The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a national, nonprofit public charity dedicated to dramatically increasing the number of adoptions of children waiting in North America's foster care systems. Created by Wendy’s® founder Dave Thomas, who was adopted, the Foundation implements evidence-based, results-driven national service programs and builds awareness around the growing need and importance of foster care adoption in various ways. We also develop resources for employers and families to support the adoption journey.

Through our signature program, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, the Foundation provides grants to adoption agencies to hire and train recruiters in our child-focused recruitment model to find loving, permanent homes for children in foster care. This model is up to three times more effective at serving children who have been in foster care the longest, including older youth, siblings and children with special needs.

The Foundation offers a free library of resources to help families navigate the adoption journey, such as Finding Forever Families: A Step-by-Step Guide to Adoption and Strengthen Your Forever Family: A Step-by-Step Guide to Post-Adoption. The Foundation also works to build awareness around the growing need and importance of adoption from foster care through public service announcements, social media campaigns, articles, events, sponsorships and more.

Charity

Non Profit

Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

Rita Soronen

Brie Lusheck (Diehl)

Luna Hoang

Betsy Walker

Heather Miller

Melinda Haggerty

Dean Bring

Laura Carpenter

Julianne Nichols

Clare Nejedly

The Leadership Team at the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is responsible for driving the strategic direction and overall success of the organization. This includes overseeing key functions such as development, legal affairs, business development, marketing, communications, human resources, and government relations. The team ensures the effective implementation of programs like Wendy’s Wonderful Kids and spearheads initiatives to increase awareness and support for foster care adoption nationwide.

Leadership Team

Training and Partnership Management

Adoption Program Team

Human Resources & Development

Leadership Team

About

Team members

Other teams at Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

Training and Partnership Management

Adoption Program Team

Human Resources & Development