We are bringing the best of the best in adoption education to help you navigate your individual constellation and communities with concepts that work and lasting support and motivation.

THE MAIN STAGE:

CLAIRE HUDSON:‍ ‍

Claire is a domestic infant Adoptee, adoptee rights advocate, storyteller, and co founder of Post Resource. POST provides ethical, adoptee-created and centered adoption education and resources to the entire adoption constellation. She is a firm believer that an adoptee’s right to information should be at the forefront of modern adoption education and support. Claire lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband and three children. Along with spending time in the adoption community she works professionally in financial forecasting.

MAIN STAGE SESSION:

Kelsey Vander Vliet Ranyard:‍ ‍

Kelsey Vander Vliet Ranyard is the Director of Policy & Advocacy at Ethical Family Building, where she leads state and federal efforts to enhance protections for all parties in private adoption and center children’s long-term well-being. As a birth mother in an open adoption and a longtime professional in private adoption, she brings uniquely modern insight to adoption reform policy. Kelsey is dedicated to spotlighting the lived experiences of all parties in adoption through storytelling and advocacy; she is the co-author of the 2023 book Adoption Unfiltered, co-founder of Adoption Rights, and co-producer of the documentary Carrying (2026). She also serves on the Advisory Council of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, lending her lived and professional expertise to national conversations on adoption and child welfare policy. Kelsey resides in Southern California with her husband and daughters. www.kelseyranyard.com

MAIN STAGE SESSION:

Navigating the Patchwork: 

Adoption laws in the United States vary widely; understanding them can make a life-changing difference. This session offers an accessible overview of adoption laws, gaps, and pending legislation at both the federal and state levels, tracing how these laws function to protect people, and how they don't. Attendees will gain the tools to navigate their own adoption journeys with confidence, learning how to advocate effectively for themselves during and after the process. The session will also cover what steps to take if promises or agreements aren’t upheld and how to pursue enforcement when needed.

Mike + Kristin Berry:

Mike and Kristin Berry are the co-founders and lead content creators for The Resilient Caregiver, an online company that provides support, training, and coaching for foster and adoptive parents around the world. They are also the hosts of The Resilient Caregiver Podcast, an honest take on parenting, which has a global audience of 40,000 listeners monthly. In addition to hosting the podcast, they've also authored and co-authored 8 books, the most recent being Securely Attached: How Understanding Childhood Trauma Can Transform Your Parenting. They live and work in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can learn more about The Resilient Caregiver by visiting www.resilientcaregiver.org.

MAIN STAGE SESSION:

Is Resiliency On The Caregiver Journey Even Possible?

"Exhaustion, defeat, frustration, and just plain ole sadness are often the markers for the caregiver journey. Maybe it's an investigation you've recently gone through, or the 1000th meeting in the principal's office? Perhaps you're helping your child navigate the big feelings of loss and grief and you don't know what to do with the sadness you feel for them? Whatever it is, this journey can take the life out of you. It leaves you wondering... is resiliency, and peace, and longevity even possible? Join Mike and Kristin Berry from The Resilient Caregiver, as they share practical thoughts and advice from their own 25 year caregiving journey that will help and encourage you to keep going, even when you feel like you can't. 

Lydia Martin, MSW:‍ ‍

Lydia is an adult transracial adoptee, former adoption professional, social worker, and speaker. Born and raised in Michigan, Lydia spent much of her childhood navigating the complexities of her racial identity, alongside the grief and loss that comes with adoption. Over the past ten plus years, she has intentionally explored the lifelong impact of adoption while reclaiming her racial identity. Her personal journey has become the catalyst of her advocacy, both personally and professionally. Lydia began her career working with children and families full time as a permanency and adoption caseworker, and part time as a supervisor at a group home for teen mothers. These experiences deepened her understanding of the child welfare system and the nuanced realities of adoption. She is passionate about giving language to adoptees that may struggle to articulate their feelings regarding their adoption. While challenging and supporting adoptive parents in acknowledging the grief and loss that accompany family separation.

MAIN STAGE SESSION:

“How we heal together through hard conversations.”

We like to wrap adoption up on a pretty bow and sell the story of adoptees needing to be grateful, the selflessness of birth moms, the great deed the adoptive parents have done. Without properly holding space that the grief adoptees face.

Elizabeth “Beth” Charles, MS:‍ ‍

Beth is a therapist who works with children, individuals, and families, bringing a compassionate, trauma-informed approach to mental health care. With a strong focus on practical, real-life skills, she equips clients with tools they can use in their everyday lives to foster healing, resilience, and growth. Her work is deeply shaped by her own personal journey. After years of seeking support for her own experiences with trauma and abuse, Beth felt called to enter the mental health field to walk alongside others in their healing process. This lived experience allows her to connect with authenticity, empathy, and a deep understanding of the courage it takes to pursue change. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their 3-year-old daughter, finding joy in the everyday moments of family life.  She is also an avid crafter who loves all things creative, often incorporating creativity as a meaningful outlet for expression and restoration.

BREAK-OUT SESSION FOR PROSPECTIVE/ADOPTIVE MOTHERS:

Put On Your Own Mask Before Helping Others

In this session, adoptive parents will learn strategies and skills to manage their own thoughts, feelings and concerns before attempting to assist their children through their own trauma journey. 

ANDREA “ANDIE” COSTON, LSW:‍ ‍

Andrea Coston, (She/They), LSW: Andrea (Andie) Coston is a mediocre middle-aged mom with 4 kids, 3, dogs, 2 cats, and 1 husband. She is an Infant Domestic Adoptee, Adoptive parent, and a Licensed Social Worker who works in an art therapy private practice. Andie works with individuals whose experiences land in the Venn Diagram of experiences or diagnosis ranging from Neurodivergence (Autism/ADHD), Trauma, LGBTQIA+ and Transgender identities, Pathological Demand Avoidance, Attachment, Chronic Pain, or have experienced biological family separation through adoption, foster care, or family dysfunction.If money were not an issue, she would be traveling with her family, taking long walks on the beach (literally) collecting rocks, DIYing her house and yard, or would move to a tiny little lake cabin to create art, write, collect 4 leaf-clovers, and befriend the local animals.
*While Andie is a licensed therapist in Illinois, she is not licensed in Wi and cannot offer therapeutically services at any time in and outside of her scheduled conference responsibilities. Andie will be functioning at this event as an educator and consultant. 

BREAK-OUT SESSION FOR ADOPTEES:

Bi-Lateral Drawing

Participants will be introduced to Bi-lateral Guided Drawing. The workshop will provide a brief overview of the science of bi-lateral stimulation, why it's beneficial for Adoptees, how participants can utilize it in their own day-to-day, and a bi-lateral drawing expressive arts activity that each adoptee can turn into their own piece of art to take home. 

MICHELLE VANDE HEY:‍ ‍

Michelle Vande Hey (she/her) is a Conscious Leadership & Trauma-Sensitive Coach, Speaker, Author, and Advocate who helps mission-driven leaders overcome Identity Burnout™—the exhaustion that happens when who you are becomes inseparable from what you do. Drawing from her lived experiences as an intersex person and the profound losses of her son and nephew, Michelle helps changemakers reconnect with themselves beyond their roles so they can lead with confidence and compassion to create sustainable impact. Michelle is the host of the Love Your Life On Purpose podcast. Through her HEY Framework and Love Your Life Pathway, Michelle guides leaders to reclaim their energy, voice, and authentic power while continuing to serve the missions they care deeply about. www.lightoflovecoaching.com

BREAK-OUT SESSION FOR BIRTH/FIRST MOTHERS:

You are worthy: Holding space for gratitude & grief.

A movement and mindfulness practice to hold space for all parts of you. Your grief, your gratitude, your love, yo ur loss. You will be offered a gentle movement practice followed by an opportunity to reflect and share. 

CLAIRE HUDSON, ASHLEY MITCHELL, KIRSTEN JOHANSON:‍ ‍

PANEL:A CONVERSATION FOR THE CONSTELLATION

JOHN GRACE

PEDER JOHANSON:‍ ‍

PANEL:A CONVERSATION FROM THE FATHERS

WANT TO SPEAK IN 2027?