Dawn Hembd

Q&A with Dawn

• What do you do at Angel?

  I'm your Profile Coordinator. A family profile is one of the most powerful tools you have in the adoption process. It helps expectant mothers peer into the lives of our hopeful adoptive parents. My expertise helps me navigate through your photos to select the best ones to tell the story you want to convey. When your written story is completed, I make sure you're presented with your best foot forward. My goal is always for the final result to be beautiful!

• When did you join the Angel team?

  I started helping adoption dreams come true in September of 2017.

• What motivates you to get up and go to work?

  I look forward to "work" everyday. It's hard to call something you love to do work! My coworkers are amazing, we all share the same passion and work seamlessly together. The second thing I do every morning (first is coffee!) is check my emails. I truly love communicating with our hopeful adoptive parents. I enjoy helping, answering questions, and putting their minds at ease. I want every experience to be a positive one. I love being able to make that happen.

• What is your favorite inspirational, motivational, or positive-thinking quote?

  “When the first baby laughed for the first time, its laugh broke into a thousand pieces, and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies.” — Peter Pan

• What's your personal connection to adoption?

  I simply wouldn't be here if it weren't for adoption. I have several relatives who are adopted and they created my family. In addition to my direct relatives, my incredible sister-in-law, who was adopted, gave me five amazing nieces and nephews. My best friend since 3rd grade is adopted; she is the mother of two beautiful children I consider my niece and nephew. Love, not DNA, makes us family!

• What advice do you have for our waiting families?

  I know it can feel overwhelming at times, but don't forget you're not alone. You have a great team behind you. Trust the process and lean on your team and support system. Continue your normal daily life, find ways to have fun, and laugh. This is a great time to try a new hobby or go back to something you've been meaning to finish. Document your "waiting" story and take lots of pictures of your adventures and silliness. I'll want those photos later!

• Who inspires you and why?

  My biggest inspiration is my parents, they're both warriors!

• What are you passionate about?

  Animals! Any and all, big or small, hair or scales.

• Where is your favorite place to be?

  On the back of our motorcycle headed to see family or friends or to find a new, fun place.

• What are you proudest of?

  My children. My biological kiddos are now young adults, they are out on their own, happy and thriving. My bonus children — I have four thanks to my fiancé — have enriched my life so much. We are so blessed to have a combined six!

• What books are at your bedside?

  Always a mystery novel. I love Patricia Cornwell and Tess Gerritsen.