Our Team

ANGIE SWANSON-KYRIACO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR  

Angie Swanson-Kyriaco (she/her) began her nonprofit career working for a supportive housing organization before working for Planned Parenthood for thirteen years. Angie is the first birthmother to be the Executive Director of MPA. She has a MA in Psychology from Antioch University Santa Barbara, is a certified life coach, and is a part of the 2022 Women Leaders for the World Abortion and Reproductive Health, Rights & Justice cohort. As a birthmother, Angie has a deep understanding of the support, community, and advocacy that birthmothers need and deserve. She is on the Santa Barbara County Commission for Women, the Isla Vista Youth Projects Board of Directors, and has served as an appointee to the Santa Barbara County Behavioral Wellness Commission. Angie is a lifelong Californian and shares her home with her husband and cats. 

PEARL CHEN, DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRAM COORDINATOR 

Pearl is a native of San Francisco, a birthmother, and a social worker. She has been involved with MPA for over ten years since coming on as a board member in 2011. As the Development and Program Coordinator, Pearl offers a range of skills including but not limited to: managing communications, database management, supporting day-to-day operations, and providing services to and working with the birthmother community.

 

Birthmother Support Team

 

DR. CAMMY FROUDE, PHD AND LMFT 

Dr. Froude earned her Doctorate degree in Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Connecticut and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Medical Family Therapy at the University of Colorado. Dr. Froude is an EMDR trained therapist who utilizes a wide range of evidence-based techniques to help her clients solve problems. Over the years, she's helped thousands of people break free from the toxic hold of self-doubt, constant worry, and low mood and create a path to joy and fulfillment. Dr. Froude is the retreat support clinician at MPower Alliance retreats, facilitating workshops and 1-1 coaching onsite. She also leads the "Growing Into You" coaching program for birthmothers.

 

Our Board

 

CHRISTINA OGBURN-CHOW, PRESIDENT

Christina is a proud adoptive mother and adoptee. Her professional background is in project and program management, and she currently leads a team of program managers at Juniper Networks. She has been with MPower Alliance for six years in various Board roles and aims to use her professional skillset to further the goals of the organization. In addition to MPA, Christina also volunteers her time with the San Mateo-Foster City Education Foundation and Women's March San Francisco.

 

JENNY O'TOOLE, TREASURER

Jenny began volunteering with MPA in 2019. She served as Co-Chair for the Annual Gala in 2020 and 2021. She is a birthmother who placed her son in an open adoption in 1995 and, to this day, has a great relationship with him and his adoptive family, staying connected on a regular basis. Jenny's career has evolved in the marketing industry, bringing 30+ years of graphic design and project management experience to the table in her board member role.

RAMONA LUGO PEDERSEN, HISTORIAN

Ramona has been a member of the MPA board since 2012. She is a mother through adoption and a vocal advocate of open adoption. Ramona is the Event Manager for the British Consulate-General San Francisco alongside her volunteer activities with MPA. Her focus beyond birthmother and adoptee support are educational equity and voter rights.

AMI SHETH SAGEL

Ami, an attorney for over 15 years, is currently working as a solo practitioner in Orange County, California. Her work focuses on adoptions and other child custody cases, including dependency matters, foster family adoptions, and guardianships. Ami also worked for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles and Riverside. At Riverside, she served as the Branch’s Project Safe Childhood and Human Trafficking Coordinator. She is a graduate of the University of Chicago Law School and Claremont McKenna College. Ami has served as a board director for the Inland Empire Chapter of the Federal Bar Association; Co-Chair for Mommy Esq. (a committee of the Orange County Bar Association); and as a member of Asian Pacific American Lawyers of the Inland Empire often the last hope for parents who have struggled for years and desperately want their own family.

JENNY BARNES

Jenny is a first mother who was introduced to MPower Alliance when her son she placed was 2 years old. After having her son’s adoption become closed and discovering the supportive birthmother community at MPA, she has become an advocate for post-placement birthmother services. She has led workshops at MPA birthmother retreats and has participated in several MPA Galas as a speaker. Jenny has studied early childhood education and currently works as a childcare provider.

ASHLEY MORALES, VICE PRESIDENT

Ashley has been a part of MPower Alliance for 9 years and is a proud birthmother. With love and support from her son’s family, they have all stayed connected throughout the relationship and shared many milestones. She understands the complexity of adoption and advocates the importance of post-placement care for birth mothers/parents. Ashley appreciates the journey every birth parent shares and lifting up the voices from those experiences. Her professional background is in Event and Sales Management, where she has organized and networked for many events in Santa Clara and San Benito County. Ashley is thrilled to bring her experience and passion to the role of Board Vice President for MPower Alliance.

JENNY SINDEL

Jenny Sindel first became involved in the adoption community in 2005 when she worked as an open adoption counselor at a local agency. She started volunteering with MPower Alliance at its inception in 2008 then transitioned to an employee as Program Director from 2011 to 2018. Jenny has always had a special interest in meeting the needs of birth mothers. She has a BS in Human Development from UC Davis and a MS in Counseling from San Francisco State University. She is also a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.