Our Staff

Kelsey Bohlender headshot

Kelsey Bohlender

Executive Director

Kelsey is a dreamer who is believing for a million adoptions to change the landscape of the life movement in America.  As a mother of ten children (six adopted), she is passionate about coaching families in their own adoption journey.  She is the co-author of The Spirit of Adoption: Winning the Battle for the Children, an avid soccer fan and a baker of the best cinnamon rolls this side of heaven.

Nishia Dennis headshot

Becky Jackman

Director of Development

Becky has been active in strategic prayer for our nation and the cause of the unborn for over 25 years. Her heart is to see a culture reformation that would value LIFE at every stage. She believes that adoption is the new frontier of the pro-life movement and has helped pioneer this for the past decade in Kansas City. Becky and her husband Bruce have grown children in Kansas City and Papua New Guinea with 6 beautiful grandchildren.

Nishia Dennis headshot

Elizabeth Potter, LMSW

Director of Social Services

From a young age, Elizabeth was drawn to supporting other people. Her life has been touched by adoption through extended family, and her calling to social work is truly from God. She completed her Master’s in Social Work in 2020 and obtained her Kansas social work license later that year. Elizabeth has multiple years of experience working with children and families; from working directly with individuals experiencing emotional struggles or life challenges, to supporting families as they provide care for children who have experienced trauma. She enjoys building relationships with others and searching for resources that will best fit the needs of the individual. She has been married to her husband since 2018, and they have two beautiful boys and two wonderful fur babies. Together, they serve regularly at their local church with children, students, media and worship team. Elizabeth loves: Spending time with loved ones, going on vacations to the beach and mountains, wearing fun socks, playing board games, Dr Pepper, Coffee, and naps.
Nishia Dennis headshot

Jessica Lima

Resource Advocate

Jessica grew up in Minnesota and married her Chicago/Brazilian husband Danny nearly 2 decades ago. Together they have 5 children and have made Kansas City their home since 2006, with a one-year season in Brazil as missionaries. Over the past 16 years, serving families in Kansas City through various youth camps, worship training, and prayer groups has been a joy! Jessica has also worked as the Wrap Around Coordinator for adoptive and foster families through a local non-profit where her passion to support each person in the spectrum of life's challenging situations really made an impact. Recently her family stepped into the world of foster care and they have had the glorious privilege of parenting a little boy unto the reunification with his mother. Jessica is an advocate for the care of mothers, fathers, and children alike as she loves to share the multi-faceted ways everyone can do their part in building the greatest institution on earth - the family!
Brittany Harty headshot

Brittany Harty, LMSW

Family Advocate

Brittany grew up in Denver, Colorado, but has lived in the Kansas City area for several years, now, where Kansas has quickly become a home away from home! She has previous experience in adoption, providing support to expectant moms during their pregnancy, and guidance to adoptive parents in the process of adoption. Prior to this, she’s had experience in the school setting, working with middle and high school students, surrogacy, and private practice counseling, providing services to teenagers and couples. When not in the office, she enjoys Sporting KC soccer games, time with her husband, Joey, her dog, Luke, and every opportunity to visit family in Colorado. 

Nishia Dennis headshot

Makenzie Cutsforth

Client Advocate

Makenzie grew up in Northern Minnesota and moved to the Kansas City area in 2017. She has always had a heart for adoption and helping others who are going through difficult situations. Makenzie has a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Liberty University and hopes to one day pursue her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. She loves spending time with her family, fiancé, and their dogs, Jax and Jane, playing card games, cooking, and going for drives.
Nishia Dennis headshot

Lindsay Kastner

Development Project Coordinator

Lindsay hails from Connecticut and while a New Englander at her core, she has affectionately called Kansas City home since 2010. Adoption was first imprinted on her heart when, at 20, she went to India for three months to work as an English tutor in an orphanage. That experience changed her worldview and redirected her career goals towards the non-profit sector. Prior to Zoe’s House, Lindsay worked in donor development and marketing for a global, Christian non-profit. She considers working at Zoe's House a career highlight because of her passion to encourage and proclaim the dignity of all women. In her free time Lindsay loves to travel with her husband Martin, have long talks with friends, read novels, binge a good series, and play with her dog, Hugo.

Nishia Dennis headshot

Nikki Pauls

Family Advocate

Nikki has been preparing families for adoption since 2004. She started out as a social work intern for an international adoption agency and just never left. Nikki is passionate about educating adoptive families about grief and loss issues and the unique complexities of adoptive parenting. Nikki has been working for Zoe's House from the very beginning and feels privileged to have seen this agency grow to be the ministry it is today. A native of Kansas City, Nikki currently lives in Overland Park with her husband Brian, and two daughters Yiyi and Simone.
Nishia Dennis headshot

Amber Helms, LMSW

Client and Family Advocate

Nishia Dennis headshot

Christen Spencer

Office Manager

Growing up as the oldest of three, Christen has an innate desire to nurture and assist others. This led her to pursue serving the Kansas City community post the completion of a four year degree at MidAmerica Nazarene University in 2018. She married the love of her life in 2020 and the two purchased a home in Overland Park the following year. Christen enjoys serving in her local church alongside her husband as well as the dear friends who have become like family over the last four years. Frequent walks with their two dogs, quality time with family, and a cheesy reality TV show binge is how the Spencer’s spend most of their time. Christen treasures the opportunity to serve families and the ability to provide hope to lives both new and seasoned.