Our Staff & Board

Melissa Kennedy Panto

Melissa has spent her entire professional career supporting children, teens, and families who have been impacted by trauma. Most recently, she served as the Executive Director of a children’s bereavement center, where she spent fourteen years building and leading the clinical program and walking alongside grieving children and families.

She brings a grief-informed lens to the adoption space, recognizing and honoring the loss that can coexist with joy. Melissa holds a master’s degree from Lesley University and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Additionally, she is a Registered Art Therapist and values creativity as a tool for empowerment and connection.

As the Executive Director, she is honored to serve the AWL community and is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations while building upon the agency’s strong foundation and trusted reputation.

Nancy Rosenhaus

Nancy has a Master’s Degree in Social Work with extensive experience over 38 years. She came to AWL in October of 1988 and became the Associate Director in 2001. Nancy counsels expectant/birth parents who are considering placing their child for adoption and she works with hopeful adoptive parents who are excited to build their family through adoption. Nancy also provides on-going counseling for families regarding talking to their children about adoption and has chaired the SEARCH committee which has begun a search and reunion program at AWL. She has facilitated reunions between birth parents and adoptees. She has been a guest speaker for school systems training faculty about adoption issues. Nancy is married has two adult daughters and a new grandson.

Brittany Peters

Brittany joined the staff of Adoptions with Love, Inc., in July 2018. Brittany is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations at AWL, and also works closely with prospective adoptive parents. As an adoptive mother herself, Brittany is particularly excited for the opportunity to work with individuals and couples embarking on the journey of adoption. Brittany holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University and a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Suffolk University, and prior to joining AWL, she worked for a local nonprofit organization focused on sexual and reproductive health. Outside of work, Brittany enjoys traveling, reading, and being a mother to her young son. She is also the office “genius bar”.

Jessica Traniello

Jessica joined the staff of Adoptions with Love, Inc., in 2018 coming from Boston Children’s Hospital, where she counseled families of children with chronic illness. At Adoptions with Love, Jessica works closely with both expectant/birth parents and adoptive parents. Seeing families created brings so much joy to her as well as making a connection to a young woman facing the crises of an unplanned pregnancy. Jessica holds an undergraduate business degree from Syracuse University and a master’s degree in social work from Boston University. Outside of work, Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband, two young children and her dog, Bowser.

Kate Borrero

Kate joined the staff of Adoptions with Love, Inc. in April 2021 as a clinical social worker. Kate provides counseling to expectant/birthparents as well as working with adoptive families throughout their adoption journey. As a Transracial Adoptee, Kate has always been passionate about adoption and is grateful for the opportunity to work with all members of the adoption triad. Kate received her BA in Sociology from Pitzer College and then went on to receive her MSW from Simmons School of Social Work. Outside of work, Kate enjoys spending time with her husband and two children and loves being by the water whenever possible.

Sharon Fitzpatrick