Herbie Newell serves as the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services, holds an MBA in Accounting from Samford University and brings years of experience from his work as an independent auditor at WAKM Companies, LLC. Serving as Lifeline's Executive Director since 2003, Herbie has significantly expanded international outreach, obtained licensure in 17 states, and led the establishment of the foster care arm. A passionate advocate, he co-founded (un)adopted in 2009, focusing on equipping orphaned children with life skills for community transformation. Herbie, also the author of "Image Bearers: Shifting from Pro-birth to Pro-Life," emphasizes that being pro-life extends beyond opposing abortion, urging a broader ethic that includes fighting for racial equality and embracing every individual with the love of Christ. Herbie and his wife, Ashley, reside in Birmingham, Alabama, and are the parents to three children.

As Vice President of Engagement, Rick Morton shepherds the ministry’s outreach to individual, church, and organizational ministry partners as well as the ministry’s commitment to publishing resources that aid families and churches in discipling orphans and vulnerable children. Prior to Lifeline, Rick served for 15 years as a college and seminary professor, and he also served local churches in Tennessee, Louisiana, and Mississippi. He is an accomplished writer and sought after speaker. Most notably, Rick is the co-author of the popular Orphanology: Awakening to Gospel-centered Adoption and Orphan Care and the author of KnowOrphans: Mobilizing the Church for Global Orphanology. Rick and his lovely wife Denise have been married for over 32 years, and they have 3 children, all of whom joined their family through international adoption. God has continued to grow their family, and he now enjoys the role of “Doc” to his precious granddaughter!

Jana is a Licensed Social Worker who has served at Lifeline Children’s Services since she graduated from Auburn University in 1996. She currently serves as the Director of International Adoption for Lifeline and embraces overseeing international adoption programs and leading and coaching her teammates. Jana began her time at Lifeline working in domestic adoption, birth mother counseling, and foster care. From 2002 to 2019, Jana was the Eurasia Program Director. While serving as Eurasia program director, she developed and facilitated international adoption programs for Bulgaria, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, and Ukraine. In addition to her current role, Jana is certified by the TCU Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development as a TBRI practitioner. She has taught many subjects including attachment styles, caregiving, and behavior response. Jana has been honored to use her teaching skills domestically and internationally with families, teammates, and the countries she serves. She and her husband Luke have two boys and a beautiful daughter-in-law. Their oldest son graduated from the Capstone College of Nursing at The University of Alabama in May of 2021 and is recently married. Their youngest son is currently studying Aerospace Engineering at The University of Alabama.

Karla Thrasher is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a licensed social worker. She is also a TBRI® Practitioner, certified by the TCU Karen Purvis Institute of Child Development. Karla has been on staff at Lifeline since 2001 and currently serves as the Director of International Adoption. In her role, Karla is privileged to manage the day to day of Lifeline’s International Department and provide leadership to the international team. She coordinates with other Lifeline departments and outside ministry partners to better serve waiting children and families. Some of the specific focuses in Karla’s role at Lifeline are government compliance, customer service and quality assurance.  She considers it a great honor to share the gospel through the gift of adoption! Karla lives in Birmingham, AL with her husband Jamie. They have three adult children. Karla’s family are her biggest cheerleaders in her ministry at Lifeline.