Michelle French
Upper Midwest Branch Director

Michelle brings 16 years of social work background to our CHI families. She is the mother of three beautiful daughters and is committed to uniting children and parents.

Mary House
Outreach Director for Upper Midwest

Mary has been connected with CHI since 1997 when she helped her sister bring a daughter back from China. In 1999, she and her husband added Chinese siblings, now teenagers, to their family of two grown-up children. 1999 also brought another niece, from India to the extended family.

Pam Shepard, MSW, LSW
Adoption Counselor / Homestudy / Post Placement Social Worker
Chicago Area / Northern Illinois

Pam Shepard is on board as full time adoption consultant/ caseworker. Pam came to CHI with 10 years of adoption experience. She has worked intensively with the National Council for Adoption as a Master Trainer for their infant adoption awareness program.

 Wisconsin Staff

Martha Wahlstrom
Outreach Coordinator

Martha and her husband Kirk are the busy parents of three adopted children - Vivienne, YaLi, and Augustine (Dong Dong), all from China. "A good agency makes all the difference," Martha emphasizes as she recounts her family's adoption experience.

Michigan Staff

Julie Fischer
Outreach Coordinator

Julie Fischer is our Children's Hope representative in Michigan. She will be talking with families considering international adoption as a means of building their families. Julie will be hosting information meetings in the Detroit area and helping families with questions and concerns.

Julie and her husband, Kirk, are the proud parents of Bradley and Lucy. Lucy was adopted from China in May of 2006. The Fischers have been CHI supporters ever since their China travels. Julie is enthusiastically looking forward to helping interested Michigan families discover CHI’s sincere commitment to the welfare of our world’s children and families.