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.
Dorothy Y. Han Chen, MBA, Compliance Officer
Dorothy joined HIC in November 2007. Ms. Chen came with over 20 years of management experience in a broad range of industries, from community-based economic development to retail and high tech. She has performed volunteer work for a number of early childhood-centered non-profit organizations, and has also served on the Kokua Market board of directors and on the Hawaii State Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Strategic Management Team. Dorothy has a BA in Psychology from the University of California at Santa Cruz and an MBA from San Jose State University.
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.
Ruthanne Chuck, Senior Program Director
Ruthanne joined HIC in 2005, though she's long been a client and supporter of the agency. Mrs. Chuck was hired by HIC for her passion for adoption and her 20 year customer service experience in the airline industry.
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.
Hannah Fuse, Practicum Student
Biography to come.
Tara Steiner, Practicum Student
Biography to come.
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.
Ann Lecompte, LSW, Contract Social Worker
Ann joined HIC in 1999. Ms. Lecompte received her undergraduate degree from Xavier University and New York University. She obtained her Masters of Social Work degree from the University of Houston and has been a social worker since then. Ms. Lecompte is a full time palliative care social worker.\
Jackie Hong, LSW, Contract Social Worker
Jackie joined HIC as a contract social worker in 2004. Ms. Hong has long been known in Hawaii as an excellent social worker, child advocate, and state mental health expert. Ms. Hong conducts home studies for HIC and has experience both in international as well as domestic adoptions.
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.
