Lisa Clark, L.C.S.W., Executive Director

Domestic staff
I convinced ADOPT to hire me in 2001 and have been in love ever since. I have a Bachelors degree in Social Welfare and African American Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master’s degree in Social Work. I am part of an adoptive family and bring with me years of academic research in the field of domestic adoption.

I run our Domestic Program, Hawaii office and am also our Executive Director. I love empowering birth mothers to create the type of domestic adoption that is right for them. And of course the Love Party is one of my favorite days of the year!

Jeanetta Mandadjieva B.A., Social Worker, International Program Coordinator

International staff
I have a BA in Psychology from the University of Sofia, Bulgaria. I discovered my passion for helping orphans find loving families in my junior year when I volunteered at an orphanage in my home city, Burgas. I joined Adopt International’s team in March of 2007 as the assistant of the Director of International Adoptions and later worked in the Refugee Foster Care program. I love the opportunity to be able to help families throughout their entire adoption process – from the first call to us, through the home study, immigration approval to the post placement visits.

Rebekah Cramer, B.S., Adoption Specialist

International staff
I graduated with a B.S. in Psychology, a B.A. in Africana and Latino Studies, and a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies from SUNY Oneonta. I spent a few years in New York City before I decided to make the leap to San Francisco, which has been one of the most rewarding decisions I have ever made. I have found a welcoming community at Adopt International and am very excited to be working with such a knowledgeable, open-minded team. Here at Adopt International I am an Adoption Specialist for our China program and our Independent program.

Sharmeela Shah, LCSW, India Program Director

International staff
It is such a privilege to play a part in a family’s adoption journey and so rewarding to be able to find a home and family for an orphaned child. I have a Bachelors in psychology and Masters in social work from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, India and Columbia University, New York. My real education has come from learning with and from the families I have supported during my fifteen years of India adoptions. Over a hundred children have come home and found their way to where they were always meant to be and many more wait their turn. To all my current families that have placed their trust in my expertise, remember that the best things in life are worth waiting for. Something beautiful is on the horizon.