Meet your Support Team
Susan VanSyckle, LBSW
Consulting Director - 2012
Susan is a Licensed Social Worker in multiple states and holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Social Work. She has been working with birth and adoptive families for over 15 years. She is also a Certified Lactation Counselor and counsels adoptive mothers desiring to breastfeed. In addition to her professional experience, Susan has a passion for equipping and training families on their journey towards adoption. Susan’s Story
Karalee Alvey
Sr. Adoption Consultant - 2008
Karalee has a Master’s Degree from the University of Louisville & has over 10 years experience as an Adoption Consultant with CAC. In addition to consulting with Christian Adoption Consultants, Karalee also writes home studies in the state of Kentucky for a local licensed adoption agency. Karalee and her husband are also former clients of CAC and proud adoptive parents of three amazing kids. Karalee’s Story
Gretchen McWhorter
Sr. Adoption Consultant - 2008
Gretchen holds 2 Bachelor’s Degrees from Samford University and has served families as an Adoption Consultant with CAC for over 10 years. Gretchen and her husband, Justin, were one of Christian Adoption Consultants first clients, and they are now the proud parents of 3 children, all through adoption. They are actively involved in ministry at their church, as well as the crisis adoption center in their community. Gretchen’s Story
Dawn & Jason Wright
Sr. Adoption Consultants - 2012
Dawn & Jason are Certified Parent Trainers with TCU Institute of Child Development with over 17 years combined experience including agency experience. Dawn holds a bachelor’s degree from Simpson University and Jason’s Diploma is from Croydon College in England. They have a depth of personal adoption experience having 9 adopted kids (through domestic, international, special needs, transracial & foster/state adoptions). They are also former CAC clients. The Wright’s Story
Katie Fenska
Sr. Adoption Consultant - 2013
Katie and her husband, Josh, are the grateful parents of five children, two of which came home through the gift of adoption, with the assistance of Christian Adoption Consultants. Katie has a B.A. in Elementary Education and over 6 years professional adoption experience with CAC. She loves God’s relentless heart for adoption has a passion to educate and encourage families as they work through their fears and questions regarding their own personal adoption. Katie’s Story
Leah Braly
Sr. Adoption Consultant - 2014
Leah has a Master’s Degree from the Medical University of SC & over 5 years adoption experience. After having a wonderful experience working with CAC for their daughter’s adoption, Leah left her career as a Speech Pathologist & joined CAC. She loves having a front seat as the Lord faithfully builds families through adoption. Her family has since grown again through the blessing of domestic adoption. Leah resides in Florida & she serves alongside her husband in youth ministry. Leah’s Story
Katie Manuel
Adoption Consultant - 2013
Katie and her husband Michael are the proud parents of 6 kids- 3 biological and 3 adopted with the assistance of Christian Adoption Consultant’s Special Needs and International Program. She especially has a desire to see those children with special needs come to find their forever family. As a Domestic and International Consultant, she has a special place in her heart for children all around the world. It is Katie’s desire to assist families in their journey to bringing home their precious son or daughter. Katie’s Story
Jonnilyn Spinks
Sr. Adoption Consultant - 2017
Jonnilyn has over 6 years agency experience including all aspects of birth/adoptive family care and case management. She has such a strong passion for adoption, as she is an adoptee herself so she has a very unique perspective. Jonnilyn has had the joy of making a very personal part of her life a profession. She attended the State College of Florida and comes from an extensive background in social services. Ultimately, Jonnilyn finds it such an honor and a calling to walk alongside of families in their adoption journey. Jonnilyn’s Story
Kelly Todd
Sr. Adoption Consultant - 2016
Kelly holds a Master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University and previously worked as a counselor. Prior to graduating from WKU with a BA, she completed an internship at a crisis pregnancy center. Kelly and her husband, Obbie, are former clients of CAC and are the proud parents of twins. Having walked through adoption before, she understands the concerns and questions that may arise. Kelly loves connecting with families, hearing their stories and encouraging them each step of the way. Kelly’s Story
Fallon Palacios
Sr. Adoption Consultant - 2018
Fallon and her husband, Mingo, live in sunny California and they have 2 children, the youngest who was added to their family by the gift of adoption through CAC. She has traveled to over 16 countries where the heart for adoption started walking through orphanages in Africa. Fallon has over 12 years ministry experience and she has 2 bachelor’s degrees in Biblical Studies and Communication. Fallon finds it such an honor to be a part of helping others build their forever families. Fallon’s Story
Meg Weston
Adoption Consultant - 2015
Meg holds a Bachelor’s of Social Work from Olivet Nazarene University with over 6 years adoption experience including over 5 years agency experience. Meg & her husband Tim are proud parents of 3 children. Adoption has been close to her heart since fostering & adopting her oldest son & 5 years later adopting her daughter. She combines her personal & professional experience to serve families well. She is honored to work with families on their journey towards adoption. Meg’s Story
Cheri Denmon
Adoption Consultant - 2008
Cheri holds a B.S. in Management from Jacksonville State University. She has over 10 years agency experience as an Executive Director of Hope for Adoption, a licensed adoption agency located in Georgia. She also has over 10 years of adoption consulting experience with Christian Adoption Consultants. Her many years of adoption & ministry experience & her love for children and families is evident with each couple she assists through the adoption & home study process. Cheri’s Story
Elizabeth Noel
Adoption Specialist - 2016
Elizabeth has a Master’s Degree from Walden University and over 4 years experience as an Adoption Consultant and Designer with Christian Adoption Consultants. She has been married to Bryan for 13 years and their precious sons, Dex and Gus, were adopted at birth with the help of Christian Adoption Consultants. Elizabeth has a background in teaching and ministry work with her church. She is passionate about helping families on grow through the miracle of adoption. Elizabeth’s Story
Libby Hostetler
Profile Designer - 2016
Libby is a Graphic Designer and Photographer. She and her husband, Eddy, have three children. Their youngest son joined their family through domestic adoption with Christian Adoption Consultants back in 2015. She loves having the opportunity to help other families in their adoption journey and prays for each family and child as she works on their profiles. Libby believes God calls families to adoption and works every detail to place each child in the family He created them for. Libby’s Story
Chelsea Burkhart
Adoption Specialist - 2019
Chelsea and her husband Jeff, live in sunny Florida with their two sweet sons, who joined their family through the gift of open adoption – both with the help of CAC! Chelsea holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from The University of Arizona. She is passionate about helping and serving families while they grow through adoption. Chelsea is so honored to assist Jonnilyn and her families as they walk throughout their adoption journeys. Chelsea’s Story
Danielle Ashley
Adoption Specialist - 2019
Danielle & her husband Zach have six beautiful children, their youngest two adopted through the help and expertise of CAC. Danielle holds a bachelor’s degree from Thomas More University & is active in ministry roles in her church as well as her growing family. She has a passion for the gospel & loves sharing God’s heart for adoption. Danielle is grateful for the opportunity to extend hope and encouragement as she assists Susan and her families in the adoption process. Danielle’s Story
Karen Novak
Adoption Advocate - 2019
Karen and her husband, Dirk, reside in Indiana and they have two fun loving boys, the youngest who was adopted at birth with the assistance of Christian Adoption Consultants. Karen is a compassionate adoptive mother and also a courageous birth mother. She loves connecting with expectant/birth mothers and fathers as well as adoptive families to hear their stories, pray with them, and help guide them in their unique adoption journeys ahead. Karen’s Story
Candice Wilberg
Adoption Coordinator - 2020
Candice is a full-time mother of two children; son Liam and daughter Olivia who joined their family through the precious gift of adoption. She is honored to come alongside Katie Fenska as she helps grow families through adoption. Candice has always had a heart for children and encouraging women in their walk with the Lord, especially when it comes to those struggling with anxiety. She is excited to be part of the CAC team and watch God at work as He brings families together. Candice’s Story
Lori Dortch
Adoption Advocate - 2020
Lori is a recently retired home school mother of two amazing young women. Nature, Jesus, plants, yoga, and all things health and wellness, are her passions. She’s been married 22 years to Matt, the man that embraced her open adoption from day one. Lori and Matt reside in Dallas, where she is an Ambassador for BraveLove.org & a part-time student. As a champion of communication, connection & character, she adores shining the light of Truth upon, and into, the adoption process. Lori’s Story
Malcolm & Amy Young
Founders/Exec Directors - 2006
In addition to CAC, the Young’s have served as Founders and Directors of 3 licensed adoption agencies. Malcolm has worked in the human services field for over 17 years now and holds a B.A. and B.S. from Kennesaw State University. He has also served as a Senior Pastor and has over 10 years of church leadership experience. Amy has worked in the adoption field for over 15 years. They have personally adopted through domestic, international & special needs programs. The Young’s Story
