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Joan founded the agency in 1999, after working in the adoption field herself. She has had a long career working with children and education. She has a passion for linking children with opportunity. She lives in Denver, CO with her Husband, Henry, and has a daughter who had her own little girl and made Joan a grandma! Joan was born and raised in China, and has spent much time there, as well as many other countries, seeing the need of children living in orphanages first hand. She enjoys spending time with family, going to the theater, traveling, her dog Max, and of course serving children and families through adoption.
Hannah joined IAN in July 2019 after getting her B.S. in Human Services. She has a heart for children, especially those with special needs, and is passionate about serving them and their families. She is excited to work with families as they move through their adoption process. Hannah is a Colorado native and loves being outdoors, reading, and spending time with others.
Adoption has been a blessing and a huge part of Bethany’s life since her family adopted her first brother from Korea when she was 8 years old. She now has 9 siblings, 7 who were adopted (from Vietnam, India, and the U.S.), bringing the number of kids in her family to 10. Her mom began working in the adoption field over 20 years ago when they adopted her sister from India, which allowed her to assist her and learn more about the adoption process. In 2007, she was given the opportunity to officially work with the India program, and she has been “hooked” ever since. She is honored to work for IAN’s India program, and to be a small part of bringing children and families together.
Courtney comes from a large family of 10 kids built through adoption: She has 3 sisters (2 biological and 1 adopted from India) and 6 brothers (adopted from South Korea, Vietnam, & domestically). Her mom began working in the adoption field around the time they adopted from India and hired Courtney (and her sister Bethany) to work with her. She's thrilled to have the opportunity to continue helping families adopt through IAN. In her free time, Courtney enjoys spending time with her family, playing board games, watching tv/movies, and reading.
Beth Risdon, MSW is IAN’s Lead Child Placement Supervisor, and brings years of experience in clinical evaluation and support for social workers and prospective adoptive parents. She is the key contact between IAN and partner agencies in other states to support families adopting with IAN. The daughter of adventurous parents, Beth was raised in Illinois, Maryland and Athens, Greece. She attended college in Virginia before moving to Colorado with her husband, Ken, in 1993. Beth received her Masters of Social Work (MSW) at the University of Denver. Beth and Ken are the parents to two adult children, Sam and Emma, and have two rescue pets – Krosby, an orange tabby, and Annie, an English cream golden retriever. When not wearing her social work hat, Beth is a trail runner, marathoner and triathlete. She combines her passions for travel and fitness by doing marathons and triathlons around the globe. Beth tries to live by her favorite Lewis Carroll quote, “In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take.”
Nikkeria graduated with a B.S in Public Health and worked as a nanny while attending college. She grew to love helping families thrive and had the privilege of working for many types of families which solidified her belief that there is more than one way to become a family. Nikkeria is a Colorado transplant and recent newlywed who says she is more of a homebody, but if there's food involved, she is willing to get out and go.
In May 2022, Kelli graduated from Indiana University, earning a bachelor's degree in Psychology with minors in Human Development and Family Studies, as well as Criminal Justice. She relocated to Florida to start her career in child welfare, discovering her passion for supporting children and families through reunification and adoption. At IAN, Kelli eagerly anticipates the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on children's lives by helping them find loving homes. On weekends, she enjoys baking, hiking, exploring local eateries, and spending quality time with her mini dachshund, Elmer.
Kelly brings over 20 years’ experience in international adoption to IAN where she wears several hats, guiding clients through the complexities of intercountry adoption in Colombia while also assisting with the agency’s operations. As the manager of IAN’s Colombia program, she brings both professional expertise and personal experience to ensure a smooth adoption journey. She is deeply committed to best practices and upholding Hague adoption standards, helping families navigate every step with confidence. Her passion for adoption is personal—Kelly has adopted internationally three times, including twice from Colombia. With over 20 years in the field, she has played a role in helping approximately 1,000 children find permanent families, making her a trusted expert and advocate. Beyond her program leadership, Kelly’s experience as Executive Director of a Hague approved agency contributes to IAN’s overall operations, Hague-compliance and helping the agency run efficiently while staying focused on its mission. She understands the uncertainties, questions, and emotions that come with adoption—both during the process and long after. She has a special passion for supporting single parents and LGBTQ individuals in their path to parenthood, ensuring that everyone who dreams of adopting has the guidance and encouragement they need.
Michaela graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She is an individual deeply passionate about adoption, shaped by her own experiences as an adopted child. Having been adopted at a young age, Michaela understands firsthand the transformative power of finding a loving and supportive family. This personal journey has ignited a lifelong commitment to helping children and families navigate the adoption process, ensuring that every child has the chance to grow up in a nurturing environment.
As the Office Manager at IAN, Kandra serves as the central communication "hub," facilitating seamless interactions between clients and staff while ensuring the smooth execution of daily operations. With over seven years of experience working in international adoption, she brings a wealth of expertise and dedication to our organization. Kandra's commitment to ethical best practices and her focus on delivering exceptional client support underscore her role in enhancing the experiences of both our clients and our team.
I am passionate about using the wisdom, experience, and knowledge I have gained to help the adoption community in an organic and authentic way. So much emphasis is placed on the process of adoption, and not as much on the care and support of those in the adoption community. I feel that I am returning to the root of my love for adoption – the people involved. I believe that employing empathy and informed interpersonal communication skills are the keys to healing and developing healthier relationships, which is my goal in all of the services I offer.
Address
7430 East Caley Avenue
Ste 220
Centennial, CO 80111
Phone
1-800-982-3778
Email
info@internationaladoptionnet.org
Hours of Operation
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM MT
