Our Team

Teresa Bernu has been a dedicated member of the ACI team since 2017. Before stepping into the role of Executive Director in October 2024, she served in various capacities, including Home Study Worker, Domestic Program Supervisor, and most recently, Associate Director. With over 15 years of experience in child welfare, Teresa has worked extensively in areas such as domestic infant adoption, foster care, and guardianship.

Before joining ACI, Teresa served as the DCFS Post Adoption & Guardianship Liaison at the Cook County Juvenile Court, where she managed legal cases involving families who adopted through the foster care system.

Originally from Minnesota, Teresa earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree from St. Cloud State University in 2010 and her Master of Social Work degree from Loyola University Chicago in 2014. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and is honored to lead the ACI team and help bring families together through adoption.

Jane has been with Adoption Center of Illinois since January of 1990, when she began as one of the organization’s first home study workers. She holds a master’s degree in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago and is a licensed social worker. Over the years Jane has been involved in every aspect of the agency; Domestic Adoption, International Adoption and our Waiting Child Services Program. Jane served as Executive Director from 2016 until 2024. She is now serving as a Program Coordinator, with a focus on our International Adoption Programs.

“Assisting families and children as they navigate through the complex experience of adoption is a never-ending journey filled with joys and wonder. Having the opportunity to be involved with a waiting family as they evolve and blossom into an adoptive family is an incredibly rich experience. My time with the agency has been enormously rewarding both personally and professionally. I look forward to dedicating my focus to our Primary Provider program. My work here is a true privilege!”

Molly has been with Adoption Center of Illinois since October 2013 as a expectant parent counselor after graduating from the University of Iowa in 2013 with a BA in Social Work. After four years at ACI, Molly returned to her studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago and earned her MSW. After graduating in 2018, she returned to ACI as an expectant parent counselor as well as assisting in the domestic home study services program.

“It’s an honor to play a small role in so many families’ adoption journey. Every story is different yet perfect and beautiful in their own way.”

Pam joined the organization in July of 1991. She graduated from the University of Iowa where she earned her bachelor’s degree focusing on psychology, child development and counseling. Pam counsels expectant parents in northern, central and southern Illinois and says that after many years with the agency she still loves her job.

“Parents come to us during a challenging time in their lives. I feel privileged to be able to help the people I work with so they can make well-informed choices. They amaze and inspire me every day.”

Michelle joined the agency in October of 2001. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Michelle originally began coordinating DCFS licensing. Over the years her position evolved and today she oversees all Domestic and International Home Study administration, coordinating the education and training program and monitoring foster family home licensing.

“One of the most exciting times for me is working with families and then hearing about their successful adoptions. My efforts have been part of making a difference in their lives and the lives of their children.”

Claire Dixon is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, with a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Chicago. She completed the Training for Adoption Competency program through CASE (Center for Adoption Support and Education). She has training in trauma-informed therapy, attachment-focused therapy, play therapy and adoption-competent therapy.

Prior to joining ACI full-time, Claire worked as a Trauma Therapist at the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, providing therapy to survivors of sexual violence and their families. Claire joined ACI as a Home Study Worker in April 2018. In October 2021, Claire began working full-time at ACI as an Adoption Specialist, overseeing the international home study program, and continuing to provide home study services. In her current role Claire is the Clinical Director and Therapist of ACI’s Therapeutic Services Program and oversees the international home study program. Adoption has been an important part of Claire’s life, as her younger sister was adopted from China as an infant.

Leigh began working with Adoption Center of Illinois as an Expectant Parent Counselor working with expectant parents in 2011. After taking some time off with her young children, she returned to ACI as a Home Study Worker in 2019 and starting in September 2024 she has transitioned to the role of Domestic Program Supervisor. Leigh received her Master of Social Work degree from Loyola University Chicago. During her career, Leigh has had the opportunity to work with individuals, families and children whose lives are touched by adoption in a variety of ways. Her experience includes working as a case manager for children in pre-adoptive foster homes, assisting adult adoptees and birth parents with search and reunion, counseling and adoption planning with expectant parents, and completing home studies and assisting adoptive parents in the adoption process.

“I feel honored to be allowed into people’s lives during such an important and significant time.”

Robin began working with ACI in February 1990. She graduated from Davidson College in North Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. Robin serves as the receptionist and also composes reports for adoption finalizations.

Jessica started working at the ACI in September of 2020. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Photography, as well as years of experience with accounting. She worked for a non-profit for 13 years, and is really glad to have found a place with similar values to continue her career.

“I’m excited to be a part of an organization that has such a profound positive impact on people’s lives. I have some personal experiences with adoption, and it makes me happy to see that today more choices are available to all people involved in the adoption process; in part because of places like the ACI”

Linda has worked as a Home Study Worker for ACI since 1995. She and her husband adopted two sons through the help of the agency. Prior to being a Home Study Worker, Linda was a music teacher and junior high school counselor. Linda has a BS in Music Education and an MA in Counseling.

‘Working for ACI is very rewarding because of the dedicated people working there, the excellence of the agency and because of all the clients I’ve truly enjoyed working with!”

Jessica Boarini has 6 years’ experience in the child welfare field. Alongside her role as an ACI Home Study Worker, she works as a Case Work Supervisor for an agency in Illinois. Previous to this she was a case worker for youth and families involved with DCFS. Additionally, she has experience in therapeutic day school education and residential care for youth in care. Throughout her career, she has dealt with a wide range of cases and families including adoption, guardianship, reunification, and foster care.

Originally from Wisconsin, Jessica moved to Chicago, IL to pursue her undergraduate degree at DePaul University and graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor of Psychology with a concentration in Human Services. She started her professional career in 2018 and in 2020 she continued on to pursue her studies at Walden University and graduated with a Master of Social Work degree in 2024. She enjoys working with ACI to ensure families feel supported.

Leslie Wright first joined Adoption Center of Illinois in 2009 where she began working with expectant parents as a Expectant Parent Counselor.  She later transitioned into the role of Home Study Worker where she conducts home study evaluations for prospective adoptive parents.  She is the mom of two boys and received her Master of Social Work degree from Loyola University Chicago.

Ingrid began working as a Home Study Worker with Adoption Center of Illinois in 2024. Ingrid has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Ingrid has nearly 20 years of experience in Child Welfare (Foster Care, Adoption, and Licensing) and Early Childhood Home Visiting. Ingrid serves full-time as the Director of Field Education for Illinois State University’s School of Social Work.

“Adoption has been a very important part of my life, both personally and professionally. I look forward to the opportunity to walk alongside others as they experience how special it is.”

Jackie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and earned her master’s degree in social work from Indiana University. She has been working with children and families for over 20 years including foster care, adoption and counseling with 15 years of experience in completing home studies. Jackie has a true passion and devotion for her work with the families that we serve.

Ann has been with the Adoption Center of Illinois since 2018. In her current role at ACI, Ann is a Licensed Social Worker who conducts home study evaluations prospective adoptive parents and provides post-adoption support services. Ann earned her B.A. from St. Norbert College and her M.S.W. from Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Ann has worked in the foster care system, domestic and international adoption, and in third party reproduction, so family building has been the focus of her whole career.

“There is no one best way to form your family. It’s an extremely personal decision and I have been honored to have been involved in bringing families together in so many different ways, whether it be through foster care, adoption, egg donation or surrogacy”

Tammy is a Home Study Worker and has worked for Adoption Center of Illinois since 2018. She graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelors in Social Work Degree. She began her social work career at Lutheran Social Services in the foster care program and has continued to be employed in the foster care and adoption programs for the last 24 years. She is passionate about the Child Welfare system and advocating for children. Tammy and her husband have two children and she enjoys her time with her family. Tammy loves her part time employment with ACI and getting to watch the journeys of international and domestic adoptive families.

” I am grateful to be a part of the ACI organization and work with amazing families. There is nothing more rewarding than to watch a family’s journey through adoption.”

Sue is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked in the adoption field for 20 years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and her master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Prior to joining ACI Sue worked with children in the public child welfare system, in post adoption and for several years as an adoption counselor and supervisor. In addition to her work at ACI, she also works as a school counselor for children ages 4-12. Sue chose to pursue a career in social work in order to work in the adoption field and she is excited to continue her career at ACI.

Henry Over has been with Adoption Center of Illinois since December of 2015 as the coordinator of the Waiting Child Services Program. Henry assists families in locating their forever child through adoption from the foster care system. This includes consultation, linkage to services, contract negotiation and subsidy agreements. Additional duties include monitoring visits for licensing and reference checks.

Henry received his Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois. He worked for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services for 32 years in all facets of child welfare. After retiring from DCFS he served as the Director of Child Welfare for Lutheran Child and Family Services for 5 years. In his spare time he has conducted custody investigations for the court and home studies for Interstate Compact.