CWA’s Staff

Christian World Adoption has been blessed with a wonderful staff. Parents will never know the hours of work and worry spent bringing each child home. Yet each time a parent brings their new child by to visit we feel rewarded and the meaning of our work is once again renewed.
 

Tomilee Harding | Chief Executive Officer
Tomilee travels internationally frequently to work with government officials and to develop new programs. She is also responsible for the daily operations of CWA, is an advocate for pro-adoption legislation, and former board member of the Joint Council International Children’s Services (JCICS). Bob and Tomilee have two adopted daughters, Rachelle and Regina. Adopting Rachelle was their inspiration to start CWA in 1990. Tomilee is a Certified Adoption Investigator licensed to do home studies in the states of North Carolina and South Carolina.

Robert Harding | Chief Financial Officer
Robert owned an investment firm before deciding that the Lord wanted him to help needy children. Bob is a genuine financial wiz behind the agency. Bob also oversees the agency’s sister organization, Christian World Foundation, which distributes humanitarian aid to orphanages and children in the countries where CWA works.

Julie Wilson | Orientation Counselor
Julie holds a B.S. Degree in Education, with over 30 years experience in teaching and counseling ministries. She has served on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ. Julie and her husband are parents to four wonderful daughters. Julie’s obvious passion is to help people, and this is clearly demonstrated in her care and manner at our agency.

Yu-Qin (Jane) Jiao | China Program Director
Yu-Qin (pronounced Yu-cheen) was born and raised in China, and has a bachelor’s degree in American and English Literature. She is a former language and travel coordinator for the Chinese Government. In that capacity, she facilitated groups of adopting American parents in China before coming to the U.S. Jane has been working for CWA since 1996, and in January 2004 returned to China to establish a CWA China office in Changsha, Hunan Province. Jane travels frequently within China, and meets often with Chinese adoption officials, so she is able to stay abreast of any changes in policy. She also visits children’s welfare centers and is able to advocate for special needs children. Jane has a huge heart for the abandoned children of China.  

Yongmei (Mei) Bellack | China Case Manager
Mei (pronounced ’may’) was born and raised in China, and has a bachelor’s degree in English Education in Anhui, China. Following graduation she worked in a middle school in China teaching Chinese students English. She came to the United States in 1986 and received a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling from The Citadel. For the last ten years she has worked as a counselor in clinical and academic settings in Charleston, SC. Mei is relatively new to CWA, starting in 2005. Her bi-lingual skills and translation ability made her a natural for the complicated task of adopting Chinese children. She has a warm and enthusiastic personality and cherishes her relationships with all her “special” parents and children.

Fiona Sanderson | Executive Assistant
Fiona began working with CWA in the Charleston office in April of 2003. She is Executive Assistant to Tomilee Harding, and assists with local, national and international projects and also works closely with the Board of Directors.  Fiona works with Christian World Foundation to support the infrastructure and philanthropic work needed in countries and areas where Christian World Adoption is based.  In the near future Fiona looks forward to working with individuals and groups to coordinate mission trips to Acacia Village Ethiopia. Fiona feels very blessed to be part of the CWA team.

Anita Thomas | Assistant Executive Director
Anita’s 14 years of experience in administration and accounting is varied giving her valuable insight into the work of our agency. Her military experience abroad as a supervisor in telecommunications gives her a unique understanding of complex computer and communications systems as it applies to international affairs. Her background also includes extensive experience in all aspects of accounting and office procedures.

Carol Nelson | Director of Intake
Carol has worked for over 40 years in every imaginable field. However, her true calling was realized in 2000 when God sent her to CWA to help families in their quest for knowledge regarding international adoption. Carol states "To talk with a family wondering if they could possibly adopt, and then finally meet that family once their child is home, is to see firsthand God’s plan come to fruition. Anyone interested in learning more about the journey to finding their child can contact Carol to have all their questions answered. She and Tedd have 3 children and 8 grandchildren.

Linda Ray Showalter | Director of Personnel Development
Linda Ray Showalter is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been at CWA since November, 1999. She’s been the Program Director for Romania and Mongolia, and now is responsible for all staff training, co-teaches Abroad and Back workshops, coordinates with home study social workers, and pinch hits wherever needed. Linda feels like she’s come full circle in her career; she worked with domestic adoptions in her first job out of graduate school. She’s step-mother to Harold’s three now-grown children and feels like she’s unofficially adopted them.

Pat Mendock | Finance Manager
Pat joined the CWA staff in April of 2005. She brings with her over 25 years of administration and accounting experience. She has always loved children and truly believes that God brought her to CWA. Pat and her husband, Marty, have two children, Jessi and Josh.

Sue Kramer | Ethiopia Case Manager
Sue began working with CWA in June 2002. She is currently a case manager for Ethiopia, a home study investigator. She graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree is psychology and a concentration in child development. Since l995, Sue has worked in Human Services in various positions including case management for adults and children with mental retardation and coexisting conditions. Sue has always had a heart for children and is most grateful that God led her to CWA.

Aster Hiruye | Ethiopia Case Manager
I was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Completed law school with LLB and served as a high court judge and legal advisor for about 15 years. Came to the U.S. in September 1999 and have worked in both Texas and Virginia. I’m very happy to work with CWA.

Emily Beddingfield | Ethiopia Waiting Children Coordinator
Emily is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with B.A. degree in International Studies and Political Science, with a concentration in International Politics, and a minor in religious studies. As part of her university course work, she studied abroad in London, England during the summer of 2004. Emily joined CWA in March 2006 and has found a passion for helping to bring home children from all around the world to loving homes. “It is easy to see that God has His hand in this organization, its employees, and its families. I am so excited to see what He will continue to do through CWA in the future and feel blessed to help in any way that I can.”

Patricia Ward | Ethiopia Program Director
Patricia holds graduate degrees in both counseling and administration. She previously worked in domestic adoption, as well as a variety of denominational ministry settings. A former missionary to the Republic of South Africa, she is delighted to once again be serving the people of Africa through her work with CWA. Patricia is the mother of two married daughters.

Ludmilla Mikhailova, PhD | Eastern Europe Program Director
Born in the Ukraine and raised in Kazakhstan, Ludmilla holds a Ph.D in Linguistics and Psychology. Ludmilla has acted as a certified translator and in other aspects of adoption before joining CWA. Her familiarity with the cultures and fluency in the languages of both Russia and the US, make her a valuable addition to the CWA staff. Ludmilla assists families throughout the adoption process.

Anya Rutherford | Kyrgyzstan Program Director | Ethiopia Case Manager
Anya is originally from Velikiy Novgorod, Russia, but she has lived in the United States since May 2002. Anya has a Masters degree in Business Management, which was verified in the U.S. Currently she works as the Document Systems Manager for the Eastern Europe program, assisting the Program Director and Case Managers with document processing, case management, data base management, training, and other administrative duties. She also assists in the communication between the CWA staff and our Russian speaking facilitators in the foreign countries. “I feel like I’m the happiest person in the world by having a chance to work for CWA. I truly believe that God brought me to this agency and I’m so happy to have opportunity to help families and children to find each other.”

Michael Arrowood | Document Systems Manager
A native of Western North Carolina, Michael joined CWA in 2006. He comes to the agency with a background in Russian language, with 20 years of experience in translating and interpretation Russian. He holds a B.A. degree in Russian language from UNC Chapel Hill, and has traveled extensively in the former Soviet Union. Michael is pleased with the opportunity to join the CWA documents department. He is married to Carrie, a high school special education teaching assistant.

Ben Dalton | Ethiopia Case Manager
Ben holds a B.A. degree in History from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He has worked with several different Christian ministries and churches over the last ten years. Ben and his wife, Brooke, live in Fletcher, NC with their son, Caleb. “I couldn’t be happier working with an organization that so vividly expresses God’s heart for orphans. It is my pleasure to work for Christian World Adoption.”

Mark Lucas | Communications Director
Mark joined CWA in April 1999 as an experienced graphic designer with desktop publishing skills, and has worked with various Christian ministries and churches. He and his wife, Kathy, have one daughter, Constance Joy, and make their home in Hendersonville. Mark designs and produces CWA’s publications and websites.

Esther Dolder | Director of Post-Adoption Services
Esther holds a B.S. Degree in Management and her background includes working as the Client Relations Manager and legal assistant for one of the largest law firms in the Southeast. Esther and her husband have two delightful little boys, and their family also includes two Irish setters, with whom Esther can occasionally be seen in the show ring. Esther assists CWA clients with completing re-adoption paperwork, assists CWA clients with post-adoption questions (such as social security cards, U.S. passports, and Certificates of Citizenship) and manages the post-adoption process for CWA social worker.

Mary Patrick | Post-Adoption Manager
Mary was brought into the CWA family in November 2003. She brings with her over 25 years of office administration which includes hospital, banking and digital technology. Mary and her husband Joe have raised three daughters. Mary is now enjoying a Christian life in Hendersonville, NC and feels truly blessed by God to be working at CWA to assist families with their post-adoption reports.

June Wilson | Administrative Assistant / Post-Adoption Staff
I came to work at CWA in May 2008. I bring 10 years of administrative experience with me from different companies. I am proud mother and love being part of the CWA family. I am happy to have the opportunity to work with families and children.

Angie Baldwin | China Case Manager
Angie was born and raised in Newark, OH. She now resides with her husband and four children in Flat Rock, NC. When she is not at CWA she can be found at some activity for one of her children or enjoying her love for dance. Before coming to CWA she was a certified child care provider working with children in a home environment for seven years. She hopes to continue her love for children by helping them find their forever family.

Rev. Louis R. Fawcett, III | CWF Director of Development
Louis is a Lutheran pastor who has served congregations in Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina. He grew up in Farmville, Virginia where he cultivated a love of golf and travel. Louis received a BA from Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, VA, a MA from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC and a Masters of Divinity from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC. Louis lives with his wife, Sara, in Columbia, SC with their cat, Kitty. They traveled to China in November 2005 to adopt their first child.

Priscilla Mack | Home Study Administrator
Priscilla has worked in the administrative field for over 14 years and began her career with CWA in January of 2000. She started out as Administrative Assistant but soon began writing home studies for Tomilee Harding, in June of 2000. Soon thereafter, Priscilla began working from her home office in Rutherfordton, completing the home study process for families. As the need for completion of home studies continued to grow and expand, so did the need for additional home study providers. Priscilla now completes the majority of the home study process for all CWA home study providers in South Carolina, and also for Sue Kramer and Tomilee Harding in North Carolina. She works closely with the families to make sure the home study is done correctly, and that it meets the high standards and home study elements required by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigrations as well as the Department of Social Services. Priscilla and her husband William, have five adult children and four grandchildren. Priscilla feels that it is not only a blessing but an honor to work for CWA. She finds her position to be very rewarding as she sees the Lord’s work being completed when the orphaned children find their forever families, knowing this is part of His plan.

Kathy Killough | Counselor
Kathy has a Master’s Degree in Elementary Guidance Counseling, and she began her teaching career working with emotionally disturbed children. For the past seventeen years, Kathy has been an elementary school guidance counselor, and she works part time for CWA. She assists the Ethiopia program by making the orientation phone calls, and she spends a lot of her time working with CWA families. She is available to families throughout their adoption, and you may call her with any questions you have concerning your child. She assists families as they transition their child into their family. Kathy is also an adoptive mom. She feels blessed to be a part of CWA.

Melissa Robinson | Seminar Facilitator
Melissa is an experienced licensed educator and reading specialist, with a Masters of Art in Teaching and a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations. She is a home study provider and agency seminar facilitator with CWA. She is also Vice-President of the board of Families with Children from China in Charlotte. Melissa and her husband are adoptive parents of two girls who were born in China.

Jayne Byrum | Chairperson
Robert Harding | Secretary
Tomilee Harding | CEO
Phillip Horton | Member
Charles Pollak | Member

Christian World Adoption is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, licensed as a Child Placing Agency by the South Carolina Department of Social Services and the North Carolina Department of Social Services. Under United States law, Christian World Adoption may place children with qualified U.S. citizens in all fifty states and abroad.