Kendra leads Alongside’s Oregon programs, overseeing the Oregon Post Adoption Resource Center (OPARC) and Oregon Adoption Resource Exchange (OARE).
Since joining the agency in 2010, she has continued to train and work directly with families, youth, and child welfare professionals while setting program direction.
Kendra has more than three decades of experience in adoption and child welfare. Her career has included family support, adoption recruitment, training, writing, and program leadership with organizations including Boys & Girls Aid and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. In 2016, US Senator Ron Wyden recognized her as a Congressional Coalition of Adoption Institute Angel in Adoption.
Her leadership in the field extends beyond Alongside. Kendra serves as vice chair of the board of Voice for Adoption and as US Hub contact leader for Therapeutic Life Story Work International. She is a certified Therapeutic Life Story Work practitioner and Training for Adoption Competency trainer.
Direct connection with youth, families, and professionals remains central to Kendra’s work. She approaches that work with intention and joy, sharing stories and helping elevate voices that need to be heard on this journey we all walk together. Kendra holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Lewis & Clark College.
