Central States Branch

Jessica Groeneweg, MSW
Branch Director
402-934-5031

Jessica started her experience with Holt through a graduate internship, and she knew she wanted to come back to the agency after graduation. She completed her bachelor's degree in psychology at Calvin College and her master's in social work at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Previously, as a clinical social worker, she worked in outpatient mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment and medical social work. She has a passion for Holt's mission and dedication to children, and she is honored to be a part of families' adoption journeys!

Brenda Ritnour
Branch Assistant
402-934-5031 x302

Brenda has over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit industry. She is an adoptive parent of two, one adopted through Holt, and has a niece and nephew who are Holt adoptees. She loves sharing how multi-cultural adoption and Holt International have positively impacted her entire family. Brenda is passionate about Holt's mission and looks forward to supporting families pursuing international adoption and helping children come home to permanent, loving families!

Barbara Cano, MSW
Social Worker | Kansas City Metro Area
816-500-4193

Barbara joined the Holt family as a part-time adoption social worker in 2006. She retired from Catholic Charities in Kansas City where she held the position of Adoption Coordinator for 21 years. She is a graduate of Missouri State University and is a licensed clinical social worker. She is married with two adult children and three beautiful grandchildren. Barbara enjoys working with adoptive parents and finding forever families for children.

Jodi Dumler, MSW
Social Worker | Eastern IA, Western NE & KS
402-640-7879

Jodi is originally from Nebraska and currently resides in Hoxie, Kansas. She is a licensed clinical social worker with a master's degree from the University of Washington. Prior to joining Holt, Jodi worked with children and families in a number of capacities. She has experience counseling individuals and families of all ages, assessing and finding homes for children, and helping families find the resources they need throughout the adoption process. As the sister of a Holt adoptee, Jodi is very excited to be working with Holt International and helping others experience the joy of adding to their families through adoption!

Nicole Van Ginkel, MSW
Social Worker | Northwestern IA & Southeastern SD
712-470-0303

Nicole has worked with Holt for three years and in the child welfare field for ten years. She has a clinical background working with children and families and works as an outpatient mental health therapist in her other employment. She received her Master's Degree in social work from the University of Iowa. "I love working at Holt because I love helping find forever families for children." She works with families in northwest Iowa, where she lives with her husband and three children.

Joy Quante, M.Ed.
Social Worker | MO & IL
314-471-7110

Joy resides in Saint Louis, Missouri and is a licensed professional counselor with a Masters of Education in Counseling degree. She has been working with children and families for 15 years. Her experience includes individual counseling (child and adult), group and family therapy, crisis intervention, and pregnancy and adoption counseling. Joy has had the privilege of working with many adoptive families over the years to achieve their dreams through the wonderful gift of adoption. She looks forward to the blessed opportunity of working with you!

Kyla Schweitzer, MSW
Social Worker | Eastern KS, Kansas City & Western MO
816-878-7864

Kyla graduated with her master of social work degree from the University of Kansas in 1997. She began her social work career as a child therapist in Phoenix, AZ. She moved to the Kansas City area in 2000, where she worked as a hospice social worker and provided group, individual, and family counseling before joining Holt in 2014. Kyla is thrilled to be an adoption social worker for the Holt. The work is near and dear to her heart, as she is the adoptive mom of two boys from Korea. In addition to the adoption services she provides, Kyla enjoys organizing cultural events, play groups and moms' nights out for her local adoption community. She feels honored to help more children find their forever families.

Danielle M. Smith, MSW
Social Worker | Eastern IA
309-489-6168

Danielle joined Holt International in 2016 after working in the adoption field for more than 26 years. Her experience includes international, domestic and special needs adoption. Danielle has a bachelor's degree in social work from Illinois State University and a master's degree in social work from the University of Illinois-Champaign/Urbana. A married mother of two sons, Danielle also has personal experience in international adoption as she has a sister who joined her family through adoption from India and a niece who joined their family through adoption from China. Danielle loves working with children and families, especially in adoption. "Working with children and families in the adoption field has always been a passion of mine," she says. "I am excited to work with Holt International and assist families in their adoption journey."

Cara Smith, MSW
Social Worker | NE & Eastern Iowa
402-841-1323

A Holt adoptee from South Korea, Cara chose a social work career because of her adoption experience and desire to work with adoptive families. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and sociology from Northwest Missouri State University and a master's degree in social work from the University of Kansas. Before coming to Holt, Cara spent six years working with foster children in the Kansas child welfare system and through that experience, was able to work with many adoptive families. Holt has always held a special place in Cara's heart and working with Holt has always been a dream. "I am thrilled to be back in Nebraska and closer to family," she says, "and be a part of these adoption journeys!"