Board of Directors 2024-2025
Liz Wade
Executive Director & CEO
Liz Mehaffey Wade was born outside Daegu, South Korea, and adopted when she was 3 months old to northern New Jersey. She has done extensive research on foster care, domestic, and international adoption, and has presented and published her findings at various conferences. She graduated from Union College with Political Science and Philosophy degrees, and earned her Masters of Social Work degree at the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in adoption and child welfare. Liz has won various awards for her adoption work, including the Dr. Ruth Smalley Award for her work in international adoption, and Emerging Leaders in Adoption. Liz visited Seoul in 2011, where she studied the transracial identity of adoptees returning to their birth country. Liz created an adoption consultation business, where she lends her experience to families interested in adoption and foster care. Liz has returned to South Korea three times, most recently to connect with her birth family. She hopes to return soon. Contact: [email protected]
Liz Mehaffey Wade was born outside Daegu, South Korea, and adopted when she was 3 months old to northern New Jersey. She has done extensive research on foster care, domestic, and international adoption, and has presented and published her findings at various conferences. She graduated from Union College with Political Science and Philosophy degrees, and earned her Masters of Social Work degree at the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in adoption and child welfare. Liz has won various awards for her adoption work, including the Dr. Ruth Smalley Award for her work in international adoption, and Emerging Leaders in Adoption. Liz visited Seoul in 2011, where she studied the transracial identity of adoptees returning to their birth country. Liz created an adoption consultation business, where she lends her experience to families interested in adoption and foster care. Liz has returned to South Korea three times, most recently to connect with her birth family. She hopes to return soon. Contact: [email protected]
Kyle Farrell
Vice President & Co-Social Coordinator
Kyle Farrell was born in Seoul, South Korea and was adopted at 4 months old from Eastern Social Welfare Society. He grew up in Fairfax County, Virginia and attended college at East Carolina University, earning a BSBA in Marketing and Supply Chain Management. He currently works in the Aerospace and Defense industry and relocated to Philadelphia from Raleigh, NC for a job opportunity in 2019. Kyle made his first trip back to Seoul in December 2023 with his sister who is also a Korean Adoptee, as part of the OKA Gathering, which welcomes back overseas adoptees from around the world. During this trip he was able to connect with many fellow adoptees and remains in touch with them. He hopes to get more Philadelphia based Korean Adoptees involved in opportunities to return to Korea to explore their roots and to learn more about their homeland. Contact: [email protected]
Kyle Farrell was born in Seoul, South Korea and was adopted at 4 months old from Eastern Social Welfare Society. He grew up in Fairfax County, Virginia and attended college at East Carolina University, earning a BSBA in Marketing and Supply Chain Management. He currently works in the Aerospace and Defense industry and relocated to Philadelphia from Raleigh, NC for a job opportunity in 2019. Kyle made his first trip back to Seoul in December 2023 with his sister who is also a Korean Adoptee, as part of the OKA Gathering, which welcomes back overseas adoptees from around the world. During this trip he was able to connect with many fellow adoptees and remains in touch with them. He hopes to get more Philadelphia based Korean Adoptees involved in opportunities to return to Korea to explore their roots and to learn more about their homeland. Contact: [email protected]
Darragh Hannan
Co-Social Coordinator & Graphics Designer
Darragh Hannan was born in Seoul, South Korea and adopted as an infant to Minnesota. She attended the University of Notre Dame for undergrad, studying history, art, and design, then earned her MA from the Savannah College of Art and Design in Illustration and Design. Relocating to the East Coast from the Midwest has offered a myriad of opportunities to explore Korean American culture and become involved in Korean adoption organizations. One of her primary goals is to bring the Korean and Korean Adoptee groups in the Philadelphia area together to share community and culture. She is currently planning her first trip back to Korea to reunite with birth family. Contact: [email protected]
Darragh Hannan was born in Seoul, South Korea and adopted as an infant to Minnesota. She attended the University of Notre Dame for undergrad, studying history, art, and design, then earned her MA from the Savannah College of Art and Design in Illustration and Design. Relocating to the East Coast from the Midwest has offered a myriad of opportunities to explore Korean American culture and become involved in Korean adoption organizations. One of her primary goals is to bring the Korean and Korean Adoptee groups in the Philadelphia area together to share community and culture. She is currently planning her first trip back to Korea to reunite with birth family. Contact: [email protected]
Former Board of Directors
Monica Serroukh
Co-Founder
Monica Mesics-Serroukh is the co-founder of KAAP. She was adopted with her twin sister Megan when they were almost two years old and also has a Korean adopted brother. Monica grew up in Nazareth, PA and attended Temple University where she received her bachelor's degree. Monica and her twin went to Korea for the first time in 2001 since being adopted to meet with their biological father and four half siblings; her last trip back to Korea was in 2003. She has also spoken several years in a row at a national conference on subjects related to adoption, reunification, and identity. Her passion within the adoption community and adult adoptee community continues to grow on a personal level and as a life-learning experience. Monica resides in the suburbs of Philadelphia with her husband and daughter and enjoys time spent with her family, friends, and the adoptee community.
Monica Mesics-Serroukh is the co-founder of KAAP. She was adopted with her twin sister Megan when they were almost two years old and also has a Korean adopted brother. Monica grew up in Nazareth, PA and attended Temple University where she received her bachelor's degree. Monica and her twin went to Korea for the first time in 2001 since being adopted to meet with their biological father and four half siblings; her last trip back to Korea was in 2003. She has also spoken several years in a row at a national conference on subjects related to adoption, reunification, and identity. Her passion within the adoption community and adult adoptee community continues to grow on a personal level and as a life-learning experience. Monica resides in the suburbs of Philadelphia with her husband and daughter and enjoys time spent with her family, friends, and the adoptee community.
Kyle McDonald
Social Coordinator
Kyle McDonald was adopted when he was 5 months old. He also has an older sister who was also adopted when she was 3 months old. Kyle originally got involved with adoptees by volunteering 5 weeks during the summer of 2009 for Holt's Adoptee camp for ages 9-16. Kyle stays active in the adoptee community by attending various adoptee forums. Kyle also was on the board for Holt's first New Jersey Gala. During Kyle's free time he enjoys cooking, listening to probably to much NPR, and photography. Kyle and his sister Danielle do plan to visit Korea sometime soon together. Kyle is also going through his birth parent search and is just waiting for answers.
Kyle McDonald was adopted when he was 5 months old. He also has an older sister who was also adopted when she was 3 months old. Kyle originally got involved with adoptees by volunteering 5 weeks during the summer of 2009 for Holt's Adoptee camp for ages 9-16. Kyle stays active in the adoptee community by attending various adoptee forums. Kyle also was on the board for Holt's first New Jersey Gala. During Kyle's free time he enjoys cooking, listening to probably to much NPR, and photography. Kyle and his sister Danielle do plan to visit Korea sometime soon together. Kyle is also going through his birth parent search and is just waiting for answers.
Chris Pokropski
Social Coordinator
Chris Pokropski was adopted at six months old to a family of three in Hollister, California. His parents soon separated, and he moved to Philadelphia with his older brother, who was adopted several years prior, and his Mom. He attended Central High School, and graduated from Drexel University with a degree in Information Systems. He returned to Korea in 2008 by himself, and spent two weeks roaming the city and enjoying getting lost. He plans on visiting again with his brother when their schedules permit. Contact: [email protected]
Chris Pokropski was adopted at six months old to a family of three in Hollister, California. His parents soon separated, and he moved to Philadelphia with his older brother, who was adopted several years prior, and his Mom. He attended Central High School, and graduated from Drexel University with a degree in Information Systems. He returned to Korea in 2008 by himself, and spent two weeks roaming the city and enjoying getting lost. He plans on visiting again with his brother when their schedules permit. Contact: [email protected]
Amanda Nestleroth
Co-Founder
Amanda Nestleroth is the co-founder of KAAP. She was adopted with her older sister Jenn when they were four years and five years old respectively. Amanda grew up in Lancaster, PA and attended the University of Pittsburgh where she graduated with a degree in Psychology. She hopes KAAP will help others in search of their Korean roots and provide support for adoptees, especially her two nephews and niece who were also adopted from Korea. Amanda will be returning to Korea during summer 2014 to meet her birth mother.
Amanda Nestleroth is the co-founder of KAAP. She was adopted with her older sister Jenn when they were four years and five years old respectively. Amanda grew up in Lancaster, PA and attended the University of Pittsburgh where she graduated with a degree in Psychology. She hopes KAAP will help others in search of their Korean roots and provide support for adoptees, especially her two nephews and niece who were also adopted from Korea. Amanda will be returning to Korea during summer 2014 to meet her birth mother.
Brian Anderson
Social Coordinator & Graphics Designer
Brian Anderson was adopted at the age of 6 months from through Holt by his family in Southern New Jersey. He graduated with a BFA with a specialization in Graphic Design from Rowan University. Brian's first trip back to South Korea was his experience studying abroad at Korea University in the fall of 2011. He returned 3 years later via the InKAS summer camp trip. Brian currently lives in South Philadelphia and works in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He enjoys riding his bike around the city to various taco locations. Contact: [email protected]
Brian Anderson was adopted at the age of 6 months from through Holt by his family in Southern New Jersey. He graduated with a BFA with a specialization in Graphic Design from Rowan University. Brian's first trip back to South Korea was his experience studying abroad at Korea University in the fall of 2011. He returned 3 years later via the InKAS summer camp trip. Brian currently lives in South Philadelphia and works in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He enjoys riding his bike around the city to various taco locations. Contact: [email protected]
