Meet Our Social Services Team: Lisa Baronner, Pennsylvania

Did you know that America World works in all 50 states and has offices in 23 states, including our Pennsylvania adoption office? We provide home study and post-adoption services to families adopting domestically and internationally, through America World or through another licensed agency. Each state is directed by one of our trained adoption professionals who share our vision for placing children in loving, Christian homes. Our Directors are a vital part of our organization, and each month we would like to honor them by spotlighting one of them on our blog.

This month we highlight Lisa Baronner, Director of our Pennsylvania adoption office.

Lisa has been with America World since 2005. She is herself an adoptive parent of three children, and she brings more than two decades of professional and personal knowledge and experience to her role as Director. Her clients appreciate her wisdom and insight as she walks along with them on their adoption journey. Here’s some interesting information about Lisa:

Where were you born?  Where do you consider home?

I was born in Erie, Pennsylvania.  I had my sights set on moving to Pittsburgh after college, but I met my future husband the month before I left so I am STILL in Erie, my hometown.

What is your favorite movie?  Why?

My favorite movie is Sense and Sensibility.  It is so refreshing to watch people of high moral character do the right thing at great personal cost, only to be blessed in the end.

At an ice cream shop, you are most likely to order:

Something greasy like a cheeseburger or fries.  I worked at Dairy Queen while I was in high school and college, and I ate my entire lifetime quota of ice cream during those years.

Any pets? 

I have a rescue dog that was severely abused and has worked through some intense PTSD.  She still spends most of her day between our claw foot bathtub and the bathroom wall or behind a chair in the living room, but she has grown back all of her hair.

Advice for new adoptive parents?

Have no expectations for your children, and love and accept them right where they are.

What was the best vacation you ever had?

My “make up” honeymoon the year after we were married. We went to Cancun the day after our wedding and my husband got sick the first day after eating some soup.  He spent the week in bed and I went on all of our excursions alone.  So the next year we loaded up our Honda civic, got in the car and drove south on an adventure with no agenda and very little money, but it was great!

Famous person you would like to meet?

Ronald Reagan.  He had a great sense of humor, a strong faith, and amazing leadership skills.  I think he would be fun to hang out with.

If you are looking for adoption services in the State of Pennsylvania and would like to work with Lisa and her team, visit our Pennsylvania page to learn more about what we do and how we can help you.  You can reach Lisa and her Pennsylvania adoption team from this page as well.