Randie Bencanann MS, LCSW, (415) 359-2497
Co-Director
Randie has been co-director of Adoption Connection for 21 years and her work continues to challenge her. She enjoys guiding adoptive parents and birth parents through the adoption process to a successful outcome. Prior to her work in adoption she provided health education to teens and young adults.






Rachel Breuer, (415) 359-2440
International Program Manager
Rachel is available to our families throughout their international adoption process. She works closely with international placing agencies, Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the State of California to make sure that all international homestudy and post-placement requirements are met. Previously Rachel organized programs for a local event-planning company, and she also held a previous position on our staff as the Outreach Coordinator in the domestic program. She is excited to be back in her new role managing the International Program. Rachel is an adult adoptee.


Lynne Fingerman MSW, (415) 359-2498
Co-Director
Lynne has been the co-director of Adoption Connection for the past 23 years, since the organization first took shape in November of 1984. There have been many changes in adoption law and practice since the agency's inception, and Lynne is proud to have created a model for Identified Agency Adoption, now a nationwide standard. Lynne loves leading agency workshops and helping create families. She and her husband have two children, one of whom was adopted at birth.

Shelly Helstowski, (415) 359-2478
International Adoption Administrative Coordinator
Shelly assists adoptive families through the intricacies of the international adoption process. From the search for an appropriate agency or facilitator, to working to complete the post-placement requirements and California re-adoption she is there every step of the way. With poise and diplomacy she helps guide clients through complicated homestudy guidelines and CIS procedures. Shelly, a certified notary public, previously worked for a foster/adoption agency helping families receive the therapeutic services they required.

Tamara Hernandez, (415) 359-2491
Domestic Adoption Administrative Coordinator
Tamara assists adoptive families during their domestic homestudy, making sure this important first stage of the adoption process runs smoothly.  She also works in our growing Stepparent/Domestic Partner program and she answers questions from birth parents that call us from around the country.  Previously Tamara worked with clients at a home health agency in Santa Barbara, California.

Malia Kane, (415) 359-2462
Assistant Manager of Communication and Outreach
Malia works in both our international and domestic programs organizing and scheduling our numerous pre- and post-adoption workshops.  She makes sure that Adoption Connection is known throughout Northern California through our outreach to clinics, hospitals and social service agencies.  Since finishing her study at Seattle University, Malia has worked in the nonprofit sector with increasing levels of responsibility, most recently as a case manager for dually diagnosed homeless adults.

Karin Rice, (415) 359-2493
Domestic Adoption Administrative Manager
The adoption process doesn't end once a baby is placed with a family. Karin ensures that the adoption runs smoothly from the beginning to the very end, when the adoption is finalized. As the interstate compact placement administrator, Karin ensures that all legal requirements are met and documentation is complete for out-of-state adoptions. She works closely with our regional caseworkers and attorneys during post-placement, and she answers the questions families ask as they finalize their adoption. Prior to joining us, Karin worked at the Texas School for the Deaf.


Kim Simon, (415) 359-2492
Communication and Outreach Manager
Kim educates soon-to-be adoptive parents about the process of domestic adoption. She manages our Birthmother Outreach Program, and enjoys working with clients to create and edit their Dear Birthmother letter. Kim also coordinates Adoption Connection's marketing and outreach services, and enjoys meeting with staff and volunteers in clinics, hospitals, and social service agencies. Kim's recent adoption experience includes working with adoptive families and birth families nationwide to provide support, education, and resources as they begin their journey of growing their family. Kim is also part of an adoptive family, and feels honored to have the opportunity to walk this path with others as they begin their own adoption journey.

Nan Toder LCSW, (415) 359-2495
Adoption Coordinator
Nan works directly with birth and adoptive parents helping to facilitate the relationship between the two families. Nan also completes domestic partner adoption reports resulting in a second legal parent for the children of same-sex partners or stepparents. In independent adoptions Nan advises birthmothers as an Adoption Service Provider (ASP). Nan also plays a vital role in developing our adoption symposiums. Nan enjoys all aspects of her job but takes particular pleasure in visiting with newly created adoptive families.