Meet AKA's Dedicated Staff and Volunteers
Marci Shrull (Program Administrator) is a public school teacher living in Austin, Texas. She was born and raised in Spokane, Washington, graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Spanish, and spent time in the Army working in the intelligence field. She is married with a grown son and daughter. In her free time you can find Marci enjoying nature, reading, or spending time with friends. Marci is excited to support AKA and help the community grow.
Anne Bingham (Peer Support Group Facilitator) is a writer living in Austin, TX. She is an ardent adoptee rights advocate and served on the board of Support Texas Adoptee Rights, as well as a long time member of Adoption Knowledge Affiliates. Anne has used her resources, time, and talents educating others about adoption from the birth parent perspective, both on the AKA conference planning committee and as a panelist at past AKA conferences and events. Currently, Anne is a facilitator for the Birth/First Parent Peer Support Groups.
Sherry Ferguson (Search Angel) is an adoptee. She is in a happy reunion with her biological parents. She has provided testimony for adoptee rights during the 2015 and 2017 Texas legislative session. Prior to becoming a Mother she worked in the medical profession. She has been a Licensed Vocational Nurse since 1986. As an adoptee she understands the difficulty involved in obtaining family health history and ancestry. She is a Volunteer Search Angel helping adoptees for over 20 years. Her passion is genealogy. Her research connected her to New Orleans and her French Cajun Irish and Spanish roots. She is a proud Native Texan. Born in Houston. Her ancestors came to Texas in 1824 as one Stephen F Austin’s “Old 300” first families. She enjoys her children and hiking and swimming. Sherry is a volunteer search angel.
Dr. Abigail Hasberry (Education Committee Member) splits residence in both San Antonio, Texas, and Baltimore, Maryland. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist associate, and holds a B.S. in African American studies and sociology, a M.A.in teaching, K-12, a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction, a school superintendent certification, and a M.Ed. in counseling and development, marriage and family counseling. Abby is a former teacher and principal with experience in private, traditional public, and charter schools. Her doctoral dissertation focused on the experiences of black teachers at private, affluent, and predominantly white private schools. Her research focused on identity development, diversity, and the development of support networks. She has published on identity development and has been on several podcasts and webinars speaking on adoption, identity development, and supporting teens with anxiety. Abby is a domestic transracial adoptee in reunion, and a birth mom, also in reunion. Abby is a cofacilitator for the Birth/First Parent Peer Support Group.
Lindsey Kohn (Communication Committee Chair, Education Committee Member, Conference Committee Member) is a domestic adoptee, adopted at birth in the early '80s. She was born in NY, raised in NJ, and now living in Florida with her husband and son. She "came out of the fog" in 2020 after unexpectedly finding her biological father's (dad) side of her family through 23andme. She started to search for advice regarding reunion and stumbled upon the fantastic community of adoptee support. She immediately began to immerse herself in everything adoption, and once she heard about "adoption-competent" therapy, she knew it was her calling. She is currently finishing her master's in Marriage and Family Therapy with a specialty in trauma with the goal of working with adult adoptees. She is an avid adoptee advocate and supporter of family preservation. She looks forward to serving the adoption community and helping adoptees find their voices and speak their truth. She also hopes to amplify adoptee voices in society and help reauthor the dominant narrative surrounding adoption.
Rod Lind, LPC, (Peer Support Group Facilitator & Nominations Committee Chair) comes to AKA as an adoptee who recently united with several members of his birth family. He is also a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor with more than 20 years of experience in the mental health field. He holds a certification in medical hypnosis (CMH) from the American Psychotherapy and Medical Hypnosis Association and has Diplomate status in Comprehensive Energy Psychology (D-CEP) from the Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology and is currently a Board member of both of those organizations. Rod has a limited private practice helping adult adoptees to meet life’s challenges and to achieve their most desirable sense. Rod is a facilitator for the Male Adoptee Meetup Group.
Bruce Porth (Education Committee Member, Peer Support Committee Member) was born in Chicago near the end of the baby scoop era and adopted at 10 days old into a family that was well-intentioned but lacked critical knowledge and insight in how to raise an adopted child. He started coming out of the fog in the late 90's and eventually reunited with his birth family in 1998 and maintains a relationship that continues to expand and grow. It was in 2020 when Bruce found the broader adoptee community and a deeper level of awareness and healing became available. He discovered how essential the support of the adoptee community is in moving through the stages of healing from adoption grief and loss and came to AKA through attendance of the Male Adoptee Group. Bruce is passionate about promoting truth and transparency in adoption and hopes to give back to the community by raising awareness within the adoption constellation of the complex challenges that come with relinquishment. Bruce has a M.S. in Metallurgical Engineering and has worked in the semiconductor industry for 30 years. He is married with two daughters and lives in Vermont.
Marci Purcell (Peer Support Committee Co-Chair & Conference Committee Member) served on the board of AKA as a member-at-large and board president. In 2019 Marci began working for AKA as Program Administrator, then served as Executive Director during the pandemic to pivot AKA services to virtual and help usher AKA through this tumultuous time. Marci also serves on the advisory board of Support Texas Adoptee Rights (STAR), Marci is a reform advocate for truth and transparency in adoption, foster care, and donor conception. She is also passionate about disability rights, both in the broader community, and as they relate to adoption. Marci has a degree in Psychology from Texas State University, is certified in psychological first aid and peer support, and a trained mediator through The UT School of Law, Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution. Marci facilitates AKA's Women Adoptee Meetup Group and cofacilitates the DNA Discoveries Group.
Dawn Scott (Peer Support Group Facilitator & Conference Committee) is an adoptive parent residing in Austin, Texas with her daughter and their dogs, Lucky and Sadie. Past President of AKA, and longtime open records advocate, Dawn also expresses her passion for transparency as a Senior Manager with Beautycounter, the leading provider of clean skin care and cosmetics in North America. Dawn was awarded AKA's Adoption Vanguard Award in 2021. She is a facilitator for the Adoptive Parent Peer Support Group and the DNA Discoveries Support Group.
Tawni Traynor, (Peer Support Group Facilitator) was adopted when she was 5 years old from South Korea. She grew up in Big Lake, MN and graduated from the Carlson School of Business at the University of Minnesota. Her career has been in web design / development and CRM Platforms. Tawni started a non-profit organization in 2020 called AK Connection - Adopted Korean Connection. This was a social and support network that provided community and connection for adult adoptees from South Korea. Tawni married a Korean adoptee in 2001 and they have two children who are 17 and 19. She divorced since 2010. Tawni moved to Austin in 2021 and lives in NE Austin with her Morkie. She loves to spend her time playing pickleball, hosting gatherings, building community, singing karaoke and hot yoga. Tawni facilitates the Multicultural Women Adoptee Peer Support Group.
Daryn Watson (Peer Support Group Facilitator) is an adoptee born and raised in Alberta, Canada. Daryn began his reunion journey in 1995 after finding his maternal family (with the help of Adoption Knowledge Affiliates). Daryn is a Certified Life Coach and he uses his 25+ years of reunion experience to help fellow adoptees and other members of the adoption constellation navigate their adoption reunion journeys. He lives in Austin, TX with his wife Christine. Daryn is a facilitator for the Men's Adoptee Peer Support Group.
Tamara Whinston (Peer Support Group Facilitator) is an adoptive mom and an ardent supporter of AKA. Tamara began seeking a deeper connection to the adoption community and educating herself regarding transracial adoption after adopting her son from Russia. Her passion is creating a community where everyone feels heard and valued. Tamara's expertise lies in bringing people together for meaningful collaboration. She enjoys facilitating meetings, event planning, and serving marginalized and underserved communities. She hopes to assist AKA in its mission of connecting members of the adoption constellation to educational programming and social gatherings. Tamara has already given her time to AKA as a dedicated member of the conference committee for the past four years and several years on the AKA Board of Directors. Tamara is a cofacilitator for the Adoptive Parent Peer Support Group.
Dianne Sonnenberg (Peer Support Group Facilitator) is an international (First Nations) adoptee who has been active in the AKA community for several years. She values the services that AKA provides, has benefitted greatly from her participation, and has a strong desire to support others in their own journeys. She reunited with her extended biological family and First Nations tribal community in 2013-2014. Dianne holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Michigan. She has been married since 1989, an Austin, TX resident since 1992, and has two grown children. Dianne is an artist, and also serves on the boards of the Austin Mosaic Guild and the Texas Society of Sculptors. Dianne is a cofacilitator for the Multicultural Women Adoptee Peer Support Group.
Hannah Andrews (Peer Support Group Facilitator, Education Committee Chair, & Communications Committee Member & AKA Member Newsletter Publisher) was born in Chicago and was adopted as an infant during the Baby Scoop Era. She was raised on a Midwestern farm with two older adoptee brothers. In 2018, a chance meeting with an author birthmother sent Hannah in search of her own history. She found more questions than answers, but found guidance and community from fellow triad members. She joined the AKA board to provide that same support to others. Hannah is a writer, pianist & pet enthusiast . She lives in San Diego, CA with her dog Josie and three Pussycats. Hannah cofacilitates the Women Adoptee Peer Support Group.
Isha Marie Rush, MPA, (Peer Support Group Facilitator, Peer Support Committee Member, Education Committee Member, & Conference Committee Member) is a Transracial/International Adoptee. Isha was born in India and adopted at age five. She is extremely excited to not only serve on this board, but be surrounded by so many beautiful hearts. Isha is looking forward to utilizing her skills with aims to best serve this community! She is so grateful to have found her people and ecstatic to connect with everyone through board service! Isha is a cofacilitator for the Multicultural Women Adoptee Peer Support Group and the Adult Adoptee Peer Support Group.
Dirk Uphoff (Peer Support Committee Chair, Education Committee Member, & Peer Support Group Facilitator) is a transracial adoptee born in the 1960’s during the baby scoop era. He “came out of the fog” in late 2019 and has been immersing himself into the adoption community ever since. Dirk is passionate about educating parents of transracial adoptees and has participated on several panels. He has been active in AKA’s Male Adoptee group and hopes to see more male participation in the adoption constellation. Dirk has served on several boards and looks forward to contributing what he can to AKA and the larger adoption community. He was reunited with several members of his birth family in 2016 and remains in relationship with them. Dirk has a BA in Liberal Arts from Bethel University and holds a certification in Office Ergonomics (CEAS) working in the Contract Furniture Industry. He has been married since 1988, has four grown children, and lives in Phoenix, AZ. Dirk co-facilitates the Adult Adoptee Peer Support Group & the Men's Adoptee Peer Support Group.
Akara Skye (Conference Committee Member, Education Committee Member) is a domestic, baby scoop era, closed adoption, late discovery adopted person. She was born, relinquished, and raised in central Texas. Frustrated with the societal politeness of the adoption narrative, she turned to AKA whose invaluable support led her to reclaim her voice. She now writes to help navigate the multi-layered trauma of relinquishment. She is part of the Adoptee Voices Cohort through which several of her writing pieces have been featured and published in the Adoptee Voices Ezine. Her work has also been featured as a short, recorded piece for the Rudd Adoption Research Program Conference.
She is estranged from her adoptive family and unacknowledged by her birth family. Living on the sacred land of Sedona has offered Akara solace and healing; as well as time to reflect and write about her life under a different, more truthful, lens.
Akara has a BBA in Finance from the University of Texas Austin and a MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.
She is estranged from her adoptive family and unacknowledged by her birth family. Living on the sacred land of Sedona has offered Akara solace and healing; as well as time to reflect and write about her life under a different, more truthful, lens.
Akara has a BBA in Finance from the University of Texas Austin and a MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.
