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Meet The Park

Our team consists of passionate adoptees, siblings, parents, and friends who have a wide array of perspectives that help inform the creation of diverse and accessible programming for national and international communities.

Our Staff

Amy Zhong

Executive Director

Bio
Our Team

Amy Zhong

Executive Director

Amy Zhong is the Executive Director of The Park, CCAI’s post-adoption support arm with the mission to provide lifelong resources that help empower and nurture adopted individuals and their families. Amy has dedicated over 17 years to adoption community work, primarily focused on adopted youth engagement and mentorship. With a younger sister who joined her family at age 10, Amy is deeply passionate about family wellness and cultural and language literacy support for older child adoptees.

Amy holds a BS in Biology and BA in Film Production from Seattle University. She is a 1st generation Chinese American and is dedicated to building a bolder, brighter world for adoptees and their families.

When not sharing in fellowship with the adoption community, Amy spends her time diving into new music, writing short stories, screening the latest films, and traveling.

Heather Lowe

Communications Manager

Bio
Our Team

Heather Lowe

Communications Manager

Heather Lowe joined The Park in 2021 as Communications Manager. As a mother of four and an adoptive mom, Heather believes that The Park’s mission of providing lifelong support resources for adoptees and their families is vital for the adoption community. 

When she’s not working or homeschooling, you can find Heather in the mountains hiking, camping, paddle boarding, or skiing.  Her dream is to take her family to Maui someday and go snorkeling. Or, if we’re talking bucket lists, hiking from inn-to-inn through the hills of Scotland with her husband! 

Hillary Karsten

Heritage Tours Program Coordinator

Bio
Our Team

Hillary Karsten

Heritage Tours Program Coordinator

Hillary Karsten has always had a passion for working with families and children, working with youth in residential treatment centers for 15 years before she began working at CCAI in 2001 and adopted her daughter from China in 2008!  She is excited to serve as Heritage Tours Program Coordinator for The Park and loves the chance to meet and share with fellow adoptive parents and families who are also now parenting teens and young adults! What a wild ride…

Outside of work, Hillary enjoys spending time with her daughter, honing her photography skills, and watching movies. 

Maddie Gustafson

Adoptee Programs Coordinator

Bio
Our Team

Maddie Gustafson

Adoptee Programs Coordinator

Maddie recently graduated from the University of Arizona in May 2024 with a degree in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science. She is passionate about developmental cognitive psychology and is hopeful to pursue a PhD in the future. Maddie has been actively involved in the adoptee community since childhood and first encountered Adopteen in 2017. Having attended many camp-conferences, served on an Adoptees Giving Back Orphanage Service Trip in 2019, and reconnected with adult adoptees through Beyond Adopteen, Maddie is excited to be working for an organization that is near and dear to her heart.

In her free time, Maddie enjoys crocheting, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Our Extended Teams

The Park Adoption Community Center fulfills its mission primarily through our incredible, cross-country team of passionate and dedicated contractors, interns, and volunteers.

To learn more about how to get involved with The Park, please visit Working with The Park.

Leadership Committees

Our Leadership Committees dream up invaluable engagement opportunities for the adoptee community and make them a reality. Guiding the coordination of our conference and retreat events, our leadership committees help bring together adoptees from around the world to share in celebration, inspiration, and pride.

Adopteen Camp-Conference Committee

Adopteen Camp-Conference Committee builds and executes our two annual Adopteen Camp-Conferences, adoptee camps for teenaged adoptees that tour the country every year.

Cadence Williams

Bio
Our Team

Cadence Williams

Hi! My name is Cadence Williams, and this is my first year as a committee leader, but I’ve attended five camp conferences as a camper. I was born in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, and currently reside in Charlottesville, Va. I’m a huge music lover and will take any opportunity to attend a concert; you’ll often find me listening to Zach Bryan, Luke Combs, or Noah Kahan. I love animals and enjoy spending time with my friends and family. Being outdoors and by water fuels me, along with coffee and energy drinks. Can’t wait to see you all at camp!

Heron Gaudet

Bio
Our Team

Heron Gaudet

Hi! I am Heron Gaudet. I was adopted from China when I was 5 years old. I live in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Some things I enjoy are watching movies, being a part of the marching band and track and field team, and hanging out with friends. A fun fact about me is my siblings and I are all named after birds. 

Kenzie Summervill

Bio
Our Team

Kenzie Summervill

HIIIIII!! I’m Kenzie Summervill, a 19-year-old sophomore at K-State majoring in Medical Biochemistry and minoring in Animal Science. I’m on the pre-medical track with my sights set on hopefully going to medical school! Adopted from Jiangxi in 2008, I’ve been part of Adoptween since 2018, have been to 4 Adopteen conferences, and I am SO HYPED to be back for my second year on the committee and 5th camp! When I’m not locked in at the library with organic chemistry or microbiology you can catch me fueling up on chai or pink drinks and eating way too much sushi. I love crafts! 99% of the time I’m either bedazzling something or painting with watercolors! I also have a major weakness for cringey Netflix shows (I’ll never learn!). I love music, reading, and meeting awesome people like YOU! I’m counting down the days until we’re all together in Philly- see ya soon! 

Lilli Mueller

Bio
Our Team

Lilli Mueller

Hi!! My name is Lilli!! I was adopted from Jiangxi, China, and live outside of Chicago. Although I go to school in Indy at Butler University, where I am studying political science and environmental studies! My hobbies include drinking matcha, listening to music (Laufey and Taylor Swift are my favorites!), reading, and all things arts and crafts! I love collecting new hobbies and am always down for a side quest (especially if there’s a sweet treat involved). In my free time, I also love to run with my friends, and I am currently training for my second marathon!! 

This will be my second year on the committee, and I am beyond excited to make new memories and get to know you all this summer!!

Mia Harris

Bio
Our Team

Mia Harris

Hi! My name is Mia Harris, I was adopted from Jiangxi, China, and currently live in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. I’m an MSU Denver Biology graduate and currently spend my time working as a dance teacher and a newborn hearing screener. When I’m off the clock, my ideal day would be spent at the beach or enjoying a relaxed morning of sleeping in. I’m also a sucker for blind boxes and am the proud owner of a Build-A-Bear capybara collection! This is my second year on committee, and I can’t wait to jump back into all the fun.

Rachel Clapham

Bio
Our Team

Rachel Clapham

Hi all! My name is Rachel Clapham and I just finished my sophomore year at CU Boulder where I am studying architecture. My Adopteen journey started back in 2019. This year will be my 7th camp conference and my first time on committee. In my free time, I love to puzzle, listen to music (mainly kpop!), hike, play mahjong, and bother my roommates in the living room. I’m super excited to meet you all this summer!

Raven Garabo

Bio
Our Team

Raven Garabo

Hi! My name is Ravel Garabo. I was adopted from Sichuan, China and am currently living in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I’m the oldest sister of four younger siblings who were all adopted and am currently studying at Widener University as a Creative Writing and English double major, with a minor in Communications. In my free time, I love to read, write, draw, and listen to music. I also enjoy hiking and have a black cat named Oboe 😀

Beyond Adopteen Retreat Committee

Beyond Adopteen Retreat Committee builds and executes our bi-annual Beyond Adopteen Adult Adoptee Retreat, adoptee connection opportunities for adult adoptees that tour the country every year.

Aidan Curran

Ohio Chapter Coordinator & 2025 Beyond Adopteen Committee

Bio
Our Team

Aidan Curran

Ohio Chapter Coordinator & 2025 Beyond Adopteen Committee

I have been involved with Adopteen since 2020. I have attended 2 previous Beyond Adopteen Retreats. Being involved with Beyond Adopteen has given me a greater adoptee community from across the USA and Canada.

I received my undergraduate degree in Communication from the University of Dayton in 2013. I am currently working on my Master’s Degree in Communication. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, exercising, watching and analyzing movies, and playing with my cat.

AnnaLee Haag

2025 Beyond Adopteen Committee

Bio
Our Team

AnnaLee Haag

2025 Beyond Adopteen Committee

Hello! My name is AnnaLee (not Anna) and I am originally from Taizhou, China. I first became involved with Adopteen’s local chapter meet-ups. Since then I have connected to fellow adoptees through other local groups. I’m excited to join the Beyond Adopteen committee as I have loved joining a community full of people from a similar background. 

I currently work in FinTech and am always happy to chat if you need help with anything! In my free time you can find me riding horses, running, crafting, hiking, and traveling! 

Chloe Deskin

Camp Director

Bio
Our Team

Chloe Deskin

Camp Director

Hi everyone, my name is Chloe and I am proud to be your Camp Director for both Adopteen camps this summer! I started Adopteen in 2013, and have been a part of many different Adopteen leadership committees, but this is my first time stepping into the role of Camp Director – I couldn’t be more excited!

I was adopted when I was 11 months from Guangxi, China and grew up in Denver, CO.  I now live in Los Angeles and am currently pursuing my Master’s in Psychology at Pepperdine University. In my spare time I love to take naps, try new cafes in LA, and hang out with friends. What I love about Adopteen the most is that it is a place you can be your most authentic self without feeling judged, meet people with similar experiences, and have fun. I can’t wait to meet you all this summer! 🙂

Lara Chunko

2025 Beyond Adopteen Committee

Bio
Our Team

Lara Chunko

2025 Beyond Adopteen Committee

Hello! My name is Lara Chunko. I was adopted from Hunan, China, and I currently live in San Diego. I’ve been to the 2016 Adopteen Midpoint Retreat, 2024 Beyond Adopteen, and 2025 Grand Heritage Tour events and I loved them. In my free time, I enjoy dancing, reading, or watching tv. I’m looking forward to contributing to this amazing community!

Lily McDaniel

2025 Beyond Adopteen Committee

Bio
Our Team

Lily McDaniel

2025 Beyond Adopteen Committee

By day, I work in digital advertising as a product researcher, developer, and manager—building platform features, analyzing online behavior, and helping clients use data to make smarter ad decisions. Whether it’s through Python scripts or strategic insights, my goal is to improve ad performance and make sure every dollar is spent reaching the right audience.

Outside of work, I’m a passionate dancer and instructor, specializing in hip hop and heels with roots in ballet and jazz. I perform regularly and teach weekly classes focused on both technique and expression.

I am excited to be on the 2025 Beyond Adopteen committee this year! Building space that supports self-discovery, community bonding, and real-life skill-building is something deeply meaningful to me as part of the adoptee community.

Zoe Seymore

2025 Beyond Adopteen Committee

Bio
Our Team

Zoe Seymore

2025 Beyond Adopteen Committee

Hey everyone! My name is Zoe and I have been involved w/ Adopteen since the Midpoint Conference in 2014. I was adopted from Guangxi Province, China and 11 months old and grew up in Texas with a single mom. I am a current graduate student at the University of Michigan School of Social Work and recently came back from a year in Taiwan with the Fulbright Program. Before that, I graduated with my Bachelor’s in Psychology and minors in Math and Chinese. I am also currently interning at an outpatient treatment program for adolescents! 

In my free time, I enjoy watching shows and movies, hanging out with friends, crocheting, dancing, and playing with my cat. I am so excited to be back to help plan my second Beyond Adopteen Retreat and look forward to having an amazing retreat! 

Chapter Coordinators

Chapter Coordinators volunteer their time and local expertise to guide the research, planning, and facilitation of monthly meet-up opportunities for our adoption community across the U.S.

With their year-round dedication, we’re able to provide meaningful and consistent adoptee connection opportunities worldwide.

If you are curious about starting a Chapter in your area, please email us! Chapter Coordinators must be 18 years or older.

Summer Interns

The Park provides internship opportunities throughout the year in a wide range of focus areas. We’re proud to partner with passionate students and professionals who are excited to contribute, learn, and help shape what’s possible within our community.

Our interns are valued team members who support programming, event planning, and other post-adoption services, helping us strengthen and celebrate this vibrant community!

Andy Parker

Bio
Our Team

Andy Parker

Hi all, my name is Andy Parker (he/they), and I was born in Maoming, China and raised in the Denver metro area. This summer I will graduate from my master’s program in English literature at Colorado State University, where my research focuses on graphic narratives written by queer and trans Asian Americans, including adoptee perspectives. In my free time, I enjoy figure skating, trying new recipes with my partner, and waking up at ungodly hours to watch Formula 1 races on my laptop.

Previously, I have worked as a college-level writing instructor, the associate editor of a literary magazine, and a research assistant helping ELA teachers combat censorship in the classroom. This summer, I’m excited to explore how I can combine these experiences with my passion for adoptee storytelling to help cultivate real-world support for adoptees.

Grace Matassa

Bio
Our Team

Grace Matassa

Hi! My name is Grace Matassa (she/her/hers) and I am currently an undergraduate student at Colorado State University. I’m studying psychology and sociology with a focus in criminology and criminal justice. I am a Chinese adoptee and was adopted in 2005. I’m looking forward to connecting with other adoptees and supporting the organization that I was adopted through!

Kate Bestall

Bio
Our Team

Kate Bestall

Hi! My name is Kate and I am a student at Amherst College studying English and mathematics. I was adopted from Wuxue, China through CCAI in 2006 and raised in Colorado, where I grew up attending Chinese language and cultural classes at JCC. In my free time, I love dancing, reading and writing poetry, making collage art, and curating Spotify playlists. I’m currently working on my senior honors thesis, a poetry collection about adoption. I’m excited to intern with The Park this summer and have the chance to give back to the community that supported me so much growing up!

AdopTween Mentors

AdopTween Mentors are a core group of volunteers who meet bi-monthly to help guide their tween-aged buddies through activities that strive to celebrate and support positive self-expression and affirmation through engaging and constructive activities built around themes that are important to approach in pre-teen years.

Interested in serving as an AdopTween Mentor? Please email [email protected]. AdopTween Mentors must be 14 years or older.

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