Our Mission
Adoptions of Indiana seeks to identify and meet the needs of adoptees and birth and adoptive families through compassionate and comprehensive adoption services.
Our Vision
Every child in a loving and caring home.
Every adoptee and parent supported.
Every community educated.
About Adoptions Of Indiana
Adoptions of Indiana is a full service adoption agency. We provide services such as adoptive preparation/home studies, adoptive education, matching, placement, post-placement supervision, and ongoing adoption education and support to adoptive families, adoption options counseling to expectant parents, pre and post-placement counseling and support services to birth families, search and reconnection services to adult adoptees, and community adoption education.
Adoptions of Indiana was founded in 1995 by professionals in the fields of mental health and social work whose lives were personally touched by adoption. Adoptions of Indiana is licensed by the State of Indiana as a child-placing agency and is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. All of our clinical staff are licensed social workers with extensive expertise in adoption, grief and loss, and child welfare issues.
Our agency is a member of the National Council for Adoption, and the North American Council on Adoptable Children.
About Us | Meet Our Staff
Meg Sterchi | ACSW, LCSW
Executive Director
Meg Sterchi, a founder and the executive director of ADOPTIONS OF INDIANA, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in the area of adoption. She has more than 30 years of experience in the fields of mental health and social work focusing on children and families, mental health, and education. For the last 25 of those years, she has focused on working with birth and adoptive families, preparing and supporting them throughout the adoption process. She also has personal experience with adoption, as an adoptive mother. It was this personal experience that led her to open ADOPTIONS OF INDIANA.
Meg’s work focuses on the clinical issues surrounding private, domestic, and international adoption. Meg firmly believes that adoption is a loving choice for an unexpected pregnancy, and is dedicated to the education and preparation of adoptive families and to the continuing improvement of the public's perception of adoption. She is guided by her philosophy that a major focus of adoption agencies should be to prepare, support, and educate all parties involved in an adoption. Children are best served by parents who are well-prepared to understand and deal with adoptive issues that arise throughout the adoptive life cycle.
Meg was honored by the US Congress in 2013 as a CCAI Angel in Adoption. She is a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers. She received her MSW from Indiana University School of Social Work and her BA from Purdue University.
Meg, her husband, David, and their two sons Grant and Gavin are blessed to be a family joined together through adoption. They enjoy biking, traveling, sailing, and other water sports together.
“I've had the honor of working with women considering adoption and birth mothers for over 25 years. I'm always impressed with their grit and desire to put the needs of their children first, whether that is by making an adoption plan or by choosing to parent. Walking by their sides throughout the process and building supportive relationships that have lasted years, sometimes decades, is one of my favorite parts of the adoption process.”
Jennifer Morrissey | MSW, LSW
Social Worker Supervisor
Jennifer Morrissey started working in the field of adoption in 1999 and quickly discovered her passion for adoption. She began working in domestic adoption, but when a need came for someone to take over the international programs, she quickly learned about the possibilities within international adoption, and what joy it was to find homes for orphaned children. Through her international work, Jennifer has had the pleasure and opportunity to travel around the world.
Jennifer received her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas and her Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University. She loves working with families in every stage of the adoption process, seeing them through the various stops on the adoption journey to becoming a forever family. She believes in the value of education, and being prepared to parent a child according to their individual needs.
Jennifer enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with family. She has three children: Aidan, Alyssa, and Eli.
“Adoption is a journey of many emotions, and I love that I get to be a part of supporting a family as they become parents.”
Allison Montgomery | MSW, LCSW
Adoption Specialist
Allison Montgomery is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Indiana University and her Bachelor’s Degree from DePauw University. She worked primarily with children and families during her career in such areas as homelessness, mental health, and school social work prior to joining ADOPTIONS OF INDIANA in 2007.
Allison became interested in the adoption field as she and her husband began the process of their child’s adoption from China. She has developed a deep respect for the adoptive process and both the difficult and amazing journey it allows. She feels fortunate to have personal understanding of what adoptive parents experience. This has also helped her know how important it is to educate oneself on adoption and the possible needs of the adopted child.
Allison and her husband, James, welcomed home Maya in 2007 and are thrilled to be her parents. They enjoy time together as a family. Allison enjoys traveling, reading, sports, and has a deep passion and love for animals.
"It brings me great joy to watch families grow in their understanding of adoption, to watch them become parents, and to watch their children grow over the years."
Malinda Cox | LMHC
Adoption Specialist
Malinda Cox is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Indiana Wesleyan University and her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Indiana Wesleyan University. She worked primarily with children and families in foster care, post-adoption, and school counseling prior to joining Adoptions of Indiana.
Malinda loves spending time with her husband, Adam and their children Violet and Rowan. As a family, they enjoy traveling, hiking and all things outdoors, eating donuts around Indy, and kitchen dance parties.
"I love working with families and helping prepare parents to be the best parents they can be!"
Andrea Albertsen
Outreach
Andrea Albertsen is a graduate of Indiana University with a Bachelor’s of Science. Her passion for working with nonprofit organizations runs deep. As a former Director of Marketing & Communications for local health centers, she has vast experience in outreach and networking. She is excited to work with our adoptive families and create more awareness for AOI and the incredible services provided to expectant and birth mothers, adoptees, and adoptive families.
Andrea and her husband, Brian, have a handsome little boy named Beckett that is the son-shine of their lives. Since his birth in 2020, she has realized the true purpose for her life and she's excited to welcome her second baby boy into their family this year. Andrea loves her family, adores all animals, loves to read and bake, and is passionate about dance. She even taught competitive dance teams for fifteen years!
“Working with such an amazing team with such compassionate and caring hearts makes my job easier. I love promoting a nonprofit that I believe in with my whole heart."
Madison Smith, MSW, LSW
Pregnancy & Birth Parent Counselor
I was introduced to adoption when my cousins were internationally adopted from Africa in 2011. Through their adoption process, I developed a deep rooted passion for adoption work. I learned about the adoption process from a personal perspective, and I wanted to pursue a career in the adoption field. I could not imagine my family without my cousins, and they have inspired my heart for adoption work.
I graduated from Taylor University with my Bachelor's in Social Work, and I immediately went onto graduate school at the Indiana University School of Social Work. While in graduate school, I had the privilege to intern for Adoptions of Indiana, and I fell in love with their mission and heart for adoption. Through the internship, I had the opportunity to begin my professional career as a social worker at Adoptions of Indiana. With a personal and professional perspective on adoption, I have grown to respect all aspects of the adoption process as it is both challenging and beautiful.
I enjoy running, hiking, and being outdoors. My friends and family are also important to me as they are my source of support, humor, and memories.
"Walking alongside families, children, expectant parents, and birth parents during the difficulty and beauty of the adoption journey is special, and I am honored to be a part of these life changing moments."
Liz Moser
Office Manager
Liz Moser joined Adoptions of Indiana at the beginning of 2023 as the Office Manager.
Liz has served as a regional manager for international exchange students, recruiter/trainer of volunteers with CASA of Louisiana, ESL instructor, advocates strongly for Clinician Led Crisis Response, and serves as the Marion County BeSmart Team Lead, working to educate adults/parents about gun safe storage.
Growing up in Shelbyville, Liz is a 5th generation Hoosier. Liz, and her husband Jay, now reside in the Eagle Creek area of Indianapolis. Liz and Jay have three adult children, two wonderful son-in-laws, and a granddaughter that is the apple of their eye. Blessed that all call Indianapolis home.
Liz and Jay enjoy family time and golf. Over the years, they have opened their home to many international students and have been blessed believing there is always room for one more at the table.
“My niece was placed for adoption as a newborn. We connected several years ago as adults. She had a wonderful childhood and we enjoy such a special bond. I am often the first point of contact for those reaching out to AOI, and find my heart immediately touched. Supporting our families, and the caring AOI staff, is much more than a job to me."
Meet Our Board
Amy Downs
President
I’m a born and raised Hoosier, with all my immediate family still living in the city. My daughter, Bryn, is my greatest joy and greatest challenge Her Dad and I adopted her at birth and we’re passionate about the positive benefits of open adoption. This has fueled my desire to be an active volunteer and Board Member for AOI. I’m the Vice President, US Commercial and Canada for a digital media and tech company. I graduated from Xavier University and enjoy watching sports, eating good food, Orange Theory classes, hanging with my mom and sisters, and traveling with my boyfriend.
Justin Angrick
Past President
My name is Justin Angrick and I currently serve on the Adoptions of Indiana Board of Directors. My daytime career is in construction management with Messer Construction in Indianapolis. Following completion of my civil engineering courses at Purdue, I married my wonderful wife and moved to the west side of Indianapolis. We have put down our roots in the community and our church.
My wife and I were led to adoption through prayer and consideration over the course of several years early in our marriage. We’re an adoptive & foster family and have seen the wonderful joy and healing that adoption can bring. It was this positive experience that led me to seek a way to donate my time and efforts to see more adoptees and adoptive families united. My search led me to Adoptions of Indiana and I have been happily serving since early 2018. I’m happy to see lives changed for the better in the same way that my family has been blessed through multiple adoptions.
Kelly Dietz Miller
Vice President
I was drawn to AOI after hearing all the amazing work they do for expectant parents and adoptive families. We need more organizations like AOI in our community and I am proud to serve as Vice President of our Board. In my day job, I am the Chief Legal Officer for a financial services company in Carmel. My husband and I live in Indianapolis with our two young kids who keep us very busy. We enjoy spending time outside, catching the occasional concert or show, and hanging out with our extended family.
Brandy Morris
Secretary
Hi, my name is Brandy Morris. I currently serve as the Secretary of the Board of Directors for Adoptions of Indiana and have served on the board for 2 years. I am a graduate of Purdue University and now enjoy my work as a Senior Proactive Services Engineer for Salesforce. I live in Indianapolis with my husband Eli and our kiddos Harrison and Charlotte. As an adult adoptee, I am passionate about the services AOI provides and the child-centered focus of our programs. The birth mom counseling is my particular favorite program, as I believe every woman deserves to be heard and to understand our rights.
Adrianne Wolting
Treasurer
Once I was introduced to the work Adoptions of Indiana is doing in our community I was compelled to serve on the Board of Directors. I truly believe in empowering people with positive choices, and I believe AOI provides that empowerment to both birth and adoptive families. The resolute support that AOI provides for women and children of our community is both inspiring and essential. I leverage my professional experience as an Executive Controller for a transportation company to AOI as Board Treasurer. I am a graduate of both IU and Butler University and my partner and I live in Indianapolis with our two young children. We enjoy travelling, concerts, and soaking up the Indiana Summer on Eagle Creek.
Emily Caister
Board Member
My Name is Emily Caister and I’m a current board member of Adoptions of Indiana. I was drawn to AOI after learning about the incredible work they do with birth mothers and adoptive families, as well as their pro-women attitude. After graduating with degrees in accounting and Spanish, I started my career working as a CPA at a local firm in Indianapolis. Outside of work I enjoy staying active, spending time with my family and friends, and keeping up with my German Shepherd, Keno.
Lindsey Walker
Board Member
My name is Lindsey Walker, I live in Indianapolis, and I am proud to be an adult transracial adoptee. I work in Marketing and Sales Development for a large tech company and my husband and I stay busy with our two young boys, Chance and Ashton. I am very passionate about adoption, most importantly, the education and support needed for everyone involved.
Travis Tester
Board Member
Travis serves as the Chief Development & Communications Officer at Foster Success. In partnership with the CEO and Board of Directors, he leads the organization in partnering with donors and funders through donor-centered comprehensive fundraising and communication strategies to achieve Foster Success’ goals and mission of supporting the successful transition of youth and young adults from foster care into adulthood.
Travis joins Foster Success from the University of South Carolina School of Law. In his role as Interim Sr. Director of Development and Alumni Relations, he led the law school’s development and alumni relations team in meeting a $3 million goal and creating more robust and meaningful donor engagements. Travis earned his bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University and earned a master’s degree in Philanthropic Studies from Indiana University’s Lilly School of Philanthropy. He believes in giving back to his community and has served as a board member at Adoptions of Indiana and the Association of Fundraising Professionals Indianapolis Chapter.
Travis and his husband, Jonathan, adopted their son, Caden, with guidance and support through Adoptions of Indiana.
Julie K. Keck, MD, FAAP
Emeritus Member
Julie is a pediatrician and neurodevelopmental disabilities specialist. She is the Medical Director for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s Indiana Medicaid Plan. She has been with Anthem since 2013. She spent 10 years at Riley Children’s Hospital in the Section of Developmental Pediatrics. She directed the International Adoption Program and evaluated children and youth at risk for special health care needs. She is married to John Champley who is a pediatrician at Northpoint Pediatrics. They have 2 children and live on a family farm in Noblesville.
"I am committed to AOI because I am committed to the health and well-being of children. AOI stands apart from the rest because it considers and respects the well-being of the birth parents, adoptive parents and children who connect them all."
Our Efforts in Humanitarian Outreach
We recognize the importance of our local and global community to treasure the world’s most valuable resource, our children.
Whether we are driving across Indiana or flying across oceans, we are actively making a difference in our community throughout the state and the world. For our community, we provide:
- Expertly prepared presentations for attorneys, health care professionals, and many more who need an in-depth study of adoption
- Continuing educational training sessions for the adoption community through conferences, workshops, and seminars
- Adoption education seminars for secondary schools and universities
- International humanitarian efforts for South Africa’s AIDS orphans
