Recognized for its leadership and expertise in child welfare—especially adoption from foster care—Families Rising’s board of directors includes adoptive, foster, and kinship care parents, child welfare professionals, adoptees and people who were in foster care, researchers, and other advocates who have a wealth of experience.

Executive Board

Denise Goodman, PhD
Denise Goodman, PhD
Ohio, President
Ronya Faulkner
Ronya Faulkner
Tennessee, Treasurer
Maximillian Lisembee
Maximillian Lisembee
Indiana, Vice President, United States
Marlyn Wall
Vice President, Canada
Mercedes Zahler
Mercedes Zahler
Washington, Secretary

Board Members

Stacey Mason
Stacey Mason
New York, Director
Jarel Melendez, MBA
Jarel Melendez, MBA
New York, Director
Mercedes O'Bryant Gruzeski
Mercedes O'Bryant Gruzeski
Director
David Simmons, MSW
David Simmons, MSW
Oregon, Director

“Families Rising is an introduction to innovation, progressive thinking, and forward-moving by people who are always looking for ways to do what we do better, faster, and smarter.”
–Claudia, adoptive parent and professional

Last Updated: March 4, 2026