Meet Our Staff + Board

Founder & CEO

With a love for Jesus, kids, and stories, Kaycee and her husband Pete had always planned to adopt. In 2016, while Kaycee was working as a youth pastor, they began dreaming about how to change the narrative around foster care adoption, particularly within faith communities. Five months later, The Reel Hope Project launched in Minnesota and they began telling the stories of waiting kids. In 2019, the Stanleys adopted their teenage son, whom Kaycee met through a Reel Hope Project video shoot. Kaycee and Pete have since welcomed three daughters into their family, and today - Kaycee leads the organization and her team as they expand The Reel Hope Project’s mission across the country.

Director of National Operations

Abby joined The Reel Hope Project in 2019 and brings a combined 14 years of nonprofit operations experience as well as C-Suite support within child welfare and philanthropic sectors. Abby is the sister of an adoptee, serves on the Board for a foster care/adoptive family advocacy ministry, and leads a local wraparound team for an adoptive family through her church. Starting as Kaycee’s Headquarters Executive Assistant and later Director of Operations, Abby and her husband now live in Wisconsin where she directs National Operations, manages existing state partnerships and leads expansion efforts across the country.

Director of Advancement

With more than two decades of experience in storytelling and movement-building, Jeremy has helped purpose-driven organizations communicate with clarity, mobilize communities, and inspire action. As Director of Advancement at The Reel Hope Project, he brings his background in strategy and advocacy—shaped by his work with nonprofits, churches, and humanitarian efforts, and by raising five children—to champion waiting kids and expand Reel Hope’s mission across Minnesota and beyond.

Development + Events Manager

Erica joined The Reel Hope Project in 2023 with over 15 years of nonprofit development experience. As a mom of three, she is passionate about the welfare of kids and instilling a lifelong hope for the future through the power and stability of family. In her role as Development and Events Manager, Erica oversees The Reel Hope Project’s fundraising efforts. Erica strives to build and deepen a community of support to expand the life-changing impact of The Reel Hope Project.

Shoots Director

From a young age, MacKenzie had a passion to see waiting kids find family. After several overseas experiences and the adoption of her son in 2017, she shifted her life professionally from being a nurse to walking with prospective adoptive families. MacKenzie was introduced to The Reel Hope Project at an event in 2016, just after its founding. She joined the team in 2023 and brings 10 combined years of experience as a nurse and adoption consultant. Her warmth, genuine care for others, and ability to multitask in high-energy environments serve her well as she now coordinates all kid videos. MacKenzie finds joy in working to plan special video shoot days for kids, showcasing their unique personalities and ensuring that they feel valued and seen.

Operations Manager + Executive Assistant

Lexi joined the Reel Hope Project in 2026 and brings 10+ years of experience in nonprofit operations alongside a career in engineering and project management. With relatives experiencing foster care at a young age, Lexi has always planned to adopt. So far Lexi and her husband have welcomed one daughter into the family and they look forward to seeing how God will shape and grow the family's story in the future! As the Operations Manager + Executive Assistant, she finds joy in shaping the systems that champion waiting kids, uplifts the staff, and amplifies Kaycee's vision for The Reel Hope Project to serve waiting kids in every corner our the county.

Marketing Manager + Development Coordinator

With over nine years of experience working with children—as a swim instructor, personal care assistant, nanny, and second-grade teacher—Andra brings a deep, lifelong commitment to supporting children and advocating for their well-being. Joining The Reel Hope Project in 2026 as the Marketing Manager and Development Coordinator, she combines her passion for kids with a strong professional background in marketing and communications. Previously serving as a Marketing Director for a real estate development and property management company, Andra developed expertise in advertising strategy, social media, branding, design, and photography, which she can now employ to elevate the voices of kids hoping to find their forever family.

Shoots Coordinator and Shoot Lead

Driven by a love for Jesus and a deep desire for every child to be seen, known, and loved, Scottie brings a blend of relational heart and analytical precision to The Reel Hope Project. Her background spans years of hands-on caregiving as a CNA, youth mentorship, and five years in data science and analytics—where she specialized in data storytelling before following a call toward the human stories behind the numbers. As Shoot Coordinator, Scottie bridges her experience in direct care, youth leadership, and logistical efficiency to create intentional shoot days where waiting kids feel truly valued, seen, and celebrated.