Red Thread Tours

Our Team

	Danling Cai, President and Founder of Red Thread Tours & Services Danling Cai was born and raised in Beijing, China. She and her family have lived in Minnesota ever since 1987. She has been working in the international adoption field for the last decade. Danling has built very strong professional relationships with officials at all levels in China. In the last few years Danling has been closely involved in the heritage tours with adoptive families from China. Her rich knowledge about China and its children, her many years of adoption experience, and her professional relationships in China have enabled these tours to be a good mix of sightseeing, cultural exposure, as well as allowing families like yours to connect the red thread of adoption.

	Rebecca Mathers, General Manager of Red Thread Tours & Services Rebecca is a graduate of Iowa State University. She brings her business and e-commerce website management experience to the team. Rebecca is an adoptive mother of two and has traveled twice to China. She is very active in FCC-Midwest and looks forward to meeting other families with “red thread” life stories.

	Livia Fan, Communications Specialist of Red Thread Tours and Services Livia Fan is a Communication Specialist for Red Thread Tours & Services. She was born and raised in Taiwan, with her parents originally from Mainland China. She has traveled to China many times in the past either to visit her relatives or on job related business trips. She and her family have lived in Minnesota for over fifteen years. Livia speaks fluent Chinese and English, and has a profound understanding of Chinese people, culture, and its history. She is very enthusiastic, caring, and eager to learn more about international adoption, and about the families who have adopted from China. Her expansive knowledge about China and her generous heart for children will definitely help expand the reach of Red Thread Tours & Services to its mission.

	Sheila Thomas, MA, LP Sheila has worked with international and domestic adoption for approximately 16 years. Her specialties include working with individuals/families dealing with the impact of institutionalized care and multiple caregivers, attachment issues and disorders, early trauma and abuse, grief and loss issues for children and parents, identity issues related to cross-cultural adoptions, and therapeutic parenting. She has prepared families and adopted children to visit their birth countries for the past 8 years and is looking forward to sharing her knowledge with future families traveling with Red Thread Tours & Services.

	Mary Kenning, PhD (Pediatric Psychology) Mary Kenning is a clinical psychologist with a specialization in child clinical psychology and has practiced since 1986. Currently in private practice, her former positions include an assistant professorship at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and director of the psychology department’s community clinic. As an adoptive parent with graduate training in child development, child therapy, and family therapy, she often wears two hats in understanding the social, emotional, and cognitive developmental process in adoption. Mary has traveled to China six times ever since 1995. Every time she returns to China she learns a bit more about Chinese culture and history and about adoption. Mary joined RTTS in 2008 hoping to bring a parent/psychologist perspective on topics that are close to her heart. She looks forward to working collaboratively with parents, children, and the staff at RTTS.

	Lynn Harper, Child Activity Coordinator, MN Licensed K-12 Educator Lynn brings her experience with curriculum and instruction, as well as her own love of learning about China, to her work with Red Thread's child clients. She is an adoptive mother who lives with her husband and daughter in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Harper family traveled to China in 2001, and returned in 2009 with RTTS.

	Virginia Taylor, Volunteer Coordinator - New England Virginia works as a free-lance writer outside Boston, where she lives with her husband and two daughters adopted from China. After a wonderful experience in China with Red Thread Tours & Services during Summer 2010, Virginia is eager to help connect New England families with the services RTTS offers.
Chinese Representatives
	Cathy Peng, China Tour Director Cathy has worked in the adoption field since 2000. She has worked with hundreds of adoptive families, guiding them to provinces all over China. Cathy is thrilled to see families returning to China to visit their adopted children's heritage and is excited to be a part of your experience
	Vivian Guo, Chinese Representative Vivian is from Huzhou, China. She graduated from Zhejiang University with a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature. She has been working with Red Thread Tours and Services since her graduation in 2007. She facilitates current adoptive families with their adoption process in China and assists prior adoptive families with their heritage trips across China. Vivian really enjoys getting the chance to be involved in so many families' lives. In her spare time she enjoys reading, cooking, and traveling.
	Nancy Li, Chinese Representative Nancy lives in Beijing. She used to work as an English teacher for about six years after graduating from Capital Normal University. Since November 2009 she has been working with adoptive families and really enjoys spending time with the children. Nancy finds it a great honor to witness and get involved in the exciting moments of their lives. She feels the experience of working with adoptive families is eye-opening and life fulfilling for her. Her strong sense of responsibility and caring heart has earned her great appreciation from the adoptive parents. During her spare time, Nancy loves to read and travel. She is eager to meet our adoptive families and to show what Beijing has to offer.
	Frances Liu, Chinese Representative Frances is approaching her 6th year of experience working in the Chinese touring industry. For the past two years she has worked with international adoption families. Her English is fluent and she is ready to share her broad knowledge of Chinese history and culture.
	Viola Song, Chinese Representative Viola Song was born and raised in a coastal city called Jin Zhou in Liao Ning, a northeastern province of China. She has worked for Red Thread Tours & Services since 2006 as a child counselor. She enjoys befriending the children and helping them discover and understand more about China in all aspects. Viola has learned a great deal from her experiences working with adoptive families and their children, and hopes that she can do more for the families and their children through Red Thread Tours & Services.
	Hannah Wang, Chinese Representative Hannah has worked with adoption agencies from Spain, the Netherlands, and the U.S. since 2001. She has specifically worked with families in adopting children with special needs. She has lead families through Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, and Chengdu. Hannah has developed good relationships with local orphanages and civil affairs officials.
	Nancy Wang, Chinese Representative Nancy has worked with adoptive families in China for about ten years, and has assisted hundreds of them through the adoption process. Because she specializes in the Jiangsu and neighboring provinces, she knows the respective orphanages very well. She looks forward to your visitation to China!
	Yuping Zhang, Chinese Representative Ping was born in a beautiful but impoverished small county. Thanks to warmhearted people in our local community, she received financial support and was able finish her education. Moved by the generosity of others, Ping intends to pass her love to those in need. Ping is honored to be involved in Guiping’s Regional Training Center through Red Thread Charities. Through this work she has the opportunity to be involved in the daily lives of many vulnerable children.