Worldwide Orphans Foundation
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Staff and Consultants


Dr. Jane Aronson
Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Aronson is a board certified general pediatrician and pediatric infectious diseases specialist, and has been a practicing adoption medicine specialist for the past 12 years. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University, and the director of International Pediatric Health Services (IPH), which she opened in 2000. Since founding WWO in 1997, Dr. Aronson has visited orphanages in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, Russia, and Latin America. Dr. Aronson and her partner Diana have three children: Hilary, (adopted domestically), Desalegn, (adopted from Ethiopia) and Ben, (adopted from Viet Nam).


Mark Beukema
Director of Programs

Mark Beukema, Director of Programs, has extensive experience managing non-profit and social welfare programs overseas, including child centered social development projects, refugee programming and seafarers’ welfare services.  Mark came to WWO after working with United Seamen’s Service as Director of Operations at their New York City headquarters.  Prior to that, Mark lived in Asia for many years; working with United Seamen’s Service in the Philippines, Save the Children Fund U.K. in Hong Kong and Vietnam, and World Concern and the Malaysian Red Crescent Society in Malaysia.  Mark has a MSW degree from SUNY Albany and a BS degree in Psychology from Houghton College.  He lives in the historic Forest Hill district of Newark, NJ.
 


Diana Leo
Director of Development and Communications

Diana Leo has been been involved in development and communications in the non-profit world for more than 20 years. She was the Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement at New Jersey City University. Prior to that,she served as the Senior Director of Development at New York Law School. She began her career at the YMCA of Greater New York, where she was responsible for grants and creating a direct mail program. Diana holds an MA in English Literature from NYU, and was a founding Board member of New York City’s Gay Community Center and of the Paul Rapoport Foundation.


Kris Marino
Director of Finance and Administration

Kris Marino, Director of Finance and Administration, comes to WWO with a broad professional background including work in both the for profit and non profit sectors.  She has worked in strategic planning for a variety of companies including Procter & Gamble, Dupont and Merck.  Most recently she was the Executive Director of a locally based non profit where she was involved in all facets of non profit management including development, communications, financial management and strategic planning. Throughout her professional and work life, Kris has been heavily involved in volunteerism.  Kris has served a variety of local, county, state and national organizations, including the Junior League and Court Appointed Special Advocates which serves children in the foster care system. Kris acquired her post-secondary education at Duke University, where she earned both her B.A. in Economics and her M.B.A in Management.


Simone Sarmet
Sr Manager of Development and Special Projects

Before joining WWO, Simone Sarmet worked at two Brazilian nonprofit organizations founded by the former First Lady in the roles of Marketing Manager and Consultant. Her previous experience includes project management, fundraising, and event planning. She has a Fundraising Certificate from NYU's George H. Heyman Center for Philanthropy and Fundraising, a Master's degree in Marketing from Graduate School of Advertising and Marketing (ESPM / Brazil) and a Bachelor's Degree in Advertising from Brasilia University (UNB/Brazil).


Kristy Aichroth
Accounting Manager

Kristy Aichroth is the Accounting Manager at WWO.  Prior to coming to WWO, Kristy worked  for eight years  as a Fund Accountant and Manager  at a hedge fund based in New York City.  In this role, she handled all daily management including investor relations.  She also has numerous years in the public accounting field.
Kristy earned her BS in Business and Economics with a major in Accounting from Lehigh University.  She currently lives in Springfield with her husband and daughter.


Kathy Geiser
Development Associate

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Roz McAndrews
Office Manager

Roz McAndrews was employed by renowned mapmaker and publisher, Hammond Incorporated, for 14 years. During her tenure, she filled a variety of positions including, Executive Assistant to the President/CEO and Sr. Vice President, Human Resources Assistant, Purchasing Assistant, Production Secretary, and also functioned as Traffic Manager during the company's transition from manual cartography to a computerized database. During the past 9 years, Roz worked as Office Administrator/Human Resources and Executive Assistant to the President/CEO for Morristown-based advertising and public relations agencies, DKB and Partners, Inc., and 0to60.  Roz has resided in Maplewood for the past 28 years.

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