EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Stacy joined this agency in 2001, and the Chrysalis House, Inc. mission has had a hold on Stacy’s heart ever since.  Although she’s worn various titles over the past 20+ years, Stacy is currently responsible for the supervision of and operational oversight of this agency. Stacy’s entire career has been invested in the nonprofit sector, always focused on serving children and families as they find their way together. Her greatest passion continues to be helping children to find safe, loving homes where they can thrive.  Stacy completed her education in Kansas, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Therapy (1997) and a Master of Arts in Counseling (2001).

ASSISTANT CLINICAL DIRECTOR

As an experienced social worker, Stephanie brings years of adoption knowledge and experience to the staff and Chrysalis House. She has a passion for working with birth parents and loves to be a part of the process that matches birth parents with waiting adoptive families. Stephanie has an active role in Chrysalis House's parent training program and is committed to ensuring that families are prepared for the adoption process. Stephanie also works with families and children to encourage a successful adoptive placement. She earned her Master of Social Work degree from California State University, Fresno in 2006 and has worked in the adoption field since that time.

BILINGUAL ADOPTION SOCIAL WORKER

As an experienced social worker, Delia has years of experience in adoptions, resource family approval, and other areas of child welfare. Delia has a thorough understanding of the child welfare system which is helpful in assisting adoptive families during the adoption process. She also has experience as a medical social worker assisting children and their families with psychosocial related issues. She is an advocate of being part of a team that promotes safety, trust building, collaboration, empathy, self-awareness, and empowerment to seek the best outcomes for children and families. Delia earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work (1996) and Master of Social Work degree from California State University, Fresno (1999).

FAMILY SUPPORT SPECIALIST

As an experienced social worker, Ashley brings years of adoption and foster care knowledge to Chrysalis House. Ashley has the unique privilege of serving with two amazing organizations: CAFO and Chrysalis House. Ashley deeply cares for every member of the adoption constellation and is passionate about lifelong care and support. As such, Ashley has an active role in Chrysalis House's support group and training program. Ashley is a TBRI Practitioner and also consults families (and the broader community) on the importance of trauma-informed care. She earned her Master's degree from Cairn University in 2007 and has worked in the vulnerable children and families field since that time.

RESOURCE FAMILY COORDINATOR

Megan assists families to coordinate and complete paperwork throughout the adoption process. She has experience in management and customer relations, which brings a unique benefit to her role as resource family coordinator. As an adoptee, she chooses to work in the field of adoption because she finds it interesting, challenging, and personally rewarding.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

As Administrative Assistant, Gloria is one of the first faces and voices you will encounter at Chrysalis House.  Gloria is honored to walk alongside our adoptive families as they begin their adoption journey, as well as assist individuals seeking general information about Chrysalis House and our services to all members of the adoption triad.  Gloria has over 30 years of customer service, and over ten of those years have specifically been in adoptions.  Gloria has witnessed numerous families come together through adoption, and she has developed a true passion for adoption throughout the years. 

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS

As the Director of Finance & Operations, Lindy coordinates and oversees the financial and business aspects of the agency. She brings years of experience to her position at Chrysalis House, and she works diligently to ensure that the financial and business systems/operations are accurate and up-to-date. Though her position is primarily behind the scenes, Lindy finds working the in the adoption field rewarding and she does everything she can to make the adoption process a positive one for Chrysalis House families. Lindy has served Chrysalis House and its families since 2001.

BOARD PRESIDENT

Jo Anne is a founding Board Member, carrying forward the holistic vision of creating and supporting families throughout the Adoption experience. Being recently retired she is devoting more of her attention to Chrysalis House Inc and traveling. Jo Anne has 44 years of Business Management experience in the area of Administration of Public Assistance programs, which includes Leadership and Technical Systems Operations. As a founding member she believes every Child deserves a loving and nurturing forever family environment to learn and grow into self-sufficient societal contributors and leaders.

BOARD VICE PRESIDENT

Dawn Kennedy had the privilege of working with founder, Jo Kuhlman, on the adoption of her daughter in 1995. As an attorney, Dawn has a great appreciation of the agency's ethics, efficiency, and devotion to children in need of a forever home. It is her way of honoring Jo's memory and the agency she built with love and dedication by serving on the Board. Jo's vision lives on in the goals we strive to maintain. Dawn has been a member of the Board since 2002.

BOARD TREASURER

Mark Pearce is a Senior Vice President with Umpqua Bank. He has over 30 years of experience in banking and finance. throughout California. Mark is a graduate of Cal Poly SLO and of the University of Washington Pacific Coast Banking School. As Board Treasurer, he serves as the chair on the Finance sub-committee as well as serving on the Quality Assurance and IT sub-committee. Mark has been a member of the Board since 2008. Mark and his wife are proud adoptive parents and are grateful to Chrysalis House for their forever family.

BOARD SECRETARY

Nicole Searcy has been in service with Chrysalis House since 2014. She currently is a small business owner. Previously, she worked in a High School District office alongside the District Superintendent as a Receptionist/Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent, Administrators, and the Board. She offers her prior managerial experience to the Board. Nicole has also served as a team captain for a Relay for Life team for multiple years. Nicole believes in the work that Chrysalis House does and desires to help impact the lives of those in the adoption world in a positive way.

BOARD MEMBER

Ron Davey has served on the Board since Chrysalis House's inception in 1985. He actively serves in the background of the Board and is on two sub-committees. Ron is a retired auto mechanic of the County of Fresno. His mother-in-law was the founder of Chrysalis House. He believes in helping children and families become ONE.

BOARD MEMBER

Carrie Wade worked for Chrysalis House as an Office Assistant before becoming a Board member in 1998. The founder, Carrie's great-grandmother, believed that Carrie's aspirations in the field of education would lend a unique voice to the Board. Carrie currently lives and teaches in Wisconsin where she has two beautiful children who are her world and inspiration. Though she has moved to Wisconsin, she continues to believe in Chrysalis House's objectives and enjoys being involved in guiding the mission and vision of the Founder.

BOARD MEMBER

Lyle Ens was born and raised in Fresno. He is a business owner with a background in finance. He is also an adoptive parent that understands both the needs of adoptive families and the goals of Chrysalis House. He leads the Audit sub-committee and is a member of the Quality Assurance and IT sub-committee as well. Lyle joined the Chrysalis House Board in 2006.

BOARD MEMBER

Christina Toste is very involved with the Make a Wish Foundation. She retired as a Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist at Children's Hospital Central California. She is an adoptive parent, serves on the Parent Advisory Committee at her child's elementary school, and has been a Board member at Chrysalis House since 2008.

BOARD MEMBER

A native of the Fresno and Clovis area, Jenelle Cruz joined the CHI board of directors in August of 2016 with the purpose of supporting Chrysalis House and the process of creating families. Jenelle currently works in Risk Management and Patient Safety at Community Medical Centers, transferring roles after 4 years as an Executive Secretary. In February 2022 she graduated with her BS in Business Administration and a Certificate in Human Resources. She is currently working on a Master of Healthcare Administration, with an expected graduation of January 2024. She brings to the board 8 years of experience working in not-for-profit, as well as secretarial experience from Community Medical Centers, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, and UCSF Fresno Medical Education Program. 

BOARD MEMBER

Since obtaining her Bachelors degree in Social Work from CSU Fresno in 2010, Kaitlyn Galano has been serving her community. Having worked with organizations such as ACES Education Inc, and CAPMC Victim Services while completing her undergraduate coursework, she maintained a career in finance and human resources administration. Kaitlyn is now employed in education administration with MUSD. An adoptive parent to three children and foster parent to many others, she is eager to continue to contribute to Chrysalis House in helping provide safe spaces and forever families for children.