Featured Adoption Experts

I started my career path as a retail manager in the Caribbean leading teams to sales records on every island on which he worked. Back stateside, I quickly fell in love with internet marketing and worked with several growing companies online including PoolTables.com, ZAGG.com and ShoppersChoice.com. I bring a diverse background with experience in PPC, SEO, email, social media, CSEs, marketplace partners, affiliates and video. I have appeared in articles including the Official YouTube Blog, the New York Times, and Search Engine Watch.

Kenna Hamm is the Assistant Director of a private adoption agency, Texas Adoption Center. She supports expectant parents, who choose not to parent their child, create an adoption plan. Texas Adoption Center also conducts Home Studies and Post Placement Visits for Adoptive Families. Kenna was previously employed with Surrogacy Choices, LLC, as a Surrogacy Coordinator, working with Gestational Surrogates and Intended Parents to help make a family's dream come true through the gift of surrogacy. Kenna's past experience includes being a Perinatal Social Worker at Seton Medical Center in Austin working with patients and families in Labor & Delivery, Antepartum, Postpartum, and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She was chair of the Network Perinatal Loss Committee, which addressed needs surrounding pregnancy loss and infant deaths throughout the Seton Healthcare Family. Kenna also has experience with the March of Dimes NICU Family Support Program. Mrs. Hamm is involved with the National Association of Perinatal Social Workers (NAPSW). She has served as a podium presenter at several conferences including the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrical, Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) and the American Nurse’s Credentialing Center (ANCC) National Magnet Conference. Mrs. Hamm previously served as Secretary of the multidisciplinary Texas Perinatal Association (TPA) Board and loves serving as an advocate for the psychosocial needs of mothers and infants in the State of Texas. Mrs. Hamm published an article in the American Journal of Maternal-Child Nursing.

Dr. David B. Smotrich is a board-certified fertility specialist and founder of La Jolla IVF, with nearly three decades of experience helping individuals and couples build families through advanced reproductive medicine. Widely recognized for his work in IVF, fertility preservation, and complex reproductive care, Dr. Smotrich has built a reputation grounded in innovation, patient trust, and personalized treatment. His practice serves patients across the United States and internationally, including individuals seeking specialized fertility options unavailable in their home countries. Throughout his career, Dr. Smotrich has been involved in landmark developments in reproductive medicine, including early same-sex family-building cases that contributed to California’s legal recognition of intended parents on birth certificates. His work has supported individuals, couples, military families, and patients navigating highly personal fertility journeys with compassion, discretion, and medical precision. Over the course of his career, Dr. Smotrich has been featured in major national and international media outlets, including CBS, ABC Nightline, BBC, Newsweek, Elle Magazine, Slate, Le Figaro, Der Spiegel, and Bild, for his work in fertility medicine, surrogacy, and reproductive innovation. His contributions to same-sex family building and international surrogacy have helped position him as a globally recognized authority in reproductive care. At the center of his work is a commitment to advancing fertility care through both education and innovation. Dr. Smotrich continues to explore emerging treatments, including Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy for ovarian rejuvenation, helping expand possibilities for patients facing diminished ovarian reserve and other fertility challenges. Today, Dr. Smotrich and La Jolla IVF have helped individuals and couples build families in 104 countries worldwide — reflecting the international reach and long-standing impact of his work in reproductive medicine.

Kelly Bezerra is a baby care expert with over 10 years of experience in infant and toddler care. She is the co-author of "How to Care for Children: From Birth to Age 2," published in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Kelly specializes in newborn care, infant health, baby development, and postpartum support for families. She writes about baby care and child development at balance-and-life.com and vidaequilibrio.blog.br, reaching parents in the US and Brazil.

Henna Khanijou is the co-founder of Blossom Fertility, where she guides intended parents, donors, and surrogates through their family-building journey with empathy, clarity, and unwavering support. She is passionate about making every experience feel personal, informed, and empowering. Holding a Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences from Rutgers University and backed by eight years of experience in the fertility field, Henna has helped hundreds of families find their ideal egg donor or surrogate to complete their families. She has worked with intended parents worldwide, partnering on programs both within the United States and internationally. The fertility journey can often feel overwhelming and lonely, and Henna believes deeply that every journey becomes her own. Every intended parent’s success is another beautiful baby brought into the world, and to her, there is nothing more meaningful than that.

Dr. Frank D. Yelian, MD, PhD, is the Founder and Director of Life IVF Center, one of the West Coast's largest independent fertility practices. At Life IVF, he leads a highly specialized fertility program focused on delivering results in the most challenging cases. With dual training as a physician and scientist, Dr. Yelian combines rigorous clinical expertise with a deep understanding of reproductive biology to develop highly individualized treatment strategies. Dr. Yelian is widely recognized for his work with patients who have experienced prior IVF failure, particularly those with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), advanced maternal age, and other complex diagnoses. His clinical approach centers on Precision IVF® protocols, which emphasize careful calibration of medication dosing to align with each patient’s unique physiology. This method is designed to maximize treatment effectiveness while reducing unnecessary medication costs and limiting exposure to potentially harmful side effects. At Life IVF Center, Dr. Yelian has built a reputation for treating patients that many clinics decline. His program consistently achieves successful outcomes in cases considered low probability, supported by advanced diagnostics, refined stimulation strategies, and a high-performance embryology laboratory. In addition to his work with complex IVF cases, Dr. Yelian has extensive experience in travel IVF, egg donation, and gestational surrogacy, providing comprehensive solutions for both domestic and international patients. His ability to manage intricate clinical scenarios across these pathways has made Life IVF Center a destination for patients seeking expertise beyond standard fertility care. Dr. Yelian’s work is defined by a commitment to precision, innovation, and results, establishing Life IVF Center as a leader in advanced reproductive medicine for patients who require a more sophisticated and individualized approach.

Abbe founded InCircle Fertility after emerging on the other side of her all-consuming struggles with infertility and pregnancy loss. During her six-year path to becoming a mother, she and her husband created the podcast Maculate Conception (audible) to process their deep grief and isolation while going through treatment after treatment. Through that podcast, women from all over the world reached out to Abbe, and almost accidentally, she began to help them on their own journeys. Abbe meets women and couples wherever they are in their path to parenthood - and wherever they are in the world - to provide the support and guidance needed to find a resolution. More than explaining what’s going on in the process of Assisted Reproductive Technology, she holds hands and hearts through the often grueling experience. She is a recurring contributor to the blogs What’s Up Moms and Fertility, Rescripted. You can find her on social media at @abbefeder (Instagram) and @InCircleFertility (Instagram). Abbe grew up on the mean streets of New York’s Upper East Side and holds a degree in Behavioral Science. She is an avid mahjong and card player, an escape room enthusiast, and has been called by many friends a true "balabusta." Abbe is married to filmmaker Isaac Feder (they are a true Hollywood cliche), and they live in Los Angeles with their toddler twins.

Kaily Lee is the founder and editor of askloveadvisor.com, a publication covering relationship advice, emotional health, and communication in modern partnerships. The site publishes in-depth guides on topics including love languages, attachment patterns, recognizing manipulation in relationships, rebuilding trust after betrayal, and Gottman-based communication methods. Available for expert quotes and interviews on relationship dynamics, dating, marriage, conflict resolution, and emotional well-being.

Family law attorney with 20+ years of business leadership experience, focused on divorce and child custody advocacy.

Meet Jim Lee and Ann Cummings – Trusted Coastal Real Estate Experts with RE/MAX Shoreline Jim and Ann are an experienced, highly regarded real estate team specializing in the vibrant markets along the New Hampshire Seacoast and Southern Maine. As seasoned professionals with RE/MAX Shoreline, they bring a dynamic blend of market intelligence, thoughtful strategy, and personalized service to every client relationship. With decades of combined experience, Jim and Ann have successfully guided clients through a wide range of real estate journeys—from first-time homebuyers and seasoned investors to families navigating relocation, downsizing, or life transitions like divorce. Their deep understanding of local market trends, zoning, coastal regulations, and community nuances enables them to offer expert guidance in even the most complex transactions. Jim is known for his strategic mindset, calm professionalism, and sharp negotiation skills. Ann brings a creative edge, a detail-oriented approach, and a warm, empathetic style that puts clients at ease. Together, they form a balanced partnership built on trust, integrity, and a shared commitment to delivering exceptional results. Their marketing approach is rooted in compelling storytelling, refined coastal branding, and data-driven insights that keep clients informed and empowered. They leverage the strength of the RE/MAX Shoreline network to provide broad exposure for sellers and unmatched access to off-market opportunities for buyers. Consistently recognized as top performers in the region, Jim and Ann are also active members of their coastal communities, often supporting local causes and promoting the lifestyle that makes this area so special. Whether you're buying, selling, or simply exploring your options, Jim and Ann are the trusted local experts you want by your side—professional, approachable, and always focused on your goals. For interviews, expert commentary, or media features about coastal living and real estate trends in New Hampshire and Southern Maine, Jim and Ann are available to share insights that reflect both the lifestyle and the market dynamics of this exceptional region.

Co-Founder of Evidexi, a free platform offering educational resources and organizational tools for family court documentation. Focused on making the court preparation process less overwhelming for self-represented parents. Evidexi provides state-specific custody guides, interactive tools like documentation checklists and tone checkers, and downloadable playbooks covering topics from staying organized to hearing preparation. Personal experience navigating the family court system drives the work.

Angela B. Ryan, Esq. is an attorney, advocate, and educator working at the intersection of child welfare law, maternal and reproductive justice, and healthcare equity. A former public defender and law professor at Villanova University, she has represented parents and hundreds of children in child abuse and neglect proceedings, taught future lawyers, and contributed to policy efforts aimed at protecting vulnerable children, parents, and families. After experiencing severe medical mismanagement during childbirth, Angela began writing and speaking on patient rights, informed consent, and the systemic failures facing women in healthcare. Her work bridges law, policy, and lived experience to help journalists, lawyers, and policymakers understand how institutional breakdowns harm real families—and how accountability can be rebuilt. What systems write off, she writes back in. She is the author of Dispatches From the Middle, a widely read series on motherhood, maternal health, patient rights, and the lived experience of chronic illness.

Specialties: Board Certified Family Law Specialist

Becky Patrick leads fundraising and partnerships at The Seedling Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pioneering a new model for the U.S. childcare crisis: acquiring privately-owned daycares and preschools from retiring founders and converting them into employee-owned schools through ESOPs (Employee Stock Ownership Plans). She also has over 20 years of child care experience as a director and owner She works at the intersection of three timely stories journalists are actively covering: The childcare cliff — rising tuition, shrinking margins, and the wave of independent preschools closing as Boomer-era owners retire without succession plans. The employee ownership movement — ESOPs as a tool for wealth-building among low-wage workers, particularly the predominantly female, often immigrant early-childhood education workforce. Mission-driven capital — how charitable acquisitions, donor-advised funds, and CPA/financial-planner networks are being mobilized to keep small businesses out of private-equity rollups. Becky can speak to: The human side of teacher retention, parent trust, and continuity through ownership transitions Based in Florida, available for interviews, written commentary, and expert quotes nationally.

Edita Evoyan is a financial coach and business mentor who helps professionals and families make clearer, more confident decisions about money. With a background in architecture and interior design, she brings a unique, systems-based approach to financial strategy: simplifying complexity, building structure, and helping people design plans that align with real life goals. In her work, Edita focuses on practical financial education, retirement planning concepts, risk awareness, and long-term wealth-building habits. She’s known for translating intimidating financial topics into simple language, helping audiences cut through noise, misinformation, and overly technical advice. Edita also mentors and trains aspiring financial professionals on communication, leadership, and building an education-first business with integrity and compliance in mind. She frequently speaks on the mindset shift from employee to owner, creating additional income streams, and building scalable skills without sacrificing family priorities. Media outlets typically feature Edita for approachable commentary on financial confidence, modern wealth habits, retirement planning basics, and the real-world behaviors that drive better outcomes.

Tricia D. Goostree is the founder and managing partner of Goostree Law Group, P.C. in St. Charles, Illinois. Since 2002, she has focused her practice entirely on family law. She represents clients in divorce, child custody, child support, visitation, paternity, maintenance, complex financial disputes, and appeals. Her background in moot court, legal writing, and courtroom advocacy helped shape the clear, strategic approach she brings to every case. Tricia helps clients make sense of difficult family law problems and take practical steps forward. Whether you are dealing with a contested divorce, a custody fight, or a complicated financial issue, she works to protect your interests and present your case effectively. She is known for being prepared, direct, and compassionate with clients who are facing stressful and deeply personal situations. In addition to her work in court, Tricia has served her community through legal service, bar association leadership, and mock trial programs. She has also earned recognition from Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Leading Lawyers, and other respected legal organizations.