Kellie Zaccardelli - Director

Kellie has been working with Children’s Hope since 2003, when she founded Isaiah’s Promise, an international adoption agency that began operating as an Associate Agency of Children’s Hope International.  Prior to working with CHI, Kellie earned her law degree and worked in the areas of corporate, real estate and immigration law.  Kellie also began serving as a Guardian Ad Litem, representing children who had been removed from their home for abuse and neglect.  Ultimately, Kellie sensed God’s calling to care for orphaned children on a more full-time basis and left the large law firm environment to pursue adoption.  She has experience in all facets of the adoption process, including completing home studies and post placement reports, dossier preparation, training in adoption related issues, and readoption, once your child is home.  Kellie has also traveled extensively overseas, working in orphanages and meeting with adoption officials in various countries.  Kellie also serves on the Board for Isaiah’s Promise, which continues its mission of assisting families who dream of adopting internationally by offering grants and fundraising opportunities, as well as sending mission teams to support orphanages worldwide.  Kellie is married and she and her husband, John, look forward to their own adoption plans in the not-so-distant future.

Anna Heinz - Adoption Consultant

After working in the medical field for a number of years, Anna felt God calling her to leave all she was familiar with and join one of CHI’s associate agencies.  We then opened the Ohio Branch of Children’s Hope in April 2006.  What once was an interest has now become her passion!  She has a heart for orphans and for sharing God’s love.  “God adopted me into His eternal family.  It’s all I can do to share that with others!"

Joy Makowski - Administrative Assistant

Always having a passion for children, Joy graduated with a degree in early childhood education.  After spending time as a teacher, she felt that God had something different in store for her. In the summer of 2007, the Lord comforted her with His message: “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).  In August, she was introduced to Children’s Hope through a close friend. She connected with the organization’s mission of “homes, health and hope for children in need.” Joy looks forward to continuing helping children through the years to come.

Julia Ellifritt – Adoption Assessor/Social Worker
Cleveland/Northeast Ohio

Julia's adoption experience is not just professional, but also very personal. Julia adopted her daughter, Lian, from China in 1999 and then her son, Nate, from Madagascar, in 2003.  Before that, Julia obtained her Masters Degree in Social Work from Case Western Reserve's MSASS program.  Julia has also traveled to China to train orphanage caregivers in child development.  Julia has also worked extensively in areas of grief and loss, currently also serving as Clinical Director for a local bereavement and counseling center.  Julia joins Children's Hope International after over 8 years professionally in international adoption, and will assist Cleveland and Northeast Ohio families in the completion of their home study.

Kristen Riekert – Adoption Assessor/Social Worker
Columbus/Cincinnati Ohio

Kristen’s adoption experience began unexpectedly for her, when she moved to Cincinnati and began working as an adoption social worker.  Eleven years later, Kristen continues to be passionate about all aspects of the adoption process including birthparent counseling, international and domestic homestudies, post placements and teaching adoption education classes.  Kristen earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Georgia in 1995.  Prior to becoming involved in adoption work, Kristen worked extensively in the area of domestic violence and child welfare.  Kristen’s full time position is as wife to Eric and mother to Kate and Avery.   

Tammmy Benzinger - Outreach Coordinator

Tammy Benzinger joined our Ohio office in the summer of 2006 shortly after it opened.  Her business career started with a Bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of Cincinnati and she enjoyed the corporate environment for 15 years.  She and her husband adopted their oldest daughter in 1997 using Children's Hope International, and family has been her passion since.  She has been very involved in the community and schools helping to make them a better place for her own and other children.  In 2004 she had the opportunity to join an adoption related foundation part time.  This was a great blend of  her family related focus and an opportunity to further her passion of adoption.  When CHI opened the Ohio office Tammy felt the nudge to continue her adoption journey down a new path.  " I knew this was an opened door to my calling of working directly with people to create their forever families and to be involved with CHI which helped us do the same."

Tammy and her husband of 16 years have three children, all brought to them through adoption.  The oldest and middle daughters are from China and India, their youngest was born locally.  Tammy feels very blessed to have the family that has been brought to her and wants to continue to share the joy of adoption with others.  

Sarah - Intern

Sarah is in her final year at Kent State University and will be graduating in May with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a focus in Case Management. She has spent time in orphanages in Africa and felt called to love and help these children. “I am very excited to have this opportunity with Children's Hope and really look forward to learning and assisting the families who are adopting internationally!”