About Us
I’m Adopted began in 2015 as a small online space for adoptees to connect and share their stories. Founded by Russian–New Zealand adoptee Alex Gilbert, the project started with one simple goal: to make it easier for adoptees to talk openly about their experiences and connect with others who understand.
What began as a small online page has grown into a worldwide community of adoptees supporting one another through connection, identity, and peer-to-peer meet-ups. Today, I’m Adopted helps people from all backgrounds share their experiences and find others who understand what adoption can feel like, through the ups, the downs, and everything in between.
Connecting Adoptees Worldwide
Our community has been at the heart of I’m Adopted since we began in 2015. Over the years, we’ve grown into a place where adoptees around the world can connect, share their experiences, and feel understood. We welcome every story and every perspective within adoption.
We stay connected through our social media pages, our private online group, and in-person meet-ups.
You can learn more about our private group and upcoming meet-ups on our Connect page.
You can also visit our social media pages below.
Be Part of Our Community
Whether you want to meet others adopted, share your story, or simply stay connected, this is what our community is for. Take a look at how you can be part of our community.
Our Team
We’re a small group of adoptees and supporters who help run the
I’m Adopted community. Meet the team!
Alex Gilbert
Founder & Director
Alex Gilbert
Founder & Director
Russia → New Zealand
Valentina Burgess
Russian - NZ Adoptee & New Zealand Board of Trustee
Valentina Burgess
Russian - NZ Adoptee & New Zealand Board of Trustee
Russia → New Zealand
Ian Manson
Event Coordinator
Ian Manson
Event Coordinator
Adopted within New Zealand
Alex Kuch
Romanian - NZ Adoptee & Board of Trustee
Alex Kuch
Romanian - NZ Adoptee & Board of Trustee
Romania → New Zealand
Anya McNeill
Russian - NZ Adoptee I’m Adopted Coordinator
Anya McNeill
Russian - NZ Adoptee I’m Adopted Coordinator
Russia → New Zealand
Lisa Deegan
I'm Adopted Private Group Moderator
Lisa Deegan
I'm Adopted Private Group Moderator
Ireland → Australia
Vera Kuzmina
Eastern Europe Editor for Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan
Anastasia Andrianova
Language Coordinator for Eastern Europe Countries
We would like to thank
These organisations and supporters share their resources and support to help us grow and reach adoptees around the world.
ElevenLabs
ElevenLabs have teamed up with us with helping provide incredible AI translations and audio dubs for our An Adoption Story Series.
www.elevenlabs.io
Footprint
Footprint has us on board with Supporting our mission by offering a way for people to leave a lasting legacy to I'm Adopted.
www.footprint.co.nz
Topaz Labs
Providing advanced AI photo and videos tools that help us enhance and restore archived media for our An Adoption Story series.
www.topazlabs.comGet Involved
Want to be part of our community? Visit our contact page to reach out to us.
While I’m Adopted connects adoptees worldwide, we’re also a registered nonprofitCharity # CC58314 in New Zealand. This helps us continue to grow, host meet-ups, and develop more resources for adoptees.
If you’d like to support what we do, you can donate securely through our Givealittle page. For any nonprofit enquiries, please reach out via our contact page.