Join Utah Adoption Rights co-founders Ashley Mitchell and Kelsey Vander Vliet Ranyard for an informative workshop on the ongoing crisis of Utah's private adoption practices. This session will unpack how “adoption tourism,” financial incentives, and weak safeguards in the law create conditions that advocates say blur the line between adoption and exploitation, and why Utah has been called the “wild west” of adoption. Join us to learn about Utah Adoption Rights’ organizing and storytelling work, key provisions in the forthcoming adoption amendments bill, what to watch in the upcoming legislative session, and how recent media coverage is shaping the push for meaningful reform.

About Ashley:
Ashley Mitchell is the Director of the Knee to Knee post placement program, set out to seek increased care, understanding, and resources for birth mothers. For almost two decades, Ashley has been one of the most consistent and sought after birth mother voices in the nation. Well known for her vulnerability and transparency in adoption, her story and advocacy has touched the hearts of countless members of the adoption community and beyond. She is the co-host of the Twisted Sisterhood Podcast and the mad creator over at Big Tough Girl.

About Kelsey:
Kelsey Vander Vliet Ranyard is the Director of Policy & Advocacy at Ethical Family Building, where she leads state and federal efforts to enhance protections for all parties in private adoption and center children’s long-term well-being. As a birth mother in an open adoption and a longtime professional in private adoption, she brings uniquely modern insight to adoption reform policy. Kelsey is dedicated to spotlighting the lived experiences of all parties in adoption through storytelling and advocacy; she is the co-author of the 2023 book Adoption Unfiltered, co-founder of Utah Adoption Rights, and co-producer of the documentary Carrying (2026). She also serves on the Advisory Council of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, lending her lived and professional expertise to national conversations on adoption and child welfare policy. Kelsey resides in Southern California.