Serving Families Throughout Oregon and Washington

Angie Wharfield, MSW, LCSW
Branch Director | OR & WA

Angie Wharfield feels blessed to be a part of Holt's mission and legacy of serving adoptive families and children as the Oregon and Washington Branch Director. As a college student, Angie learned about Holt while volunteering one summer at an orphanage in Ecuador. After earning her bachelor's degree, she went on to earn a master's degree in social work and in 2004, she began working directly with Holt adoptive families as an Oregon branch social worker. She later became director of the Korea program at Holt's headquarters in Eugene. Angie has worked with children and families for over 21 years. She loves being a social worker and gets excited at the opportunity to work directly with adoptive families and children — preparing and supporting them in their life-long journey of adoption.

Leah Claypool
Branch Assistant | OR & WA
541.687.2202 x114

As the Oregon branch assistant at Holt's headquarters in Eugene, Leah Claypool helps adoptive families with the paperwork process from the time they apply through post-placement. Since earning her master's degree in TESOL from Portland State University in 2000, Leah has been working with immigrants, refugees and international students in Oregon and Southwest Washington as an English language instructor. She is excited to be a part of Holt's team and is looking forward to helping families through their adoption process.

Holly Berry, MSW
Foster Care Adoption Worker | OR
805-290-0130

Holly received her undergraduate degree in social work from Azusa Pacific University and her master's degree in social work from Long Beach State University with an emphasis in children, youth and families. Holly started her career in child welfare with the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services' Emergency Response Unit and remained there for 5 years. Since then, she has relocated to the Pacific Northwest and worked with the Oregon Department of Human Services Child Protective Services and is now working with Holt International as a foster care adoption worker. Holly is a wife and mother to two children and she enjoys exploring the outdoors and spending time with her family. She is passionate about creating safe, loving and permanent homes for all children.

Amy Castle, LMSW
Social Worker | Eugene, Salem, Southern & Central Oregon
541-687-2202 x144

Amy earned a bachelor's degree in sociology and psychology from the University of Oregon and a master's degree in social work from Portland State University. She also received a post-graduate certificate in therapy for foster and adoptive families. Amy began her career at Holt as an intern while in college and since then has worked in various positions and departments. Amy currently divides her time as a social worker for Holt between the China team and the Oregon branch. Amy feels honored to walk alongside families on their lifechanging adoption journeys!

Alyssa Layne, MSW, LCSW
Social Worker | WA

Alyssa earned her undergraduate degree in history from Davidson College and her master's degree in social work from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She has worked in the adoption field since 2005, and relocated from North Carolina to Washington in 2015. Alyssa feels honored and excited to play a small part in the process of building families through adoption. She loves supporting parents and children through the joys and challenges of forming attachments to one another, and seeing children thrive in loving families is her greatest joy.

Rachel Madding, M.A.
Social Worker | WA
206-678-2564

As Holt's Washington adoption worker, Rachel helps to expand Holt's services in the state of Washington. She completed her master's degree in community counseling in 2008, then went to work for the Wisconsin Adoption Exchange. As a member of that agency, Rachel enjoyed facilitating trainings for pre- and post-adoptive families as well as adoptees. Additionally, she was part of a team that worked to create an evidence-based post-placement curriculum that also addressed the potential changes and stressors on the adopting couple's relationship. She has since brought this training to agencies in Washington. Rachel is very excited to be a part of the Holt team and to bring services to the state of Washington.

May Chan Nelson, MSW
Social Worker | Portland, Salem, Northern OR Coast & Soutwest WA
971-227-8558

May Chan Nelson received her bachelor's degree in psychology and master's degree in social work from the University of Georgia, with a specialization in early intervention and working with children who experience developmental delays. For over 20 years, she has also enjoyed working with adults who have developmental disabilities, students in special education, and teens and families in foster care through Inclusion Inc., Portland Public Schools and the Department of Human Services-Child Welfare. Through both her work and the adoption of her daughter from China in 2010, May has gained a unique perspective and passion for adoption and she is excited to be a part of the Holt team and serve Holt's children, families and community in the greater Portland/Washington area. When not working, she enjoys traveling and outdoor activities with her husband, son, daughter and dog, Cooper.

Tara Nolan, MSW
Social Worker | Portland, Salem, Eastern OR & Southwest WA
646-643-3335

Tara has been a part of Holt since 2013. Originally from Ireland, she moved to the US in 1998. She spent a decade in New York City where she received a Master's in Social Work from Columbia University. Tara has extensive experience working with couples, families, and children, and is dedicated to helping families be healthy and happy. "I love being part of the Holt team," says Tara. "It's amazing to be in a position to help children find families." Tara serves families in the greater Portland area, where she lives with her husband and two children.

Zeondra Richardson, LICSW, MSW
Social Worker | WA
206-271-8492

Zeondra is a Holt social worker in the Washington area. She is a licensed independent social worker (LICSW) and has her master's degree in social work from The University of Washington. Zeondra has spent her social work career in public and private child welfare, working towards ensuring permanency for all children. Her lifelong passion is assisting vulnerable children find their forever homes