Staff

Rev. Trina Bell Morrison, an ordained elder of the United Methodist Church, was appointed Executive Director of Hannah’s Hope in June 2006.  Trina did her undergraduate studies at Lambuth University in Jackson, TN, graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelors of Music Degree in Church Music and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Vocal Music Education.  She did her seminary studies at Candler School of Theology at Emory University, receiving her Master of Divinity degree, cum laude with a Certificate in Christian Education.  She has served pastoral appointments in Fayette, Obion and Shelby counties in Tennessee.  Trina’s passions have long been in ministry with children and families.  Previously, she has served as a preschool teacher and center director, youth pastor and director of children’s and educational ministries in the local church setting.  Trina is an adoptee who has had relationship with her birth family for more than ten years.  Her life experience gives her insight into the hearts of both birth parents and prospective adoptive parents and she is committed to providing compassionate and professional services to all members of the adoption triad.  Trina and her husband are the proud parents of two daughters.

Susan Prince, LCSW, Adoption Specialist, has been with Hannah’s Hope since November 2007. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee Knoxville where she completed her Bachelor of Arts, with honors, and her Masters of Science in Social Work.  She has worked with children and families in the Memphis community for over 20 years in mental health, education and church ministries. Susan has loved assisting in creating healthy families through adoption. Susan serves clients in the Metro Memphis area.  She also gets great pleasure in working with both birth and adopting parents through some of their most difficult and joyful times. Susan has two daughters, Carey and Ellie, and a son, Michael, who amuse and delight her.

Sheryl Monroe, BSW, joined the Hannah’s Hope team in November 2007. She is based in Jackson, TN and serves clients in the West Tennessee area.  Sheryl has a Bachelors of Social Work Degree from Union University and has worked in a variety of settings, including child services, hospital social work and home health.  This field of social work has been her passion for the last 20 years. She has developed many resources in the West TN area though these positions and this has proven to be a valuable tool when working with birth mothers and families in the area. Sheryl and her husband have three children.

Kay Knaff, LCSW, has been employed with Hannah’s Hope since 2006 and serves as Adoption Supervisor. Kay has an undergraduate degree from Newcomb College of Tulane University and a Masters of Science in Social Work from the University of Tennessee.  Kay has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 1995 and has over 20 years of experience working with children and adolescents with behavioral problems.   Kay became involved in adoption as she and her husband John became adoptive parents in 1998 and again in 2001.  Kay is an advocate for open adoption as her two sons have enjoyed an ongoing relationship with their birth mothers and view their birth family as a part of the extended family.  Kay is compassionate about the struggle and loss a birth family experiences when making an adoption plan and admires the strength and selflessness of the birth parents.

Alesia Thomas has been employed as Office Manager at Hannah’s Hope since July 2009. She is often the first voice a client hears when calling our office and is the hub of all activity at Hannah’s Hope.  She processes all client documents and handles accounts receivables and payables.  She and her husband are the proud parents of a college-aged son.