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.

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.

Elizabeth C. Keith, Adoption Counselor
Elizabeth joined the Cradle staff in 2007. She began her career in child welfare in 1994 in The State of Alabama. After holding a series of positions in foster care and adoption, she was promoted to the Program Specialist of Adoption where she oversaw all of the adoptions in a county. At The Cradle, Elizabeth prepares families for both domestic and international adoptions, as well as, facilitates adoptive parent educational workshops. She truly enjoys the opportunity to work with families through the preparation process, the waiting time and ultimately, the placement of their child.

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.

Iheoma C. Okeke-Banks, MA Adoption Counselor
Iheoma rejoined the Cradle staff in March 2007 to work with adoptive families in both the domestic and international adoption programs. She previously worked with the Cradle in the same capacity from 2004 through 2006. Prior to working at the Cradle, Iheoma was employed as an adoption counselor working with families interested in adopting children with special needs. Iheoma received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Chicago and her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Roosevelt University. She enjoys working with families of all types to through the adoption process and in preparation for becoming parents.

Kathleen O'Leary, Post Placement Specialist
Kathleen joined The Cradle in 2007. As the Post Placement Specialist, she sees families after they've adopted and helps them with any parenting issues that may arise, such as adjustment, development, openness, etc. Kathleen also organizes and facilitates the Cradle's Post Adoption Workshops.

Kathleen earned her bachelors degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Canisius College in Buffalo, NY. She will complete her masters degree in Psychology this summer from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Kathleen has previously worked for other agencies in New York in special needs adoption, foster care, and therapeutic foster care. She has also worked with adults and children with developmental disabilities such as Autism and Cerebral Palsy.

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.

Sue PuffPaff, Adoption Counselor
Sue has worked in the social work field for 13 years, 7 of that in adoption. She received her Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Illinois. She has a myriad of adoption experiences which includes adoption in the public child welfare system, post adoption and providing counseling to adoptive families. Sue is committed to the field of social work and is passionate about creating families through adoption.

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.

Dana M. Rusiniak, LCSW, Adoption Counselor
Dana began at The Cradle in 2000 in the role of Birthparent Counselor.  After counseling birthparents for eight years, she began working with prospective adoptive families in the role of Adoption Counselor.  Dana enjoys using her knowledge and experience from working with birthparents to help guide and prepare adoptive families during the home study process.  She is also a facilitator of adoptive parent educational workshops.  Dana received her Master of Social Work degree in 2000 from the University of Illinois at Chicago and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Illinois.

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.