Staff

Sue Hollar, LCSW-C, LICSW

Executive Director & CEO

BS, Lenoir-Rhyne University; MSW, Syracuse University

Sue heads The Barker Adoption Foundation, one of the nation’s leading and oldest comprehensive adoption organizations. Her experience includes nearly three decades of social work practice focused exclusively on child welfare and adoption work locally, nationally, and internationally. She previously served in numerous roles at Barker. Sue’s experience includes direct-service and managerial positions in foster care, treatment foster care, and independent living programs. Prior to her work at Barker, she directed programs for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Children's Bureau supporting the federally mandated child and family services reviews and title IV-E foster care eligibility reviews of state child welfare agencies. Sue has also developed and conducted training for foster care and adoption staff throughout the country and serves on the National Training and Development Curriculum for Foster and Adoptive Parents Content Committee.

Beverly N. Clarke, LCSW-C, LICSW

Senior Director of Clinical & Support Services

BSW, Andrews University; MSW, Andrews University

Beverly is the Senior Director of Clinical & Support Services and responsible for managing, developing, implementing, and providing oversight and quality assurance for the clinical aspects of the work provided by the agency’s adoption and support programs. Beverly has more than 21 years of experience as a social worker and clinician, with many of those years focusing on children and families. Previously, Beverly was the Director of Barker’s Project Wait No Longer. Prior to Barker, Beverly worked in the foster care system, family preservation programs, and domestic and international adoption programs. As an adoptive parent herself, she brings both a personal and professional understanding of the adoption process as well as a passion for supporting families and achieving permanency for children.

Cynthia Cubbage, LCSW-C, LICSW

Director of Family and Post-Adopt Services

BSW, James Madison University; MSW, University of Central Florida

Cynthia heads the Family and Post-Adoption Services Department at The Barker Adoption Foundation. She provides oversight of Search & Reunion Services, Support Groups, the Clinical Counseling Program, and Training & Education Services at The Barker Adoption Foundation. She has 20 years of experience dedicated to serving children and families in leadership and clinical therapy positions through non-profit work and county government agencies.  She has focused on child advocacy efforts, analyzing public local policies, developing innovative programming for youth/children, and provided clinical therapy to children and adolescents. Cynthia’s area of expertise is in providing pre and post-adoption services in a variety of local, national, and international agencies to anyone touched by adoption.  She and her wife are parents by adoption of two wonderful children.

Emily Marshall, LICSW, LCSW-C

Foster Care Adoption Consortium Director

BA, Kenyon College, MSW, Catholic University

Emily currently serves as the Director of the Foster Care Adoption Consortium at Barker.  She moved to that position after leading our international adoption programs for several years.   Prior to her work with Barker, Emily worked as a School Social Worker, providing ongoing clinical counseling and case management, as a Child and Family Therapist, and as a Social Worker for children in the foster care system in New York. In addition to her clinical experience, Emily brings her Spanish speaking skills to the clinical team. She is very excited to translate her wealth of knowledge and experience working directly with children into working on behalf of children who are in need of permanent and loving families.

Michele Mazzei

Director of Development

Michele is the Director of Development and responsible for crafting, implementing and managing development and fundraising strategies. She is also responsible for expanding and deepening relationships with the Barker Adoption Foundation community.

With ten years’ experience as a manager and individual contributor in a fast-paced, mission and metrics driven environment at the American Heart Association, and account management and business process experience at Siemens, she is a successful architect and implementer of strategic and tactical development plans that aligned with organizational mission.

Michele has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a National Rome Betts Award winner for consistent performance, leadership, professionalism, and dedication; an award granted annually to those who value and exhibit integrity, excellence, vision, dedication, inclusiveness and sensitivity in their work. With a business mind and mission heart, she thrives in meaningful and challenging roles that benefit children and families.    

Saara McEachnie, LICSW, LCSW-C

Director of Adoption Programs

BSW, Oakwood University; MSW, Western Michigan University

Saara is the Director of Adoption Programs at Barker.  In this role, she oversees all adoption programs including our older child foster care adoption program - Project Wait No Longer (PWNL), International Adoptions and Infant Adoptions. Saara came to The Barker Adoption Foundation in 2018 with over eleven years of experience working with children and families. She spent the first years of her career working with children who were diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and assisting families of soldiers who had served overseas in the military. The majority of Saara's experience has been with the public child welfare system, helping children to achieve permanency either through reunification with their birth parents or through adoption/guardianship with a loving and able caregiver. Saara worked on supervisory teams to implement evidence-based, trauma-informed treatment models to best serve the vulnerable population of children within the foster care system in the District of Columbia. Her passion is mostly found in ensuring happy, healthy, and loving families for children.

Nancy E. Wilkinson, CPA

Director of Finance and Administration

B.A., University of Maryland M.S., Accounting, Georgetown University

Nancy joined The Barker Adoption Foundation as Director of Finance and Administration in March 2020. In this role, she is responsible for Financial and Accounting operations, Human Resources and Benefit Administration, and Operations Administration. As a CPA, she brings a broad range of experience to Barker, in both public accounting and other finance management roles for several large nonprofits. Nancy is thrilled to be able to utilize her accounting skills to support the amazing Barker staff.

Sami Albert, LCSW-C, LICSW

Sr. Search and Match Specialist

BA, The Pennsylvania State University; MSW, University of Maryland, Baltimore

Sami is the Senior Search and Match Specialist for Barker's Project Wait No Longer (PWNL) Program at The Barker Adoption Foundation. Before joining Barker, Sami dedicated much of her social work career to the public child welfare system in Washington, D.C., where she worked closely with children and families to achieve permanency through reunification, adoption, or guardianship. With extensive experience supporting individuals who have faced significant trauma and navigating complex mental health challenges, Sami brings a compassionate, informed approach to every case. Drawing on her clinical expertise, Sami excels at connecting children with families and ensuring that families have access to the resources needed to meet the unique needs of each child. Her dedication and skillset contribute to creating lasting, supportive family bonds.

Caitlin Alfaro

Domestic Adoption Program Support Specialist

George Mason University - B.S, Criminology Law and Society

Caitlin serves as the Domestic Adoption Program Support Specialist for families in both the Infant and Project Wait No Longer Programs. She works closely with families and outside agencies from home study to finalization. Before coming to Barker, Caitlin served in the U.S Army as an Administrative Support Specialist, serving a tour of duty overseas. As an adoptee and birth mother herself, she brings both a personal and professional understanding of the adoption process and a passion for serving children and families in our domestic program.

Victoria Alves, LICSW, LCSW-C

Adoption-Competent Child, Family, and Adolescent Therapist

BSW, Simmons University, MSW, Rhode Island College

Victoria was transracially adopted from China as an infant and grew up in Massachusetts. Her previous work history includes: supervising visitation between parents and their children, working as a school counselor in a public charter school, providing intensive, home-based therapy to children with intense emotional and behavioral needs, and providing clinical case management to LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness. Victoria believes strongly in client-oriented services and that everyone should have access to the opportunities and support that they need to succeed. Victoria is also passionate about self-improvement and continuing to learn throughout your life. At Barker, Victoria is focused on working with children, young adults, parents, and family units to understand what adoption means to them and to provide a safe, supportive space for everyone to flourish. She currently lives with her partner, their two cats, and their dog. When not at Barker, you can find Victoria reading, rock climbing, or at trivia.

Sandy Batton, LICSW, LCSW-C

Home Study Social Worker

BS, University of Pittsburgh; MSW, University of Cincinnati

Sandy has worked in the field of adoption since 1995.  Throughout that time, she has worked with adoptive families, expectant parents considering adoption, and birth parents and adult adopted persons interested in search and reunion.  Since 2007, she has served as a Home Study Social Worker at Barker, where she supports adoptive parents and children throughout the adoption process.

Linda P. Baxter, CPA

Controller

BSBA, Washington University in St. Louis

Linda joined the Finance team at Barker in January 2024 and brings her extensive accounting experience working with public accounting firms and multiple non-profit organizations in the DC metro region. She also prioritizes her volunteer work for other non-profits in the area and is an avid Washington Nationals baseball fan. Linda is excited to contribute to the Barker mission to provide lifelong support to all individuals as navigate their adoption journey.

Karen Brustad

Home Study Social Worker

Karen Brustad is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked with children and families for 35 years. Karen’s professional career began at St Ann’s Infant and Maternity home. She has worked at Children’s National Medical Center in their Division of Child Protection and Prince George’s hospital in their NICU and Developmental Clinic. Karen then worked in Early Intervention in both VA and MD. She is a certified infant massage instructor. Karen recently retired from the school system where she worked in the preschool special education program. Karen enjoys spending time with her husband and two children and traveling as often as she can.

Whitney Dill

Office Manager & Human Resource Associate

University of Maryland, B.S Human Resource Management

Whitney is excited to bring her attention to details, integrity, ethics and creativity to the Barker Foundation.

Barbara Donesky, LCSWC, LICSW

Group Facilitator

Barbara Donesky has more than 20 years of experience providing individual counseling, couples therapy/marriage counseling and group therapy. Her style is interactional, holistic and strengths-based. Barbara facilitates two support groups at Barker- Parents of Adopted Teens and Older Children Support Group and the Parents of Young Adults Support Group.  Recently voted as one of the top three couples counselors in Washington, D.C.  Much of her work with couples involves healing from infidelity, which can be sexual or emotional. As for individual therapy, Barbara’s areas of expertise are grief/loss, substance abuse, adoption, and infertility.

Virginia Downes

Adoption Home Study Case Manager

B.A., The University of the South

Virginia serves as the case manager for families completing their home studies as well as the super user for our online platform, MyAdoptionPortal. Virginia joined our team after completing a year of service with AmeriCorps, where she worked in the DC public school system. She has a passion for women's and children’s issues and enjoys putting her skills to work on behalf of the children and families we serve across our programs.

Kaitlin Fischer, LICSW, LMSW

Child Matching & Family Support Specialist

BSW, James Madison University; MSW, Virginia Commonwealth University

As our Child Matching & Family Support Specialist, Katie provides support to families in Barker’s Project Wait No Longer older child adoption program and is responsible for the review of child referrals and matching with prospective adoptive families. She joined the PWNL team following several years working with the international adoptions program. Prior to coming to Barker in 2019, Kaitlin worked for a non-profit serving families experiencing homelessness and poverty in the Washington, DC area. Katie is passionate about serving children and families and is excited to continue this work in the adoption field.

Rebekah Grimes, LMSW, LGSW

Home Study Social Worker

BSW, University of Maryland, Baltimore County; MSW, University of Maryland, Baltimore

Rebekah has been working in child welfare for over 7 years. Her work has ranged from adoption (domestic, international and foster care), refugee foster care, pregnancy counseling and treatment foster care. Rebekah had devoted her career to working and partnering with families journeying through the adoption. Adoption is more than just her professional work; it is personal and close to her heart through family and close friends who have adopted. Rebekah has been with Barker since 2022 and loves getting to connect with Barker families. 

In her free time, she can be found juggling her two young boys and spending time with her husband. 

Lara Jones

Adoption Counselor and Clinical Support Specialist

BS, Brigham Young University-Idaho; MSW, Case Western Reserve

Lara is the Adoption Counselor and Clinical Support Specialist for Barker’s Domestic Infant Program. She supports and counsels expectant parents who are considering adoption and also provides support to prospective families who are seeking to build their family by adoption. Lara has lived experience as an adopted person. She brings her experience, her passion, empathy, and notable clinical skills to her work and is able to help families navigate complex decisions. Lara has worked in a variety of clinical settings prior to her work at Barker, including public and private sector populations. Lara believes that the essence of family is love, acceptance and understanding, and the key to a strong society is in building strong families.

Elana Lindner, LMSW

Adoption-Competent Child, Family, and Adolescent Therapist

Tulane University MSW, The Pennsylvania State University

Elana Lindner holds a BA in general psychology from Penn State and a Master of Social Work from Tulane University. With a background as a pre-k teacher, she has fostered nurturing environments that emphasize the power of play in early childhood development. Elana's professional interests are rooted in clinical practice, focusing on children and adolescents, particularly in areas such as emotional regulation, self-esteem, and the impact of school and social stressors, as well as adoption and trauma work. In her free time, Elana enjoys spending time at home with her fiancé and their two cats, going to the movies, and thrifting – and always with an iced coffee in her hand! She is excited for the journey ahead and looks forward to making a positive impact while serving families in the adoption constellation.

Tenisha Lusane

Community Outreach and Recruitment Specialist

BA in Strategic Communication from Temple University

Tenisha Lusane is a dynamic professional who holds a BA in Strategic Communication from Temple University. Her commitment to making a positive impact led her to join Barker as a Community Outreach and Recruitment Specialist. With a background in IVF patient experience and recruitment, as well as education recruitment, Tenisha brings a wealth of expertise to her role, ensuring that Barker continues to thrive and serve its community with excellence.

Marilyn Rippetoe, LICSW, LCSW-C

Adoption Clinical Manager & Placement Support Specialist

MSW, University of Maryland, Baltimore

Marilyn is part of the Project Wait No Longer older child adoption team, both supervising search and match efforts and clinically supporting families between child placement and adoption finalization.

Marilyn graduated with a master's degree in social work, with a concentration in Clinical work with Families and Children, from the University of Maryland in Baltimore, MD in 2006. She is currently licensed to practice in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia. Marilyn has spent her career working in foster care, domestic and international adoptions, in-home health and aging services, and school counseling. She has a real passion for connecting loving families with older children coming from the foster care system.

Dewanna McDowell, MSW, LCSW-C

Trainer

Dewanna McDowell is a licensed clinical social worker with over 20 years of experience working in the world of foster care and adoption. Her interest in child welfare was initially sparked when her own biological parents became foster parents, ultimately providing a safe haven for nearly 20 children over two decades of service.  Dewanna has worked in various positions in the public child welfare system, providing direct service, management, and training support in various capacities.

Since 2010, Dewanna has facilitated group training for the Barker Adoption Foundation, initially focused on Project Wait No Longer.   She currently facilitates National Training and Development Curriculum (NTDC) pre-service training for all of Barker’s adoption programs.  She is passionate about preparing adoptive families to successfully parent the children who join their families and supporting those families through placement and beyond.

Molly McKenna, LICSW, LCSW-C, LCSW

Home Study Social Worker

BA, Boston College, MSW, Catholic University

Molly is a home study social worker with Barker.  Prior to joining Barker, Molly worked as a behavioral health and oncology social worker at the National Institutes of Health.  She also has vast experience working with immigrant and refugee families and advocating for the fair treatment of immigrants. She is passionate about working with vulnerable populations and adoptive families. 

Mary Oberheim

Development Associate

Mary comes to Barker with considerable experience and ability across all areas of office administration and a long-time passion for children. Prior to joining Barker in March of 2022, Mary served as the development associate at a social policy non-profit in Washington, D.C., where she successfully applied her administrative and people skills to individual giving campaigns, 50th-anniversary events and activities, donor relations, outreach, and acknowledgment. She also administratively supported the foundation side of fundraising with grant tracking, record-keeping, and grant report preparation.

Mary’s role at Barker is to provide administrative and technical support to development activities associated with contributions, grants, events, donor and volunteer engagement, and stewardship. She brings a valued knowledge to the team, a willingness to go beyond expectations, and a commitment to engage and support all in the adoption and foster care community.

Kellie Olive, LMSW

International Case Manager & Family Support Specialist

B.S. University of Maryland, College Park and M.S.W, University of Maryland, Baltimore

Kellie joined The Barker Adoption Foundation as the International Case Manager and Family Support Specialist. Prior to joining Barker, Kellie has had experience working as a school-based therapist serving elementary school students with a vast variety of different social/ emotional needs, as a therapist in a private practice supporting clients from multiple age groups and backgrounds and working as a post-adoption intern during her post-graduate studies. Adoption holds a special place in Kellie’s heart and family with her older sister being adopted. Kellie is excited to join the Barker team to support families on their adoption journey and offer her clinical skillset to families during this critical and joyous time.

Kristen Reighard

Group Facilitator

Kristen Reighard is a Nationally Certified Counselor who has worked with Barker for over 10 years. She facilitates Barker’s monthly Adult Adoptee Discussion Group.  In addition, she co-facilitates Barker’s Adopted Kids' & Teens' Groups throughout the year. Kristen is also an adoptee herself. She was transracially adopted as a baby from Seoul, South Korea and grew up in New Jersey.  She has been married for 7 years and has a son and daughter.

Theodore C. Reynolds, LCSW-C, LICSW

Home Study Social Worker

BSW, Stony Brook University; MSW, Columbia University

Ted is a home study social worker who joined Barker in 2018. Prior to coming to Barker, Ted worked in the public child welfare system. He initially  trained and assessed foster parents to work with children who had experienced abuse and neglect. Ted has also worked with children and families to achieve permanency through reunification, guardianship or adoption with a loving permanent family. Ted also has a background in mental health as a result of his experience working with mental health patients at a hospital in Baltimore city. 

Audrey Schreiber​​​​, LMSW, LGSW

Home Study Social Worker

BA, Boston University MA, American University MA, London School of Economics MSW, Louisiana State University

Audrey started at The Barker Adoption Foundation during her advanced field placement internship and stayed on as a home study and post placement social worker following her graduation in 2021.  Audrey has worked with a variety of families throughout their adoption process particularly in the domestic infant and PWNL programs.  Audrey is passionate about child welfare and families and loves getting to know a variety of families throughout their adoption journey.  Prior to obtaining her MSW, Audrey lived in the UK for over two decades and worked with asylum seekers and refugees.  Audrey has three young adult children, and a rescue dog, Edie.  

Rosamond Sereboo

International Program Support Specialist

Rosamond is the International Program Support Specialist at Barker, where she plays a critical role in supporting families through the administrative processes of international adoption. Prior to joining Barker, she worked closely with children and families in educational and ABA therapy settings, reinforcing her commitment to providing support and creating welcoming environments.

Rosamond is excited to be part of Barker’s mission and looks forward to contributing to the team. Outside of work, she enjoys going to live music shows and traveling with her family.

Bianchi Suárez, LMSW, LGSW

Home Study Social Worker

MSW, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Social Work

Bianchi, originally from Costa Rica, earned her Master's degree in Social Work in the United States. She has been working for the Barker Adoption Foundation since 2013, serving as both a bilingual home study social worker and a post-placement social worker. Prior to joining Barker, Bianchi worked as a bilingual social worker at a local hospital, where she provided psychosocial assessments and counseling to women, children, and families.  Passionate about helping all types of families grow through adoption, Bianchi combines her social work expertise and multicultural background to enrich her practice. 

Estella Swain

Peer Parent Coach

Estella Swain is a peer parent coach with over 20 years of experience in the child welfare field. Estella is a former foster parent and has attained the title of “mom” through several different avenues, including adoption, and really values and acknowledges the different paths to parenthood. Estella has a deep understanding of the challenges and rewards of adoptive parenting, and she is passionate about helping adoptive families thrive.

As a peer parent coach, Estella provides individualized support and guidance to adoptive families. She helps families develop positive parenting skills, build strong relationships with their children, and overcome challenges. Estella also provides education and resources to adoptive families, and she has worked to connect families with other adoptive families and resources in their community.

Estella is also currently the Chief Executive Officer of Swain Management Group where she works with agencies across the nation to help move the needle on their child welfare goals and practices and affect change that leads to more positive outcomes for our children, youth, and families. Estella is an excellent thought partner for families, children, older youth, communities, leaders, stakeholders, and private and non-profit agencies throughout the nation.  Her professional and lived experiences coupled with her unrivaled passion make her invaluably vested in affecting positive change in the child welfare arena. Estella has worked diligently in this field and with communities nationwide to recognize the value of thinking outside of the box to find new and innovative ways to work on overcoming barriers that exist for children, youth, and families.

Elena Taylor, LMSW

Clinical Intake and Family Support Specialist

BSW, University of Maryland, Baltimore County; MSW, Salisbury University

Elena is the Clinical Intake and Family Support Specialist. She is responsible for completing intakes, providing clinical support, and oversight of the home study process for all of Barker's adoption programs. Before Barker, Elena worked with the geriatric population, gaining clinical, assessment, and intake skills. As an international adoptee herself, Elena brings a unique perspective and personal passion for adoption. Elena is excited to expand her clinical knowledge and experience through her work at Barker, with a population that is near and dear to her.

Michele Valdivia, Licsw, Lcsw-C

Adoption-Competent Child, Family, and Adolescent Therapist

Michelle has over 16 years of experience in social work. Most of her work has been in foster care and adoption, serving children, youth, and families. Michelle has a strong commitment to helping children, youth and families heal from the trauma associated with the child welfare system.

Throughout her career, Michelle has worked in various states in California, Michigan, Washington D.C., and Maryland. Her career has taken her through a range of positions, including working for county agencies and non-profit organizations. Some of her roles have included working as a case manager, therapist, program coordinator, and supervisor. Before Barker, Michelle was the health coordinator for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). Her role involved overseeing and managing various health programs and initiatives within the school district.

Rebecca “Becky” Watson, LMSW, LICSW

Home Study Social Worker

University of Maryland in Baltimore

Becky has a Master’s Degree in Social Work and Psychology. She is licensed to practice in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. Becky has spent her career working in child welfare (36 years) as a full-time employee of the State of Maryland, Department of Social Services. In addition, she has consistently worked as a contractual employee with several private adoption agencies as a birth parent counselor, adoption home study worker, international/domestic trainer, refugee resettlement worker, and adoption search and reunion coordinator. Her passion for placement of older children led her to adopt an 11-year-old Russian boy, in addition to having three biological children. Becky has been with Barker for over 10 years as a trainer and home study worker. She lives with her husband in the Annapolis area and is a recent “empty nester” with three grandchildren.

Barbara K. Witt, LICSW, LCSW-C

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Barbara Witt has been working with children and families as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for the last 27 years at The Lourie Center and is an embedded contractor with the Montgomery County Infants and Toddlers Program as a Child Development Specialist. 

Barbara has extensive training in supporting parent/child attachment, parental grief and loss. She is also a Certified Infant Massage Instructor.

 In the evening, Barbara leads a Perinatal Loss and Support Groups through Adventist Hospital.

When not working, Barbara and her family foster dogs through The Labrador Rescue League of Potomac, travels, and bakes unhealthy treats.

Briana Wright, LMSW, LGSW

Home Study Social Worker

BA, Saint Louis University, MSW University of Maryland, Baltimore

Briana began her social work career in Child Protective Services in Washington, D.C. and subsequently transitioned to conducting custody evaluations and adoption home studies for families in Montgomery County. She is passionate about ensuring children thrive and families have the support and resources they need to provide a loving and stable home for those children. When not working, Briana enjoys boxing, traveling, and wedding planning!