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Kathleen Strottman, Executive Director |
 Kathleen Strottman comes to her role as the Executive Director of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) after serving for nearly eight years as a trusted advisor to Senator Mary L. Landrieu (D-LA). As the Senator’s Legislative Director, Kathleen worked to pass legislation such as the No Child Left Behind Act, The Medicare Modernization Act, The Inter-Country Adoption Act, The Child Citizenship Act of 2000, The Adoption Tax Credit and the Family Court Act. Together with the Senator, Kathleen worked to increase the opportunity for positive dialogue and the exchange of best practices between the United States and sending countries such as China, Romania, Russia, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and India. Prior to joining the Senator's staff, Kathleen attended Whittier Law School's Center for Children's Rights were she graduated with honors and received a state certified specialty in juvenile advocacy. A member of the Whittier Law Review, Ms. Strottman published an article entitled "Creating a Downward Spiral: Transfer Statutes as Answers to Juvenile Delinquency.” Kathleen received her bachelor’s degree in political science from the College of the Holy Cross and went on to serve as a Jesuit Volunteer. She and her husband, Matt, are the proud parents of two children, Grace and Noah. |
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Chelsea Cathcart, Director of Programs |
 As the Associate Director of Programs at CCAI, Chelsea serves as the primary contact for the Congressional Foster Youth Internship program, the Angels in Adoption™ program, and the Santa’s Wish List program. Her main responsibilities include managing the Angels in Adoption™ gala in mid-October, which is the largest Congressional event pertaining to child welfare in the nation; the FYI program, and various other direct service activities such as Congressional Santa Wish List program with CASA of DC, and annual fundraising events. After studying Economics at Elon University in Burlington, NC, she came to CCAI in June of 2005 and has since made D.C. her home away from home. Originally from Charleston, South Carolina, Chelsea enjoys running, spending time with friends, traveling, and volunteering for any issue related to children. |
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Emily Collins, Deputy Director of Programs |
 Emily Collins joined CCAI in June of 2006 to assist with planning and organizing of the Angels in AdoptionTM Program. She has since moved into her main role of implementing and managing the Member Outreach Project for National Adoption Day. In addition to organizing CCAI’s involvement in National Adoption Day, Emily manages the donor and contact databases, and serves as intern coordinator. She continues to assist with the Angels in AdoptionTM Program and the Foster Youth Internship Program. Emily graduated with her Bachelor of Social Work degree from James Madison University, and obtained her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Through her undergraduate and graduate studies, she focused on clinical and policy perspectives of foster care and adoption, and mental health. |
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Rebecca Weichhand, Director of Policy |
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Rebecca comes to CCAI from the beautiful Great Lakes State of Michigan. She has a J.D. from Regent Law, and has singularly focused her life work on orphan relief, foster care and adoption policy since she was in high school. During college and law school, Rebecca traveled coast to coast to work with several of the US’ premier child welfare law firms and policy organizations, including the Alliance for Children’s Rights and National Council for Adoption. She also frequently travels internationally to study and work with orphan care programs in other countries. For years, she has aspired to reduce the bureaucratic impediments that prevent children from joining loving families – consequently, Rebecca is thrilled to join CCAI in serving and educating Members of Congress and their staff on the issues about which she is the most passionate. |
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