Serving Families Throughout Alaska, Oregon and Washington

Namyi Min, LMSW
Branch Director | AK/OR/WA
206-575-4550

Namyi Min is excited to be a part of Holt's mission and legacy as the Alaska, Oregon and Washington branch director. She earned her bachelor's degree from Syracuse University and her master's degrees in social work from Fordham University in New York. She has years of experience providing direct services to adopted children and their families. Before coming to Holt, she oversaw the Korea adoption program at an adoption agency in New York, and is well trained in family dynamics, child development and cross-cultural sensitivity. As a social worker, Namyi is passionate about bringing families together through adoption and helping them thrive throughout their lives.

Jo Ann Cleghorn
Branch Assistant | AK/OR/WA
206-575-4550

As the branch assistant for Alaska, Oregon and Washington, Jo Ann helps adoptive families with the paperwork process throughout the whole process. She is excited to be a part of the Holt team, and she is looking forward to helping families through their adoption process.

Elaine Cordova, MS
Adoption Social Worker | AK
805-290-0130

Over the past 30 years, Elaine has supported adoptive families throughout the state of Alaska, both within in her hometown of Anchorage and in outlying areas of Alaska and Native American villages. To reach families, she sometimes travels by plane, boat, snow machine — even a four-wheeler! She also worked as a trainer, adoption support specialist and home study writer – aiding families with domestic infant, foster care, and international adoptions. Elaine obtained her bachelor's degree in sociology from California State University Chico, and master's degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University.

Sonya Hull, MSW
Adoption Social Worker | AK
907-775-1403

Lindsay Lanham, LMSW
Social Worker | Eastern WA

Lindsay received her master's degree in social work from the University of Washington. She has significant experience working in the child welfare and adoption field, including both domestic and international adoption — practicing her expertise in relative and China adoption programs. She says it is an honor to support families throughout their adoption journey.

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.

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, LCSW
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.

Gary Sampson, LICSW
Adoption Social Worker | WA

Gary has a master's degree in social work, a school counselor certification and an elementary teaching credential. He is also a licensed clinical social worker and an approved social work supervisor. Before joining Holt, Gary worked as a director of social services and adoption social worker for WACAP. He was also a medical social worker for children with disabilities, an elementary school counselor and primary school teacher. Gary hopes that his skills in adoption services, education, social work and school counseling are helpful to adoptive parents and children, and he is often amazed at the resilience of children and the commitment of adoptive parents. Gary is married and has two adult daughters, including one adopted from Korea.

Angie Wharfield, MSW, LCSW
Social Worker | Eugene, Salem, Southern & Central Oregon
541-505-5529

Angie has worked in child welfare, both domestically and internationally, for over 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in social work from Northwest Nazarene University and a master's degree in social work from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio. She is a Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI) practitioner and has a post-graduate certificate from Portland State University in therapy for foster and adoptive families. As a college student, Angie learned about Holt International while volunteering in orphanages in Ecuador and began working for Holt in 2004 as a social worker in Portland. She has worked in various roles at Holt and with a variety of Holt's adoption programs including South Korea, Eastern Europe, Colombia and Haiti. Angie currently divides her time as a social worker for Holt between the Korea and Mongolia program and the Oregon branch. She feels blessed to be a part of Holt's mission and legacy of serving children and families.