At A Step Ahead Adoption Services, we believe in helping families grow. If you have been considering adoption, you may feel overwhelmed with the process and paperwork ahead of you. Our consultants are here to help you every step of the way as you navigate through all the steps necessary to reach your goal. We guide you from the beginning, from the first phone call to meeting the adoptive family, late night emails, financing, and finalization.
Contact one of our adoption consultants when you’re ready.
Heather Coddington, Florida
Heather has a BS in elementary education and French from Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania. For several years she worked as an elementary media specialist, followed by 8 years as a public children’s librarian and director of a small public library. Heather’s life long love of working with children naturally translated into a desire to help create families through the miracle of adoption. During their own adoption journey, Heather discovered a local adoption support group, and her passion for adoption was born. After bringing home their daughter through the help of an ASA consultant, Heather became very active with the adoption support group, encouraging others in their adoption journeys. This eventually brought Heather back to ASA to join her love of working with children with her love of adoption. Heather currently lives with her husband and two children in Orlando, Florida.
Lisa Cox, North Carolina
Lisa has a bachelor degree is sports management and journalism from the University of Dayton. After a nearly 20-year career in public relations and marketing within the sporting industry, which required extensive travel, Lisa and her husband Jason decided it was time to start a family of their own. They joined an adoption support group, which led them to A Step Ahead Adoption. They soon became clients and just a short time later were matched with their daughter.
Following a handful of years as a stay-at-home mom, Lisa reached back out to ASA. This time, she hoped to join the adoption consulting team and utilize her marketing background in a more meaningful way.
Lisa and her husband have an adopted daughter, Carter Mae. They reside in the Lake Norman, NC area.
Donna Henson, Georgia
Donna has been an Adoption Consultant for over 14 years. She and her husband adopted their son 13 years ago. John Michael is an active pre-teen and Donna is an at-home mom and consultant. Donna has a great commitment and desire to help others adopt and ensure their adoption journey is a positive one. Donna is very well versed in how adoption works, and will be with you until you have your baby in your arms. The Henson reside in Buford, GA, which is a suburb of Atlanta, GA.
Valerie Marble,
Valerie is an adoptive mom living in northwestern Kansas with her husband and two sons. She and her husband adopted their oldest son as a toddler in 2020. They adopted their second son through A Step Ahead Adoption as a newborn, in 2021. Her amazing experience with A Step Ahead inspired her to reach out to ASA in the Spring of 2023 and the rest is history! Valerie loves to share her infertility experience and how it ultimately led to the decision to adopt. Valerie is no stranger to adoption, as her mom was adopted. She’s seen firsthand how beautiful it can be and is now living the best days because of the gift of adoption. Being an adoption coach is “good for the soul” as she likes to say, and she loves being able to guide ASA families through the adoption process and share in the joy of them growing their families.
Lauren Muzzin, Georgia
Lauren has a B.S. degree in Logistics and Intermodal Transportation, and worked for six years as a Senior Supply Chain Analyst for a large furniture retailer before becoming a stay at home mom and adoption consultant. She married her high school sweetheart, Derrick, nine years ago. They live outside of Athens, GA with their two sweet boys who they adopted as infants. Boone is four and Ledger is one. After her second adoption, she felt led to help other families through their adoption journey. She feels passionate about adoption and its role in helping build families, and can’t wait to guide and support you through your adoption experience.
Whitney O'Connell, Colorado
Whitney has a B. Ed degree and has worked in the field of adoptions for over 28 years. As an adoption professional, she has helped guide families through the home evaluation process, counseled birth parents, and co-managed an adoption agency for the past 14 years. After relocating from Georgia to Colorado this past summer, she wanted to continue her service to adoptive families and joined the team at ASA. She looks forward to helping support and coach you through your adoption journey.
Amber Pomier, Texas
Amber is a married mother of one living in Texas. She had previously worked nine years in the telecommunication industry before becoming a stay-at-home mother and adoption consultant. She and her husband are loving being parents for the first time to their sweet son that they adopted in 2021 with the help of an ASA consultant. Adoption has brought so much joy and life to their family!
Amber is very open about her experiences with infertility and adoption – she loves being able to share her story and support women and families that are going through similar journeys. She is grateful she can help build families through the gift of adoption.
Laronda Southworth, Indiana
Laronda Southworth, IN, is an adoptive mom of two, married for 20 years! Professionally, Laronda has been a past VP of a telecommunications company, has helped open an adoption agency in IN and LA. She has worked with countless families across the US to help them build their families through adoption. Adopting both of their children was the “spark” that led Laronda to move into working in adoption! As a result, Laronda has worked in the adoption field for 15 years.
Laronda’s primary role with ASA is Outreach Coordinator, helping sustain our current relationships with the various adoption providers and attorneys.
Laronda clearly enjoys educating everyone she meets to talk about adoption, she says, “It is in her heart forever”.
Giovanna "Gia" Stallone, Florida
Giovanna (Gia) has a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communications from Rollins College and has worked in the tech industry for over 15 years. When Giovanna and her wife decided to start their family, they discovered A Step Ahead Adoption. Within a few short months of joining ASA, they welcomed their son to their home in TX (at that time).
Gia and her wife made the decision to move back to Central Florida after their son’s adoption was finalized in Austin, Texas. Now back home in the sunshine state, Gia has decided to leave the corporate world and begin a more genuine and purposeful career journey with A Step Ahead Adoption. Adoption has always held a special place in Giovanna’s heart. She enjoys sharing how her family was created through adoption and is honored by the opportunity to help others find theirs.