Brandi VanAntwerp

Published: Dec. 22, 2023, 6 p.m.

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Brandi VanAntwerp is the executive director of Foster Adopt Connect Inc. While her journey to that role is a full circle story, the path had many turns, including a childhood dream to practice law and become a country music singer. But her love for giving back to others has been a constant theme \\u2013 she held her first fundraiser when she was just 12 years old. Brandi was born into a home with abuse at the hands of her biological father, but her story changed when her mom left and later remarried. Her stepfather, who she calls dad, adopted her as a young girl, and Brandi says that repair to her family system was critical to her development. Now in her work, she\\u2019s helping kids who face similar family trauma. In this conversation, Brandi talks about her journey to nonprofit work, becoming a foster parent herself and leading with empathy.

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