---
title: My Role as Gladney's CEO
description: My role as Gladney's CEO is part strategic planner, part story teller, and part cheerleader. ~ Mark Melson
image: https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/hubfs/Staff%20Photos/Mark-Melson.jpeg
---

[![Gladney Center for Adoption](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/hubfs/Adoptionsbygladney_November2017/Images/gladney-logo.svg "Gladney Center for Adoption")](http://adoptionsbygladney.com)

- [I'm Pregnant](https://gladneyadoption.com)
- [I Want To Adopt](https://adoptionsbygladney.com/i-want-to-adopt)
- [Post Adoption Support](https://adoptionsbygladney.com/post-adoption-support)
- [About](https://adoptionsbygladney.com/about)
- [Resources](https://adoptionsbygladney.com/resources)
- [Contact](https://adoptionsbygladney.com/contact)

- [I'm Pregnant](https://gladneyadoption.com)
- [I Want To Adopt](https://adoptionsbygladney.com/i-want-to-adopt)
- [Post Adoption Support](https://adoptionsbygladney.com/post-adoption-support)
- [About](https://adoptionsbygladney.com/about)
- [Resources](https://adoptionsbygladney.com/resources)
- [Contact](https://adoptionsbygladney.com/contact)

# Gladney Blog

# My Role as Gladney's CEO

Posted by [Mark Melson](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/author/mark-melson) on 8/20/19 6:32 AM

![](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/hubfs/Mark%20Melson%20Web%20Photo.jpg)

Find me on:

[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-melson-b7744912/)

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

![Mark Melson, Gladney's CEO](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Staff%20Photos/Mark-Melson.jpg?width=300&name=Mark-Melson.jpg)I joined Gladney on April 1, 2008 (April Fool’s Day–appropriate!) as the Chief Development Officer. The agency was in transition at that time, as the development team had just been relocated from the Gladney Fund to the Gladney Center. I later began working with different departments throughout the organization and eventually became the Chief Operating Officer. Eighteen months ago, I took the reins as [President and CEO](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/meet-the-new-gladney-president-ceo). I have worked in the nonprofit world for the past 24 years, and I’m continually amazed by the generosity of our society. I have learned over the years that people are motivated to make a real impact. It has been my job to tell the story and show how a person’s support can change lives. At Gladney, we have the privilege of doing that every day.

The adoption journey is never a straight line, and occasionally, challenges do arise. Each day, I’m amazed by our staff’s dedication to our mission and the lengths they will go to overcome these challenges—all to create a forever family!

My role as Gladney's CEO is part strategic planner, part story teller, and part cheerleader.

- Strategic planning: I have learned over my time at Gladney that a clear vision is the best motivator and helps to answer the hard, directional questions. “Is this in the best interest of the child?” This question guides our decisions and helps us to plan our next steps.
- Story telling: This happens at every turn. While talking with an adoptive parent, a donor, or someone at the grocery store who asks about my Gladney t-shirt, the stories of our clients—adoptive families, birth parents, and children—describe Gladney better than a brochure ever could.
- Cheerleader: This happens daily around Gladney. I see it in the ways all our staff recognize great accomplishments at staff meetings, empathize with a caseworker at the end of a hard day, and reach out to offer encouragement through a phone call with a family who is wondering how much longer their wait will be.

At the end of the day, all the parts of my role lead back to one thing: there are too many children in this world who need a loving, caring, and permanent family; and it’s our responsibility to solve that problem!

[![GET STARTED ON YOUR ADOPTION JOURNEY](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4002831/f4e0cc67-4f39-477a-afe6-d75428739446.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4002831/f4e0cc67-4f39-477a-afe6-d75428739446)

 Topics: [Gladney Leadership](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-leadership)

Adoption Programs:

- [Domestic Infant Adoption](http://adoptionsbygladney.com/i-want-to-adopt/domestic-infant)
- [Foster Adoption (New Beginnings Program)](http://adoptionsbygladney.com/i-want-to-adopt/foster-adoption)
- [International Adoption](http://adoptionsbygladney.com/i-want-to-adopt/international)

### Subscribe to Email Updates

### Recent Posts

### Posts by Topic

- [Superkids (824)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/superkids)
- [Taiwan Adoption (347)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/taiwan-adoption)
- [Waiting Child (340)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/waiting-child)
- [China Adoption (226)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/china-adoption)
- [Waiting Children (225)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/waiting-children)
- [Uncategorized (224)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/uncategorized)
- [Adoption Stories (211)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adoption-stories)
- [Gladney Adoptee (182)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-adoptee)
- [Bright Futures Publication (177)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/bright-futures-publication)
- [Gladney Graduate (176)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-graduate)
- [China (142)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/china)
- [Taiwan (120)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/taiwan)
- [International Adoption (85)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/international-adoption)
- [Intercountry Adoption (36)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/intercountry-adoption)
- [Support (28)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/support)
- [Gladney Leadership (27)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-leadership)
- [Advocacy (23)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/advocacy)
- [Adoption (22)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adoption)
- [Gladney University (22)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-university)
- [Adoption Finance (20)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adoption-finance)
- [Gladney Intern Blog (20)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-intern-blog)
- [A Day in the Life of a Gladney Intern (17)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-gladney-intern)
- ["Ambassadors of Love" (16)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/ambassadors-of-love)
- [reFRAMED Podcast (16)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/reframed-podcast)
- [China & Taiwan Newsletter (15)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/china-taiwan-newsletter)
- [Insider (15)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/insider)
- [Domestic Infant (14)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/domestic-infant)
- [Counseling Services (13)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/counseling-services)
- [Development (13)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/development)
- [Foster Adoption (13)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/foster-adoption)
- [Gladney Culture & History (13)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-culture-history)
- [Legislative (13)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/legislative)
- [New York Marathon (13)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/new-york-marathon)
- [Suggested Reading (13)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/suggested-reading)
- [130th Anniversary (12)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/130th-anniversary)
- [Adoption Advice (12)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adoption-advice)
- [Colombia Adoption (12)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/colombia-adoption)
- [DS Grant (12)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/ds-grant)
- [Foster Care System (11)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/foster-care-system)
- [Testimonials (11)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/testimonials)
- [Education (10)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/education)
- [Gladney Home (10)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-home)
- [New Beginnings (10)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/new-beginnings)
- [Advocacy Camp (9)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/advocacy-camp)
- [Featured (9)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/featured)
- [Gladney Event (9)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-event)
- [Mindful Parenting (9)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/mindful-parenting)
- [National Adoption Month (9)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/national-adoption-month)
- [Special Needs (9)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/special-needs)
- [Texas Foster Children (9)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/texas-foster-children)
- [Volunteer Opportunity (9)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/volunteer-opportunity)
- [matched (9)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/matched)
- [AdoptED (7)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adopted)
- [Post Adoption Support (7)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/post-adoption-support)
- [Social Distancing (7)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/social-distancing)
- [Adoption Advocate (6)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adoption-advocate)
- [Community Partner (6)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/community-partner)
- [Community Support (6)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/community-support)
- [Down Syndrome (6)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/down-syndrome)
- [Hosting International Children (6)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/hosting-international-children)
- [#iamgladney (5)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/iamgladney)
- [Gladney Birth Parent (5)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-birth-parent)
- [Gladney Family Association (5)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-family-association)
- [Holiday (5)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/holiday)
- [Siblings (5)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/siblings)
- [Transracial Adoption (5)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/transracial-adoption)
- [Unplanned Pregnancy (5)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/unplanned-pregnancy)
- [family story (5)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/family-story)
- [#wearegladney (4)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/wearegladney)
- [Adoption Education Program (4)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adoption-education-program)
- [Clinical Support (4)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/clinical-support)
- [FSL Project (4)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/fsl-project)
- [Older Child Adoption (4)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/older-child-adoption)
- [Post Adoption (4)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/post-adoption)
- [Press Release (4)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/press-release)
- [#NAM2017 (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/nam2017)
- [#NationAdoptionMonth (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/nationadoptionmonth)
- [#allIwantforChristmas (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/alliwantforchristmas)
- [Adult Adoptee (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adult-adoptee)
- [Annual Report (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/annual-report)
- [Birthday Pledge (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/birthday-pledge)
- [Brain Development (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/brain-development)
- [Edna Gladney (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/edna-gladney)
- [Faces of Gladney (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/faces-of-gladney)
- [Gladney Friend (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-friend)
- [Grief & Loss (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/grief-loss)
- [Holiday Card (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/holiday-card)
- [Mark Melson (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/mark-melson)
- [Parenting (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/parenting)
- [Team Gladney (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/team-gladney)
- [Tips (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/tips)
- [Tools & Resources (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/tools-resources)
- [Trauma (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/trauma)
- [Wordless Wednesday (3)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/wordless-wednesday)
- [#makingadifferencetogether (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/makingadifferencetogether)
- [Adoption Finalization (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adoption-finalization)
- [Adoption Fundraiser (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adoption-fundraiser)
- [Adoption Services (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adoption-services)
- [Artwork Contest (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/artwork-contest)
- [Attachment (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/attachment)
- [Camp Forge (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/camp-forge)
- [Child Abuse Prevention (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/child-abuse-prevention)
- [Culture & History (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/culture-history)
- [Diversity Resources (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/diversity-resources)
- [Ecuador Adoption (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/ecuador-adoption)
- [FAQ (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/faq)
- [Hong Kong Adoption (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/hong-kong-adoption)
- [Hosting Program (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/hosting-program)
- [Lunar New Year (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/lunar-new-year)
- [Open Adoption (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/open-adoption)
- [Pathways Training (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/pathways-training)
- [Success Stories (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/success-stories)
- [Travel to China (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/travel-to-china)
- [picture post (2)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/picture-post)
- [#DSAM2017 (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/dsam2017)
- [#SKTaiwanNov17 (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/sktaiwannov17)
- [Adoptee (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adoptee)
- [Adoption Agency Reviews (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adoption-agency-reviews)
- [Adoption Education (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adoption-education)
- [Adoptive Parent (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/adoptive-parent)
- [Aging Out (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/aging-out)
- [Ask A Pro (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/ask-a-pro)
- [Birth Mother (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/birth-mother)
- [Birth Mother Support (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/birth-mother-support)
- [Birth Mother's Day (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/birth-mothers-day)
- [Coloring Sheets (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/coloring-sheets)
- [Dominican Republic Adoption (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/dominican-republic-adoption)
- [Donations (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/donations)
- [Expectant Parent (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/expectant-parent)
- [FSL Grant (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/fsl-grant)
- [Father's Day (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/fathers-day)
- [Gladney Adoption Day (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-adoption-day)
- [Gladney Adoptive Parent (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-adoptive-parent)
- [Gladney Campus (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-campus)
- [Gladney Family Mentorship (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-family-mentorship)
- [Gladney Impact (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-impact)
- [Gladney Night At Six Flags (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/gladney-night-at-six-flags)
- [Humanitarian Aid (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/humanitarian-aid)
- [Mother's Day (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/mothers-day)
- [NB Info Sessions (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/nb-info-sessions)
- [Next Steps Program (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/next-steps-program)
- [Podcast (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/podcast)
- [Russia Adoption (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/russia-adoption)
- [Sensory Integration (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/sensory-integration)
- [Summertime Series (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/summertime-series)
- [Teenager Brain (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/teenager-brain)
- [Thailand Adoption (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/thailand-adoption)
- [Transitional Care (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/transitional-care)
- [Ukraine Adoption (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/ukraine-adoption)
- [Webinars (1)](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/tag/webinars)

see all

##### Other links

- [I'm Pregnant](http://pregnancyhotline.org)
- [I Am Gladney](https://iamgladney.org/)
- [Adopt*Ed*](http://adoption-education.com)
- [Gladney University](https://iamgladney.org/gladneyuniversity)

- [Like Us On Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/gladneycenter)
- [Follow Us On Twitter](https://twitter.com/gladney_center)
- [Join Us On Google+](https://plus.google.com/+GladneyOrg)
- [Follow Us On Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/gladneycenter/)
- [See Us On YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/gladneycenter)
- [Follow Us On Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/gladneycenter/pins/)
- [Join Us On LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/359887/)

##### [Upcoming Events](https://iamgladney.org/all-upcoming-events)

### Gladney Blog

### Stay Connected with Us

[![Childrens Home Society Of America Logo](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/hubfs/Adoptionsbygladney_November2017/Images/childrens-home-society-of-america.png)](http://www.chsamerica.org) [![National Council For Adoption Logo](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/hubfs/Adoptionsbygladney_November2017/Images/national-council-for-adoption.png)](https://www.adoptioncouncil.org) [![Texas Alliance of Child & Family Services Logo](https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/hubfs/Adoptionsbygladney_November2017/Images/tacfs.png)![IAAME-logo](https://adoptionsbygladney.com/uploads/IAAME-logo.png)![Guide-Star-2019-Logo_recolored_52](https://adoptionsbygladney.com/uploads/Guide-Star-2019-Logo_recolored_52.png) ![recolored-logo_52_EIG](https://adoptionsbygladney.com/uploads/recolored-logo_52_EIG.png)](https://analytics.excellenceingiving.com/overview/gladney-center-for-adoption/)

 

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Mark Melson",
    "url" : "https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/author/mark-melson"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2019-08-23T17:23:12.669Z",
  "datePublished" : "2019-08-20T11:32:00.000Z",
  "headline" : "My Role as Gladney's CEO",
  "image" : [ "https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/hubfs/Staff%20Photos/Mark-Melson.jpeg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/my-role-as-gladneys-ceo",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://blog.adoptionsbygladney.com/hubfs/Logos/Gladney-Logo_Stacked-2Color-Navy_CMYK.png"
    },
    "name" : "Gladney Center for Adoption"
  }
}
```