OUR TEAM
Jenni Olowo
Executive Director
Jenni’s desire to work with orphans and vulnerable children started when she was in 7th grade. While it has looked different throughout her life, her passion for kids in need of loving families has been consistent. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Psychology. She served as the founder and coordinator of a child sponsorship program for 30 kids in Nigeria for 7 years, while serving at a local church as the Assistant Director of Global Missions. Her life changed in 2016 when she became a foster mom and experienced firsthand the support needed to walk the foster care journey. After fostering for 4 years and adopting twice she founded BCS Together. Jenni's passion is educating the Church and local community about the unique challenges and needs of kids and families in the foster system and inviting them to find the part they can play. She lives in College Station, Texas with her husband and 2 kids.
Kara Baade
Programs director
Kara has lived in the Brazos Valley all her life. She is from Franklin and currently lives there with her husband and son. As a family, they spend their time at their indoor training facility or on some type of field watching their son play sports! Kara discovered her passion for helping vulnerable kids and families during the eight years she was on her Church staff at First Baptist Franklin. While she loved working on her church staff, she knows the Lord was preparing her with the knowledge and skills for her current position as Director of Programs for BCS Together. Her heart for the vulnerable and hurting drives her, and she is looking forward to working with and providing support for local foster & adoptive families!
Jimena Newbold
Communications Director
Jimena has lived in the Brazos Valley her entire life and currently resides in Bryan with her husband and two playful pups! With a background in creative work and community engagement, including her time on staff at a local church, she has developed a deep passion for connecting with others. She and her husband attend Grace Bible Church Creekside, where they enjoy being part of a Christ-centered community. Jimena is excited to use her skills in media and design to amplify the mission of supporting vulnerable children and families in the Brazos Valley, helping them feel seen and supported!
Mallory Kappel
Church & cps liaison
Mallory graduated from Texas A&M in the Spring of 2021 with a degree in Communication and a minor in Business. Throughout college, Mallory served as a YoungLives leader and grew to love the Bryan/College Station community. Through a summer internship, she began to learn more about the foster system and developed a passion for partnerships between nonprofits and local churches. After graduation, Mallory served on staff as a resident at Declaration Church in their local outreach ministry, working closely with BCS Together. Mallory wants to use her experience and passion to see local churches supported and mobilized to get involved in the foster system. She is excited to be a part of what God is doing through BCS Together!
Laura Tilton
operations manager
Laura is a graduate of Texas A&M where she got her degree in Architecture. She worked in that field for 5 years until she and her husband Brad welcomed their oldest daughter into the family. Shortly after their oldest son was born in 2012 after spending almost 5 years in the Dallas area, they came back to settle in College Station. Brad and Laura have always been passionate about opening their home to those in need, and in 2016 that looked like becoming a licensed foster family. Their first placement ended with them becoming PMCs of their youngest daughter. Shortly after their daughter was placed with them they heard about a little boy who needed a forever family and their youngest son was officially adopted in 2017. Laura has always found herself drawn to kids. She has worked in after-school programs, daycares, done lots of babysitting, and volunteered in her church’s children's ministries and at her kid's schools. Laura is excited to be part of the BCS Together team and the work they are doing in the local foster and adoptive community.
Julia Shaw
Assistant Programs director
Julia is a class of 2022 graduate from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science in Child Professional Services and two minors in Sociology and Creative Studies. Julia has been working with children since she was 15 years old, and she found her passion for teaching through working at a daycare in her hometown of The Woodlands, TX. She attends Declaration Church and has been serving her community through the Brazos Food Bank and mentorship programs in College Station ISD. In September of 2021, Julia joined a student organization called MORPH, which aimed to help lift up the foster community in the Brazos area. There, she found a calling to help children in the foster system. She is excited to pursue her calling in BCS Together by aiding families in the foster community and providing for the vulnerable.
Kashlynn Smith
Closet Assistant
Kashlynn graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2024 with a degree in Communication and a minor in Biblical Studies. She has worked with children and families since she was 13 through babysitting, nannying, and serving in kids and youth ministries. She attends and serves at Restoration Church and has a deep passion for the gospel and supporting vulnerable families. Her family adopted her sister through kinship placement, which sparked her heart for child advocacy. She also served on the foster care team at Fielder Church in Dallas. Kashlynn joined BCS Together to be the hands and feet of Jesus through practical support to families. She loves spending time with her husband, Ryan, and their mini Bernedoodle, and enjoys painting, reading, acting, dancing, and movies.