HIC Staff
Kristine Altwies, M.A., Executive Director/CEO
Kristine has been with HIC since 1991. In 1992 Ms. Altwies Nicholson became Executive Director of HIC. She received her Bachelors of Arts degree at Kalamazoo College and a Masters of Arts Counseling Psychology degree at Argosy University.
Kristine Castagnaro, Compliance Officer
Kristine comes to HIC with personal experience in adoption and professional experience in nonprofit work as the former Executive Director of the Hawaii Council on Economic Education. Kristine received her bachelor of arts degree at the University of Rochester. Kristine has two children, one recently adopted from Africa. Kristine will begin work at HIC on March 8, 2010.
Shannon Murphy, Director of Operations
Shannon joined the HIC staff in 2006. She has traveled and lived around the world sharing in and spreading cultures from Africa to Central America. Her experience is wide ranging, including media, marketing, adventure travel and children's dance.
Lisa Barber, LSW, Senior Program Director
Lisa comes to HIC with professional experience in adoption as the former Program Supervisor for the Child and Family Service adoption unit. Lisa was educated at I'olani High School, received her bachelor of arts degree at the University of Arizona, and her masters of social work degree at Arizona State.
John Trowbridge, Ph.D, Asia Program Director
John joined the HIC team as Asia Program Director in 2008. He is a devoted husband and father and brings his excitement about adoption and Asian cultures to the HIC family. He earned his Bachelors of Arts degree at Washington University in St. Louis, Masters of Arts degrees in Philosophy and Chinese language from The Ohio State University, and his Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. John has lived in Taipei, Taiwan and has travelled in China and Hong Kong.
Clarie Chee Santos, MSW, Director of Social Work
Clarie joined HIC in June 2006. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of San Francisco in 2002. In 2005 she received her Masters Degree from the University of Hawaii.
Contract & Overseas Staff
Terri Lum, LSW, Contract Social Worker
Terri was born and raised in Honolulu and graduated with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She received her Master of Social Work Degree from the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, and worked for the Department of Social and Health Services for a year before returning home to Hawaii. Her career has been dedicated to child welfare and domestic violence issues, with specialization in sexual assault and foster care services.
Barbara Johnson, LSW, Contract Social Worker
Barbara is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She received a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa in 1994. For over ten years, Barbara has worked in the mental health field, in both clinical and school settings. She has been doing adoption home studies for HIC since May of 2005.
Cici Zhang, China Coordinator
Cici first joined HIC in 1995. Since then Cici has steadily improved the HIC China Program travel, creating a holiday atmosphere for HIC adoptive parents. She works tirelessly to assist HIC clients in every aspect of their China travel. Cici is known both for her delightful charm and grace, and her ability to get clients through the strongest red tape. Cici was previously employed by the Chinese government as an official tour guide. Cici is fluent in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese.
Lillian Nguyen, Vietnam Coordinator
Lillian started working with HIC in early 2003. She brings with her many years of experience working with adoptive families and 12 years of tourism experience. Lilian was born and raised in Vietnam where she continues to live and work.
