staff biographies
 
Hague-Accredited
Highest Ethical Standards
Post-Adoption Support
Aleksandra Fleszar, Ph.D - Executive Director
Aleksa holds an MA in Russian literature and a Ph.D in Slavic literature from The Ohio State University. She has been on the faculty of the University of New Hampshire since 1976 and is the coordinator of their Russian program. Aleksa adopted three Russian children, the first in 1991, when it was still the Soviet Union and so was in the forefront of Russian adoption. From 1993 until June 2011 she served as the Russian Program Director for New Hope and in July 2011 took over as the Executive Director. She has traveled to Russia extensively, spent a year at the University of Leningrad as the Resident director for the Council on International Education, several semesters as a graduate student, 12 summers as the Director of Academic Programs in Leningrad and countless shorter trips, crossing the Russian border more than a hundred times. Russian language and culture are as familiar to her as is English and American culture, and she is well versed in the Russian bureaucracy. She has written several Russian language textbooks, articles and is a published literary translator of modern Russian literature. Aleksa’s work “of the heart” is helping Russian children find families as well as helping those children in the orphanages who will never have a chance to be adopted. Her commitment to adoption is irrevocable.
Arna Bronstein, Ph.D - Russian Programs Director
Arna has an MA and Ph.D from University of Pennsylvania in Slavic Literatures. Aleksa hired her in 1981 to help build the Russian Program at University of New Hampshire. Since that time, Arna has taught all levels of Russian language, Russian literature and Russian culture. She joined Aleksa working on the Russian adoption program for New Hope as Coordinator of Russian Program. She has studied and traveled to the Soviet Union and Russia numerous times. Arna has co-authored a second year Russian textbook with Aleksa, and they have translated a collection of short stories, a short novel, and are now completing the translation of the major literary work of a Russian Jewish author. Adoption is a labor of love for Arna, and she is dedicated to work with the parents on preparation of their documents and preparation for their travel. Arna has a beautiful daughter, an enthusiast rescued dog and two loving cats. Arna has also walked over 8 half marathon races throughout New England.
Carmella Dow, M.S.W. - Director of Social Services
Carmella M. Dow, M.S.W. has been working with children and families for over 17 years. She worked in residential and therapeutic foster care programs before transitioning into the field of International Adoptions, where she has worked for nearly 10 years. Adoption work is the perfect fit for Carmella, who loves meeting new people and seeing their joy complete as their family grows with the addition of a child. Carmella also enjoys teaching, and has developed and taught several trainings for foster and adoptive parents over the years. However, being a wife and mother is Carmella’s greatest joy. She home-schools her two children and runs her own Home-school educational support and tutoring business. In her spare time, Carmella loves spending time with her family, camping, hiking, running, and reading.
Paula Daley DePlanche - Accountant
 Paula Daley DePlanche, CPA is a shareholder/partner with the certified public accounting firm of Leone, McDonnell & Roberts, Professional Association, in their Dover, New Hampshire office. She has been serving clients with them since 1988. She specializes in serving nonprofit organizations, closely held for profit businesses and individuals with both financial reporting and tax services. Since 1973, Leone, McDonnell & Roberts, Professional Association, has steadily grown into a multi-partner firm with offices throughout the State of New Hampshire.
Kimberly Johnson - Christian Community Liaison
Kim is the proud mother of three children, two of which were adopted from Russia through New Hope for Children. She has been an integrated member of the Lake Pointe Church Adoption & Foster Ministry team. Since the ministry opened in 2005, Kim has had the opportunity to be a part of serving hundreds of families and children through educational events, social events, support groups, financial assistance, community outreach, and church outreach. She has shared formally on multiple occasions and informally counseled countless couples & singles throughout various types of adoption processes. Kim firmly believes that the Holy Bible speaks strongly about God’s heart for orphans. She believes that all of God’s people are called to share this passion for orphans and bring each child to the love of Jesus Christ. She feels she has personally seen God’s work in each of her adoptions and has a driving heart to share her experiences with others.


STAFF IN RUSSIA

Galina Sigaeva, Head of the Representative Office, St. Petersburg, Russia
Galina graduated from the Leningrad Mechanical Institute and had been employed as a senior engineer and a Physics teacher. Since 1993 she has been a part of our adoption team and Head of the Representative Office since its inception in 2001. Galina’s commitment to helping children and families is the driving force behind everything she does. She has two grown children, two grandchildren, a dog and a cat. She and her husband love to spend their free time in their dacha outside of St. Petersburg, but even from there she in 24/7 on call for adoption work. Galina also loves animals and is involved in the local version of the SPCA. She is a woman with the biggest heart.
Natalia – Facilitator, translator, escort
Natalia (a.k.a. Natasha) graduated from the St. Petersburg Law Institute and from the St. Petersburg Academy of Administration Methods and Technology. She has two children, the older of whom, Sasha, is following in her mother’s footsteps and also studying English. Natasha loves music, good coffee and spending time at her mother’s dacha. Natasha is the one parents call with all requests while in St. Petersburg; she knows the city, knows the adoption process and has worked with parents since 1993.
Aleksej – Attorney, document expertise
Aleksey graduated from the St. Petersburg Law Institute of the General Prosecutor with a specialty in Jurisprudence. He is our document expert, reviews parent dossiers with a fine tooth comb and is in constant contact with the courts to keep up with their latest requirements.  Aleksey lives in the city, but tries to spend as much time as possible at his dacha.  He loves his wife, his two children, nature, the wind and sunsets.
Irina - Court certified translator
Irina is a court certified translator with a degree from the St. Petersburg Pedagogical University. She and her husband are raising a son and she believes that family is the most important thing in a person’s life. Irina loves her native city of St. Petersburg, loves to travel, books, art and theater. She is committed to doing the “right” things in life and that motivates her involvement in helping children find their forever families.
Victor – Driver & Escort 
Victor’s education is in the field of construction engineering, but for the last 25 years he has been a driver. He even drove a UN special team around Russia. Victor has two grown children and a granddaughter, loves sports, animals and has a Mongolian Wolfhound. He says that behind the wheel he feels “like a fish in water” (a Russian expression).
New Hope for Children is a proud partner of the Joint Council.
Our Mission Statement

New Hope for Children, a registered DBA of New Hope Christian Services, is a Hague-accredited, Russia-accredited, licensed non-profit adoption agency existing to provide HOPE to orphaned children in Russia by finding their forever families throughout the USA with the highest of ethical standards.  We are committed to building the strongest of families by providing emotional support and guidance through the entire adoption process, including post-adoption.  Learn more