Meet the St. Elizabeth | Coleman Staff

Left to Right: Renee, Meredith, Christine, Cheryl, Shamia, and Nadja

As the Director of St. Elizabeth| Coleman’s Pregnancy & Adoption services, Renee is proud to oversee an incredibly experienced and passionate adoption team. Her commitment to creating better futures for children was fueled during her work for Marion County DCS. She is very passionate about adoption as a positive alternative and therefore has worked for St. Elizabeth| Coleman for almost 25 years. She enjoys helping couples build families through adoption.

Renee’s responsibilities include supervising the Domestic and International adoption programs, conducting information meetings, Adoption Education Trainings, overseeing domestic placements, conducting home studies, and post-placement supervision. She believes it is vital to provide education, training, preparation, and support to adoptive families during their miraculous adoption journey. In addition, she manages all adoption files to make sure we meet Indiana State licensing requirements. Renee received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Ball State University and she is a licensed Social Worker.

Renee and her husband, Jim are the parents of three children. They enjoy spending time together as a family, attending sporting events and volunteering in the community.

Mothers Teresa once said: “A life not lived for others is not a life.” Nadja feels honored to be part of a highly respected agency that has been serving women and children for over 100 years. Social service work and specifically adoption are Nadja’s passion. At St. Elizabeth | Coleman, Nadja supervises the International Adoption Department.  She provides education and guidance to families about the adoption process and assists families in finding a placing agency.  It brings her great joy knowing that our agency is part of a bigger process that connects children with their forever homes.  Her favorite part is visiting families after the adoption and seeing the children bond and thrive.

Nadja is responsible for Community Outreach.  She enjoys sharing the positives and benefits of adoption by giving presentations at schools, clinics and hospitals. As a member of the agency’s social media marketing team, Nadja produces content for our Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, and Instagram pages. She also maintains and updates our website.

Nadja completed her bachelor’s degree at Indiana University in Bloomington and earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work at the University of South Carolina. Since then, she has worked in the social work field for over 20 years. In her free time, Nadja loves spending time with her husband and 3 children.  Her favorite activities include traveling and engaging in activities that challenge her mind and body.   

Christine Higginbotham

Program Coordinator (chigginbotham@secindy.org)

Donations/Volunteers/Finance and Office

As our Program Coordinator, Christine is one of the first faces you will see when you walk in. She manages our donations and volunteer programs, as well as the outreach for these programs. Christine has her bachelor's degree in Community Leadership and Engagement. She attained her degree so she can be a strong leader within the community. She enjoys reaching out to donors and community members to share our mission so we can continue to help those in need.

At two months old, Christine was adopted from Panama. Because of this, she has always had a special connection with adoption, and a strong desire to help birthmothers in particular. She also offers a unique perspective on an adoptee panel for our Transracial/Transcultural training. Her favorite part about her work is seeing the impact we have on the community.

Christine came from a small family and married into a big one. She and her husband have two wonderful children and enjoy spending time with family the most. 

Cheryl Garlinger, BSW LSW

Consultant (Group Facilitator)

317-709-1377

Cheryl is pleased to be a consultant group facilitator who has spent over 16 years as part of a great team, first at Coleman, and now at St. Elizabeth / Coleman. Cheryl's passion is serving women in crisis and working with diverse populations.  She believes that her own life experiences of being a young, single mother and in dealing with grief and loss have uniquely prepared her for this role.  

At St. Elizabeth | Coleman, Cheryl offers guidance to pregnant women who decide to parent their infants.  She also facilitates monthly Parent Support Groups, which assist parenting women who are struggling with life’s challenges. Topics related to parenting are presented to group members, material assistance is provided, and mutual support among group members is nurtured. 

Cheryl also provides post-adoption services to clients. She offers grief and loss counseling to birth mothers and counsel related to the openness and communication in past adoptions. Cheryl facilitates a confidential on-line birth mother support group and is also is the coordinator of our agency's annual Birth Mother Luncheon. 

Cheryl graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Social Work. She also earned and maintains her licensure (LSW) through the State of Indiana.  Cheryl enjoys traveling with her husbandattending community events, and reading books.

Meredith Cobb

(Marketing Coordinator)

Meredith graduated from the University of Cincinnati in August 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication degree and a Public Relations certificate.  She is our Marketing Coordinator and helps spread St. Elizabeth | Coleman's message through social media posts, newsletters, and visits to clinics and schools!  Meredith also keeps our website updated and is in charge of putting together mini fundraisers.  Feel free to contact her regarding all things Marketing!  

She has always had a passion for helping others and working with nonprofit organizations.  Meredith enjoys spending time with her daughter Mallory as well as going to church and spending time with friends.  A few of her hobbies include photography, yoga, and cooking!  She is the newest addition to our team at St. Elizabeth | Coleman and is excited to implement new Marketing strategies!