Jane Page, Clinical Director of Adoption Services:
Jane Page has been with The Cradle since 1979, working with both birthparents and adoptive parents. Currently, she supervises all services for adoptive parents, including the adoption process, educational seminars and placement of medically involved and minority infants.

Prior to joining The Cradle, Jane worked at Case Western Reserve University Medical School counseling medical students on how to become more sensitive to the emotional needs of their patients. Jane also previously worked at United Charities Family Service Bureau, where she provided individual counseling for adults, adolescents and birth mothers with an emphasis on family group therapy.

Jane has a Masters in Social Work from the University of Chicago and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. During her years in adoption, she has counseled several hundred families and women concerning adoption.

Phyllis Laughlin, MA, LPC, Clinical Director of Adoptive Parent Services:
Phyllis has been with The Cradle since 2000, first as an Adoptive Parent Counselor and now as Clinical Director of Adoptive Parent Services. She supervises a staff of counselors, facilitates training sessions, and works with adoptive parents as they go through the home study process and accept placement. She is involved with the adoption of international, domestic, and special-needs infants and children.

Phyllis earned her Master's degree in community counseling and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Illinois. She has over 15 years of work experience in a corporate setting, has worked as a grief counselor and trainer, and has a small private practice specializing in work with adults.

Jenny Francis, LCSW, Adoption Counselor
Jenny received a Master's Degree in Social Work from Loyola University in Chicago in 1996. She worked as an Educational Therapist for one year and then started working as a Birth Parent Counselor for The Cradle in 1998. A few years later she started working as an Adoption Counselor. Jenny is also a yoga teacher and took a few months to sharpen her yoga skills during the summer of 2006 and then returned to work part for The Cradle later that same year. Jenny enjoys connecting with adoptive parents and their shared love of children.

Dori Fujii, MSW, LCSW, Adoption Counselor:
Dori Fujii has worked in the field of child welfare and adoption since she received her Master's in Social Work from the University of Illinois in 1976. Since 1983, she has been in private practice specializing in work with children, adults and families. She has also worked as a consultant to DCFS in their pre- and post-adoptive services programs, providing assessment and treatment, and has advanced training from the Theraplay Institute in Chicago.

Emily Maxwell, MA, LCPC, Match Specialist
Emily began with the Cradle in 2001 in the role of Birthparent Counselor. After counseling birthparents for five years, she then began working with prospective adoptive parents in the role of Match Specialist. Emily's extensive experience in counseling birthparents brings a unique perspective to her work with adoptive parents. She is able to help all members of the adoption circle create and participate in an open adoption relationship. In addition to helping prepare and guide families through a match with birthparents, Emily also facilitates many of the adoptive parent educational programs. Emily received her Masters degree in Counseling Psychology from Northwestern University, and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Illinois.

Amy Pederson, MSW, LSW, Adoption Counselor
Amy has worked in the child welfare and adoption field since 1999. Much of her experience has included advocating for and supporting families who adopt children with special needs. She received her Master's of Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Amy is very passionate about adoption and feels honored to share in the adoption journey with families.

Nicole Smith, Adoption Counselor:
Nicole Smith joined The Cradle in 1999. Nicole has extensive child and family welfare experience, including Methodist Youth Services, Inc. in Skokie and PSI Services, Inc. in Chicago. Nicole prepares adoptive families for welcoming a child into their homes.

Christine Spuhler, Adoption Counselor:
Christine has been involved involved with social service work for nearly 20 years, specializing in work with minorities, poverty and family, and enjoys her work with families who choose adoption. Christine primarily works out of The Cradle's Barrington office, and also presents at informational meetings. Christine is currently finishing up her MA in Social work at the University of Chicago.

Judy Stigger, LCSW, Director of International Adoption
As Director of International Adoption, Judy supervises The Cradle's Russia program in Evanston and abroad. She works directly with other agencies and their families using the Cradle's services. Previously, Judy coordinated international and domestic adoption programs. She authored Coping with Infertility and many articles related to adoption. Judy conceptualized www.AdoptionLearningPartners.org, creating the content for Conspicuous Families. She presents at local and national conferences, and serves on the advisory board of Adoptive Families Magazine. In 2000, Congress recognized Judy with an Angel in Adoption award, in recognition of her years of service and expertise. Judy and her spouse are the adoptive parents of two grown, special needs children and are also birth grandparents of one, and grandparents of two, lovely granddaughters. Contact Judy at 847-733-3249 or jstigger@cradle.org.

Rachel E. S. Wright, MSW, LCSW - Adoption Counselor:

Rachel began with the Cradle in 2001 in the role of Birthparent Counselor. After counseling birthparents for two years, she then began working with prospective adoptive parents in the capacity as Match Specialist. In that role she helped to prepare and guide families through a match with birthparents, Currently, Rachel works with prospective adoptive parents as they navigate the home study process for both domestic and international adoptions. Additionally, Rachel also facilitates adoptive parent educational workshops. Her direct experience with both birthparents and adoptive parents helps all members of the adoption circle create and develop a solid open adoption relationship throughout the life of a child. Rachel received her Master of Social Work degree from Washington University in Saint Louis, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Illinois.

Susan Wilkin, Adoption Counselor:
Susan began working at the Cradle in July, 1998. Susan received her Master of Science degree in Counseling and Human Services from National-Louis University, Evanston, Illinois. Previously, Susan worked with the elderly population in nursing care. She also worked for a time at PHD, a woman's counseling center, in Palatine, Illinois. Susan enjoys guiding and supporting families as they prepare for adoption.

Angelia L. Young, Adoption Counselor, rejoined The Cradle staff in November 2003, to work with adoptive famiies in both the domestic and the international adoption programs. She previously worked at The Cradle, in the same capacity, from 1996-1998. Prior to working with The Cradle she was employed as an adoption counselor at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois. In addition to her experience as an adoption counselor Angelia has worked with families in foster care (as a child welfare specialist and supervisor), and she has extensive experience providing cultural/diversity training to families wanting to adopt transracially. Angelia had a graduate degree with Public Administration with an emphasis in local government administration and policy. In addition to being employed at The Cradle, she also employed as an Administrative Hearing Officer with the Illinois Secretary of State.