Kellie Zaccardelli
Ohio 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.

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.

Tammy 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.