The Journey Adoption Consultants Team
Leigh Ann Dale, Owner & Adoption Consultant
Hello, Hello! I'm Leigh Ann! I married my husband, Alex, in November 2007 and we immediately knew we wanted to grow our family. For the next four years, we tried to build our family and spent a lot of time and money on fertility treatments and never achieved a successful pregnancy. During the holidays of 2011, we spent a lot of time reflecting on how we wanted to build our family. While adoption was not our first choice initially, it became the best decision we’ve ever made. With the help of an adoption consultant, we adopted our son in June 2012, and then our daughter in November 2017. Our journey wasn’t always easy, but in the end, our hearts are full, we gained two children, and more family members to love.
During our adoption journeys, I learned a lot out adoption and realized that so many people also needed guidance and help. Since adopting my daughter in 2017, I did a lot of soul-searching and praying to God for my next steps. My family is complete, but I know there are many families who are not. I decided with my own experience and knowledge, and my heart for adoption, I wanted to help other families grow by adoption. In August 2018 I started Journey Adoption Consultants, LLC. While your journey and calling to adopt may look different than mine, I want to help and guide you through this process so that you know you have someone on your side.
Fun facts: I could eat Mexican food and Chick-Fil-A daily. I am a Georgia Peach but hate peaches. I'm a Georgia Bulldawg and I bleed red and black! My favorite place to visit is the beach. My favorite stores to shop at are TJ Maxx, Target, and Old Navy.
Whitney Tomlin, Adoption Consultant
Hi! I’m Whitney. I’m originally from a small town in North Alabama, but have made Santa Rosa Beach, Florida my home! I married my husband, Michael, at just 19 years old — after dating for 5 months. What can I say, I like to live on the edge, HA! Michael and I had always wanted to adopt, but our plan was to have biological children first. In 2013 we were blessed with our sassy + sweet baby girl. Unfortunately, after giving birth to her I hemorrhaged and had to have an emergency hysterectomy. Being so young, this was a total shock and a very hard next few years for our family — but we had no idea it would lead us to our best yes! In 2017, we said YES to adoption despite all of the questions we had and someone else said YES to us! We adopted our son in September 2017 and he has changed our world in all the right ways. In the Summer of 2019 we started the process again for baby #3 and our baby boy was born in December 2019!
I have always had a heart for helping others, but over the past few years my love for adoption has grown so much. I have a huge passion for this process and the people walking through it. I know how scary taking these first steps can be, and what it feels like to need someone to walk this journey with you. My hope is that I am able to be that for you while you embark on this exciting adventure to grow your family!
Fun Facts: I write for a local Mom’s Blog. I’m an Alabama fan (Roll Tide!). I could live off coffee (maybe I already do!?). I’m a sucker for cute kid’s clothes. My favorite flower is a sunflower. My favorite stores to shop at are Target, Altar’d State, and.. Target. ;)
Bre Starks, adoption consultant & agency specialist
Hi! I’m Bre. In 2011, I married my high school sweetheart Corey. From the early stages of our relationship we both shared a desire to grow our family and wished to do so through adoption. Once Corey completed seminary, we began our adoption process in 2018. Just a few months later our beautiful little Stella was born in June 2018. She is our entire world! We share a great open adoption relationship with her birth family and are so blessed they chose us! I have experienced both the joys and sorrows in adoption. In 2020 when we began the adoption process again, Corey and I experienced a disrupted adoption. Although it was not what we had planned nor hoped for, we know that the Lords plans are greater than ours and we trust He is continuing to write our adoption story.
I have a HUGE heart for adoption. I love to share, educate, and encourage others considering adoption and navigating their adoption journey. There is no greater love we can show! My hope is that I can be a support to those seeking their own little one and connect them with the perfect adoption agency or resource to grow their family.
Fun Facts: I have had my cosmetology license for over a decade and love doing hair. My morning workouts are a must! I don’t like coffee…but love a good iced coffee and of course, Chick-fil-a sweet tea. The beach is my favorite place be. I’m an Alabama fan (Roll Tide!). My favorite stores to shop at are Target and Old Navy.