Meet The Team
Chelsea Hill
Branch Director - Traverse City
Chelsea Hill has held numerous positions since joining Bethany Christian Services in 2011. She is passionate about serving children and families in Traverse City and the surrounding areas. Chelsea earned her master’s degree in community practice and social action from Wayne State University and her bachelor’s degree in social work from Saginaw Valley State University.
Craig Bultsma
Quality Assurance Director - Traverse City
Craig Bultsma joined Bethany Christian Services in 1985. Craig graduated from Calvin College with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and, later, from Georgia State University with a master’s degree in counseling. Craig is married with five children, two of whom were adopted internationally. He counts it a privilege to work with a group of dedicated professionals who deeply care for the families and children of Northern Michigan.
Alicia M. Howard
Parenting Time Specialist - Traverse City
Alicia Howard joined Bethany Christian Services in 2017 as a Parenting Time Specialist. She has also taken on the role of Foster Care Office Assistant but continues to work with families and children in her original role. Alicia received her associates degree as a legal professional from Kirtland Community College. She worked as a victim’s advocate which helped her find her passion being a Parenting Time Specialist at Bethany Christian Services. Alicia enjoys working one on one with parents helping them to find the resources and tools to enrich their lives and the lives of their children.
Amy M. Reed
Foster Care Licensing Specialist - Traverse City
Amy Reed joined Bethany Christian Services in 2019 as a Foster Care Adoption Specialist. She received her bachelor’s degree in social work from Ferris State University in 2018. She is working toward her master’s degree in clinical social work. Prior to college, Amy served in the Marine Corps (active duty) from 2010-2014, with two deployments. She has previous experience working in inpatient mental health and is passionate about bettering the lives of children and families.
Angela D. Mawson
Domestic Infant Adoption Specialist - Traverse City
Angela Mawson joined Bethany Christian Services in 2018 as the domestic infant adoption specialist. After taking time off to raise her children, Angela comes to Bethany to advocate for adoptive couples, providing them support throughout their adoption journey. Angela earned her bachelor’s degree in human services from Oakland University, via three previous years at Michigan State University. She has worked with high risk teens in the Royal Oak area. Angela admires Saint Theresa of Calcutta and tries to live a life that emulates her famous words, “Not all of us can do GREAT things, but all of us can do SMALL things with GREAT LOVE.”
Christine O'Keefe
Foster Care Case Manager - Traverse City
Christine O’Keefe originally joined Bethany Christian Services in 2017 as a Foster Care Case Manager. After a short break in 2018, she rejoined the team in 2019. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a specialization in religious studies from Michigan State University. Christine also earned a master’s degree in mental health from Capella University. She is a national certified counselor and a limited licensed professional counselor. Christine has a passion for working with children and families with a goal of keeping families together. She enjoys spending time with her own family as well as being outdoors.
Dawn M. Smith
Foster Care Adoption Specialist - Traverse City
Dawn Smith joined Bethany Christian Services in 2018 with around 10 years of child welfare experience in foster care and adoption. Dawn has a Bachelors degree in social work from Ferris State University. She is passionate about helping families.
Jodie E. Annis
Post Adoption Specialist - Traverse City
Jodie Annis joined Bethany Christian Services July 2019. She earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Wayne State University and is currently working toward her master’s degree through Spring Arbor College. During her undergraduate program she completed her internship here at Bethany (in the Post Adoption Resource Center program). Jodie also is an adoptive parent.
Kaylene Whitaker
Safe Families for Children Coordinator - Traverse City
Kaylene Whitaker joined Bethany Christian Services in 2019. Prior to coming to Bethany, she served at two non-profits as a marketing and communications manager. Kaylene received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Cedarville University and her master’s degree in counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary. She loves the opportunity to help families in crisis through our Safe Families program. Kaylene also serves on the board of Hope Anew, a ministry to families with special needs children.
Kimberly Waldie
PARC Supervisor - Traverse City
Kim Waldie joined Bethany Christian Services in 2016. She has worked as a Post Adoption Specialist in the Post Adoption Resource Center for the past year. As a former foster parent, and now an adoptive parent, she possesses a special passion for helping and equipping adoptive families for success. She earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from Ferris State University.
Kristy R. White
Foster Care Case Manager - Traverse City
Kristy White joined Bethany Christian Services in 2018 as a foster care case manager. She earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Northern Michigan University. Kristy is passionate about helping children and their families.
Maire Lajko
PARC Case Manager - Traverse City
Maire Lajko joined Bethany Christian Services in 2018 in the Post Adoption Resource Center. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a focus on child development from Grand Valley State University. Previously, Maire spent time working as a foster care specialist, a preschool teacher, and an intern in Bethany’s refugee resettlement program. Maire has a passion for helping children and families reach their full potential through education, support, and compassion.
Michelle Brunner
Foster Care Supervisor - Traverse City
Michelle Brunner joined Bethany Christian Services in 2014. She has served as a foster care case manager and foster care adoption specialist. Michelle has a passion for working with families to ensure that all children have a safe and loving home. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology, with a focus on child development, at Grand Valley State University.
Neala J. Smith
Foster Care Case Manager - Traverse City
Neala Smith joined Bethany Christian Services in 2018 as a foster care case manager. She earned her bachelor's degree in social work from Western Michigan University. Neala enjoys all that Northern Michigan has to offer, including golfing or spending a day at the lake. She loves to travel and make new friends along the way.
Payton A. Schrader
Foster Care Case Manager - Traverse City
Payton joined Bethany Christian Services in 2020. She received her bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in human development and family studies. Payton has a passion for working with children and families. She loves to travel, spend time with her family and friends as well as sharing her faith with people through another passion - fitness.
Roy L. Franklin
Foster Care Licensing Supervisor - Traverse City
Roy Franklin joined Bethany Christian Services in 2018 as the foster care licensing supervisor. Previously, he held numerous positions within residential centers and group homes, and was a former foster care licensing complaint specialist. Roy and his wife are also foster parents, which helps him bring a unique vision to foster care licensing. Roy holds a bachelor's degree in social work from Olivet Nazarene University.
Samantha Stites
Foster Care Licensing Specialist - Traverse City
Samantha joined Bethany Christian Services in 2019. She earned her bachelor’s degree in social work at Grand Valley State University before completing her Clinical Master’s of Social Work at the University of Kansas. Samantha’s previous work experience includes private practice psychotherapy, case management for veterans, and outdoor adventure programming for local teens. When Samantha isn’t playing with her cat, the Traverse City area native enjoys snowboarding, boating, and coaching/playing soccer.
Sarah Schmude
Pregnancy Counselor - Traverse City
Sarah Schmude joined Bethany Christian Services in 2016. She received her registered nurse license as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Hope College. Sarah worked as an RN in several different hospitals including Florida, Ohio and Michigan. She worked as a labor and delivery nurse and found a deep passion for helping women during the difficult time of an unplanned pregnancy. Sarah likes to support, educate, and encourage expecting moms and dads. She has lived in Traverse City for the past 17 years, has been married for 20, and has four children. She loves the outdoors, especially spending time on the lake.
Jeanne Molter
Office Manager - Traverse City
Jeanne Molter joined Bethany Christian Services in 2019. She served as a Youth Director for eight years where she was blessed to take part in multiple mission trips and create a Sandwich Run Ministry for the less fortunate. She served many families working in the funeral industry for 13 years. As a former preschool teacher and private music instructor, Jeanne has a passion for enriching the lives of children and families. Her greatest joy is being the mother to five beautiful children and one granddaughter. She earned her bachelor’s degree in english and journalism from Western Michigan University.
Jordan Taylor
Foster Care Case Manager - Traverse City
Jordan Taylor joined Bethany Christian Services in 2019 as a Foster Care Case Manager/Refugee Resettlement Coordinator. She is a recent graduate of Ferris State University earning her bachelor’s degree in social work. Jordan also completed a nine-month internship at Bethany prior to joining the team. As well, she worked as a Behavior Analysis at The Autism Centers of Michigan providing one-on-one therapy. She has a passion for working with refugee families to ensure a warm and comfortable environment.
Mary L. Vande Kieft
Foster Care Adoption Specialist - Traverse City
Mary joined Bethany Christian Services in January 2020 as a Foster Care Adoption Specialist. She earned her associate degree in criminology from the University of Montana as well as her bachelor’s degree in integrative studies – with an emphasis in social and ethical management - from Grand Valley State University. Mary was previously a police officer in both Pittsburgh, PA and Jackson, WY. Aside from her work here at Bethany, she is also a local dance instructor.
