Laura Adams - President and Founder
Laura Adams is a visionary educator, speaker, and systems-change advocate focused on strengthening how schools and communities support children in adoptive, foster, and kinship families.
As the Founder and President of iCARE4 Adoptive And Foster Families, Laura leads statewide and national efforts to bring practical, healing-centered tools and training to educators, mental health professionals, and child welfare leaders. Her work helps teams build emotionally safe, regulation-ready environments where all children can grow and thrive..
Laura created the iCARE4 Schools Connection Kits™, bilingual, tiered tools now used in more than 1,200 Illinois schools to support identity development, emotional regulation, and school success for students with complex life stories..
Her signature training series, Connected, We Thrive™, delivers engaging, evidence-informed professional development aligned with Illinois Professional Learning Standards, MTSS, and SEL frameworks. These sessions equip school teams, social workers, and caregivers with practical, healing-centered strategies and a shared language to support student well-being..
Laura actively collaborates with leaders across education, mental health, and child welfare to advance responsive, family-centered practices. Her partners include: DCFS, ISBE, IAAC, IPA, IASB, IASSW, SWFCAC, West40, Let It Be Us, School of Hope, Second Nurture, NTI/C.A.S.E., ICOY, FREDLA, NCFA, ROEs, the Beacon Family Communications Workgroup, and the National Center for Post-Adoption Support.
A former educator and adoptive parent, Laura brings lived experience, policy insight, and powerful storytelling to every stage and session. She is a sought-after keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, and thought partner—known for inspiring connection, sparking collaboration, and offering tools that professionals can use right away.
Because When We Connect, Children Thrive.
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 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.
Sheri Alber
Sheri Alber brings more than three decades of experience as a dedicated educator and a lifelong commitment to adoption and child development to the iCARE Advisory Committee. She spent 34 years as a first and second grade teacher—32 of them in Chicago Public Schools, including 12 years in Cabrini Green—where she nurtured the academic and emotional growth of young learners.
Sheri holds a BA in Psychology and a Master’s in Education, and she has long been fascinated by the intersection of mind, body, behavior, and learning. Her personal and professional journeys came together 14 years ago when she adopted a sibling group from foster care. Since then, she has immersed herself in the evolving science of trauma and its effects on a child’s ability to learn, connect, and thrive—particularly within adoptive, foster, and kinship families.
Sheri is honored to support iCARE’s mission to create healing-centered schools and build strong, supportive bridges between families and educators.
Theresa Spierling
Theresa Spierling is a specialized licensed foster parent with over 13 years of foster care experience and a lifetime dedicated to nurturing children. A biological mother of three and adoptive mother of two, Theresa has been a caretaker since the age of 18, when the passing of her mother left her responsible for raising her younger siblings.
Her heart for children was sparked early—at just nine years old—after watching the classic film Boys Town. Seeing kids labeled as “bad” yet deserving of love and belonging planted a seed that grew into a lifelong calling.
In addition to raising her own children, Theresa has poured her energy into supporting others: working with Head Start, running a home daycare, becoming a legal guardian to a neighbor’s child, and volunteering at the Allendale Association.
Her qualifications go far beyond certificates. They live in the stories, healing, and hope of the many children whose lives she’s touched. Theresa brings not only experience, but deep empathy and unwavering commitment to every child in her care
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.
Keri Stone
Keri Stone has worked as a middle school educator for over 30 years in the north shore Chicago area. Her education degrees are from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Northwestern, and she holds a Certification in Trauma-Informed Practices through North Central College.
Keri’s lived experiences as a transracially adoptive parent and the vast amount of necessary extensive learning and training she and her wife have done to help heal significant attachment trauma have been the catalyst to her passion for creating systems change in the adoption world. Keri is committed to being a part of organizational work that will help change the societal narrative around adoption, shift the needs and voice of the adoptee to the top of the adoption triad and evolve adoptive parent education to more helpfully prepare them for the challenges that innately come from parenting children with attachment trauma.
She is a strong advocate for initiatives that serve every child and helps them feel welcome and thrive. Throughout her career, she has worked to expand access and elevate all voices, across systems. She serves on the Advisory Board for Family Service Center in Glenview and is proud to support the meaningful work of iCARE4 Adoptive And Foster Families.
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.
