To say I am deeply humbled to accept this position as A Family Tree's new Executive Director is an understatement. For the last few years I have had the privilege of witnessing Kristine run this organization with grace, passion, and an unbelievable amount of energy, which she has been doing for the last 30+ years. I'm honored that Kristine has chosen me to take over her legacy and I am excited to begin trying to fill the very large shoes that she has left for me.
I started working at AFT as an intern while earning my master's degree from Columbia University's online Master of Social Work program during the height of COVID. I was attracted to the agency due to my personal experience with adoption, and quickly unearthed a deep passion for supporting child welfare and family permanency within the local community.
Over the last 2.5 years I’ve had the pleasure of working directly with prospective adoptive parents in preparing them for adoption through the home study process, counseling and training them, learning about their motives to adopt, helping them expand their perspectives, and supporting them as they consider all the information that I share with them through both my personal and professional experiences.
I've watched as several families have taken placement and actualized their dream of bringing a child into their home through adoption, which makes all the hard work worth it.
I am so grateful for this opportunity and our community's support, and look forward to earning your trust as I lead our organization into a new chapter.
With aloha,
Shaylah Nichols, LSW
