Today we’d like to introduce you to Francine Apy.

Hi Francine, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?

I’m Francine Apy, author, coach, speaker, and founder of SoulFilling. I’m passionate about helping spark more modern, honest, and balanced adoption conversations, rooted in truth, compassion, and connection.

Before launching SoulFilling, I spent over 25 years in Human Resources leadership, supporting individuals and teams through growth, transition, and transformation. That experience deeply shaped how I approach communication, relationships, and the power of intentional conversations.

SoulFilling was born from my lived experience and a desire to move the adoption conversation forward, not by ignoring the past, but by creating space for new, healthier narratives to take root.

Adoption has changed so much over the years, and I believe we can do a far better job of reflecting that shift in media and publications. Not to negate what’s come before but to recognize it for what it was, a time often shaped by secrecy, shame, and silence. I acknowledge the past, but I choose to move forward, embracing how far adoption has come and committing to a future rooted in openness, understanding, and the belief that every person touched by adoption can grow, thrive, and embrace their story, focusing on what they can control and reclaiming their voice along the way.

I believe in the strength of storytelling, the importance of mindset, and the idea that we all benefit when conversations around adoption are more open, balanced, and authentic.

This second career as an author and speaker has been a true joy. I’m grateful for the connections being made and excited to continue making a meaningful impact, one conversation at a time..

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

Overall, it’s been a smooth and fulfilling road, and I’m truly grateful for that. But like most solopreneurs, I’ve faced the challenge of balancing many moving parts, often simultaneously learning, building, and creating in real time.

Wearing every hat means navigating areas of the business where I have little or no prior experience. One of the most important lessons has been recognizing when to bring in support, whether through interns, marketing, project-based help, or outsourcing to someone with deeper expertise.

The other ongoing challenge has been finding and connecting with those I’m most meant to serve, the individuals and communities who would truly benefit from SoulFilling’s message and mission. It takes time and intention to build those bridges, especially when your work is deeply personal and conversation-based.

But even with those challenges, the process has been incredibly rewarding. Each connection, each conversation, each small moment of impact is a reminder of why I started.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

At the heart of it, my passion is adoption. My journey began during a season of unexpected challenges with starting a family, but adoption was always on our hearts, so the transition felt natural and full of hope. My husband and I are the proud parents of three sons through the blessing of adoption, and it continues to shape so much of who I am.

All these years later, and after a 25-year career in HR leadership, SoulFilling emerged as a way for me to give back and make a meaningful impact in the adoption community. I never set out to create a business around this part of my life, but I found myself reflecting on how I could help spark more modern, balanced adoption conversations, ones rooted in truth, compassion, and personal growth.

I want to be known for creating space where people can reflect, feel seen, and move forward in a way that honors their story. I’m passionate about helping others explore mindset, navigate complexity with grace, and build stronger relationships, especially in adoption-connected spaces.

I’ve always had a gift for putting people at ease, helping them sort through what they’re feeling, and finding simple, authentic ways to move forward. I’m especially proud to have become a first-time children’s book author and to have helped my mom bring her memoir to life. Writing is a newer part of my journey, and one I’m excited to continue exploring.

More than anything, I want to keep having honest conversations, building connections, and helping others live a full, authentic life, until the message reaches everyone who needs it.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?

I see the future of adoption continuing to expand in the best possible ways, with more openness, more balanced conversations, and a greater willingness to hold space for the full experience of everyone involved: birth families, adoptive families, and adoptees.

Today, it is increasingly rare to see an adoption that does not include some level of openness. That shift alone marks real progress. We are gradually moving away from the secrecy and stigma that once surrounded adoption and heading toward something much healthier, rooted in trust, communication, and shared humanity.

I am also encouraged by the growing attention to mental health in all areas of life. It is no longer something people shy away from. More and more, people are seeking support without shame and realizing that what they are feeling is not a life sentence. Within the adoption space, we are also seeing a rise in adoption-competent therapists, which is a wonderful development. It allows individuals to process their stories with guidance that truly understands the nuances of adoption.

As for SoulFilling, I see it growing into a trusted and leading voice in this space, offering tools, language, and conversations that help make adoption part of how we naturally relate to one another. One of my guiding taglines is to help make adoption conversations more mainstream at home, at work, and in school. Not because people touched by adoption need extra support, but because the more we understand what adoption looks like today, the easier it becomes to talk about it without hesitation or dated narratives.

Awareness leads to openness, and that creates space for everyone to show up more fully in their own story.

The conversation is evolving, and I fully intend to be a meaningful part of what comes next.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.SoulFillingAdoption.com
• Instagram: soulfilling_by_francine_apy
• LinkedIn: Francine Apy Founder, SoulFiling,LLC