newborn babies and helping them preserve their families. She began reaching out and connecting with others in the online adoption community for support. Renee started speaking to other expectant mothers and realized that many of the reasons that they were considering adoption, were similar to hers – temporary. She started to explain the lifelong trauma that maternal separation causes both the mothers and their newborns and the mothers were listening. Many in the adoption community began to see the moms with their babies and began to support her efforts of family preservation. Others online began to direct mothers considering adoption to speak with Renee and the concept of Saving Our Sisters became a reality. Renee married her son’s father and together they parent their 2 daughters in Florida.
After losing her son to a devastating unnecessary adoption Renee discovered her purpose – to help other mothers avoid unnecessarily separating from their newborn babies and helping them preserve their families. She began reaching out and connecting with others in the online adoption community for support. Renee started speaking to other expectant mothers and realized that many of the reasons that they were considering adoption, were similar to hers – temporary. She started to explain the lifelong trauma that maternal separation causes both the mothers and their newborns and the mothers were listening. Many in the adoption community began to see the moms with their babies and began to support her efforts of family preservation. Others online began to direct mothers considering adoption to speak with Renee and the concept of Saving Our Sisters became a reality. Renee married her son’s father and together they parent their 2 daughters in Florida.
Anna Grundström
Anna Grundström was adopted from Indonesia to Sweden, and moved to New York as a 20-year-old, where she still resides. She is a BodyMind Movement Facilitator and professional dancer who loves to write.
Anna Grundström was adopted from Indonesia to Sweden, and moved to New York as a 20-year-old, where she still resides. She is a BodyMind Movement Facilitator and professional dancer who loves to write.
Sara Easterly
Sara Easterly is an author and essayist. Her memoir, Searching for Mom, won a Gold Medal in the Illumination Book Awards and was named a winner in the National Indie Excellence Awards, among other honors. Sara has long been supporting other writers. She is the founder of Adoptee Voices, and previously led one of the largest chapters of the SCBWI, where she was recognized as Member of the Year. Additionally, Sara is the adoptee representative in the podcast and forthcoming book, Three Sides to Every Adoption.
Sara Easterly is an author and essayist. Her memoir, Searching for Mom, won a Gold Medal in the Illumination Book Awards and was named a winner in the National Indie Excellence Awards, among other honors. Sara has long been supporting other writers. She is the founder of Adoptee Voices, and previously led one of the largest chapters of the SCBWI, where she was recognized as Member of the Year. Additionally, Sara is the adoptee representative in the podcast and forthcoming book, Three Sides to Every Adoption.
Shae Lee
Shae Lee is a relinquished Korean daughter, Colorado business owner, artist, certified Life Coach, and poet. Her work appears in the Adoptee Voices E-Zine and will be published in the Twenty Bellows literary journal’s inaugural anthology, “We Are the West.” Shae’s most important life accomplishment is having raised her beloved sons into incredible men.
Shae Lee is a relinquished Korean daughter, Colorado business owner, artist, certified Life Coach, and poet. Her work appears in the Adoptee Voices E-Zine and will be published in the Twenty Bellows literary journal’s inaugural anthology, “We Are the West.” Shae’s most important life accomplishment is having raised her beloved sons into incredible men.
Traci Onders
As Program Manager at Adoption Network Cleveland, Traci provides insight, support, and guidance through the search process and beyond. She has extensive experience and training, assisting many in using DNA to connect with birth or biological family, including adoptees and individuals who have misattributed parentage. Traci is an adoptee who has connected with her birth family through DNA.
As Program Manager at Adoption Network Cleveland, Traci provides insight, support, and guidance through the search process and beyond. She has extensive experience and training, assisting many in using DNA to connect with birth or biological family, including adoptees and individuals who have misattributed parentage. Traci is an adoptee who has connected with her birth family through DNA.
Katy Perkins, LCSW-S
Katy Perkins, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Supervisor in private practice based in Garland, Texas. She provides professional training, therapy, case consultation and policy analysis in Texas, Colorado, Florida, North Carolina and Virginia. Katy specializes in post-adoption, sexual and domestic violence, childhood trauma, and oppression & discrimination. She is a founding board member of STAR (Support TX Adoptee Rights).
Katy Perkins, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Supervisor in private practice based in Garland, Texas. She provides professional training, therapy, case consultation and policy analysis in Texas, Colorado, Florida, North Carolina and Virginia. Katy specializes in post-adoption, sexual and domestic violence, childhood trauma, and oppression & discrimination. She is a founding board member of STAR (Support TX Adoptee Rights).
Amanda Reno
Inspired by her own search and reunion with her sister, Amanda Reno has spent the last 8 years helping individuals reunite with their genetic identity. Most recently, Amanda co-founded AdvanceDNA, a company established to assist law enforcement agencies in the development of DNA leads on cold cases, where she serves as the Director of Genetic & Forensic Case Management.
Inspired by her own search and reunion with her sister, Amanda Reno has spent the last 8 years helping individuals reunite with their genetic identity. Most recently, Amanda co-founded AdvanceDNA, a company established to assist law enforcement agencies in the development of DNA leads on cold cases, where she serves as the Director of Genetic & Forensic Case Management.
Gayle H. Swift
An adoptive mother of two now-adult children and a former foster parent, Gayle H. Swift is a certified coach and co-founder of Growing Intentional Families Together. which provides family coaching before, during and after adoption. She is also a former teacher, and former newsletter editor. As a staunch adoptee-rights activist, Gayle has presented at the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) Conference. She believes in the power of books to inform, heal, and create community.
An adoptive mother of two now-adult children and a former foster parent, Gayle H. Swift is a certified coach and co-founder of Growing Intentional Families Together. which provides family coaching before, during and after adoption. She is also a former teacher, and former newsletter editor. As a staunch adoptee-rights activist, Gayle has presented at the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) Conference. She believes in the power of books to inform, heal, and create community.
Rebecca Autumn Sansom
Rebecca Autumn Sansom is guided by the promise of a consciously evolving humanity. As a filmmaker she was invited by Oregon's Congressman Blumenauer to screen her feature documentary about high speed rail, Trainsforming America, at the Capitol in DC. She won a 2015 Midsouth regional Emmy for her work on Tout Your Town, a travel series produced by Genuine Human Productions, Nashville TN. As a native Nashvillian, Rebecca’s life has been steeped in the sounds of Music City. Now she is hoping to disrupt the entertainment industry by creating a safe space for marginalized talent with The Wavy Awards presented by The (NYC) Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment coming October 2021.
Her upcoming feature length documentary Reckoning with The Primal Wound is the first adoptee x biological mother team to produce a film about author Nancy Verrier’s landmark book, The Primal Wound. She has partnered with Legacy Entertainment Partners and Executive Producer Gena Vazquez to secure distribution.
Rebecca Autumn Sansom is guided by the promise of a consciously evolving humanity. As a filmmaker she was invited by Oregon's Congressman Blumenauer to screen her feature documentary about high speed rail, Trainsforming America, at the Capitol in DC. She won a 2015 Midsouth regional Emmy for her work on Tout Your Town, a travel series produced by Genuine Human Productions, Nashville TN. As a native Nashvillian, Rebecca’s life has been steeped in the sounds of Music City. Now she is hoping to disrupt the entertainment industry by creating a safe space for marginalized talent with The Wavy Awards presented by The (NYC) Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment coming October 2021.
Her upcoming feature length documentary Reckoning with The Primal Wound is the first adoptee x biological mother team to produce a film about author Nancy Verrier’s landmark book, The Primal Wound. She has partnered with Legacy Entertainment Partners and Executive Producer Gena Vazquez to secure distribution.