Julie works with both local and out-of-state families who've chosen to adopt through China's traditional or non-special needs process. Prior to coming to CHSFS, she was living in Beijing studying Mandarin Chinese. During college, Julie spent time in Shanghai studying and doing research. After graduation, Julie served in the U.S. military in Korea and Japan, and volunteered at an orphanage in Korea.

Andrea has long had an interest in working with children and families. Prior to coming to CHSFS, she worked in the field of international education as well as English as a Second Language. During college, Andrea spent time living and studying Mandarin in Beijing and Tianjin, China. Following graduation, she spent time working at a Chinese language camp, where there were many adopted children from China. Andrea brings a great understanding of Chinese language and culture to our program.

Molly supervises both the adoption process and our humanitarian aid projects in China.  She has traveled extensively throughout China's rural and urban areas and has a special interest in Chinese culture and language, having lived in China as both a student and teacher.  Prior to joining the China team at CHSFS in 2003, she studied in Tianjin, China and volunteered at Tianjin Children's Welfare Institute. She speaks Mandarin as well as reads and writes Chinese language. 

Lindsay provides a helping hand through various parts of your process.  She also has traveled to Ethiopia and enjoys learning more about the rich culture everyday. Lindsay graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College with a degree in Sociology/Anthropology in 2005. 

Jackie is available to help you with questions, dossiers preparation and travel assistance for the country of your child's adoption.  She has experience in international adoption, and previously worked with the Vietnam Program at CHSFS.  She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Genetics & Developmental Biology and worked at the University of Minnesota International Adoption Clinic for two years.  The research she has worked on with Dr. Dana Johnson, Sandra Iverson, and Dr. Maria Kroupina was presented at the 2nd Annual International Conference on Adoption Research in England in 2006.

Katie graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.  Katie interned at CHSFS with the Ethiopia program and since then has become a member of the Vietnam program.  Katie enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.

Yen joined the Vietnam Team in May 2007 as its Program Coordinator. She immigrated to Minnesota in 1976 from France to reunite with her family who had arrived in the U.S. in 1975 after the Vietnam War ended. Yen graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Clinical Lab Sciences. She travels frequently to Vietnam, prior to joining CHSFS staff, as a volunteer in many Vietnamese American NGOs with humanitarian aid projects in Vietnam. Since 2002, Yen has been a regular volunteer at Catalyst Vietnam Culture Camps, getting to know many adoptive families and their children from around the country. Her main responsibilities include helping families through their dossier preparation, referral process and travel assistance. As a Vietnamese American with bilingual and bicultural background, she can assist families with their specific questions about Vietnam culture and its traditions and customs.

Kjersti is the program director for all countries and directly supervises the Latin American Programs. Her passion for helping orphaned children began when she regularly volunteered at an orphanage in Bolivia, where she lived and worked for 4 years. Kjersti holds a B.A. in Journalism and will be completing her Ph.D. in Family Education in June 2008.