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board image: children sitting on bench in Georgian orphanage

Board of Directors

 

Michael Garabedian, Esq.

President

Michael Garabedian is the managing partner of Rayano & Garabedian, P.C., a general practice law firm located in New York, specializing in litigation and transactional matters for domestic, closely-held corporations, partnerships and business professionals. He received his undergraduate degree from New York University in 1982, and his juris doctor (i.e., law degree) from Union University, Albany Law School, in 1985. Along with being admitted to practice law in all of the courts of the State of New York, Michael is admitted in the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, as well as the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

Michael is a third generation Armenian-American who is intensely proud of his heritage, and has worked to engender and preserve the best attributes of Armenian culture. Towards this end, Michael is the former Chairman of the Board of Directors for the New York Armenian Home, a non-for-profit assisted living facility located in New York City for senior citizens of Armenian descent.

Michael currently serves on the board of directors for the John Jermaine Memorial Library in Sag Harbor, New York.

Michael and his wife are the adoptive parents of an Armenian child.

 

Brenda Smith

Founder and Secretary

Brenda Smith, owner of a branding agency in New York City, is the adoptive mother of Ella, who came from one of the orphanages of the Republic of Georgia. Adopting Ella was a challenging and time consuming process that included four lost referrals, a political coup in Georgia, three adoption-related trips to Georgia, scant support from the adoption agency she used (not Hopscotch) and scores of delays. After Ella came home safe and sound, Brenda started working with Robin Sizemore to build the adoption agency she wished she had worked with: one that offered personal support, knowledgeable and accessible employees, and a transparent process.
Brenda’s three trips to Tbilisi in 2004 gave her unique opportunities to see and experience in stark reality what life in an Eastern European orphanage is like for children. Since bringing Ella home, Brenda has been an active fund raiser for humanitarian aid for these orphanages, and she is committed to improving both the physical and emotional environments in which the children live.

 

Kristen Dadey, Esq.

Member

Kristin Dadey, a licensed attorney, lives overseas in Cairo, Egypt managing anti-human trafficking programs for the International Organization for Migration. Before moving overseas in 2003, Kristin practiced labor law in Washington, DC, working in both the government and non-profit sector. She received her Masters in Public Administration and Juris Doctorate from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and College of Law in 1998. Kristin’s work in Indonesia, the Republic of Georgia and Egypt changed her in profound ways, witnessing firsthand the extreme vulnerability of children, especially in developing countries. Her years of overseas experience have given her a keen understanding of the international rights of children, and dedicated to the basic children's rights' principle that all children have the right to grow up in a permanent family, Kristin is passionate in her advocacy on behalf of orphans.

Kristin and her husband Sean are the proud parents of one adopted daughter from Indonesia, one adopted daughter from Ghana and two biological daughters.

 

Fred Frank

Member

Fred Frank is a business professional in the industrial security industry. He has been employed as Branch Manager with Security Forces, Inc. Electronics for over twenty years. He is experienced in all aspects of management and day to day business operations.

Fred and his wife are the parents of two boys who were adopted internationally. They have remained close to others in the international adoption community and are proud of their children’s heritage. He brings to the board a passion for children’s issues and firsthand experience with the special needs of internationally adopted children.

Fred has volunteered, in a leadership capacity, with various organizations including Boy Scouts of America and previously served as Grand Knight with his local Knights of Columbus Chapter. Fred and his family live in Kernersville, North Carolina.

 

Jason Bramblett

Member

Jason Bramblett is the owner of Jason Bramblett and Associates, Realtors and various other businesses located in Greensboro, North Carolina. Jason is also a long time instructor for Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University where he works with individuals in the community to learn to live debt free. He is also the host of a weekly radio show called "Triad Real Estate 911". He is a well known and respected among the local business community.

Jason currently serves on the Board of Directors for Calvary Church where he is active in mission work.

Jason and his wife are the parents of one biological daughter and two daughters who were adopted internationally.

 

Karen Sellers Myers

Member

Karen Sellers Myers is a certified clinical research coordinator, nurse and Human Subjects Protection Subject Matter Expert. She is currently a contractor for the Department of Defense, working with Clinical Research Management Inc. She has travelled internationally for her various jobs and has a passion for the individuals rights.

Karen has been an Executive Board Member for the Maryland State Nursing Board for greater than 8 years and is active in her church teaching Sunday School.

Karen is the proud mother of three biological girls, ages 28, 26, 22 and her youngest daughter 7 who is internationally adopted with special needs, from the Republic of Georgia. She currently has four grandchildren and brings passion to all that she does.

 
Not for profit. 
 Just for kids.