Our team

Ligia, a certified DEIB professional and experienced leader in child welfare, holds degrees in Psychology and Human Services. As the CEO of Families Rising, she collaborates to enhance outcomes for North American children, driven by her transformative leadership philosophy shaped by her journey as an adoptive mother and her participation in the MPLD program at AdoptUSKids.

With over a decade of expertise in creating and overseeing child welfare projects, Nathan brings a wealth of experience and insight to this project. His personal journey through foster care fuels his passion and offers a unique perspective on the system's challenges and opportunities. Now, Nathan is committed to leveraging his visionary leadership to drive transformative change, enhance workforce recruitment, retention, and well-being, and ultimately foster a more equitable child welfare system.

Te’Ata Gentle Springs Loper serves as the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Indian Child Welfare Association. Te’Ata has been a strong advocate for tribal sovereignty and tribal representation in the state child welfare agency and state court systems for over twenty years. Te’Ata is a tribal citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and is of Choctaw Nation descent, she resides on her family’s original allotment in Tishomingo, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory.

Myca is a trauma-informed public child welfare expert and clinician with over 20 years of experience working for systemic change. A graduate of North Carolina Central University (BA) and UNC-Chapel Hill (Master’s in Social Work), Myca has a strong commitment to ethical leadership, workforce development, and continuous learning. Myca believes that efforts to improve child welfare agency cultures will lead to the development of a new equity-driven child welfare system across the country.

Jessica has over seven years of experience in child welfare ranging from case management to various leadership roles. Her lived experience led her to this work, and she is ready to use her knowledge and personal story to make the necessary changes in the child welfare workforce.

Drawing from over eight years of experience in child welfare, and as a dedicated member of the Latinx community, Julia is passionately driven to catalyze systemic transformation and promote racial equity. With a strong background in community communication, program development, and strategic problem-solving, she is enthusiastic about contributing to CWEL's mission by identifying effective coaching models to enhance workforce retention, engagement, and well-being.

Jamole brings 23 years of staff development and training to CWEL. He is passionate about creating a culture shift around how the workforce shows up for the children and families we serve.

Jaclyn has spent the past 18 years dedicated to work in child welfare, with experience in direct practice with children and families as well as training, coaching, and program implementation. She is thrilled to be part of this passionate team of child welfare professionals working to create a more equitable child welfare system.

Niki Seligman is a dedicated writer and storyteller with degrees in psychology and international studies. She collaborates with an exceptional team to share the impactful work being done to support Black, Indigenous, and Latinx professionals and families.

Jamie has over five years of experience in communications for important, mission-driven causes and has seen the need for CWEL's work in child welfare. With degrees in both communications studies and public relations, she's ready to push the boundaries in communication, design, and marketing to ensure equity in the child welfare workforce.

Jazmyn joined Families Rising/CWEL after more than five years of working in nonprofit and advocacy communications. She's passionate about the power of creative, thought-provoking storytelling for social good.

With more than 12 years of experience in tribal child welfare practice, Kendra’s deep cultural connections have informed her work with diverse communities and professionals. As an enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and a descendant of the Osage Nation, she utilizes a relational and connection-focused lens to guide her work with CWEL.

With over 20 years of child welfare experience, Deanna informs any space she is in from both sides of the table. As an alumni of care and a former case worker, Deanna ensures those in the workforce understand and make space for the impact felt by families.

Kim has 16 years of experience in tribal and urban Indian child welfare programs. She is a strong advocate in protecting the rights of children and families. She remains passionate sharing with others the importance of tribal sovereignty. As an enrolled member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and a descendant of the Sac and Fox Nation, she utilizes a relational and cultural responsive lens to achieve race equity through her work with CWEL.

Britt has spent over 17 years working in child welfare. When she started as a new case-caring social worker, she faced the fact that she was intervening with families in ways that did not align with her moral compass. Now, she is thrilled to be at CWEL, where she can partner with others to build a just family welfare system that keeps children within their family, culture, and community, and where child welfare staff are supported in making choices that align with those values.

For the past decade, indi has had the honor of serving children, families, and professionals with similar lived experiences in child welfare systems throughout southwest Missouri. With an educational background in philosophy, religion, and history, they believe in the power of intentionality, self-awareness, and authenticity, striving to inspire growth and healing in every interaction. indi continues to channel their lived experiences with family violence into the development of safe and brave spaces that weren't always created for them.

Meghan has dedicated her professional career to advocating for children affected by abuse and neglect in a variety of roles over the last 10 years. Through that experience, she has witnessed first-hand the shortcomings of the child welfare system and workforce, which fuels her motivation for CWEL’s work.

Sharonlyn has been leading child welfare research and evaluation studies and equity projects for over 20 years. Her favorite quote is “information talks, but data screams.” She builds on that quote saying, “The data loudly proclaims the necessity of CWEL and the need for change, and I am here as the conduit.”

Dr. Jessica Elm is a citizen of Oneida Nation and Stockbridge-Munsee Band of the Mohicans descendent. She is committed to improving programs, services, and places of employment through advancing equity.