About Us

Sheryl Proulx BSW, RSW

I have been connected to Adoption Options since 1990, as I first came to the agency as a client dealing with an unplanned pregnancy. Working with a professional social worker who provided a safe and non-judgmental environment for me to make a plan for my son and myself was incredibly impactful. I became a social worker and initially worked in Child Welfare as a case manager. In 2003, I was thrilled to join the AO team. My husband Steve and I have a beautiful little girl and an amazing relationship with my birth son and his family. I believe adoption is not for everyone, but a positive option to be considered. What I value most about Adoption Options is the incredible team of colleagues that I have the privilege of working with every day. They are dedicated to providing professional and caring services to every person who walks through our doors.

Tara Zimmerman BSW, RSW

I am thrilled to have recently joined the Adoption Option team, finding a place where I am surrounded by a team of dedicated professional women who strive to build families in such a compassionate, and caring capacity while supporting such life changing decisions.

I graduated from Dalhousie University in 2016 and began my career in Social Work from caseworker to supervisor in a First Nations community with the hopes of learning and fostering positive change, and really discovering the importance of everyone’s story. I have place high value on learning from my own family, their life experiences, and the impact adoption has had in my own family.  I am excited to grow in the International program, be a part of something greater that allows others to expand their families in such a beautiful unique way.  It has been an honour to have this opportunity and I feel so fortunate that others allow me into their lives and bring me along in their journey.

I am a wife, and mother to four wonderful kids in my personal life. I enjoy spending time outdoors and traveling whenever possible.

Erika Moore BSW RSW

Led to the Social Work profession from her own experience of being a Birthmother, Erika always dreamed of a career with Adoption Options. Since acquiring her Social Work education in 2004, Erika’s professional experience has always centered around working with children and families. In 2012, Erika formally joined the Adoption Options team and over the past decade has worked as a social worker in both the Calgary and Edmonton offices. Most recently, Erika took on a leadership role with AO as Domestic Program Supervisor. Erika’s heart and passion is in open adoption practice, and she deeply values the courage, resilience, and love that is lived by every member of the adoption circle.

In her personal life, Erika is a mother to two great kids, a wife, daughter, sister, and friend.

Mackenzie Godlien BSW, RSW

My journey to Adoption Options began when I realized that I wanted to work in a capacity where I could support the children, youth and families in my community. This led me to obtain my BSW at the University of Victoria, and it was through my studies that I was introduced to the world of adoption. What really caught my attention was the concept of open adoption, and as I started to reflect on it more I quickly realized that adoption is something that so many of us have a connection to. I started my work in community organizations working with youth, and then ventured on to explore roles where I engaged in family support. Through my school work and experience I quickly developed a desire and passion to grow within adoption; which makes me so thrilled to be joining the AO team. I strongly believe that all definitions and means of “family” are to be valued and cherished, and truly look forward to learning, growing and connecting with this community.

Heather Johnson SW Dip., BSW, BHSc., RSW

Heather has been a registered social worker for 21 years working across many areas including with youth at risk, in adult addictions and mental health, with people living with HIV/AIDS, and in social work regulation and association. Heather is a mother to three, a partner, a daughter, sister, friend, and colleague. Heather has been with Adoption Options since 2015 as a contract home study writer. In 2019, Heather competed her third year BSW practicum in house at Adoption Options and has since had the opportunity to move into a part-time in-house position. Heather believes that it is a privilege to be a social worker because you on the front lines of someone’s story. It has been a great joy for Heather to be a part of the AO team for these last six years and she looks forward to continued learning and growing with the birthparents and families at AO.

Amanda Hillier RSW, CBIS

I graduated from MacEwan University in 2015, I tried out a few different Social Work roles until I stumbled upon Adoption Options via the ACSW website. I was initially drawn to the ALL options counselling that AO offers to anyone facing an unplanned pregnancy or anyone that is struggling with parenting. Offering women all of their options gives them choice and that is deeply important to me. I was lucky enough to be offered an interview with Sheryl and I began working for Adoption Options in October 2018. I worked primarily in the domestic program out of the Edmonton office until October 2019 when I was given the opportunity to work in the international adoption program as well. I feel lucky to be able to work in both programs and to be part of such a loving, dedicated and passionate team of women.

Billi Thurston, RSW

“Adoption Options has played a significant role in my story, and I am so grateful to be a part of this incredible team. I have been involved in volunteer work with Adoption Options since 2017. My journey ultimately led me to the Social Work Diploma at MacEwan and a practicum at AO. During this time, I was inspired by the team and their dedication to providing non-judgemental services. After graduating from the program, I started working as the in-house part-time social worker at the Edmonton office. Now, I am back at MacEwan to complete my Bachelor of Social Work! I am a proud Birthmother to my son and share a beautiful relationship with him and his parents. When I am not at work or studying for my degree, I enjoy exploring the food scene in Edmonton and spending time with my family and friends. I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to work alongside our clients and the AO team!”

Cara Hoffman

I am thrilled to work for Adoption Options – I love being a part of building these unique families. I am parenting four children (mostly happily) and playing piano in my small stretches of free time. I also enjoy reading. I have a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and prior to becoming a parent worked as a front-line social worker at Adoption Options. I now enjoy working part-time behind the scenes supporting the administrative demands of the agency.

Jennifer Coutu

Hello! My name is Jennifer and I am so glad to be joining the Adoption Options team. This position first attracted me because of the “why” we do what we do. I am also a birth mom to a 21 year old boy and am thankful for an agency like Adoption Options that made my decision seamless. I am grateful to be able to now work for an agency in return. I have also worked with many non profit organizations and have volunteered most of my life. I look forward to seeing where this journey will take me and connecting with people through the wonderful world of adoption.

Jaleya Stubbard

Hi! My name is Jaleya, I’ve been a part of Adoption Options for a little amount of time, but I’ve loved every second! The amazing and hard-working people I get to work with everyday along with this beautiful cause makes working at Adoption Options perfect. I was internationally adopted at birth into a loving family of which I currently live with in Edmonton. I’ve spent most of my life living in Calgary (and a very tiny portion of it in Penticton), but I will have to say that Edmonton is my favorite place to live.

Since graduating high school, I have since spent my time travelling, spending time with my family and friends, and working on figuring out what I want to do for post-secondary. I recently learned about Social Work, more specifically ones who work in adoption, and it blew me away. As someone who is very fortunate to be a part of a kind and healthy family, understanding that there is a field of work dedicated to helping children find inclusive, loving, and safe families means a lot to me. Adoption is a very important process that I believe everyone should have the chance to be included in, and I am honored to be helping with that in every way that I can.

Kiera Forrest, RSW, BSW

I began school at the University of Alberta in Women’s and Gender Studies and obtained my Bachelor of Social Work from MacEwan University in 2020. Throughout my education and since graduating, I have been fortunate to have had a variety of roles within my passion of sexual and reproductive health and anti-violence. Having worked in abortion care and with youth who have chosen to parent, I felt I wanted to expand my knowledge of the experience of adoption to be able to confidently provide all options counselling. These are emotional choices that each have challenges and joys, and the opportunity to support people in fully exploring their options and walk alongside them on their journey is something I am so grateful for. Since being with AO, I have felt connected to the many different aspects of the work, from paperwork to relationship building and am looking forward to getting to know those who choose AO to play a role in their adoption story! I feel so lucky to be part of a team of incredibly caring and passionate people who are so dedicated to all those we serve. In my personal life, I love caring for my cats, spending time by the river or in the trees (and just outside in general), and nurturing my cherished relationships, including the one I have with myself.