National charitable organization welcomes North Shore resident and travel expert to its national board
Chicago, IL – Gift of Adoption Fund, a non-profit organization providing financial assistance to complete both domestic and international adoptions, is announcing the newest member of its Board of Directors. Susan Wenzel, Travel Advisor at Direct Travel, is an experienced Gift of Adoption volunteer. Now, she’s leveraging her time with the organization and diverse skillset to play a vital role on Gift of Adoption’s leadership team.
“We rely on our national board members to assist us with a wide range of governance tasks,” says Pam Devereux, CEO of Gift of Adoption Fund. “Susan’s experience with Gift of Adoption and her leadership experience will be a vital addition to our team.”
Today, there are more than 150 million orphans in the world with 415,000 children in the U.S. alone living without permanent families[1]. Gift of Adoption puts adoption in reach for more parentless children by providing the final funding necessary for adoptive families to welcome a child home. Through her role on the national board, Wenzel will help Gift of Adoption expand its national reach and place more children in nurturing homes.
Wenzel earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business from Georgia Southern University and a Master’s in Accountancy from Western Illinois University. After nearly a decade working with Arthur Andersen & Co., Wenzel took time off to focus on raising her three sons. She then pursued a career in the travel consulting industry, where she currently works as an independent contractor organizing luxury travel with Direct Travel.
A resident of Glenview, Illinois, Wenzel frequently volunteers at Gift of Adoption’s national office in nearby Northbrook. Her passion for adoption began five years ago, after a close family member adopted a son.
“It changed the family dynamics in such a profound way I saw the nurturing side of my sons like I had never seen before. This little boy became their little brother. It made me realize what a gift adoption truly is,” Wenzel says. “I feel that I know Gift of Adoption very well, having volunteered in many different capacities. I have a unique perspective on its operations and policies which I believe will be very beneficial to the organization.”
About Gift of Adoption Fund
Gift of Adoption is a national charity that provides grants of up to $15,000 to complete the adoptions of vulnerable children. Priority is placed on helping children facing what is possibly their only chance at adoption, including those at-risk of separation from siblings, entering foster care, aging-out of an orphanage, or with special needs. Gift of Adoption is the largest provider of adoption assistance grants on a nondiscriminatory basis (without regard to age, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or marital status) and our grants are paid directly to adoption agencies and attorneys working on the child’s behalf. Since inception in 1996, Gift of Adoption has awarded $9.7 million to give 3,338 children permanent families and the chance to thrive. Gift of Adoption is recognized by Charity Navigator and the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. Visit www.giftofadoption.org to learn more and visit https://giftofadoption.org/joinourboard/ to learn about current board opportunities.