Kathleen has lived in Jacksonville for almost 30 years and has 30+ years of adoption experience. Kathleen has been with Connecting Hearts Adoption since 2015. She has a passion for adoption that is present when she visits with her clients. Kathleen’s personal experience makes others feel at ease and comfortable. Her support to those she works with is unwavering. Kathleen is married and the mom of two young adults who make sure life is never dull!

Susan has worked in the adoption field for 20+ years. She and Amy have worked together for more than 10 years! Susan has extensive experience working with adoptive families and birth/expectant parents. Susan is able to give her clients the tools they need to make good decisions in the adoption process. She leaves her clients feeling prepared and ready for their adoption journey. Susan is married and has two young children who keep her on the go! Susan and her family make Tampa Bay their home.

Alice has been working with families and children for more than 30 years! She has worked with Connecting Hearts Adoption since 2012. Her counseling background and experience helps her clients feel relaxed when she comes to their home. When Alice leaves your home, you know you have an advocate in your corner. She brings compassion and enthusiasm to her work…which is evident to our clients who have the privilege of working with her. Alice lives in Fort Lauderdale where she loves the beach and enjoys spending time with her family.

Cayuna has extensive experience working with children and families. She was excited to join the Connecting Hearts team in 2023. She worked as a child welfare case manager for several years. Her favorite part of child welfare was solidifying permanency for children, whether it be reunification or adoption. Cayuna grew a love for adoption working in child welfare and seeing children in happy, loving homes. Cayuna calls Palm Beach County home where she and her fiancée raise their two young daughters. In her downtime, Cayuna enjoys going for an occasional massage and mani/pedi. 

Mariced has been a Social Worker in Florida for more than 10 years and is the newest addition to the Connecting Hearts family!  She has worked in both the public and private sector doing adoption work.  Mariced has also worked in the hospital setting and geriatrics but always finds her way back to her true passion, adoption! For her, it is an honor to be a part of bringing people together to create beautiful families. Mariced lives with her two dogs and two cats in Sunrise.  She is also bilingual!  

Jackie has extensive experience working with children and families. She came onboard with Connecting Hearts Adoption in 2022. She started her Social Work career in New York. Jackie relocated to South Florida in 2013 to start her family. She has thoroughly enjoyed working with and helping both birth parents and adoptive families along every step of their adoption journey. Having worked in both private and public sectors with various populations, Jackie has developed an innate ability to easily engage clients and help them maneuver through the process with ease. She is always looking for ways to help and support families. Jackie is married and resides in Boca Raton with her two young boys. She enjoys a good DIY project and new adventures with her family.

Lynnette is excited to join the Connecting Hearts team! She has extensive experience working with children and families. Originally from the Midwest, Lynette relocated to South Florida to pursue a career in Social Work. She has worked in both public and private adoptions and understands the nuances to both, always striving to advocate for the children and families involved. Her clinical skills help her to easily and openly engage with clients in each step of the adoption process. Lynnette is married and the mom of one who keep her busy! Lynnette calls Miami home and enjoys spending her days with her family, dancing or getting lost in a new book.

Judy has been working with families and children for more than a decade and been with Connecting Hearts Adoption since 2019. Her experience in the public and private sector make Judy an asset to all the families she is honored to work with. Judy is passionate about seeing families come together through the adoption process. She and her husband have four adult children and make Lakeland their home. Judy enjoys taking their German Shepherd out for walks as well as bicycling around the lake.

Patti was born and raised in Tallahassee and is proud to continue to call Tallahassee “home.” Patti brings 25+ years of experience working with children and families. She was excited to join the Connecting Hearts team in 2021. She has worked in both the public and private sectors. Patti possesses a unique understanding of the sensitive nature and array of emotions that families experience during the adoption process. Those who work with Patti are immediately at ease due to her gentle nature. Patti is married and has three daughters. She enjoys spending time with her family, weekends at the beach and rooting on the home team, the Florida State Seminoles!

When Taryn began working with children and families many years ago, she found her calling.  She has worked in both the public and private sector. She joined Connecting Hearts in 2021. Adoption is close to her heart and very personal to her.  Taryn is passionate about helping to create and strengthen families. Taryn, her husband and daughter along with their furry Brussels Griffon make West Palm Beach their home. Taryn and her family are Florida transplants who have fallen in love with the sunshine state and enjoy spending time outside exploring nature together.

Melissa calls North Florida home. She brings 10+ years of experience working with adults, children and families. She hopped onboard with Connecting Hearts in 2022. Melissa has worked within a variety of social service fields including mental health, geriatric care, drug addiction/recovery, at-risk children and victim advocacy. Working with children and families is what she loves and helping people become parents is something she is very passionate about.

Marzena is excited to join the Connecting Hearts team! She has an extensive history of working with children and families. Her adoption interest was sparked during her work in the Child Welfare program in the adoption unit, where her responsibility was to recruit parents to adopt children from foster care. She has continued to expand her love for working with children and assisting families in their dream of having a forever family by working in the adoption field since 2004. She truly enjoys seeing families formed through the process of adoption. Her clinical skills help her to easily and openly engage with families. Marzena calls Parrish, Florida, home. In her free time, Marzena loves spending time with her two young adult children, traveling, and getting lost in a good mystery book.

Tiffany is a compassionate social worker with many years of experience.  In addition to her adoption work, Tiffany has worked in the public sector, worked as a medical social worker and in a school setting.   Tiffany prides herself in building strong relationships with families while providing support as they navigate the adoption process.  Tiffany believes deeply in the importance of positive thinking and instilling hope in those she works with.  Her work is rooted in warmth and empathy, with a strong focus on empowering those she works with.  Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, Tiffany has made Jacksonville her home for the past 20 years. She is the proud mother of one, which keeps her grounded and continuously reminds her of the importance of family and connection.