Liz Gentile
Assistant Director
Liz brings to LifeLong Adoptions a background in technical project management. Liz had always dreamed of being part of an organization that assisted families, so after moving from Texas to Illinois, she began pursuing a job that was more meaningful for her. By combining her excellent communication skills with her love for children and families, she’s the perfect fit for the assistant director role. Having grown up in a small, close-knit family, she understands the desire for parents to have children and for children to have siblings. Liz is a vital part of continuously improving the adoption journey for adoptive families at LifeLong Adoptions.
Q&A with Liz
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What do you do at LifeLong?
Over the years I’ve done a little bit of everything, but I currently work in our admissions department, meeting with families that are just starting their adoption journey, helping to walk them through the process and answer their questions.
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How long have you been with LifeLong?
October 2020 will be six years! I started part-time in October 2014 as an administrative assistant and moved to full-time in April 2015 as an adoptive parent coordinator.
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What motivates you to get up and go to work?
My coworkers and the passion that we all have for adoption. It’s so inspiring to be around people that enjoy their jobs as much as I do. My family is also a huge motivator, I love that my son will grow up watching his mom do a job she loves.
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What personal connection do you have with adoption?
My mom’s best friend adopted her two daughters internationally. I remember greeting them at O’Hare when they flew home from Russia and have loved being a part of their lives as they’ve grown into young adults.
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What advice do you have for our waiting families?
Trust the process and continue to live your life outside of adoption. The more you focus on what you cannot control, the harder the process becomes.
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What are you passionate about?
Gymnastics. I was a competitive gymnast for 10 years and a gymnastics coach for 16 years. I have even coached part-time while working at Angel. I also am an avid reader and love to talk books.
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What is one thing you cannot resist?
Sour candy, any and all of it.
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What books are at your bedside?
I’m currently reading My Dark Vanessa. Usually, you can find a psychological thriller, World War II fiction, or beach read in my nightstand.
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Favorite TV show to binge-watch?
Friends. PIVOT!