About Orchards Children’s Services

Our Roots and Our Reach

At Orchards Children’s Services, our mission is simple yet profound: Strengthening the community through quality services to children and families. We envision a future where every child, youth, and family is safe and empowered by engaged communities. We build a circle of support that ensures no family navigates their journey alone.

Integrity

We are honest, ethical, and reliable in every interaction.

Commitment

We show up and stay accountable to the families we serve.

Compassion

We lead with empathy, treating every individual with dignity.

Resourcefulness

We find creative solutions to keep families together.

Collaboration

We work alongside community partners to maximize our impact.

A Legacy 60 Years in the Making

In 1962, the National Council of Jewish Women – Greater Detroit Section (now the NCJW|MI), recognized a critical need for localized, compassionate care for children in transition. What began as a single group home for 7 boys has grown into one of Michigan's largest and most respected child welfare agencies.

For over six decades, Orchards has been a constant in an ever-changing landscape. We have expanded our footprint to serve all 83 counties across Michigan, facilitating over 3,000 adoptions since 1986 and maintaining a 95% success rate in our family preservation programs. Our history is not just a timeline of growth; it is a legacy of keeping families rooted and helping them flourish.

Connected by Heart. Committed to Home.

What makes Orchards unique is our longevity. In a field often defined by transition, our team provides an anchor of stability. Many of our staff members have been with Orchards for over 15 years—growing alongside the families they serve. This dependability allows us to build deep, trusting relationships that span generations.

Every Family Branch Belongs

Every family branch matters. We validate and celebrate every family—biological, foster, and adoptive. We recognize the resilience of families and provide the specific support they need to thrive. Whether a family is working to stay together or growing through adoption, every individual is a vital and celebrated part of our community.

Our Leadership Team

Our leadership is dedicated to transparency, innovation, and trauma-informed advocacy. They steer our organization with a focus on outcome-based results and community-centered care.

Nicole Lawson

President & Chief Executive Officer

As the President and CEO of Orchard Children’s Services, Dr. Nicole Lawson leads with a vision of creating a brighter future for children and families through innovative and compassionate care. Her journey in the healthcare sector has been marked by a commitment to driving positive change, fostering inclusive environments, and building high-performing teams. She leverages the power of relationships and networks across private, public, and corporate sectors to enhance Orchard’s impact in the community.

Nicole’s commitment to Orchards Children’s Services is also a personal one. As a foster and adoptive parent, herself, she has experienced first-hand the challenges children and families involved in the child welfare system face every day. She understands the difference that timely, compassionate, and trauma informed service and advocacy can make in the life of others. Whether it’s leading large-scale projects, optimizing processes, or advocating for mental health, her focus is on making a meaningful impact and driving sustainable growth to advance Orchard’s mission to strengthen the community through quality services to children and families.

Jennifer Wrayno

Chief Operating Officer

Jennifer joined the Orchards team in March of 2026. Jennifer has over 27 years of child welfare experience and came to Orchards after 23 years of service to MDHHS. Jennifer started her career as a foster care worker and moved into several leadership roles throughout her career. Most recently she spent 13 years as the regional director overseeing approximately 50 percent of the child welfare system for the state of Michigan. Today, she serves as the Chief Operating Officer and continues to focus on building strong teams that support and strengthen families throughout our work.

Jennifer is passionate about family well-being, supporting staff, and fulfilling the mission of Orchards Children’s Services.

She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from Eastern Michigan University.

Troy Kulick

Chief Financial Officer

Troy Kulick joined Orchards Children’s Services in April 2021. He oversees all aspects of the organization’s finances, including the development and management of strategic investments, preparation of financial statements and reporting to Orchard’s Board of Directors. Troy brings over 25 years of financial leadership experience, with a focus on developing diverse talent and high performing teams while providing strategic insight and direction.

Prior to joining the Orchards, Troy served as the Vice President of International Finance and Operational Excellence for Domino’s Pizza Inc., the largest pizza company in the world. He holds an MBA from the Broad Graduate School of Business at Michigan State University and is a certified public accountant.

Troy is passionate about having a transformational impact in supporting the organization’s mission and serving the children, families and communities the agency supports.

Lisa Finger

Chief Human Resources and Compliance Officer

Lisa began her career in social work at Orchards in 1987, where she passionately advocated for children and families in direct service roles for many years. In 2002, she transitioned to focus on quality assurance and compliance, playing a key role in the agency’s licensing and accreditation efforts. For over 20 years, Lisa has led the national accreditation process with the Council on Accreditation. Her dedication to employee advocacy eventually led her to Human Resources, where she aims to make Orchards an exemplary workplace. Lisa holds a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University.