Meet Our Staff
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Are you pregnant in and looking for info about adoption ?
Phone: (800) GO-ADOPT
Text: 877-202-9624
Founder & Board President
(Tampa)
Jeanne has an extensive and exclusive practice in the area of adoptions and is a member of the prestigious Academy of Adoption and Reproductive Attorneys and the Florida Adoption Council. For many years in a row, Jeanne has been named in The Best Lawyers in America, Florida’s Legal Elite, and Florida Super Lawyer, including as one of the top 100 lawyers in the State of Florida. Over her career, Jeanne has won several prestigious awards including the U.S. Congressional Angel in Adoption Award, the Tampa Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Leader of the Year, the Florida Adoption Council’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers Achievement Award, the Tobias Simon Pro Bono Service Award and inclusion in the Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers. Jeanne has been appointed to serve on the Adoption Law Certification Committee, the Judicial Nominating Procedures Committee, the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court Nominating Committee and the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission. Additionally, Jeanne has been an Adjunct Professor at the University of Florida College of Law where she taught Adoption Law and Procedure for six years. Jeanne is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, signifying that the legal community ranks her “at the highest level of professional excellence.”
Executive Director
(Tampa)
Meredith Shepard joined Heart of Adoptions in August 2013 as the Adoptive Parent Coordinator. She works closely with waiting adoptive families handling day-to-day needs and assisting with matching adoptive families to birth families. In July of 2020 Meredith became the Director of Programs for the agency. As of April of 2022 Meredith is the Executive Director for Heart of Adoptions. She is responsible to coordinate and supervise agency staff, volunteers, and handle day-to-day operational duties. Meredith has worked in the area of social work for over 20 years and has experience working within the fields of child development, adoption, foster care, and developmental disabilities.
Meredith graduated with honors from Eckerd College with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development and Walden University with a Master of Science in Non-Profit Management & Leadership. She was also a Licensed Massage Therapist prior to obtaining her degree. While born in Ohio, which will always be home, she is also a die-hard hot weather fan and loves nothing more than cruising in her Jeep with the top down and the music loud! She has a son in college and has recently added a new fur-baby “Voodoo” to her home. Meredith can typically be found at Disney on the weekend or enjoying a camping trip and a nice kayak trip down a river when the weather is nice.
Program Supervisor
(Naples)
Gabriela Nuñez joined Heart of Adoptions, Inc. in June 2006 as an Adoption Caseworker Assistant. Gabriela is now the Program Supervisor for the Naples satellite office. She works closely with birth mothers handling their day-to-day needs, monitoring their medical care and overall well-being. Additionally, she coordinates the interaction between adoptive parents and birth parents. She has previous experience working with youth in a parenting program, as well as experience in both domestic and international adoptions, specifically working internationally with Guatemala.
Gabriela obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2013.
Senior Caseworker
(Orlando)
Natalie Londono joined Heart of Adoptions, Inc. in December 2012 as an Adoption Casework Assistant. Natalie was later promoted to Adoption Caseworker and began working closely with birth mothers handling their day-to-day needs, monitoring their medical care and overall well-being. As of March 2022, Natalie has accepted the role of Senior Caseworker. Additionally, Natalie conducts home studies and post-placement supervision in the Orlando area.
Natalie obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work at Florida Gulf Coast University in 2013.
Why you picked to work in adoptions?
I don’t think I chose to work in adoption, I believe adoption chose me. From early on in life, adoption was something so common and natural. I have experienced so many great adoption stories; my maternal grandfather was adopted at a young age, my paternal grandparents provided foster care through the State of Florida, my family adopted my brother when I was 6, my husband was adopted, and we adopted our beautiful daughter. Without adoption, my life as I know it, would not exist. I feel honored to walk this path with the wonderful birth parents and adoptive families that come my way.
Adoptive Parent Department Lead
(Tampa)
Alyse Warren joined Heart of Adoptions in January 2019 as a master’s level intern. She spent approximately two years in the role as Home Study Coordinator and stepped into the role as Adoptive Parent Department Lead in March 2022. She has always had a passion for working with families and children and has enjoyed educating adoptive families about the adoption process while at Heart of Adoptions.
Alyse graduated in 2013 from the University of South Florida with honors. She received a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Healthcare with a concentration in children’s mental health. Alyse continued on to obtain a Master of Social Work degree from the University of South Florida, graduating in May 2020 with honors..
Office Manager
(Tampa)
Stephany was born and raised in Colombia. She moved to Boston at the age of 17 to pursue her education. She graduated From Southern New Hampshire University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Minor in Healthcare Administration.
Stephany has years of experience working effectively in organizational management, strategic implementation, and company collaboration. She is committed to helping others through team building. Each day she contributes a wealth of knowledge and skills as part of the beautiful process of changing lives.
Adoptive Parent Coordinator
(Tampa)
Julia joined Heart of Adoptions, Inc. in July 2019 as the Marketing and Community Outreach Coordinator. In July 2020, she took on Caseworker Assistant responsibilities with the Home Study and Adoptive Parent Departments. As of February 2022, Julia is now the Adoptive Parent Coordinator! Julia loves working directly with adoptive families, helping them complete their family!
Julia graduated with honors from Towson University with a bachelor’s degree in Family and Human Services.
Subsidy Coordinator & Caseworker Assistant
(Orlando)
Erin was born and raised in Michigan. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology while attending Michigan State University. She also has a Master’s degree in Human Resources Development from Western Michigan University.
She and her husband love traveling and recently decided to make Orlando their new home. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, baking, traveling, being out on the water, and hiking with pets.
Marketing Director
(Tampa)
As our Director of Marketing & Business Development, Efriam Knight is passionate about promoting purpose-driven, client-centered organizations. At Heart of Adoptions, Inc., Efriam helps connect birth parents, adoptive parents, and the community to the Agency’s dedicated staff.
Accountant
(Tampa)
Melanie Dodd started with the agency in 2021 with a strong background in all areas of accounting and budgeting. She brings that experience with her in managing the books at Heart of Adoptions, LLC.
Melanie moved to the Tampa area in 2021 with her daughter Lucy after living in Springfield, Illinois. She previously worked for the Illinois Department of Agriculture for 20+ years, working 9 of those years in various Fiscal roles. She has vacationed in Florida and is excited to begin this new adventure in the state.
Accounting and Executive Assistant
(Tampa)
In Loving Memory of Mary Vanessa Antonio Wheatley
September 10, 1975- March 22, 2020
Mary Antonio Wheatley was the executive director of Heart of Adoptions, Inc. from June of 2012 until her untimely passing on March 22, 2020. Mary truly put the “heart” in Heart of Adoptions, Inc. Serving as the agency’s Executive Director was so much more than a job to her, it was her true calling and she was deeply passionate about her work. Mary dedicated her career to working tirelessly at all hours of the day and night to help form families through adoption, just as she and her husband lovingly created theirs. It was her personal experience of adopting her two daughters that made Mary vulnerable, approachable, and relatable, making her a true guardian angel for many of our clients. Not only was she treasured by the clients she served, but also by the agency and law firm staff with whom she worked. Mary was constantly checking in with everyone, in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, to support, counsel, encourage, rally and celebrate her staff. She shared the best advice, offered positive words of encouragement, and lead by example. Mary was also highly coveted as the driving force behind the yearly Florida Adoption Council Conference. Boy oh boy, could she throw a great event! Whether she was planning a themed birthday party for one of her daughters, a birth mother luncheon at the office, or a statewide conference, Mary gave 150% of herself, assuring each detail was covered to a tee.
In addition to her profound professional contribution to the adoption community, Mary was personally committed to improving the lives of anyone with whom she came in contact. She was always interested in what others were going through and how she could help improve their situation. Anyone that had the privilege of having Mary as a friend most certainly had a friend for life. Mary was extremely loyal, abundantly generous, devoted and dedicated to her friends and family. Anyone that knew Mary also knew how much she adored her family. Her already exuberant smile somehow doubled when Mary spoke fondly of her husband and daughters. She was also deeply devoted to her parents, who predeceased her. Mary attributed her stellar parenting skills from having learned from the very best and remained deeply grateful for her upbringing. Mary was well known for telling detailed stories and when she shared stories of her mom or dad, she did so with such adoration. Mostly her family stories centered around tradition. This common theme was passed down from her parents and Mary was dedicated to providing the same to her children. She thrived on holiday traditions, Greek traditions, and any tradition that honored her parents. While Mary loved nothing more than being a mother, the only solace we have is that Mary is now with her parents, watching over Joe and the girls and guiding them from afar.
Mary’s smile, laughter, and heart of gold will forever be missed, and she will never be forgotten. While the hearts at Heart of Adoptions, Inc. are completely shattered by this loss, we intend to keep Mary’s legacy alive by honoring her through the work we do, and the love we do it with and providing an annual adoption grant in her memory. We are all better humans for having known Mary and we will take the genuine love she offered us all and continue to pay it forward, so that her loving memory can continue to make the world a better place.
Adoption Caseworker
(Tampa)
Carolyn graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from The University of South Florida in Tampa in 1992. In 2004, she realized her passion lay in the area of helping children and families and began her career in child welfare case management where she has been involved for the past fourteen years, working with birth, foster and adoptive parents. Carolyn started off as a Case Manager in Pinellas County before moving to Hillsborough County in 2006 as a Case Manager Supervisor, managing a team of seven case workers. After four years as a supervisor, she continued in child welfare as a Permanency Specialist, helping guide cases toward in obtaining permanency. As opportunity arose, Carolyn used her prior ten years of experience to move into an Assistant Director position, where she managed three teams of seven case managers and a total of 500-600 children at all stages of the case management process providing supervision and training.
While Carolyn enjoyed being in a leadership role, her desire to once again work directly with the birth mothers and adoptive families led her to Heart of Adoptions, Inc. in March 2018. Her role will be as a Case Manager for the birth parents and assisting them through their pregnancy and the adoption process.
Caseworker Assistant
(Orlando)
Emma joined Heart of Adoptions, Inc. in January of 2021 as an Adoption Casework Assistant in our Orlando office. Emma is from the small town of Valrico (well it was a small town) and has lived in Florida her entire life. She graduated from the University of Florida with her Bachelors in Early Childhood Special Education. Emma is passionate about serving others and being involved within her community. In Emma’s free time you can find her at Disney, sporting events, concerts, or at the beach with her family.
Hearts to Home Program Director
(Tampa)
Lori Scobee joined Heart of Adoptions in October 2020 as the Program Director for Hearts to Home and Heart of a Birth Mom programs. She supervises staff and works closely with families hoping to adopt children from the foster care system. Lori is also responsible for post placement support services to birth parents who have made voluntary adoption plans for their children. She has over 25 years experience in child welfare, foster care, adoption and post placement services.
Lori has parented two amazing daughters to adulthood and has one daughter that she made adoption plan for in 1989. As a birth mom herself, Lori is passionate about providing much needed post placement services to birth parents. She has facilitated many retreats, support groups and online supports. She has been a presenter at several adoption conferences discussing the importance of quality expectant parent services, openness in adoption and post placement support. She was named 2018 Adoption Advocate of the Year by Adoption Network Cleveland.
Lori grew up in Kentucky and is a proud graduate of the University of Kentucky. She spent several years in Orlando before moving to northeast Ohio where she worked as a Birth Parent Counselor at a private adoption agency. She loves the sunshine and is happy to be back in the South! You may bump into her at Siesta Key or Venice where she loves to enjoy the beach with a good book.
(Tampa)
Elizabeth originally joined Heart of Adoptions in 2008 as an Administrative Assistant. After the birth of her son, she took some time off to be a stay-at-home mom. She then returned in 2016 as an Adoptive Parent Casework Assistant, primarily assisting the Home Study Department; she now primarily assists the Adoptive Parent Department.
In her time off, Elizabeth stays busy watching her son play baseball and taking her daughter to swim practice. She and her family live in Brandon, Florida, and love trying out new restaurants, going to the beach, and having family movie nights on the couch.
Intake Coordinator & Older Child Caseworker
(Tampa)
After living in New York for 22 years, Hayley moved to Florida where she graduated from The University of Tampa in 2017 with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Minor in Communications. After working at a media agency straight out of college and realizing that wasn’t for her, she landed a job where she was able to fulfill her passion of working with children and helping others as a Case Manager in Hillsborough County.
After obtaining her Child Welfare Case Manager Certification and working in Hillsborough County for 2 years, she accepted a role in Pinellas County where she worked as a Case Manager Supervisor overseeing a team of 5 case managers and about 400 children in the Dependency System. Being able to be a part of a life-changing opportunity for adoptive parents and the joy of seeing children find their forever families led her to this position at Heart of Adoptions as an Intake Coordinator and Older Child Caseworker.
Favorite Food: I love anything chocolate.
Pets: I have 2 rescue pups, Lily and Lila. Lila is a tripod!
Favorite place I’ve traveled: Greece
Bucket List Travel Destination: Maldives
Adoption Specialist
(Tampa)
Amanda joined Heart of Adoptions Alliance, Inc. in May 2019 as a bachelor’s level intern where she has since stepped into the role of Adoption Specialist with the Hearts to Home Program. As an adoptee herself, Amanda always knew her path in social work would be working with children and families. Amanda enjoys educating adoptive families and helping them navigate through the adoption process.
Amanda graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2020, where she received her master’s degree in social work.
Caseworker Assistant
(Merritt Island)
Amy joined Heart of Adoptions Inc. in January 2016 in our Merritt Island office. Prior to this she was an Adoption Assistant for another Florida adoption agency and has worked in the industry for over 15 years. She works closely with birth mothers handling their day-to-day needs, monitoring their medical care and overall well-being. She graduated from Rockledge High School and has an AA degree from Brevard Community College. Amy has 3 children and uses her experiences as both an adoptee and an adoptive parents to serve and support our clients. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge.
Child Study Specialist
(Tampa)
Shannon graduated from University of South Florida in 2007 with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology. She started working in Child Welfare immediately after graduating college as a Case Manager, where she worked with children and families involved in the Dependency System. Shannon worked as a Case Manager for four years before transitioning into a Family Adoption Specialist, where she worked with adoptive families looking to adopt from foster care. Shannon eventually worked for the lead agency providing technical assistance, support, and oversight to the case management agencies in Pinellas and Pasco Counties. Wanting to gain management experience, Shannon then went to work for a Hillsborough community based care organization as an Assistant Program Director where she was responsible for three case management supervisors, 25 case managers, and provided direct oversight on cases involving approximately 600 children in the Dependency System.
Shannon’s passion for adoption and creating families through adoption led her to Heart of Adoptions where she joined the adoptions team in February 2018 as a Senior Case Worker and Intake Coordinator. In her role, she worked directly with birth mothers conducting intake interviews, screening birth parents, and matched adoption applicants. In August 2021, Shannon transitioned into a new role writing child studies for the Community Based Care agencies. Shannon’s knowledge and background in Child Welfare and continued desire for children to find permanency serve her well in this role. Shannon hopes to grow this position by securing more contracts throughout the state of Florida.
Subsidy Coordinator/Caseworker Assistant
(Orlando)
Andrea joined Heart of Adoptions, Inc. in June of 2021 as the Subsidy Coordinator/Caseworker Assistant. She was born in Venezuela in 1994 and arrived in the USA when she was about 4 years old. She lived in Rhode Island for most of her life, but the sunshine state was calling her name! She has a younger brother and a cute dog named Bonnie. She graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology-Criminal Justice and a minor in English and Gender & Women’s Studies. Andrea is passionate about helping children and families find a piece of love and happiness. She took that interest and obtained a National certification as a Youth Mental Health First Aid instructor.
Business Development and Marketing Director
(Tampa)
As our Business Development and Marketing Director, Brittney Bagiardi is passionate about promoting purpose-driven, client-centered organizations. At Heart of Adoptions, Inc., Brittney helps connect birth parents, adoptive parents, and the community to the Agency’s dedicated staff. She maintains Heart of Adoptions, Inc.’s brand identity and implements innovative strategies to deliver crucial resources regarding adoption.
Brittney is a member of the Legal Marketing Association. She served as the Tampa Bay Area Chair for 2019 and 2020, Chair-elect in 2018, and Secretary for the 2017 term. She was nominated by her peers for the LMA Future Leaders Program and also received numerous awards for her community outreach within the LMA.
When she’s not marketing, Brittney can be found either on an athletic field cheering for her son, writing her sci-fi novel, searching for her next hiking adventure, or serving her community. A native Floridian, Brittney loves volunteering throughout the Tampa Bay area. Her work encompasses everything from building houses with Habitat for Humanity to creating care packages for hospital-bound children.
Home Study Coordinator
(Tampa)
Erin Fawver has worked in private adoptions for close to a decade and joined Heart of Adoptions, Inc. as the Home Study Coordinator in July 2014. Erin oversees the completion of homestudies and post-placement supervision as well as all homestudy and background screening updates and adoptive parent education. She enjoys educating adoptive families about homestudies and the adoption process as a whole.
As a member of Pi Gamma Mu, the Social Science Honor Society, Erin graduated with honors. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Anthropology. Erin is passionate about her hometown of Cleveland, but currently lives with her husband, two dogs, and young son in Tampa.
Casework Services
(Coconut Creek)
Janice joined Heart of Adoptions in Feburary 2015, when our Broward County satellite office opened. Prior to that she did freelance work for our agency on an as-needed basis. She acts as an agency representative and handles consents, releases, discharges, notaries, general office and administrative tasks. She graduated from Broward College in 2003 with an AA degree. Janice was born in Broward County and has never lived elsewhere. She has four children and uses those experiences to relate to both birth and adoptive families. She has been on the school PTA board for 4 years, a Girl Scout Leader for 7 and a school volunteer for 30 years.
IT Support Technician
(Tampa)
James Taylor joined Heart of Adoptions, Inc. in June 2017 as the in house IT support technician. James primarily acts as the IT support technician between our adoption agency and our legal team. He is responsible for hardware and software related issues.James is also responsible for various IT related task.
Adoption Caseworker
(Merritt Island)
Amy Nickerson joined Heart of Adoptions in June 2018 as an Adoption Caseworker. She works closely with the birth mothers handling their day-to-day needs, monitoring medical care and overall well-being. She also conducts home studies and post placement supervision. Her prior experience is 10 years in the child welfare system as a child protective investigator, senior child protective investigator and dependency case manager in both Florida and Massachusetts. She has two children adopted internationally from Guatemala and is herself and adoptee.
Amy graduated from University of Massachusetts Boston in 1999 with a B.S. in Psychology and in 2000 with a M.A. Certification in Forensic Services. She is currently enrolled at University of Massachusetts Boston obtaining a master’s level Addiction Counselor Education Program (ACEP) certificate.
Adoption Caseworker
(Tampa)
Lizzy has always had a passion for adoption and knew early on this would be her career path. She began her career with Heart of Adoptions as a summer 2017 intern in the Orlando office. After graduating in May 2018, she immediately returned to the sunshine state and began working as a master’s level intern with Heart of Adoptions in the Tampa office, where she has since stepped into the role of adoption caseworker.
As a member of Phi Alpha Honor Society, Lizzy graduated with honors from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. She is on schedule to graduate from the University of South Florida’s advanced-standing Master of Social Work program in May 2019.
Subsidy Coordinator
(Tampa)
Crystal McWilliams joined Heart of Adoptions, Inc. in October 2017 as the new Subsidy Coordinator. She is responsible for the completion and submission of subsidy packets for children who are in the adoption process and meet special needs as defined by the Social Security Act, Title IVE, Section E.
Crystal studied Fine Art at the University of South Florida, with a concentration on drawing and printmaking. After 22 years in the picture framing industry, she accepted a temporary position of Administrative Assistant with the Department of Children and Families. Her assignment was to function as a backup to the Revenue Maximization Specialists. Community Based Care in Hillsborough County took over the duties of DCF’s Revenue Maximization team on 7/1/2004, with Crystal as the Supervisor of the new unit. Until joining the team at Heart of Adoptions, Inc, she supervised the team that processed the Title IV-E eligibility determinations for both foster and adoption in Hillsborough County.
Why you picked to work in adoptions?:
I relinquished a child to adoption at a very tender age. Having experienced this, I understand what it takes for a parent to give up her child. I also understand that it can be the best thing for the child and the parent.
Casework Services
(Tampa)
Tom joined Heart of Adoptions in February 2017 as an Executive and Accounting Assistant. Previously, Tom managed his family’s Italian restaurant business for over 20 years. Originally from Ohio, he came to Florida to attend College at the University of Florida, and graduated with a degree in finance. His day to day duties include aiding caseworkers in obtaining support needs for our birth mothers, helping with accounting matters, and also any other tasks our executive director or caseworkers ask of him. He is our Jack of all trades, eager to help out anyway he can to enrich the adoption process for all members of the adoption triad. Tom is the proud dad of three children, one of whom is adopted.