Staff/Board
The qualified and dedicated staff of Adoption Options in Colorado can provide adoption counseling and information for a variety of situations (including but not limited to):
- Unplanned Pregnancy Counseling in Colorado
- Abortion Alternatives in Colorado
- Domestic & International Adoptions
- Adult Adoptee Search Services
Call Adoption Options for information specific to your adoption questions.
Adoption Options Staff:
Adrienne Elliott, LCSW - Executive Director - Adrienne has been employed at the University of Denver as a trainer for the past three years. Before that, she worked for Adoption Options as the Placement Supervisor and Assistant Director for almost 3 ½ years. Prior to that, she worked at Jefferson County Social Services as the Adoption Supervisor and was with Jefferson County for almost 8 ½ years. Adrienne holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Denver and a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Purdue University. She brings with her over 20 years of child welfare and adoption experience.
Carol Holliday Lawson – Associate Director – Originally from England, Carol was the Executive Director of Adoption Options since 1993. Carol has the British equivalent of an MSW and a Diploma in Child Care Law and Practice. Carol has almost 40 years experience working in social services and private agencies in the field of child protection, foster care and adoption. Carol has been involved with numerous work groups over the past 18 years improving adoption legislation, child welfare and rules and regulations in the state of Colorado.
Lori Devlyn – Placement Supervisor – Lori first came to Adoption Options as an intern in 1995. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Denver.
Anna Schneider – Birth Parent Counselor/Adoptive Family Caseworker – Anna has been the agency since 2005. She started out as an intern, and then was hired as a caseworker. She moved to Colorado in High School, having grown up in Hawaii. Anna earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Colorado State University and then began working as a victims’ advocate, helping women and children escaping domestic violence. After working and traveling, Anna decided to go back to school and earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Denver.
Diana Alcala – Administrative Assistant – Diana joined the staff at Adoption Options in May 2011. She recieved her Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology, with a minor in Sociology from the University of Northern Colorado in 2010.
Jeanette Wotkyns, LPC – Birth Parent Counselor/Adoptive Family Caseworker – Jeanette started with Adoption Options as an intern in June, 2008. Jeanette practiced law for 20 years before deciding to change course and earn her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling. Jeanette has a birth daughter as well as an adopted daughter.
Julia Guntle – Birth Parent Counselor/Adoptive Family Caseworker – Julia joined Adoption Options recently in 2011. Julia lives in Grand Junction and does contract work in Western Colorado. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with a concentration in human services from Colorado Mesa University. Previously she has worked in both child protection and education. She is married and has two children.
Kathie Lombardi – File Scanner – Kathie joined the staff in April, 2010. Previously, she worked for the famous Brown Palace Hotel for many years.
Kathryn Beals – Birth Parent Counselor/Adoptive Family Caseworker - Kathryn earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Colorado State University in 1996 and then her Master’s degree from the University of Denver in 1998, during which time she was an intern at Adoption Options. Kathryn returned to the agency as a birthparent counselor and adoptive caseworker in June of 2008.
Leslie Dezendorf – Birth Parent Counselor/Adoptive Family Caseworker – Leslie joined Adoption Options in October, 2006. She does contract work for the southwestern part of Colorado, including Durango, where she lives. Previously, Leslie worked as a child and family therapist in a mental health center for ten years. Originally from Florida, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching from Ft. Lewis College, and her Master’s Degree in Counseling from Adams State College.
Marianne Anderson, LCSW – Cradle Care and Foster Care Placement Supervisor - Marianne has been working for Adoption Options on and off for 14 years. She graduated from DU in 1990 with a MSW Degree. She is LCSW licensed in both California and Colorado. Marianne has over 25 years of experience workingwith children and families. Marianne is married and has three boys.
Sarah Johnson – Colorado ICPC Coordinator/Legal Liaison/Volunteer Coordinator – Sarah started working at Adoption Options in June of 2008. Sarah earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Colorado. She is a Colorado native.
Sarah Olsen, LCSW – Adoptive Family Caseworker – Sarah joined Adoption Options in April, 2008. Previously, she worked for a county department of social services and a teen parenting program. Sarah is originally from Wyoming and she earned her Bachelor’s in Sociology from the University of Puget Sound, and then moved to Denver in 2003, where she earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work for the University of Denver.
Shirley Player – Bookkeeper – Shirley began working at the agency in the 1980s after moving with her family to Colorado from Canada. Previously, she worked as a teacher.
Cradle Care Families:
Cradle care families are licensed homes that provide interim care for a newborn or child awaiting a plan of adoption. Each family provides a nurturing and loving environment for one newborn or child at a time, and the birthparent(s) and/or adoptive parents may visit the child while he or she is in cradle care. Cradle care families receive a small stipend for their volunteer services. Cradle care families complete an initial core training and are certified in infant and child CPR and First Aid. Ongoing education is provided for cradle care families in the form of monthly trainings held at the agency. Cradle care homes are located thoughout Colorado, and currently there is a need for a cradle care home in both the Durango and Colorado Springs area. For more information, please contact Marianne Anderson at 303-695-1601.
Board of Directors:
Steve Loux – Chair
Jason Cobb – Vice Chair
Graeme Cowie
DeAnna Koepke
Robert Shikiar
Alex Walterspiel
Susan Scott
If you or someone you know would be interested in serving on the Adoption Options’ Board of Directors, please contact Adrienne Elliot at 303-695-1601.