Ryan Hanlon, Ph.D., MSW
President and CEO
Ryan Hanlon became President and CEO of NCFA in May 2022 after serving as the Vice President of Education, Research, and Constituent Services since August 2017. Prior to joining NCFA, he served as the Executive Director of an accredited adoption agency that provided domestic and international adoption services.
Ryan is a frequent conference speaker, podcast guest, and go-to source for national and regional media on a range of adoption issues. He has expertise in accreditation and regulatory issues, state licensing matters, and adoption-related policy topics. Passionate about research and education, Ryan seeks to ensure that all those impacted by adoption have the resources and support they need to thrive in their families and communities.
See Ryan’s April 2023 appearance on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal.
Ryan holds four advanced degrees including an M.A. in Liberal Arts, an M.S. in Nonprofit Management, and an M.S. and a Ph.D. in Social Work. He has served as a social work field instructor and an adjunct professor of social work to both undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students.
In 2022, Ryan received the Angel in Adoption award from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. Ryan lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and their four children.
Publications & Research
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Understanding the Adoption Tax Credit
August 26, 2025 -
Barriers to Finalization: Why are Some Adoptions Never Completed?
June 11, 2025 -
Choosing an Adoption Professional
February 1, 2020 -
Language Acquisition, Speech Delays, and Communication Challenges in Children Following an Adoption
December 1, 2019 -
The Adoption Tax Credit Can Help You
July 1, 2019 -
Reflection: Ten Years After the U.S. Joins the Hague Convention
April 1, 2018
Articles
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Addressing Adoptee Citizenship Concerns
February 17, 2025 -
How to Know if You Qualify for Adoption Assistance (Subsidy)
September 19, 2023 -
The Top Five Mistakes People Make When Applying for Adoption Assistance
September 19, 2023 -
What Expenses Does an Adoption Subsidy Cover?
September 19, 2023 -
Child Welfare Policy is Not the Domain of One Political Party
December 2, 2022 -
Educational Support for Adopted Children
November 28, 2022 -
An Adoption Professional’s Guide to School-Based Support
October 18, 2022 -
Travel to China and the U.S. Travel Advisory
January 7, 2019
Press Releases
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National Council For Adoption Introduces New Officers for the Board of Directors
April 26, 2024 -
Prioritization of Adoption Visa Adjudication & Granting Humanitarian Parole for U.S. Citizens with Completed Adoptions
March 27, 2020 -
State Department’s Intercountry Adoptions Report Highlights Failure to Meet the Needs of Children Without Parents
March 14, 2019 -
Response to the FY 2017 Annual Report on Intercountry Adoption
March 23, 2018 -
New Accrediting Entity Fees Make Intercountry Adoption Prohibitively Expensive
February 6, 2018 -
Council on Accreditation Announces Intent to Terminate Their Role as a National Accrediting Entity
October 6, 2017
NCFA Blogs
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ADOPT Act FAQs
December 6, 2023 -
New Report on International Adoption Highlights Need for Change
July 13, 2023 -
Opinion: State Department Hurting Haitian Orphans Adopted by U.S. Families. But there’s a Fix.
February 21, 2023 -
NCFA Responds to the Department of State FY 2021 Annual Report on Intercountry Adoption
September 15, 2022 -
Regarding Refugee Children Fleeing the War in Ukraine
February 28, 2022 -
Court Enforces Adoption Agency Contract Regarding Post-Adoption Reporting
April 1, 2021 -
When Adoptions Fail
June 3, 2020 -
C.O.A. To Terminate Their Role as a National Accrediting Entity
October 6, 2017 -
Why a Certificate of Citizenship is so important for adoptees
September 14, 2017