Our Team

Nathan Samuel, MS is a graduate from Freed-Hardeman College and received his Master’s Degree from Nova Southeastern University. He has devoted his career to helping children and families overcome difficulties and trauma and to not only survive but thrive. He has served with Childplace since 1986.

Brian is currently the Chief Operating Officer. He joined Childplace in 1998 where he has worked in numerous roles: residential staff, fund raiser, program supervisor, and Chief Operating Officer. In addition to Brian’s tenure at Childplace, he has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in a psychiatric hospital setting as well as in out-patient therapy.  Brian received his BS in Public Affairs from Indiana University; Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary; Post-Master’s Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Louisville; Certificate in Fund Raising Management from The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University; and Juvenile Sexual Offender Counselor Certification from the University of Louisville Family Resource Center.  

Kristi received a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois and a Masters degree in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.  Before joining Childplace in 2011, she worked at Six Sigma Blackbelt with Ford Motor Company. Kristi works with all the programs at Childplace leading the Performance and Quality Improvement efforts and ensuring the agency meets licensing and accreditation requirements. Kristi is very active in her church and, as an adoptive mom, advocates for initiatives to meet the needs of children by investing in families and encouraging foster and adoption opportunities.

As Finance Manager and grandmother of five beautiful blessings from God, I find joy in both numbers and creativity. By day, I provide accurate, trustworthy bookkeeping services. Whether it is reconciling accounts or crafting the perfect Excel template, every decimal has a purpose and getting out of alignment doesn’t happen on my watch. By night, I practice pointillism by creating detailed works of art one dot at a time. Family keeps me grounded and art keeps me inspired. I value patience, precision and the stories behind every spreadsheet and piece of art I produce.

Jenny earned a BA from Freed Hardeman University and an MA in from the University of Louisville, both in English. After teaching college English, she returned home to Jeffersonville and began working for Childplace in 2016 where she transitioned into Human Resources. While the career path may have been new, the agency and its mission were not—Jenny’s parents were house parents for the agency (then South-Central Christian Children’s Home) when she was born, and she has had connections to Childplace throughout her life. When she’s not working, Jenny can often be found working jigsaw puzzles, sewing, or walking her dog Jasper (who is truly the best boy).

Mindy brings to Childplace 12 years of clinical experience, having worked as a therapist in both community and private practice settings. She is a graduate of Indiana State University (B.A. in Psychology) and Ball State University (M.A. in Counseling Psychology). She obtained the credentials as Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the state of Kentucky as well as a National Certified Counselor. Mindy retired from her role as therapist in 2014 to serve as full-time stay-at-home mom to her two children. In the fall of 2021, Mindy started work at Childplace and was tasked with creating the Independent Living curriculum for our residential youth program. In December of 2022, she transitioned to her current role as Intake and Referral Coordinator.

Emily received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kentucky. She has served in multiple social service settings since graduation, including a food pantry and homeless shelter. Emily joined the Childplace team in May of 2018 as an administrative assistant in the counseling office. She transitioned to her current roles in foster care & adoption in 2020. 

Bellamy received her BS in Biblical Counseling at Boyce college in Louisville, KY. Bellamy has experience through various opportunities serving children and families at different capacities. Bellamy provides case management support children and foster families.

Collin graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Organizational Communication and Leadership from Murray State University and joined the Childplace team in January of 2025. He is currently pursuing his Masters of Divinity from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and is working on his certificate and license for Biblical Counseling through Southern Seminary as well. He is a member of the Kentucky Army National Guard and has served on staff with the First Baptist Church of Murray, KY, primarily working with the Youth and Children’s Ministries. Collin provides case management support for foster children and their foster families. He also has experience working in elementary schools with gifted children.

Ellen received her Bachelor of Science in Strategic Communications from Boyce College in Louisville, KY. She has several years of formal and informal experience in childcare and is excited to continue caring for the needs of children and their families in a new capacity. Ellen joined the Childplace team in January of 2025 and aids the foster care department in foster family recruitment as well as assisting with agency wide marketing efforts.

Since 2012, Mashiur Khan, MD, has faithfully served patients and families in the Southern Indiana region and has now been with Childplace for over 10 years. Originally from Huntington, West Virginia, he completed his Bachelor of Science at the University of Notre Dame. He attended the University of Louisville for medical school, psychiatry residency, and child and adolescent fellowship. He was awarded the Mohammad Shafii, MD Award for Excellence in his fellowship. He is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He has been involved in all levels of care, including acute inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient and traditional outpatient (including telepsychiatry).

Dr. Khan follows the philosophy of treating the whole person and family system and utilizes the biopsychosocial spiritual formulation to guide diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Khan has also developed a special interest and expertise in utilizing genetic testing for psychiatric medications in his practice.

Outside of work, Dr. Khan spends time with his wife and 2 children. He is classically trained as a pianist and violinist. He holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He enjoys working on his golf game as well as driving cars. 

Melissa received her MSSW through the University of Louisville and obtained her LCSW two years after graduation, in 2014. She has her certification in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy and is a TBRI Practitioner. In addition, she has experience in working with children and adolescents who have experienced trauma, experienced foster care and children and adolescents who have been adopted.

Melissa has been married to her husband Kyle for over 15 years and has two children. They all enjoy spending time outside, going to Reds baseball games, and traveling to the beach.

Lisa received her MSSW through the University of Louisville. Lisa has her certification in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy. She has completed the University of Louisville’s Juvenile Sexual Offender Counselor Certification Program. Lisa also has received the title of Master Addiction Counselor through the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals.

Susan received her M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Indiana University. She obtained her LCSW and LMFT license in 1993. She also has her certification in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Susan has extensive previous experience working in private practice and community based services.

Jake likes jumping out of airplanes and solving Rubik’s Cubes for fun, though not (yet) at the same time. He earned a Bachelor’s in Preaching from Johnson University in Tennessee, then a Master’s in Counseling from Asbury Seminary in Florida. When he started his career, he served as a Connections Pastor in the Christian Church, and a Case Manager at Lifespring, before coming to Childplace in 2021. Now, he works as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate and serve clients of all ages and with various mental health concerns. In the office, he often uses techniques of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Internal Family Systems. He wakes up every day to partner with people who are navigating life’s challenges and help them create good lives, full of clarity, peace, and significance. One of his favorite quotes is “History proves you’ve survived 100% of your most difficult days. You’ve already come so far, so don’t give up now, just take the next right step.”

Lauren is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with her Masters in Social Work and Masters in Couples and Family Therapy from the University of Louisville. She has been a practicing clinician since 2019 with a background in working with children and adolescents who have experienced trauma. She has been trained in both Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help children and families heal in the aftermath of trauma. Lauren believes whole heartedly in working together with families and other support systems to help her clients build resiliency and work towards healthy attachments. In her free time, Lauren loves to spend time with her husband and two dogs as well as singing, dancing, or reading.

Samantha received her Masters in Clinical Health Counseling from Spalding University, and in 2024 she obtained her license to practice. Prior to working with Childplace, Samantha gained experience working with families and children involved with the Department of Child Services and Probation Services. She enjoys using games and activities to foster a positive therapeutic relationship with her clients. She’s a self-proclaimed nerd at heart and enjoys incorporating that into her sessions. She has dreams of pursuing a Psy.D. in Art Therapy one day! In her free time, she likes to read, build legos, and spend time with her fiancé and her dog, Nova.

Christian joined Childplace in the summer of 2014. He graduated from IUS with his Bachelors in Secondary Education; and then in 2023 graduated from Indiana Wesleyan with his Masters of Social Work. He currently operates in several different roles at Childplace: traditional therapy, Intensive Behavioral Intervention, client groups and skill building, and parent skills training. Beginning in spring of 2024, he began utilizing a certified Therapy Dog in conjunction with traditional therapeutic practices. Korra the therapy dog quickly became a cherished member of the Childplace team.

Mariah Blalock brings a unique blend of frontline experience, leadership, and heart to her role as Coordinator of Staff Recruitment, Development, and Retention. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Franklin College and has spent her career working closely with teams and youth in high-impact environments.

Mariah began her leadership journey in the retail world, managing teams at Dollar General and Walgreens before transitioning to social services. She has served as a foster care case manager, foster parent, and residential staff supervisor, giving her a well-rounded perspective on both the challenges and opportunities in youth-serving work.

In her current role, Mariah focuses on building strong teams, supporting staff growth, and creating a culture of care and accountability. Her goal is to help staff feel supported, equipped, and connected—so they can do their best work with the youth and families we serve.

Logan joined Childplace in March of 2024 after receiving his bachelor’s degree in psychology. He serves as a Residential Treatment Manager and a Credentialed Sexually Abusive Youth Professional in the residential cottages. Logan is currently studying for his master’s in social work and hopes to use his education to further support the residents at Childplace.

Ingrid received her Bachelor of Science in Philosophy and Politics from Boyce College in Louisville, KY. She has worked with children and families in multiple different capacities and is passionate about promoting human flourishing in the communities she works with in her current role. Ingrid provides case management and client advocacy support for the clients and families in her care in the residential treatment program at Childplace.

Ally is a Licensed Social Worker and received her Masters in Social Work through Indiana University. Ally joined the Childplace team in 2017 and has served in multiple roles within the agency. She completed certification through the Advocacy and Training Alliance to be a Credentialed Sexually Abusive Youth Clinician and is trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Ally has experience working with children and adolescents involved with the Department of Child Services and Probation Services.

Audrey earned a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education from Hyles-Anderson College in 2005. After completing college, Audrey went on to work with youth and families overseas by serving in ministry as a missionary in the Philippines for 15 years. When the global pandemic brought Audrey and her family back to the US in 2021, Audrey was seeking a job that would continue to provide as much purpose and meaning as her years in mission work did. Childplace presented the opportunity that Audrey was seeking. She began working as a campus supervisor in residential for 2 years prior to transitioning to her current role of residential treatment manager. Audrey loves the children she is privileged to provide care for through her work at Childplace along with her own 5 children at home.

Seth Donoho has worked at Childplace NORTH since 2017. Before accepting his current role as Program Supervisor, Seth served as the Qualified Developmental Disability Professional, helping to develop support plans and build effective relationships with the clients he worked with. Seth has his Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, specializing in Play Therapy from Abeline Christian University. Seth is very passionate about advocacy and care for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Sydney has been with Childplace NORTH since December of 2016. She has served in multiple roles including Residential Youth Worker, Residential Youth Specialist, Staffing Supervisor, and most recently as the Associate Program Supervisor. She received her Bachelor of Modern Music Ministry from Visible Music College in 2016, and four years later went on to pursue her Master of Science in Clinical Psychology which she completed in December of 2024 through Capella University. 

When Sydney is not at work she enjoys spending time with her husband of almost ten years, as well as playing board games or going on adventures with her friends and family. She also enjoys serving at her church in the worship ministry and finding time to bake sweet treats!

Morgan has been with Childplace since September of 2018 as the Residential Treatment Case Manager for the Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities Program (North Campus). Morgan has a bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in Social Work from the University of Southern Indiana. Prior to working at Childplace, Morgan had experience working for the Department of Child Services, working in the local school system, and working in an Applied Behavior Analysis setting. Morgan believes these past experiences paved her way to Childplace, where she has found her passion in providing the best care, support and advocacy for the clients she serves.

Sarah Ash has served as the Community-Based Program Supervisor at Childplace Family Services since 2014. She earned an MSSW from The University of Louisville’s Kent School of Social Work. Sarah began her career working with a local hospice provider learning from individuals with life-limiting conditions. Through this work, Sarah became passionate about relationships as a tool for healing.  Sarah is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy, and regularly uses these approaches in conjunction with principles of Trust-Based Relational Intervention with kids and families who have experienced trauma to remove barriers, restore trust, and promote emotional and relational flourishing.

Mary-Caroline is a dedicated Home-Based Case Manager with a heart for advocacy and a deep commitment to serving individuals and families in need. A graduate of Boyce College, Louisville, KY with a background in education, Mary-Caroline brings both practical experience and a compassionate approach to her work, walking alongside adults and children as they navigate life's challenges. She is passionate about building meaningful connections and providing support that honors each person's dignity and story.

Caroline Cunningham earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Family Studies from Johnson University in Knoxville, TN. She has professional experience in foster home licensing, as well as in training and equipping foster parents and support staff. Since joining Childplace, Caroline serves as a Community-Based Case Manager. In her work with children and adults facing challenging life circumstances, she is committed to walking alongside others with compassion and support—empowering individuals to pursue wholeness and success in ways that reflect their unique needs.

Emily received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kentucky. She has served in multiple social service settings since graduation, including a food pantry and homeless shelter. Emily joined the Childplace team in May of 2018 as an administrative assistant in the counseling office. She transitioned to her current roles in foster care & adoption in 2020. 

Ellen received her Bachelor of Science in Strategic Communications from Boyce College in Louisville, KY. She has several years of formal and informal experience in childcare and is excited to continue caring for the needs of children and their families in a new capacity. Ellen joined the Childplace team in January of 2025 and aids the foster care department in foster family recruitment as well as assisting with agency wide marketing efforts.