Meet Our Staff:

PAULA FREEMAN, MSW
Executive Director

Paula is the founder and Executive Director of Hope's Promise. She earned her Master's Degree in Social Work from Denver University, specializing in children, youth and families. She has worked in the field of adoption for 19 years and enjoys the unpredictability and challenges of this field. Paula and her husband Ray, have been married for 33 years and live in Sedalia, Colorado. They have seven children (four by birth, and three foreign-born daughters) and two grandchildren.

COLLEEN BRIGGS, BFA
Director of Orphan Care

Colleen and her husband of fourteen years, Dave, adopted two of their four children from Kenyan orphanages and could not forget the children left behind. They were involved in opening the first Hope's Promise orphan home in Kenya in October 2006. Colleen earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Denver; and while working in the fields of graphic design and campus ministry, God deepened a life-long passion for orphans. She is grateful to serve orphans around the world as Hope's Promise's Director of Orphan Care.

MELISSA LEMKE
Director of Development

After graduating from Taylor University with a bachelor's degree in Communication Studies, Melissa spent the next nine years working at Focus on the Family, primarily in the field of donor relations. Melissa first recognized her passion for orphans after participating on a mission trip to Kenya in 2005. After leaving a piece of her heart in Africa, she knew she would never be the same. In 2007, she joined the staff of Hope's Promise as Director of Development and is honored to help advance the mission of caring for the orphaned and fatherless worldwide. Melissa enjoys using her gifts in ministry and particularly loves experiencing life through the lens of photography.

BROOKE DIENBERG, BSW
Director of Adoption

Brooke has worked with Hope's Promise birth families, adoptive families, and Orphan Ministries since 2000. Currently she is serving as the Director of Adoptions. Brooke received a Bachelors Degree in Social Work from Abilene Christian University. She loves being part of the ministry of Hope's Promise, having the privilege of seeing God's hand at work creating families and caring for the orphaned and the fatherless.

JENNIFER LEBEAU, BSW
International Program Director

Jennifer graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work from Mankato State University in Mankato, MN. She worked with the developmentally disabled and the elderly before joining Hope's Promise in 1998. Jennifer and her husband, Philip, have three children, and were clients of Hope's Promise before she came to work for the agency. Their youngest son was born in Calcutta, India and joined their family in 1995.

BETH WOODS, BA
Adoptive Family and Birth Family Caseworker

Beth is an Adoptive Family Caseworker and Birth Family Counselor at Hope's Promise. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Northeast Missouri State University. She grew up in Missouri but moved to Colorado 17 years ago. Prior to joining Hope's Promise, Beth worked as a caseworker for the Department of Social Services and as a supervisor in a children's residential treatment program. Beth and her husband Bob have been married for 17 years and were a foster family for a number of years. They have three adopted boys, Adam, David and Andrew, who keep them very busy. Because of their positive experience with open adoption, Beth feels very honored to be working at Hope's Promise where she can help facilitate the process for others. Beth and her family love living in Colorado and enjoy camping and hiking.

RACHEL FOREMAN, MA
Adoptive Family and Birth Family Caseworker

Rachel joined Hope's Promise in September of 2007. Rachel received her M.A. in Educational Counseling in 1991, and has supervised programs in therapeutic foster care, early intervention, and Court Appointed Special Advocates. She and her husband have two adopted boys from Hawai'i. Rachel is also a committed Army spouse, and has enjoyed living in many different parts of the Country as she and her family have relocated many times. Rachel has a special heart for families impacted by Reactive Attachment Disorder and other special emotional needs.

AMBER MABREY, MSW
Adoptive Family and Birth Family Caseworker

Amber joined Hope's Promise in 2006 as a birth parent counselor and adoptive family caseworker. She has a Master's Degree in Social Work from Walla Walla College. Prior to working with Hope's Promise, Amber was a school social worker for 2 years. Amber feels truly blessed that she can be part of the Hope's Promise staff and provide information and support to birth parents and adoptive families. After living in Seattle, Washington for most of her life, Colorado has been a bright and beautifully sunny change for Amber. She enjoys the outdorrs and has been able to spend a lot of time hiking, camping and fishing since relocating.

NANCY SHUERTLEFF
Bookkeeper

Nancy is the accountant for Hope's Promise. She has been a full charge accountant for the past 25 years, keeping records for a variety of businesses. Nancy and her husband, Verle, live in Castle Rock and are blessed with three children and five grandchildren. They love the Colorado outdoors where they boat, water ski and do a lot of fishing. Nancy enjoys working in her numerous flower and rock gardens, likes to paint, and enjoys designing artificial flower arrangements. She feels fortunate to play a part in joining children with families.

TAMMY WHITE
Office Manager

Tammy White has been married for 29 years. She has three grown children and two grandsons. Tammy enjoys reading, traveling, and is excited to be a part of Hope's Promise. Tammy has worked for Hope's Promise since 2007.

KELLI KORN, MSW Intern
Kelli is a MSW intern for Hope's Promise. She has a BS in Sociology from the University of Colorado and is currently working on her Masters degree in Social Work. She has a brother who was adopted from Calcutta, India. Kelli is excited to be working with birth parents and adoptive families. Kelli and her husband, Kyle, are both Colorado natives and enjoy traveling, riding dirt bikes, camping and playing with their two puppies.

Marjorie Ewing, MSW Intern
Marjorie has lived in Colorado since she moved here to attend Colorado College. She graduated with a Bachelor's of Arts in 2002 and began graduate school in social work after traveling to Kenya and experiencing God's heart to care for the fatherless in Africa. She currently is working for the Early Intervention Program in Colorado Springs and will complete her Masters of Socail Work degree in December. She lives in Colorado Springs and enjoys hiking, backpacking and anything that is outside in the beautiful Colorado weather.

Rachel Wilkens, BSW Intern
Rachel joined Hope's Promise as an intern in January 2008. Her sister was adopted domestically through Hope's Promise almost 17 years ago, and she has been involved in the gift of adoption ever since! In her spare time, she enjoys reading, cooking, traveling, and the Colorado outdoors. She is graduating in May with her BSW from Colorado State University, and plans to pursue her passion and love for the orphaned and fatherless.

BRENDA JOHNSTON
Brenda Johnston joined the Hope's Promise Orphan Ministry staff in January 2003 as Program Director. She comes to us with 28 years of experience in the corporate world of marketing, sales and management. The Lord turned her life upside down when He asked her to serve Him in Namibia, Africa from January 2000 – September 2002. Brenda served in the capacity of a Mom at a children's home in Okahandja, Namibia. Her experience in the secular world coupled with her experience in front line ministry has been just the combination needed for the position she holds now with Hope's Promise Orphan Ministries.