Name: Kim Noeth

Position: Adoption Profile Consultant and Parentfinder Family Service Coordinator

Hometown: Lancaster Pa

First of all, tell us a little about your background and how you got to where you are today.
Having placed my son for adoption many years ago and then reuniting with him brought me full circle back in the adoption world. My love for other women placing their children found me creating a ministry for them that has grown beyond my wildest hopes and dreams. I was introduced to ChildConnect and that led me to our Sales Director, Greg Phelps, and then to Parentfinder. Today, it brings me joy to work with both adoptive couples and birth moms on the journey.

Take us through an average workday for you.

I have the honor of working with 96-year-old Marie by my side. She and I have shared the day for the last seven years and will do so until she decides to find more suitable company than the likes of me!

I work from a home base and this allows me to start my days early. I admit to being a slight workaholic. I love what I do and I have a hard time separating myself from my work. Unless of course I have an opportunity to catch a few bass. Bass are about the only thing that can trump work.

What is your workspace setup like? Do you have a picture? It’s okay if it’s a little messy!

I bet you would love to see my workspace, but I’ll keep you in suspense. It’s stationed in beautiful Lancaster, Pa where I landed from Long Island, New York after the most unusual of culture changes. Usually it looks like this–A phone on my ear, my computer attached to one arm and a cup of coffee to the other with Marie by my side.

What is your best time-saving hack? Or just life hack, in general?

Do the next thing. That has always been the way I manage beautiful chaos. Whether it was raising a bunch of great kids or working with a bunch of great families, I have tried to place my focus on what needs to be done next and next and next. Eventually it all gets done.

What apps or software do you rely upon on a daily basis?

Zoho for keeping the families I serve organized and accounted for, Facebook for communicating with my birth moms, and gmail. I have never worked with as many emails as I do now!

Who are the people on your team who help you get things done? How do you rely on them?

My team. I may be biased but I think I work with the best team in the world. Each person really cares and takes accountability for their work.

My team members are Greg Phelps, Colin Cummins, Mark Hurt, Gina Crotts, Mark Livings, and Bidisha Ghosh.

I met Greg Phelps first. He is like the big brother everyone needs to have. He finds a way to make everything work and is always willing to improve situations.

Colin reminds me of one of my own dear older sons, so he was an immediate in with me. His creative youth and experienced writing perspective have been a great addition to the team. He works hard and cares about the families he serves.

Mark Hurt is such a great guy. He works hard beyond the normal hours to finish tasks and help us all. His desire to work hard and his kind, caring ways are contagious.

Gina was an immediate good fit. She brings with her the connection of being a fellow birth mom herself and inspirational writers touch.

Mark L is the mastermind behind the vision and I’m always inspired by his ability to create technology that meets the needs in the adoption world. Bidisha Ghosh is invaluable and ever present each day in the behind the scenes work of Parentfinder.

How do you keep track of all your tasks? How do you optimize your time each day?

I try to always document what I am doing so I don’t lose track of anything. I know how stressful life can be for people and I want each family I serve to feel cared for and to know their needs are important to me so I take notes and try to do things right away so I don’t lose track of them.

How do you recharge outside of work?

I love to spend time with my family and my best friend for life, my Greg. If we are not riding one of his two Harleys, we are definitely in the boat fishing for bass. It was the most complicated sport I have ever had to try and follow but now I’m hooked – pun intended. I’ve finally learned the names of most of the millions of different lures and with each season I am getting better. I’ve learned the art of losing and tasted the victory of winning a tournament or two or three…did I say I was “hooked?”

Are you working on any side projects right now? Do you have any other passions that you pursue outside of work?

Yes my biggest side project is to reach EVERY women that has ever placed or is considering placing a child for adoption with love and encouragement.

What are you currently reading? (Or listening to? If you’re into podcasts)

Podcast would be “Ike Live Fishing Talk.”

Reading- I am always reading for the work I do with birth moms. Currently, I am creating my own book for birth moms, “The Post Adoption Journey Guide” so I have to read lots of different resources for that.

What is the best single piece of advice someone has ever given you and why?

Nothing hard is ever easy and some things will get better, some worse and some will stay the same. Just keep showing up and do what you can each day. It’s real advice that meets people where they are at and I am all about real.