Jamie Finn is the author of best-selling book Foster the Family, the founder and president of Foster the Family, the host of the Real Mom podcast, the founder and owner of Goods and Better, and TBRI practitioner. Jamie is wife to Alan and the mother to seven children, including her two biological children, three adopted children, and two children welcomed through foster care. Jamie is passionate about encouraging and equipping foster and adoptive parents and advocating for vulnerable children and families.

Cameron Lee Small is a licensed clinical counselor, transracial adoptee, and mental health advocate based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Cam’s personal story stands honestly next to his professional acumen, making him a transformative force for the adoptee community and throughout the fields of advocacy and mental health. His private practice, Therapy Redeemed, specializes in the mental health needs of adoptees and their families wherever they may be in their own adoption journey.

Chris Johnson is the Sr. Director of Church Partnerships & External Advocacy at Lifeline Children’s Services. With over 20 years of pastoral experience and a former role as Executive Director of the Kentucky Governor’s Office of Faith and Community Based Initiatives, Chris is a seasoned advocate for vulnerable children. A frequent consultant and speaker, he shares his family’s journey to inspire others to care for the vulnerable. Chris and his wife, Alicia, live in Birmingham, AL, with their 10 children (seven adopted from foster care) and six grandchildren. They’ve fostered over 40 children. Chris holds degrees in Church Ministries and Educational Leadership.

Judge Ashleigh Parker is a District Court Judge in the 10th Judicial District, which encompasses Wake County where she is a Juvenile Certified Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency Judge.  Judge Ashleigh prides herself on her judicial philosophy of being “R.E.A.L.: Respectful, Efficient, Active in the Community, and Learned in the Law." She lives in Raleigh with her 2 boys, Isaac and Isaiah and they attend Wake Chapel Church.

Trent’s journey from severe trauma—including domestic violence, neglect, and abuse—to healing is both powerful and inspiring. Entering foster care at four and adopted at nine, he has dedicated his life to helping others heal. Now 24, Trent is a mentor, speaker, and author of three books. He graduated from ASU with a 4.0 GPA in Family and Human Development and is the CEO & Co-Founder of Watch Me Rise. As a trauma consultant, TBRI Practitioner, life coach, and mentor, his greatest passion is working one-on-one with youth. Trent credits his transformation to his faith, giving all glory to God.

Joy is a devoted foster mom and soon-to-be adoptive mom, has passionately served in the local church for over 20 years. With a background in Intercultural Studies, Sociology, and a Master's in Church Ministry (Biblical Counseling), she thrives in working with diverse communities. She loves helping people of all ages grasp God's truth, especially on reconciliation, justice, and His deep love for them.

Marlee, LCSW, has been a mental health therapist at Cornerstone Counseling and Wellness since 2019, specializing in supporting children and parents. A Connected Families Certified Parent Coach since 2021, she integrates faith-based principles of love, safety, and empathy into her work. Marlee lives in Durham, NC with her husband and two sons, who inspire her growth as a parent and follower of Jesus. Outside of work, she enjoys parks, coffee, and relaxing while reading her Kindle.

Keith and Tanya Fortier have devoted their lives to serving vulnerable children and families through both personal and professional efforts. As foster parents for eight years, they adopted three children while raising three biological ones. Now serving with Agape of NC, Keith draws on 15+ years of experience in education and behavioral health, leading trauma-informed care trainings and faith-based advocacy. Tanya, a social worker at Agape, brings a background in pediatric care and nine years as a foster/adoptive mom. Grounded in their faith, they are committed to bringing healing, love, and support through God’s Kingdom.

Pam's journey is a testament to her commitment to foster and adoptive families. Inspired by her own adoption experience, she founded a nonprofit in 2011 and now serves as CEO & Co-Founder of Watch Me Rise alongside her adopted son, Trent. A skilled professional in TBRI, life coaching, art and educational therapy, and mental health coaching, she also facilitates healing programs. With a background in Special Education, Pam emphasizes faith in the restoration process, finding it an honor to guide families toward healing. Her leadership continues to make a lasting impact on those she serves.

Hank is a worship leader at The Summit Church and a Christian recording artist known as Branan Murphy. A resident of Raleigh, NC, he grew up in Georgia where he was adopted as an infant. Hank and his wife, Ashton, have 3 kids, including a 2-year-old daughter whom they adopted at birth. Hank is passionate about how God works through adoption to reveal his heart and show his love.

Rachael is passionate about seeing women break free from the lies that hold them captive and become who God created them to be. This passion has led her to start and lead Hope + Vine, a nonprofit that provides mentoring, employment, and connection to services for former foster youth.

Mia is passionate about helping others and motivating young people to stay on track. As a former foster youth who aged out of foster care, she works with several organizations advocating for foster youth. Because of her determination to have healing and wholeness for herself and others, Mia will complete her Associate Degree in May of 2025 and is planning to attend NCCU to get her Bachelors in Social Work.

Laura is a passionate advocate and trainer with Open Table, a non-profit that empowers community volunteers to support individuals facing complex life challenges. She trains groups across North Carolina to walk alongside young adults aging out of foster care, helping them build stable, supportive relationships. With years of experience working with youth, Laura believes authentic community is vital for healthy transitions into adulthood. She finds purpose in uniting people to meet needs, bridge gaps, and form life-changing connections—always championing the power of consistent, caring presence.

Taylor is a passionate young adult and current intern at Blue Cross Blue Shield, where she’s gaining valuable experience in the healthcare industry while continuing to follow her calling: making a difference in the lives of youth in foster care. Having grown up in the foster care system herself, she brings a powerful perspective and deep empathy to everything she does.

Driven by a heart for service and a strong sense of purpose, Taylor hopes to one day work directly with kids in foster care — whether through social work, advocacy, or by opening her own foster home. Her experiences have fueled a lifelong commitment to helping others feel seen, supported, and empowered, no matter where they come from.

Coeisha is a passionate worship leader, vocalist, and communicator who longs to see people encounter God through authentic worship. Known for her vulnerability, joy, and reverence for Scripture, she believes worship is a daily lifestyle, not just a Sunday act. Coeisha has led in diverse ministry settings—from local churches to global missions—creating spaces where people can bring their whole selves to God. Whether on stage or behind the scenes, she points everything back to Jesus. Offstage, she enjoys time with family, mentoring others, and laughing at her own jokes.

Matthew was born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, and has been sharing his love for Jesus through music for as long as he can remember. From singing beside his grandmother at the piano as a child, to launching his youth group’s worship band in high school, to leading worship in a 20,000-seat theater, his journey has taken him around the world, proclaiming the good news of the Gospel through song.

Matthew studied at Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina, where he was a leader in both the University Choir and Campbell Voices, the school’s premier vocal ensembles. Today, he serves as the Worship Leader at The Summit Church’s Knightdale Campus.