Our Staff
Our dedicated, enthusiastic staff serves kinship and adoptive families statewide. The OhioKAN Staff is comprised of Navigators and team members with the local knowlege, statewide expertise, and personal experience needed to make sure Ohio's families are thoroughly supported.
STATEWIDE STAFF
Julia Donovan
Statewide Program Director
Julia Donovan
Statewide Program Director
Julia joins Kinnect as the founding Program Director of OhioKAN, a new statewide kinship and adoption navigator program developed in partnership with the State of Ohio. Prior to Kinnect, Julia was the Employment Services Director at Linking Employment, Abilities and Potential (LEAP), which works to advance participation and equality in society for people with disabilities in Northeast Ohio. Leading through a period of significant programmatic change and development, Julia worked to increase the effectiveness of several LEAP initiatives, resulting in measurably improved outcomes for job seekers with disabilities. Previous to her eight years of tenure at LEAP, Julia worked in the nonprofit sector managing volunteers, teaching therapeutic riding for people with disabilities, and fundraising. She holds an Executive MBA from Case Western Reserve University and a bachelor’s from Hiram College.
Veronica Burroughs
DCY Project Manager
Veronica Burroughs
ODJFS Project Manager
Veronica Burroughs, LISW-S, is Project Manager for the Ohio Kinship and Adoption Navigator Program at ODJFS. Prior to this work she was with the Supreme Court of Ohio as the Court Improvement Program Analyst in the Children and Families Section. In this role she managed the federal Court Improvement Program grants to assist juvenile courts in handling cases related to child welfare. She has had multiple roles at private child serving agencies, and she started her career as a therapist working with children and adults with mental health and substance use disorders. Veronica is an adjunct professor at Columbus State Community College and has done training for a variety of audiences. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the DePaul University and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration.
Amber Phelps
Statewide Program Manager
Amber Phelps
Statewide Program Manager
Amber joins Kinnect with experience in the fields of social welfare and policy, including hands-on social work and an expertise in building and implementing evidence-based programming. After attaining her master’s degree in Social Work from Case Western Reserve University and a Juris Doctor from Western Michigan Law School, Amber worked for Cuyahoga county in the juvenile prosecutor’s office, serving as a liaison to parents of youth impacted by incarceration and the court system. Most recently, Amber served as Senior Project Manager for Lorain City Schools. She is very excited about joining the Kinnect team and expanding the OhioKAN program!
Roxana Bell
Statewide Program Trainer
Roxana Bell
Statewide Program Coordinator
Roxana has a breadth of experience serving children, youth, and families in clinical and educational settings. Prior to joining Kinnect, Roxana worked for the Mobile Crisis Team at FrontLine Service in Cuyahoga County, where she conducted clinical assessments to children and youth experiencing suicide crises. She served as an AmeriCorps volunteer in an intertribal Native school and mentor for incarcerated youth. As a transracial, transnational adoptee from El Salvador, Roxana has a passion for working with multicultural adopted, foster, and kinship populations. She earned a Master of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University, a bachelor’s in Cultural Studies and Literature from The Evergreen State College, and is a licensed social worker. Roxana is so happy to be the Statewide Program Coordinator!
Teresa Scrimenti
Statewide Program Trainer
Teresa Scrimenti
Statewide Program Trainer
Teresa has an eclectic background working with progressive organizations invested in giving power back to the people they serve. She has a range of customer service and teaching experiences, primarily in the disability service and culinary arts industries. Throughout her career, Teresa has developed and implemented curricula, including culinary education for home cooks, life skills classes for adults with developmental disabilities, and summer work experiences for youth in collaboration with local businesses. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcasting and Mass Communications from Baldwin Wallace University. Teresa is so excited to be a part of OhioKAN as the Statewide Program Trainer!
Shawna Borkoski
Statewide Contract & Performance Coordinator
Shawna Borkoski
Statewide Contract and Performance Coordinator
Shawna is a dedicated nonprofit professional with over a dozen years in fundraising, donor development, marketing, and event planning. Previously, she served as Director of Development and Marketing for the United Way of Portage County, and she is an experienced Kinship Navigator. She looks forward to bringing her extensive experience in team support, kinship navigation, data management, and event planning to the OhioKAN program. Shawna holds a master’s degree in Human Services from Capella University, a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Kent State University, and a certificate from Leadership Portage County. Shawna is ecstatic to be the new Statewide Contract and Performance Coordinator!
Paula Oliver
Statewide Benefits
Coordinator
Paula Oliver
Statewide Benefits Coordinator
Prior to OhioKAN, Paula served as a Career Coach for Jewish Family Services. There, she mentored, coached, and empowered adults with disabilities in their journey towards employment. She also spent time as an Ombudsman at The MetroHealth System advocating for patients and their families. Over the last several years, Paula has volunteered at Dress for Success and iServe for C.H.A.N.G.E. Both are nonprofits that provide education and support to various communities. Paula has a Masters in Adult Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Nonprofit Administration, both from Cleveland State University. She is excited to be a part of OhioKAN/Kinnect and looking forward to helping families along their journey as kinship caretakers and adoptive families.
Amber Robinson
Statewide Benefits
Coordinator
Amber Robinson
Statewide Benefits Coordinator
Britney Breidenstein
Associate Program Director
of Community Practice
Britney Breidenstein
Associate Program Director of Community Practice
Britney has spent the last 12 years of her career serving in various leadership roles in the non profit sector, including Director of Programs and Business Development with a focus in program design and inclusion. She also has strategic consulting experience, specializing in helping businesses with growth and development. Britney is passionate about bridging the gaps in equity with community and enterprise. She holds a B.S in Business from Indiana Tech University and is currently attaining her MBA/MSOL at Western Governor’s University. Britney’s community service includes serving on the Board of Directors for Bring It Push It and Own Your Success, two non-profits dedicated to empowering women and girls. Britney also is a member of Young Leaders NE Indiana where she serves as Committee Chair. She is extremely excited to have the opportunity to create sustainable, innovative, and systemic change for families across Ohio!
Deborah Knaup
Regional Director
of Community
Deb Knaup
Regional Director of Community
Deborah has been with Kinnect and the OhioKAN program since 2020. Deborah started her journey with OhioKAN as a Regional Director for Region 8 where she led a team and served kinship and adoption families across thirteen counties in Southeast Ohio. Deborah has recently transitioned into a new role as Regional Director of Community Engagement for the OhioKAN program. In addition to her time with OhioKAN, Deborah has been working with children and families, specifically in child welfare and social services for the past 15 years. Deborah comes to Kinnect by way of Muskingum County Children Services and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Zanesville. While at Big Brothers Big Sisters, Deborah was the Associate Director where she organized fundraisers, engaged with community leaders, and supported children in school and community-based programs. Deborah also has experience working within her local school districts and recreational clubs and has developed a passion for serving families in need and building strong relationships within her community. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Ohio University.
Damita Kniceley
Regional Director
of Community
Damita Kniceley
Regional Director of Community
Damita has over 20 years’ experience working with families and children in various roles, including Community Outreach, Workforce Development, Family and Youth Advocacy, OWF/SNAP and Medicaid Case Management, Kinship and Adoption, and working with survivors of Domestic Violence. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Ohio University in Organizational Communications and a Family Development Certification from the University of Iowa. Damita's passion is working in the community, helping families overcome challenges and barriers and become self-sufficient. Previously, an RAC member, Navigator and Coach, she is now excited to serve the families of OhioKAN as a Regional Director!
Derrick Beitzel
Community Engagement
Coordinator
Derrick Beitzel
Community Engagement Coordinator
Derrick has spent his career working with children, young people, and families. He has served in the mental health, behavioral health, and developmental disability fields. For the last several years, Derrick has truly enjoyed working with kinship and adoptive families. Previously a Navigator and Regional Coordinator, Derrick is excited to serve OhioKAN as a Community Engagement Coordinator. Derrick has lived experience as a former kinship caregiver and now adoptive parent. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Baldwin-Wallace University. In his free time, Derrick stays busy with his three active children and school and community functions.
Nicole Diaz
Community Engagement
Coordinator
Nicole Diaz
Community Engagement Coordinator
Nicole comes to OhioKAN after previously coordinating six different health programs throughout Cuyahoga County as a Healthy Cleveland Coordinator for the City of Cleveland. She has a BA in Nonprofit Administration from Cleveland State University and an MPA from Ohio University. Nicole is also a certified Spanish interpreter and Notary. In this role, she is excited to have the opportunity to help others and impact their lives in a positive way!