2011 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces photo gallery

“The American Academy of Pediatrics is thrilled to be on the Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces List. The AAP has long supported adoption programs in the U.S. and internationally, and has worked within the health care system to ensure that families who adopt can access the same benefits for their children that other parents can. That’s why we have worked hard to create a program that gives financial support to our employees who grow their families through adoption. Our program provides for both reimbursement of adoption costs, and, perhaps most important, the time that is needed by new adoptive or foster parents to form that special and enduring bond with their child.”

– Errol R. Alden, MD, FAAP, Executive Director and CEO of the American Academy of Pediatrics

”We are proud to be able to offer adoption assistance in support of our employees and their families. Children need families and this is a special benefit that helps make dreams come true.”

– Eric Schueneman, Senior Manager, Compensation, Barilla America, Inc.

“Vanguard is committed to being the best place to work for all our crewmembers, which makes it imperative that we look at all of our constituencies, including those who adopt children. The adoption process can be fairly grueling and these benefits have gone a long way to ease the burdens of adoption.”

- Kathleen Gubanich, Managing Director of Human Resources, Vanguard Group

“Cape Fear Valley Health is proud to be able to offer these benefits, so our hard-working employees can provide loving homes to those who need them the most.”

– Mike Nagowski, CEO, Cape Fear Valley Health System

Audrey, husband Richard and daughters.

Audrey Brown, MSW, a social worker with Cape Fear Valley Health, used her health system’s benefits to adopt her 14-year-old daughter, Priscilla. Audrey and her husband Richard never really considered adoption but changed their minds after visiting Uganda in 2009 on a mission trip. There, they first met Priscilla in an orphanage. They heavily weighed the decision to adopt before agreeing. Audrey was thrilled to learn from a co-worker that Cape Fear Valley Health had an adoption assistance program. “Knowing the health system was favorable toward adoptions helped us greatly,” she said. “And it gave us a sense of emotional support and financial relief.” The health system provides qualified employees up to $3,000 per adoption for adoption-related expenses and 12 weeks leave. The amount is raised to $5,000 if the adopted child has special needs.

– Audrey Brown, Social Work at Cape Fear Valley Health System

“We are pleased to support our employees who are building families through adoption. It is a matter of equity, but more importantly, it is an opportunity to help bring families together. It’s simply the right thing to do.”

– Jim Brainard, Mayor of City of Carmel, Indiana

“Cornell University’s commitment to a global, diverse community is enhanced by its commitment to providing families with the financial and informational resources to expand their families through adoption. The world, and Cornell, benefit from the support the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption provides in making this commitment a reality.”

– Mary George Opperman, Vice President for Human Resources & Safety Services, Cornell University

Jamey, wife Heather, with their daughter and son.

“I am a Cornell employee who took advantage of the adoption reimbusement program in 2010. We chose to adopt from Ethiopia for a number of reasons, however, the requirements to adopt from this country included two trips for both parents to Ethiopia. Obviously, this was a financial hardship on our family. I heard about the adoption reimbursement from a fellow employee who had also adopted. I filled out the paperwork and the credit was transferred to our bank account in a matter of days. I cannot express how valuable this was for our family and the timing was perfect. Although the adoption credit was not a factor in the decision to adopt, we were aware of this resource and were able to consider this when planning the adoption and making travel arrangements. Our family is doing wonderfully and Teo, his big sister Libby, and mom and dad grow closer every day, and are constantly discovering new and exciting things together.”

– Jamey Tielens, Research Support Specialist, Cornell University

“I am proud to say that since we began our adoption assistance program at Duke Realty in 1998, we’ve helped 26 of our associates adopt a child, with a few of them adopting twice. Our hope is that through financial assistance and paid leave, we relieve some of the concerns related to adoption and help the associate focus on their family.”

– Denny Oklak, Chairman and CEO, Duke Realty Corporation

Laura, husband Tim, and daughter Ella.

“The adoption benefits and support at Duke Realty helped us decide to move forward with adoption and ease our financial concerns.”

– Laura Sylak, Assistant Vice President of Human Resources, Duke Realty Corporation

“Part of the HanesBrands legacy has always been to review our benefit offerings to ensure that we are providing benefits that meet the needs of each segment of our employee population. As we reviewed our adoption benefit during 2009, we wanted to be sure that we were considering the current economic situation and the impact that it may have on families interested in adopting. In addition, we felt we should pay particular attention to the growing need to place children with special needs. We also understand the importance to provide time for the new family to bond appropriately. These factors were the key drives in decisions by our senior team to make improvements to our adoption program. HanesBrands will reimburse up to $15,000 of eligible adoption-related expenses per child. HanesBrands will provide an additional $5,000 for adoption of a child with special needs. Adoptive parents are provided with two weeks of paid leave for bonding with the newly adopted child.”

– Annamarie S. D’Souza, Vice President, HR Global Compensation, Benefits & HRIM, HanesBrands

Kit, husband Rick, and daughter Gabrielle.

“The benefits from HanesBrands allowed us to fully engage in Gabrielle’s transition to the United States, as well as the well-being of our family dynamics. We couldn’t have asked for more from such a great company like HanesBrands and what it offers to its employees.”

– Kit Vollmer, Director of Retail Planning and Inventory Management, HanesBrands

“Leo Burnett is honored to be recognized by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. Providing generous support for our employees as they work through the adoption process is a critical element to helping our employees balance their work and personal lives.”

– Jeff Tritt, Executive Vice President, People & Cuilture, Leo Burnett & Arc North America

“Leo Burnett’s generous support with both time and money lessened our worries and enabled us to concentrate on what was most important — the joy of bringing our son home.”

– Annette Corcoran, Director, Creative Resource Management Group, Leo Burnett & Arc North America

“It is an honor to be recognized for the third year by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. At Liquidnet, we have built a unique culture where the needs of our employees come first. We have placed a significant focus on providing all of our employees with a comprehensive benefits package that fully supports their quality of life and their family choices, no matter what they may be. This benefit in particular has been well received and very much appreciated by employees.”

– Jerilyn Medrea, Head of Global Talent Engagement, Liquidnet Holding, Inc.

Mark Miquelon and family.

“LSI is honored to be recognized as a 2011 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplace by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. Our adoption subsidy is one of the ways we foster a family-friendly workplace at LSI. Adopting a child is a major life decision and we value families who seek to bring an adopted child into their lives. By offering financial assistance, work flexibility, as well as family-friendly policies, our goal is to mitigate some of the pressures and allow adoptive parents to focus on welcoming their new child.”

– Kathy Kost, Vice President of Human Resources, LSI Corporation

“It’s great to work for a company that is an adoption advocate, and is willing to extend these benefits to employees going through an adoption process.”

– Mark Miquelon, Marketing Director, LSI Corporation

“Patients and their families are at the core of our mission and business. It makes perfect sense that we would support our employees as they build and grow their own families. It is a happy union of work and life that is a win-win for everyone involved.”

– Leslie C. Rohrbacker, Chief Human Strategy Officer, The Medicines Company

“We began the journey of adoption because our hearts were broken for the many children who had no family to love them. As we committed to adding to our family this way, we knew it would require financial sacrifice. When we were told that The Medicines Company had put an adoption benefit in place that would significantly reduce our costs, as well as provide time for our family to be together by offering parental leave, we were thrilled and thankful for this blessing. It has truly been such an act of support for our family. The Medicines Company has been a part of changing our family forever, and bringing an orphan into a loving, nurturing home.”

– Mark Jacobs, Engagement Partner, The Medicines Company

“Everyone knows having a baby is stressful and expensive. But adopting a child is a different type of stress and expense. Most companies have benefits that support birthing parents, but few offer the financial and time-away-from-work support that employees going through the adoption process need. We introduced our Adoption Assistance Policy in 2006 because we recognize that fact. If someone is considering adoption and the deciding factor is how they will pay the costs, or whether they can afford to take time off from work for the process, then maybe some assistance from their company can help alleviate those worries. We offer it at PGi because people need it and it’s the right thing to do.”

– Alison Sheehan, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, PGi

“I am overwhlmed with the support and program that PGi offers. It means so much to me that PGi offers adoption benefits and really cares about assisting families and orphans become a forever family. Our friends and family have been astounded by the support that PGi has given. My husband and I realize this is a rare benefit and we feel blessed that I work for a company that offers it.”

– Mandy Radtke, Government Channel Manager, PGi

“As part of our continuous effort to make Kentucky state government an employer of choice, we are pleased to once again be recognized as one of the best adoption-friendly workplaces in America by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. Our Adoption Benefit Program provides up to $5,000 per family for direct costs related to the adoption of a child with special needs, and up to $3,000 for any other child adoption. These tangible benefits are small compared to the gift these parents give by extending their hearts and lives to a child in need.”

– Tim Longmeyer, Secretary of the Kentucky Personnel Cabinet, Commonwealth of Kentucky

“Adoption was a big step in our family’s life. Knowing you can take off work and be gone due to court hearings, travel and paperwork does take some stress off of you. Adoptions are extremely stressful and any help you receive goes a long way.”

– Rebecca Beard, Parole Officer, Commonwealth of Kentucky

“We are very thankful that the Commonwealth of Kentucky realizes the importance of adoption and is willing to assist with the financial burden that adoptive families experience. Thank you for helping us to become a forever family.”

– Joe Tucker, Commonwealth of Kentucky employee and a soldier in the U.S. Army Reserves

“The Adoption Assistance Program was one of several employee benefits rolled out in 2011. In our discussions while developing the adoption program, we focused on a plan outline that would give employees the added incentive toward adoption if that was how they chose to build their family. Adoption benefits foster employee good will while being a low-cost program to the employer. Adding an adoption benefit was simply the right thing to do.”

– Christopher S. Traylor, Co-President, Traylor Bros., Inc.

J. David Karam, President of Wendy's North America, (center) celebrates being honored as America’s Best Adoption-Friendly Workplace by Rita Soronen, President & CEO, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption (center). Wendy’s employee Brenda Overturf (left), husband Ron, and children Jimmy, Regina, Devon, Olivia, and Noah. Wendy’s employee Teressa Johnson (right), husband JD, and children Taylor, CJ, and Riley.

“This is one of the highest honors our company can receive. Dave Thomas was passionate for the cause of adoption, and he personally contacted hundreds of companies asking them to extend adoption benefits to employees. We’re extremely proud to follow his lead and help our employees realize the joys of adoption.”

– J. David Karam, President, Wendy’s North America

Wendy’s employee Brenda Overturf has used the adoption benefit twice. Brenda and her husband Ron adopted Jimmy and Regina from U.S. foster care eight years ago, when the siblings were nine and 10 years old. This year, they fell in love with three more siblings waiting in foster care and will finalize their adoptions in a few months: Noah (13), Olivia (14) and Devon (16). Brenda says her family of seven was meant to be, and adoption benefits helped make it possible. “Jimmy and Regina always wanted more brothers and sisters, and Ron and I were moved to help older children who might age out of foster care and be left on their own. Adopting from foster care is affordable, so we did not use Wendy’s financial benefit, but the six weeks of paid leave was invaluable. We needed the time to get to know our kids as individuals, and to prepare them for school.”

“The Adoption Assistance program is one of New York Life’s many programs that support work/life balance and make our company a great place to work. Humanity is one of the company’s core values and this program demonstrates our commitment to its employees and agents. We are proud to be a recipient of this year’s Dave Thomas Foundation’s Adoption-Friendly Workplaces award.”

– Maria Mauceri, Vice President, Benefits, New York Life Insurance Company

“New York Life is proud to offer our employees and agents policies and practices like the Adoption Assistance program that promote work/life balance and enable new families to spend quality time together. More than 90 employees and agents have taken advantage of this benefit since its inception and we are committed to supporting programs like Adoption Assistance that make New York Life an employer of choice.”

– Barry Schub, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, New York Life Insurance

The Rossow Family.

“One of the first questions I asked when I began talking to New York Life about joining the company was the adoption policy! My wife and I had been planning to adopt for a few years, and knowing my employer was supportive of adoption was one of the most critical factors in my decision to join New York Life. We ended up having extremely short notice between the day we first heard about our potential placement, and the actual placement (5 days). But my executive managers, could not have been more accommodating. They made me feel very comfortable ‘unplugging’ from work during my adoption leave and concentrating on the special new addition to our family.”

– Rick Rossow, Corporate Vice President, International Governmental Affairs, New York Life Insurance Company