ABOUT US

Shared Beginnings began with a desire to restore voice and choice to expectant women who are considering adoption. We link arms with these brave women, connect them to community resources, and help them make informed decisions along the way.

Our dedicated team at Shared Beginnings adoption agency have a thorough understanding of the adoption process and the implications that accompany it. Which is why we are more than just staff, we’re a family. From the first call with us and long after the adoption process is finalized, we are here for you.

This is our Mission

To serve expectant moms who want to protect their child’s future through adopting by providing support services, counseling, and victim protection to underrepresented and underserved populations of expectant moms and families.

This is our Vision

To be the change for the adoption process by providing representation for expectant parents, transparency for the courts, and facilitating family connections between biological and adoptive families to sustain culture and connections.

MICHAELA MONTIE

Executive Director

About Michaela

Michaela is an adoptive mom of 3 beautiful kids-Mya, Asher and Kade. She grew up in the cornfields of Ohio and received her degree from Cedarville University but loves Northwest Arkansas. Michaela and her husband Scott have been married for 11 years. Her passion is helping serve brave moms who want to make the best choice for their children.

JULIA HUDSON

Program Director

About Julia

Julia oversees our expectant mom care coordinators and other programs at Shared Beginnings. Julia is mom to Josie and can’t wait to continue to grow her family. She is an Enneagram 9 who grew up in Georgia and has just relocated to the NWA area. She received her bachelor’s degree in Art Therapy from Piedmont College and has been married to her high school sweetheart, Brandon. She has created a career of fighting for people who are often forgotten or ignored and wants to continue that work.

SARAH JETTON

Finance & Compliance Director

About Sarah

Sarah is a mother to a beautiful baby girl. She graduated from Southwest Baptist University with degrees in International Business and Christian Ministry. Sarah is passionate about family and helping people understand the deep love of Christ. She loves getting to report on the hard work that our team does to go above and beyond what is required to serve our clients well and getting to see the progress clients make toward achieving their goals.

MARCI DOWNING

Accounting and Compliance Coordinator

About Marci

Marci holds a degree in Healthcare Administration. With a broad base of experience, she helps to bring quality to our business operations. As a birth mother 34 years post placement and an early advocate of open adoption, Marci has a passion for connecting with other birth mothers and working to break down stereotypes. She and her husband moved to Northwest Arkansas in 2018 where she enjoys semi-retirement, reading, cooking, being outdoors, and volunteering.

EVELYN JAMES-JARVIS

Care Manager for Central AR

About Evelyn

Evelyn is a mother to her 1 and only daughter Edyn Marie. Evelyn and her husband have been married for 14 years. She graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a bachelor’s in Child & Family Studies. Evelyn has a passion for helping families to improve mentally, physically and emotionally to obtain a better quality of life.

EMILY POAGE

Expectant Mom Client Care Manager

About Emily

Emily is wife to Chase and mom to her boys, Sullivan (Sully) and Cypress (Cy). She earned a B.S. in Family and Human Services from JBU and has completed one year of her Masters in Clinical Counseling. She volunteers her time as a foster parent and in advocating for refugee families in NWA. Emily is passionate about empowering women to make choices that will help them achieve their full potential. She loves singing/playing guitar, gardening, listening to podcasts/audiobooks, and watching shows.

HANNAH CHEUNG

Education Facilitator

About Hannah

Hannah is a foster mom and is in the counseling graduate program at JBU to become a marriage and family therapist. She is passionate about education and supporting individuals and families to help them thrive. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, and curling up with her cat and a good book.

KRISTIN TANKSLEY

Prospective Adoptive Parent Care Manager

About Kristin

Kristin has worked in nonprofits for over 8 years and is passionate about working with women and helping families walk through the adoption process. Kristin has been married to Adam for 9 years and together they are raising 2 boys that came to their family through adoption. Besides being outside with her boys and camping, Kristin loves expanding her collection of indoor and outdoor plants.

MARTHA HOLLAND

Prospective Adoptive Parent Care Manager

About Martha

Martha is a Prospective Adoptive Parent Care Manager. She works remotely in order to walk waiting adoptive families through the waiting and education process until they choose their legal representation. She and husband Billy are childhood sweethearts. Martha received her degree from Cairn University and is passionate about adoption education. As an adoptee herself, Martha brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to walk prospective adoptive parents through their process and education.

LOMALINDA POLIN

TVAP Case Manager and Translator

About Lomalinda

Lomalinda is such an asset to our team. She loves working with her fellow Marshallese people and learning from them. She combines compassion, precision, and excellence in all of her work with our TVAP clients! Loma is one of our TVAP Case Managers and Translators.

Martha Newman

Home Study Social Worker

About Martha

Martha and her husband Matt live locally in Springdale, AR and have 3 children through adoption. Martha seeks to acknowledge the reality of coexisting grief and joy in each adoption story. Martha has been a social worker for 15+ years with various experience in therapeutic foster care, school based counseling, housing advocacy, & community resource coordinating. She now enjoys supporting and educating families during the home study process and always has coffee in hand.

LYDIA PARIS

Volunteer and Events Manager

About Lydia

Lydia has a passion for Jesus and for life and loves that she is able to share that with those she encounters at Shared Beginnings. She also loves playing the piano, bad puns, and will never say no if offered chocolate. Lydia has a degree in Business from Ecclesia College.