Every child deserves
a family.

  • ORGANIZATION

    The Adoption Project is a non-profit 501(c)4 focused on adoption-friendly public policy. We are working to build a model which destigmatizes placing a child for adoption, streamlines the adoption process, fosters strong bonds and permanence for families, and encourages support for birth parents so that every child finds a family and every searching family finds a child.

  • MISSION

    To identify and advocate for policies that make it easy to build families through adoption and foster care, and in the best interests of children, adoptive parents, and birth parents.

  • VISION

    Every child will have a safe, loving, permanent family.

  • GOALS

    Tennessee will be the most adoption-friendly state in the country.

    The foster care system will operate in the best interest of children.

    We will be a national leader in child welfare policy.


Leadership & Board of Directors

  • Jeremy Harrell

    Jeremy Harrell

    Founder, President & CEO
    The Adoption Project
    Bio

  • Danielle Barnes

    Danielle Barnes

    CEO & President
    Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee

  • Christi Gibbs

    Christi Gibbs

    Former Chief of Staff
    Former Tennessee First Lady Crissy Haslam

  • Carter Lawrence

    Carter Lawrence

    Commissioner
    Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance
    Bio

  • Brian McCormack

    Assistant Vice President, TPA Management & Governance
    Fortitude Re

  • Brad Turner

    Brad Turner, Chair

    Commissioner
    Tennessee Department of Disability & Aging
    Bio


Founders Committee

  • Bill Haslam

    Honorary Chair
    Former Governor of Tennessee

  • Jerry Caldwell

    President
    Bristol Motor Speedway

  • Cathy Cate

    Past President
    Leadership Tennessee

  • Damon Hininger

    CEO
    CoreCivic

  • Bryan Kaegi

    Principal
    Vogel Group

  • Stuart McWhorter

    Commissioner
    Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development

  • Jayme Simmons

    Executive Director
    Bill & Crissy Haslam Foundation


Policy Committee

  • Crissy Haslam

    Honorary Chair
    Former First Lady of Tennessee

  • Kristin Allender

    Executive Director
    Tennessee’s Kids Belong

  • Bethany Ballard

    Adoptee

  • Jennifer Donnals

    Communications Professional
    Adoptive Parent

  • Brittany Farrar

    Middle TN Regional Director
    Youth Villages

  • J.R. Garrett

    Foster Parent/CISO
    AdhereHealth

  • Lesley Guilaran

    Consulting Teacher for Post Secondary Outcomes/Transition
    Jackson-Madison County School System

  • Michelle Harrell

    Teacher
    Adoptive Parent

  • Danny Harris

    Adoptee/Attorney
    Bass Berry

  • Karyn Johnson

    Birthmom

  • Tyler Jones

    Chief Operating Officer
    Jones Legacy Group

  • Bess Knox

    Adoptee/Real Estate Agent
    Compass

  • Rebecca Masterson

    Chief Counsel
    Gen Justice

  • Emily McCormack

    Adoptive Parent

  • Katrina Miller

    Director of Educational Partnerships
    SAS

  • Jennifer Nichols

    Judge
    Former Commissioner of Children’s Services

  • Stacie Odeneal

    Attorney/Guardian Ad Litem
    Adoptive Parent

  • Lauren Pedde

    Adoptee

  • Stacey Pellom

    Attorney
    Adoptive Parent

  • Emily Chapman Richards

    Advisor
    Show Hope

  • Courtney Ross

    Senior Manager, External Affairs
    Amazon

  • Jayme Simmons

    Executive Director
    Bill & Crissy Haslam Foundation

  • Lauren Topping

    General Counsel
    Tennessee Ethics Commission

  • Lauren Webb

    Attorney
    Adoptive Parent


Impact Report