our Team
Denise Kendrick - Executive Director
Denise Kendrick co-founded Embrace in 2007 and served as Director of Programs for many years before becoming the Executive Director in 2018. Denise is passionate about discovering innovative ways to address gaps in child welfare services that put children at risk.
Denise and her husband, Bruce, are parents to nine children by birth and adoption and served as foster parents for over a decade. When she’s not galavanting in nature with her kids and grandkids, Denise enjoys painting, reading, and planning cross-country road trips. Denise is a graduate of the University of North Texas and has a background in graphic design and education. Denise was honored by Congressman Sam Johnson and the Congressional Coalition for Adoption Institute as an “Angel in Adoption” in 2015 for her personal and professional contributions to better the lives of children in foster care and those waiting for adoption in Texas.
Amber Fulton, CFRE - Director of Finance and Operations
Amber Fulton brings her incredible nonprofit and educational advocacy experience to the Embrace team, including a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences from the University of North Texas, professional certificates in: Mediation, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Volunteer and Community Resource Management, as well as a Master of Arts in Dispute Resolution from Southern Methodist University. Amber loves sharing the impact Embrace is having in the community and inviting others to join in the organization’s endeavors.
Amber is a world traveler, avid reader, and lifelong learner who is organized, passionate and a relationship builder. She and her husband, Donny, are parents to four grown children and grandparents to 6 adorable grandsons. Prior to joining Embrace in March 2016, Amber served as the Executive Director (and sole staff person) for a statewide nonprofit focused on promoting public education and was a trustee for Lewisville Independent School District. Her heart for advocacy shines through in her volunteerism with a number of child and education focused nonprofits.
Haley Conner - Director of Programs
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Haley Conner joined the Embrace Team in 2021 as the Director of Programs. Haley and her husband, Shawn, are parents to Karter, who joined the family by adoption. Haley has spent the last decade of her career as a retail buyer for Dillard’s, before answering a call to full time ministry with Embrace. As a passionate, driven individual with an outgoing personality, she has no trouble connecting with the families and caregivers Embrace serves. In her free time, this self-professed “foodie” can be found trying new recipes, taking long walks with her family, and sneaking in a little shopping.
Rachel Myers - Operations Coordinator
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Rachel was a longtime friend of Embrace and volunteer with the ministry before joining the team as Lead Administrator in fall of 2019. Her can-do resourcefulness and creativity made her an ideal candidate for the newly developed role of Operations Coordinator. Rachel and her husband, Andy, worship at Christ Redeemer Church in McKinney and are parents to three adorable children. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, attending local community events, and taking in an occasional show at the theater.
Mary Hendrix - Office Manager
Mary Hendrix joined the Embrace team in 2021 after many years of collaboration and volunteerism with the ministry. Mary is known for her passion, spirit of teamwork, and detail-oriented nature. Her talents and heart for service have made her indispensable in many different ministry capacities professionally, with her church, and in her free time. When not serving others (a RARE moment, if you know this gal), Mary enjoys family time, movies, and shopping. Mary and her husband, Greg, are parents of an adult son and teenage daughter. The Hendrix family experienced the challenges and joys of kinship care when they welcomed a child in need into their family for a time.
Ashley Woodruff - Program Assistant
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Join us in welcoming our newest member of the Embrace Team, Ashley Woodruff.
Ashley is a Sooner, both by birthright and degree. She and her husband, John, are parents to three beautiful daughters. Ashley’s ministry background began at Campus Crusade for Christ, serving in Moscow, Russia, Lubbock, Texas and Dallas, Texas. Ashley was “hooked” by the work of Embrace when she heard a foster child say an Embrace event made him “feel like a VIP”.
Lori Seifert - Collin House Volunteer
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Lori Seifert joined the Embrace Team in Spring of 2022 to help open Embrace’s new Collin House property. Collin House is a beautiful historic home in McKinney, Texas that provides children entering the foster care system a homey place to grieve and heal as they wait for placement in a foster family. In 2024 Lori transitioned to a volunteer role with Embrace. She remains involved in Embrace programming, events, and (of course) Collin House.
Mimi Bracey - Volunteer Administrator
Mimi joined the Embrace team in 2019 as a volunteer administrative assistant. She is a retired teacher who enjoys spending time with her grandkids.
