Laura Adams - President and CEO
Laura Adams is a passionate advocate and visionary leader with over 30 years of experience in nonprofits, schools, churches, and businesses. She has dedicated her career to building trauma-informed, collaborative frameworks that prioritize children and families, with a special focus on adoptive, foster, and kinship children. After raising her internationally adopted daughters, Laura founded FACTS4SafeFamilies, iCARE4 Adoptive And Foster Families, and Sequoia Families 一 all aimed at supporting families in Chicago and northern Illinois.
Trained in TBRI® (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) and School-Based Mental Health Professional Training, Laura specializes in attachment-based interventions and inclusive strategies in family and educational settings. She has worked with local and national policymakers and leaders in education and trauma, collaborating with organizations such as NCFA, NTI/C.A.S.E., IASSW, ISBE, IASB, IPA, DCFS, IDFPR, ICOY, FREDLA, andICEARY.
A former Elementary Reading Instructor, Substitute Teacher, Media and Marketing Sales Professional, Copywriter/Designer, and founder of the Show Your Love MLK Service Day (Lake Forest, IL), Laura has also contributed to numerous local committees and boards. As a proud mother of four daughters, Laura channels her personal experience into strengthening support systems for adoptive, foster, and kinship families. Through iCARE, her mission is for every foster, adoptive, and kinship child to have parents, professionals, and schools equipped to support them, no matter where they live.
Brenda Marwede - Chair
Brenda Marwede, LCPC, founder of Professional Family Solutions has certifications in Trauma (CCTP), Child and Adolescent Trauma (CATP) and over two decades experience counseling families and children.
She has specific experience working with foster and adoptive families, counseling children with Complex Trauma, Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) and Disinhibited Attachment Disorder
T-Ann Pierce - Secretary
T-Ann Pierce is a life-coach, writer and speaker with a background in Early Childhood and Personal and Family Development.
She is certified in cognitive behavioral therapy. As a mom of four, she understands the nuanced nature of family life and has experience with adoptive families.
Ross Arneson, Psy.D.
Dr. Ross Arneson earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. With over a decade of experience working in the North and Northwest suburbs, he specializes in providing comprehensive neuropsychological assessments and therapy for children, adolescents, young adults, and families.
Ross is also a certified Circle of Security (COS) parent educator, a program designed to enhance caregiver-child relationships and promote secure attachment through caregiving training and psychoeducation. His dedication to improving mental health outcomes is evident in his commitment to both clinical practice and community education.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, he is a devoted family man. He is a proud father and has built a loving family through adoption.
Claudia Berman
As a passionate advocate for children and families, Claudia brings over 18 years of experience in the financial services industry, alongside a deep commitment to volunteer work. She's also the proud mom of a 21-year-old son and an 18-year-old daughter, and her journey as a parent has really fueled her passion for supporting young people in our community.
She's had the privilege of volunteering with organizations like CASA, Wings, and Nurture—groups that share her dedication to improving the lives of children and families. Claudia has also served as a medical, legal, and behavioral interpreter, as well as teaching interpreting classes, which has given her a unique ability to bridge communication gaps and ensure everyone’s voice is heard.
She is excited to bring her experience and commitment to this board, and looks forward to working together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families.
Nicole Burnside
Nicole is a licensed social worker in the Chicagoland area with nearly a decade of experience in child welfare. She has held roles in case management, adoption, and clinical supervision, with a strong focus on supporting vulnerable populations. Nicole co-founded Mimi’s House Family Advocacy Center, which provides direct services like court advocacy, child abuse prevention, and clinical interventions to families impacted by the Illinois Child Welfare System. She also works with Second Nurture, guiding foster and adoptive families, and is involved in inpatient psychiatric care for adolescents and adults.
Nicole’s personal and professional experiences have shaped her deep commitment to supporting children and families. As an adoptive and biological mother, as well as a foster parent, she has firsthand experience navigating challenges related to speech and language disorders, trauma, and developmental needs. Nicole is passionate about advocating for systems change and ensuring that all children, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to thrive. She is excited to join the iCare team and work with families and professionals who share her values.
Marcia Christoffel
Marcia holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She worked in Chicago for nonprofit organizations specializing in child welfare, overseeing programs in Intact Family Services and Relative Foster Care. Following that, she served on the board of Catholic Charities for 15 years and on the board of the Big Shoulders Fund. Beyond her professional endeavors, she is deeply committed to community service, volunteering in
schools, hospice, Alzheimer's care, and food pantries.
Marcia is the proud parent of two adult sons and one adult daughter. Her personal experience as an adoptive parent of a child who has experienced trauma and attachment issues has further enriched her understanding of family dynamics and the importance of fostering nurturing, stable environments.
Isabel Fiore
Isabel earned both her undergraduate bachelor’s degree and her master’s degree in education at Northwestern University. Her professional and volunteer careers have always centered in and around education. More recently, she has been involved with organizations supporting the mental, behavioral, and physical health of children and families.
She has two children—one of whom joined the family through adoption; both of whom have provided Isabel with a continuing education in parenting.
Ruth Martin, PhD
Dr. Ruth Martin is a scientist by training, with degrees from the University of Chicago and Northwestern. She enjoys figuring out the big picture – where are we going, why are we headed there. Ruth brings outstanding cross functional leadership and critical thinking to the table.
She loves to connect people and listen to ideas, but is not afraid to make decisions when needed, even with limited data. Ruth not only brings over two decades of experience in science in the medical field, but real-world experience of inter-country adoption.
Ruth’s passions, in addition to her day job, include her family and helping others; especially those whose voices are marginalized and in need of an advocate. Her working motto – to whom much has been given, much is required.
Rani Nolan
Rani Nolan is a mother of five wonderful kids, ages 14 to 6 months, three of whom she gained through the gift of adoption.
Rani has a BS in mathematics and education and a MA in education research methodology. Rani is currently a middle and high school math teacher in Northfield, IL.
Rani is passionate about open adoption as a means to connect children to their biological family, and she speaks about her experiences at various conferences. Rani finds much joy in her multiracial and multicultural family, and she is excited to share her experiences with others.
Beth Shabelman
Beth Shabelman brings over three decades of expertise in special education, school psychology, and clinical counseling to her role on the adoption education advocacy board. She holds an Ed.S in School Psychology from National-Louis University and a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, along with multiple Illinois licenses, including as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). Currently serving as a School Psychologist, Beth has extensive experience conducting psycho-educational evaluations and providing therapeutic interventions for children in public and therapeutic school settings.
Beth is also a licensed foster parent, alongside her husband, and a dedicated mother of two young adult women. Her passion for child advocacy extends beyond her professional roles into her volunteer work with Lurie Children’s Hospital, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and as an Educational Surrogate for the Department of Children and Family Services.
Katie Stoddard
Katie Stoddard is the President and Founder of Ed2Market, a marketing agency serving companies in the education space. In this role she manages a team of marketers and consults for organizations across the globe in all things K-12 marketing.
Prior to Ed2Market, she spent 15+ years in educational publishing and professional development in content development and marketing roles for companies such as Voyager Sopris Learning, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Corwin, and mindSpark Learning. Before her career in publishing and professional development, she was an eighth grade Language Arts teacher near Denver.
Katie serves as a marketing advisor or board member for multiple education-focused non-profits.
Dan Vosnos
Dan is an impact leader and advocate for families and children with special needs. Advocating for his son, who was born with Down syndrome, gave Dan insight into the impact various educational policies have on individuals with unique learning needs. He is now channeling his experiences to bridge conversations between the general education community and the unique abilities community and to passionately advocate for students with unique learning needs.
Dan now serves as Senior Director of Development for National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) empowering individuals with Down syndrome, and their families through advocacy.
He has brought his leadership to organizations supporting his priorities in education - formerly working with Unique Learners Unite - and GiGi’s Playhouse, whose vision is to see a world where individuals with Down syndrome are accepted and embraced in their families, schools, and communities.
He is a member of the 2023 50CAN National Voices Fellows, a cornerstone effort to build the American education system of the future that is far more open, interconnected, and student-centered.
Before taking on roles in advocacy, Dan served as a high school Administrator and Athletic Director in Chicagoland for over 20 years.
