Our Leadership
Meet the people guiding the mission and stewarding the vision.
Our board is made up of individuals committed to supporting families and helping make adoption possible.
Founder
Phil Kuhn
Phil Kuhn is a husband, dad, and Realtor who values faith, family, and community. He is married to his wife Melissa, and together they have four daughters, one who is adopted.
Phil and his wife are the founders of Legacy of Blessings Adoption Foundation, a cause that's close to their hearts and centered around helping families and childen through adoption.
He is actively involved at Redeemer Lutheran Church, where his faith plays an important role in how he tries to live and serve others.
Outside of work and family life, Phil enjoys being out on the water, boating, relaxing, and making memories with family and friends whenever he can.
President
Deb Burson
Deb has served on the board of Legacy of Blessings Adoption Foundation since its founding in 2023 and now leads as President with a deep passion for supporting adoptive families.
Her heart for adoption is rooted in her own journey through infertility and the deep longing to become a mother. After five years in the adoption process, three failed matches, and navigating the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, Deb’s faith never wavered that God would fulfill His promise.
In June 2020, Deb and her husband, Steve, met their son, Isaac, on the day he was born. Just two days before their 18th wedding anniversary, his adoption was finalized—a powerful reminder of God’s perfect timing and faithfulness.
Through her experience, Deb is committed to helping other families navigate the realities of adoption with hope, encouragement, and practical support. Her greatest desire is to see more families experience the joy of adoption and the blessing of a child.
Professionally, Deb is a Senior Learning Experience Designer with more than two decades of experience in Learning and Development, where she is passionate about creating meaningful and impactful learning experiences.
Outside of work, Deb enjoys spending time with her family and her parents, who live nearby. In the summer, you’ll often find her enjoying a relaxing day by the pool at her parents’ home.
Deb and her family attend Warsaw Community Church and previously served as ministry leaders of the Fervent Love Adoption and Foster Care Ministry at First Christian Church.
Vice President
Nate Metler
Nate has served on the board of Legacy of Blessings since spring 2024.
Nate and Christy Metler are parents today thanks to foster care and adoption. They are the proud parents of three children who each have a unique adoption story marked by God’s provision and care.
For the Metlers, adoption reflects the heart of the Gospel. They have come to believe, “God adopted us into His family through Christ, and we believe we are called to mirror that love by welcoming children into ours.”
Nate has served as the Pastor of Discipleship at Warsaw Community Church since 2014. Through ministry at WCC, Nate has been honored to help people grow deeper in their faith, find care & support, connect to community, and be energized to share the hope they have in Jesus.
In his free time, Nate enjoys being with his family, cooking, reading, listening to music, getting outdoors, road trips, and running.
Board Member
Alyx Bates
Alyx Bates has proudly called Kosciusko County home for over a decade. With a heart for giving back and a personal connection to adoption woven into her story, Alyx feels deeply honored to serve as a board member for Legacy of Blessings.
She is passionate about supporting families and helping create meaningful connections that can change lives.
Professionally, Alyx serves as the Residential Director at Cardinal Services, where she is dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities and the teams who care for them. She brings both compassion and leadership to her work, always striving to make a positive impact in her community.
Alyx and her husband, Kie, are the proud parents of two daughters, Margo and Lucy. Together, they are active members of First Christian Church and enjoy building a life rooted in faith, family, and service.
In her free time, Alyx enjoys baking, playing tennis, and spending quality time with her family.
Board Member
Beth Bessinger
Beth Bessinger is a part-time instructor and Dual Enrollment Coordinator at Grace College, where she has served for the past four years.
She previously worked as an adoption social worker, supporting families through the home study process and post-placement visits.
She holds a Master of Social Work from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Indiana Wesleyan University.
She has been married for 11 years and, alongside her husband, adopted their two sons through domestic infant adoption.
She is passionate about supporting families and is honored to serve on the board, where she brings both professional expertise and personal experience to assist others navigating the adoption journey.
She and her family attend and serve at Nappanee Missionary Church.
Board Member
Open Position
Coming Soon.