About Us
A Mission For The FFTA Community
To be the trusted resource, advocate, and connector that advances wellness for all families and communities.
A Shared Vision With Our Members
Communities where every family has the support they need - and every child has the chance to thrive.
We partner with child welfare, mental health, and other human service organizations to amplify their impact by:
Advocating for effective policies at the national and state levels that strengthen families and communities.
Equipping our members with continuing education, best practices, purposeful convenings, and other resources so they are prepared to meet the needs of those they serve.
Connecting our members to share knowledge and solutions, creating a stronger, more united community of support.
Our Work Is Anchored in 5 Values
We Shape the Future With 8 Areas of Strategic Focus
The FFTA Staff
Family has always been at the core of our work, and it is our family-focused lens that distinguishes FFTA and guides how we show up alongside you. Combining expertise with genuine care and a commitment to making a difference for the good of families, our team reflects purpose, perspective, and a deep belief in the work we do together.
Ryan Dowis
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As Executive Director of FFTA, Ryan leads efforts aimed at elevating connection, education, and advocacy across a national network of family-serving organizations. He partners with members, stakeholders, and community leaders to help advance innovative solutions, elevate best practices, and to support their well-being work in communities across the United States and beyond.
Ryan brings nearly 30 years of experience across nonprofit, public-sector, and human services organizations, with expertise in organizational strategy, partnership development, systems improvement, and child and family well-being.
What drives Ryan most is helping organizations and leaders anticipate emerging challenges, recognize new opportunities, and use their collective voices and experiences to help shape stronger futures for families and communities. He is passionate about connecting people, ideas, and resources in ways that spark collaboration, elevate impact, and help emerging leaders grow their impact.
When he’s not supporting the FFTA Community, you can find Ryan and his husband enjoying life on a small lake in rural Missouri and spending time with family and friends.
Eric Giovanni
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As Managing Director, Eric ensures seamless operations to best position FFTA to deliver connection, education, and advocacy across a national network of family-serving organizations. He serves as a strategic partner to the Executive Director and Board of Directors, helping develop and execute annual plans and financial strategy. Eric collaborates closely with FFTA’s Membership and Signature Events teams to support and empower members to better serve families and communities.
Eric brings nearly 30 years of experience across nonprofit human service organizations, with expertise in financial strategy, change management, and operational excellence. Eric holds a BA from the University of Notre Dame, an MSW from Washington University in St. Louis, and an Executive MBA from Rockhurst University.
Eric is humbled by the collective wisdom of FFTA members and driven to facilitate connections within the community. He is passionate about helping family-serving organizations solve complex problems and enjoys sharing financial insights with non-finance professionals.
When he’s not supporting the FFTA Community, you can find Eric traveling with his wife, playing pickleball, and cheering on Kansas City’s sports teams.
Treva Johnson
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Treva serves as Director of Public Policy and State Partnerships. She works alongside members, policymakers, and partners across the country to advance policies that strengthen children, families, and communities.
Treva helps bridge policy and practice through federal and state engagement, coalition building, and strategic partnerships. She works to ensure the voices and experiences of providers, caregivers, youth, and families inform decision making while helping members navigate an ever-changing policy landscape. She also leads FFTA’s Annual Public Policy Institute, bringing together leaders to learn, connect, and drive meaningful change.
With more than 30 years of experience in child and family well-being systems, Treva previously served as Executive Director responsible for North Carolina operations within a multi-state organization providing treatment foster care, adoption, and behavioral health services. Throughout her career, she has served on numerous boards, advisory groups, and collaborative initiatives focused on strengthening supports for children, families, and communities.
Treva’s driven by creating opportunities for collaboration that lead to stronger systems and better outcomes for children and families.
When she’s not supporting the FFTA Community, you can find her spending time with family in the North Carolina mountains.
CONTACT >
Jessica Perrilliat Smith
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As the Director of Communications and Partnerships, Jessica leads marketing, strategic communications, and creative initiatives, amplifying the voices, needs, and impact of FFTA’s national network of family-serving organizations and communities they serve. She handles content, materials, and brand stewardship across online platforms, printed resources, publications, and events, ensuring timely information, insights, and opportunities reach the FFTA Community. Working closely with state chapters, Jessica provides collaborative communications support. She also manages the Corporate Sponsorship Program, cultivating partnerships with organizations and leaders committed to family well-being.
With 15+ years of experience spanning higher education, nonprofits, and small businesses, Jessica’s driven by a passion for service, storytelling, digital engagement, and interactive communications rooted in educational advancement, cross-sector connections, advocacy for underserved communities, and holistic care for children, youth, and professionals.
Jessica holds a Bachelor of Arts in Audio Production from Howard University and a Master of Arts in Media Industry Studies from the University of North Texas. When she’s not supporting the FFTA Community, you can find her doing barre fitness, serving in church, or making memories with her son.
Allie Koscielny
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As Director of Signature Events at FFTA, Allie Koscielny leads the development and delivery of conferences, institutes, webinars, and other professional development experiences that bring together family-serving professionals from across the country.
At the heart of Allie’s work is a belief in the power of connection to strengthen organizations and communities. She partners with FFTA Members, thought leaders, and key partners to create engaging learning experiences that encourage collaboration, spark new ideas, and advance wellness for children, families, and communities.
With more than a decade of experience in association management and event leadership, Allie brings expertise in strategic event planning, stakeholder engagement, and the creation of impactful learning experiences in both virtual and in-person environments.
What inspires Allie most is creating opportunities for people to connect, learn, and support one another. She believes meaningful relationships are often the foundation for meaningful change in the lives of children, families, and communities.
When she’s not supporting the FFTA Community, you can find her hiking, playing soccer, exploring new places, or enjoying the outdoors with family and friends.
Schylar Baber
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Schylar is the Director of Human Services Impact & Innovation, focused on advancing equity and strengthening family-based care across North America.
He supports members by connecting strategy with real-world impact - driving initiatives like the reimagining of Treatment Family Care Standards, the FFTA Executive Leadership Collaborative, and innovation in foster parent recruitment. His work helps organizations lead with clarity and confidence in service of FFTA's mission.
With over 20 years of experience in nonprofit management and public policy, Schylar brings deep expertise in child welfare, mental health, and healthcare systems. He holds a Master's in Public Administration from the University of Montana and is actively pursuing an Innovation Engineering certification. Eleven years of lived foster care experience ground everything he does.
He is motivated by one simple belief: behind every strategy is a child, caregiver, and family who deserve better - and that reminder never gets old. When Schylar's not supporting the FFTA Community, you can find him walking dogs with his husband, chasing quiet moments, or plotting his next trip back to Montana.
Matt Priest
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Matt serves as the Membership Experience Manager at FFTA, where he connects with and supports a nationwide network of members. In this role, he engages with member organizations and chapters to foster collaboration, strengthen relationships, and equip them with tools and encouragement to excel in their work. Matt provides oversight of the FFTAConnect platform, manages records, and conducts outreach to non-member organizations seeking the support of a trusted association like FFTA.
He joined FFTA as a long-standing partner, bringing over 25 years of experience managing foster care programs at two member organizations. Matt believes deeply in the power of authentic relationships and draws on his hands-on field experience to understand and support the daily challenges members face.
Matt holds a Bachelor of Science in Family Science/Psychology from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Bellevue University. When he’s not supporting the FFTA Community, you can find him spending time with his wife, two children, and their two rambunctious pugs, as well as playing and watching sports—especially Nebraska Cornhuskers athletics.
Michelle Mitchell
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In her role as Operations Associate, Michelle supports administrative functions and helps ensure efficient, member-focused day-to-day operations.
With extensive hospitality management experience, Michelle excels at building meaningful relationships and providing personalized support to members and colleagues. She plays a key role in supporting the FFTA team across a wide range of functions, including human resources, member engagement, communications, event planning, financial management, and Board of Directors activities. Michelle is dedicated to strengthening connections, supporting member success, and contributing to operational excellence throughout the organization.
When she’s not supporting the FFTA Community, you can find Michelle with weights in hand or riding her Peloton, while negotiating with her playful cats who insist that all workouts are a team sport.
Michelle Dawson
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Michelle D. is an Operations Associate, overseeing and implementing key financial and operational functions for FFTA, our chapters, and members. Michelle performs bookkeeping functions, processes membership dues, maintains membership records, and manages other operational processes, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations in furtherance of FFTA’s mission to be the trusted resource, advocate, and connector that advances wellness for all families and communities.
Michelle brings more than a decade of experience in nonprofit operations, including database management, risk management, and financial reporting. She also has years of project management experience, working for both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. At FFTA, she takes pride in managing some of the less visible work that allows her teammates the time and space to use their unique talents to support members directly.
Michelle earned a Bachelor's of Science from Boston College. When she’s not supporting the FFTA Community, you can find her active in her local community and parenting her two children in Lee's Summit, Missouri. She was also recently elected to her local Board of Education, serving a three-year term.
The 2026 Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is a dedicated group of leaders and change makers who help guide FFTA’s path forward. Drawing from their own experiences across the field, they provide strategic insight, thought leadership, and a steady focus on the future to ensure our work continues to grow, adapt, and serve in meaningful ways.
Chairperson
Erin Keltner - President, KVC West Virginia
Vice Chairperson
Renee Brown - Chief Executive Officer, DePaul Community Resources
Strategy & Foresight Committee-Chairperson
Felicia Kellum - Senior Associate, Annie E. Casey Foundation
Board Development Committee-Chairperson
Kirsten Walker -Senior Vice President of Learning & Organizational Development, Rise, Inc.
Fund Development Committee-Chairperson
William Matt - CEO & President, SAFY
Council of Chapter Chairpersons-Chairperson
Melinda Waterman - WV State Manager, Blueprints
Immediate Past Chairperson
Dr. Amy Strickler - Sr. Director of Quality Assurance & Contracts, Texas Family Care Network
Directors
Annette Gannaway-Hudson, Executive Vice President of Administrative Services, Our Children’s Homestead
Brenda Chapin, Consultant
Dr. Christina Vela, CEO, St. Jude's Ranch for Children
Dr. Mark Bouie, Senior Vice President, Foster Care, Meritan, Inc.
Gianna Mulkay, Executive Director, Foster Love
Nancy Dorfman Schwartz, Chief Operating Officer, Hephzibah Children’s Association
Nichole Young, President of Child Welfare, Omni Family of Services
Renay Crouse, Executive Director, The Bair Foundation
Brandon Warner, Vice President Community Relations & Director Permanency Services, The Children's Community Programs of Connecticut
Lauree Copenhaver, Executive Director, Human Services Consultants
Robert Basler, Associate Vice President, Arrow Child & Family Ministries
Shelia Rancatore, Executive Director of MO Programs & Services, Cornerstones of Care
You Belong Here
We know this work is never easy. You carry the weight, navigate complex systems, and give your time, effort, and heart to work that truly matters. Your care and commitment do not go unnoticed, and no matter your role, you belong here too. We are ready to offer you intentional support, honoring both your passion and well-being, as you continue supporting children, families, and communities.