Staff and Board
Our Pathways team is a group of passionate individuals committed to faithfully living out the call to serve adoptive children and their families. Grounded in our love for Christ, we see this work as more than a job—it’s a ministry.
More than just co-workers, we consider one another—and those we serve—as family. Each member of our team brings unique gifts, stories, and hearts to the mission of Pathways for Little Feet. Together, we prayerfully walk alongside families, offering hope, support, and lasting impact as they navigate the journey of adoption and beyond.
We’d love for you to get to know us better, because behind every email, phone call, or prayer is a person who truly cares.
Kerr and Jill Taylor are the Founders of Pathways for Little Feet. Their passion for adoption and heart for vulnerable children were born out of their own family’s journey. After walking through the grief of infertility, they adopted their daughter, Christina, from Russia in 1998, and later welcomed two biological sons, Graham and Kenner. Their adoption experience ignited a desire to help other families navigate the journey, leading to the founding of Pathways in 2005.
Kerr serves as Board President and brings more than 30 years of leadership and business experience. He was the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of AmREIT, growing the firm from a team of three to more than 50 professionals, expanding a portfolio valued at over $1 billion. He holds a B.A. from Trinity University, an M.B.A. from Southern Methodist University, a J.D. from South Texas College of Law, and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School’s Owners & Presidents Management Program. His strategic leadership has been foundational in building a strong board, professional staff, and a sustainable, mission-focused organization.
Jill, Board Secretary, earned her B.A. from Trinity University and completed post-baccalaureate work at the Neuhaus Education Center, preparing her for a career in special education. With a long-standing dedication to child advocacy and education, Jill brings both personal passion and professional insight to her role at Pathways.
Together, Kerr and Jill continue to steward the mission of Pathways—to support adoptive families and help children find loving, permanent homes.
Meet Our Staff
Eric Fridge is the Executive Director at Pathways for Little Feet, where he helps lead strategic planning and operations to support adoptive families for the long haul. With over 20 years of adoption and ministry experience—including adopting his daughter, Mei Lynn—Eric brings both passion and perspective to his role.
He holds degrees in Biblical Studies and Marriage and Family Education from Abilene Christian University and previously served in advancement and full-time ministry. Eric and his wife, Jenny, have four grown children, are proud grandparents, and continue to serve as respite foster parents. He enjoys music, cinematography, and time outdoors with family
Madison Ziegenbein is the Program Manager at Pathways for Little Feet, where she leads key programs that support families before, during, and after adoption. With over ten years of nonprofit experience, she brings a passion for building relationships and walking closely with families through every step of their journey.
Her heart for adoption is shaped by her mother’s story and an internship at an orphanage in Bolivia. Madison holds a degree in Marriage and Family Studies from Abilene Christian University. She and her husband, Travis, have three daughters and enjoy time outdoors, reading, and staying grounded in faith. You can often find her visiting with Pathways families while enjoying a cup of coffee.
Grace Casares serves as the Program Coordinator at Pathways for Little Feet, where she supports adoption financial assistance, post-adoption care, and family applications, while also contributing to social media efforts. A graduate of the University of Houston with a degree in Kinesiology, she is currently pursuing her MBA and looks forward to graduating in Spring 2026.
Grace finds deep fulfillment in reading families’ adoption stories and being part of their journey. Outside of work, she enjoys peaceful walks with her dog, trying new baking recipes, and winding down with a good book—often with an iced latte in hand.
Christine Melody is the Development Coordinator at Pathways for Little Feet, where she brings creativity and purpose to donor engagement and event planning. A Houston native and graduate of Texas Christian University, Christine previously worked in development at UTHealth and in operations at a local retail store.
Driven by a heart to help others, she finds fulfillment in knowing her work supports children coming home to loving families. Outside the office, Christine enjoys time with family and friends—especially her nieces and nephews—playing tennis, volunteering, and starting her day with a fresh cup of coffee.
Randa McConn is the Development Specialist at Pathways for Little Feet, a proud Houston native and graduate of the University of Georgia. She brings a background in retail and a heart for raising funds and awareness for causes close to her heart. Before joining Pathways, Randa volunteered with a local nonprofit in Houston, supporting their fundraising efforts and events—an experience that deepened her passion for serving families in meaningful ways. Her professional journey has taken her from New York to Austin, but her love for community and family brought her back to Houston. When she’s not coordinating events or applying for grants, she enjoys volunteering, exploring the arts, practicing yoga, and traveling.
Denise Cummings is the Accountant for Pathways for Little Feet, where she performs the necessary role of tracking the various financial details to keep Pathways running smoothly administratively. With over 20 years of nonprofit accounting experience, she brings valuable financial knowledge and insights. Denise holds a degree in Accounting from Oklahoma Christian University and earned her CPA license in 1996, working in public accounting for 7 years before joining the nonprofit sector.
Denise shares our passion for adoption, as her own family of origin was completed through the adoption of her brother when she was ten years old. When she’s not crunching numbers, she enjoys traveling, cooking, serving with her church’s worship team, and staying active with her husband, Josh, in her two grown children’s lives.
Hayes Luger is the North Texas Regional Coordinator, building meaningful relationships to further the mission of Pathways for Little Feet in the DFW area. With over 20 years of experience in relationship management and operational excellence, Hayes brings her passion for adoption to connect families and churches with Pathways’ resources, while inviting new partners to invest in the ministry.
Hayes holds a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree from the University of Mississippi. She and her husband, Stefan, have two children and enjoy traveling, gardening, and anything sports-related. You can often find her out in the community volunteering with children in foster care.
Board Members
Nick Erwin is a Senior Managing Director at U.S. Capital Wealth with over two decades of experience advising executives, entrepreneurs, and families on tailored financial planning. He began his career at RBC Dain Rauscher in 2004, moved to UBS Financial Services as a Wealth Advisor in 2007, and joined U.S. Capital Advisors in 2014.
A Vanderbilt University graduate, Nick holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation from Rice University’s program and is actively involved in the Greater Houston Community Foundation, Boy Scouts of America, and his church. He and his wife Melissa live in Houston with their four children.
Jane Costello Painter is a Certified Public Accountant and has had her own CPA practice for over 25 years. Her prior work experience includes 4 ½ years with a multi-national accounting firm, and five years as the Controller for a privately held oil and gas company.
Jane graduated from The University of Texas with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. She is an active member of First Presbyterian Church, and has served as a Board member for numerous non-profit organizations for over 25 years.
Chad Braun started his career with Kenneth Leventhal & Co in their real estate advisory practice and has spent the past 24 years exclusively working in the commercial real estate business. He helped grow AmREIT (NYSE:AMRE) from $50 million to over $1 billion in assets when it sold to EDENS in February 2015. As CFO and COO, he was responsible for all aspects of capital formation, accounting and reporting, asset management, investor relations and human resources.
Dr. Eric Thomas is Professor of Medicine and Associate Dean for Healthcare Quality at McGovern Medical School, UT Health Houston. He trained at UT Austin, UT Southwestern, and completed a fellowship and MPH at Harvard, where he also joined the medical faculty before returning to Houston in 1998.
Eric is a general internist at UT Physicians, focusing on patient safety research, teaching, and quality improvement. He and his wife Laura are passionate about adoption and have two children, including one adopted.
Rob Casper is Regional President at Helios, a national HVAC service provider. Before Helios, he worked in operations, a family office, and at Boston Consulting Group, focusing on private equity due diligence. He previously served as a US Marine Corps infantry officer with three deployments.
Rob holds a BS in Systems Engineering from the US Naval Academy and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He and his wife Jackie live in Houston with their two sons and attend First Baptist Church.
Kim Wilson is a University of Texas graduate with a degree in Interior Design and the founder of Kim Rogers Wilson Designs. She and her husband Reid have been dedicated supporters of Pathways since its founding, drawn to the mission through their own personal connection to adoption — their daughter Kate joined the family at just two days old. Understanding firsthand the joys and challenges of the adoptive journey, Kim is passionate about supporting families through the process and beyond. She brings hands-on event leadership experience, having chaired numerous fundraisers and galas, and is known for her collaborative, detail-oriented approach that brings out the best in everyone around her. Kim looks forward to contributing her energy and expertise to the Pathways team.
Tom Zenner is a seasoned business leader with experience in both real estate and energy. He was a founding partner of Black Diamond Development, a Houston-based residential real estate firm, and previously served as CFO of Mosbacher Power Group. He holds an MBA from Rice University and a B.S. in Business Administration from Georgetown University.
A native Houstonian, Tom has served on several nonprofit boards, including St. Michael’s Catholic School, The Arbor School, and the Advisory Board of Pathways for Little Feet. He and his wife, Kelly, are adoptive parents of two children, deepening their commitment to Pathways’ mission.
Director of Advancement Emeritus
Fran Fauntleroy brings 35 years of marketing experience in Houston, beginning with publishing three cookbooks and over twenty restaurant cookbooks and menu guides. Since 2008, she has played a vital role in launching and growing Pathways for Little Feet, collaborating with Jill and Kerr Taylor. Fran was key in forming the focus group that shaped the organization’s interest-free loan program and has led significant fundraising efforts that have advanced the mission. She is deeply committed to helping unite children and families through this work.
Beyond Pathways, Fran serves on the boards of The Museum of Fine Arts Rienzi and the University of St. Thomas Development, and is a marketing specialist for The Social Book.