Nastia brings both heart, strong leadership and unique combination of data-driven decision-making, and hands-on operational experience to her role as Founder of Mending Roots.

With an MBA and background in program evaluation, project management, and financial oversight, she managed complex initiatives across nonprofit, public-sector, and entrepreneurial environments. Her focus and passion have always been on translating data into actionable outcomes, building strong cross-sector partnerships, and ensuring accountability and transparency - skills that are critical to stewarding humanitarian resources responsibly.

Her background in evaluation, planning, and accountability allows Mending Roots to act quickly while remaining transparent and grounded in real needs. She is deeply committed to ensuring that every donation is used thoughtfully and responsibly. Combined with her fluency in Ukrainian and Russian and her lifelong connection to the people and communities being supported, Nastia is uniquely positioned to assess urgent needs, allocate funds effectively, and ensure that support reaches individuals and families in Ukraine quickly, thoughtfully, and with dignity.

Monica serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors for Mending Roots, bringing a dedication to humanitarian service and animal welfare. With a BA in Women's Studies she has experience working across several non-profit organizations. Monica was drawn to Mending Roots by the passion and dedication of the Founder and Executive Director, Nastia, as well as the transparency and commitment of keeping the administrative costs as minimal as possible to ensure every donation reaches those most vulnerable in Ukraine. Monica believes that compassion should have no boundaries, and that along with caring for the people, caring for the animals of Ukraine is an essential part of preserving the country's heart and community.

Kateryna is a dedicated nonprofit board member originally from Ukraine who relocated to the United States in August 2022. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the Kyiv National University of Trade and Economics and has professional experience in finance, education, mentoring children, and the nonprofit sector. Since settling in Exeter, New Hampshire, Kateryna has been actively helping the Ukrainian community navigate life in the United States, with a consistent focus on supporting children and families.

Kateryna began working in the nonprofit sector in April 2021 in Ukraine and later continued her work in New Hampshire after joining BCNH. In May 2025, she began serving as a Board Member of Mending Roots. Her heart has always been with Ukrainian children, and both before and after moving to the United States, she has continuously supported orphanages in Ukraine through advocacy, outreach, and direct assistance.

She has longstanding connections with children’s orphanages in Ukraine, and after adopting her own child, Kateryna gained a deep personal understanding of the challenges children face. This lived experience informs her compassionate and thoughtful approach to supporting vulnerable children and families.

Susan brings over 23 years of experience as a dedicated acupuncturist, working one-on-one with patients to support healing and transformation. She views her work not only as a profession, but as a meaningful path toward creating positive change in the world - a mission deeply aligned with the values of Mending Roots. Her commitment to compassionate, holistic care is reflected in both her service and her ongoing support of the organization through her time and financial contributions.

Susan holds a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine from Southwest Acupuncture College in Boulder, Colorado, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Colorado, Denver, as well as Bachelor of Science in Forest Science from Pennsylvania State University.

Lilya is a graduate of Notre Dame College, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Much of her work has focused on supporting nonprofit initiatives that assist refugees and displaced communities.

Following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, she played an active role in organizing fundraising efforts to support humanitarian relief and provide critical resources to those affected. She is passionate about community engagement and building support networks for vulnerable populations.

Outside of her professional and volunteer work, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.

Halyna’s journey of supporting children began long before she entered the world of business.

In 1989, she began her career as a nurse in the pulmonology and pediatric oncology-hematology departments at the Chernivtsi Regional Children’s Hospital. For many years, she worked closely with seriously ill children, providing care during some of the most fragile and vulnerable moments of their lives. It was in these hospital rooms that she came to understand the true depth of compassion - that healing is not only found in medicine, but also in warmth, patience, attentiveness, and simply being present.

Although she formally stepped away from medical practice in 2004, the calling to care for others never left her. Nursing was never just a profession - it was, and continues to be, a lifelong path of service.

In time, her journey led her to found the NIKONOVA bakery and pastry shop. Yet, in many ways, her mission remained unchanged. She simply exchanged a nurse’s white coat for a baker’s one - continuing to bring comfort, care, and joy to children through her work and the spirit of her community.

Today, she actively supports a wide range of initiatives for children facing difficult life circumstances. Through her efforts, children from special schools are welcomed into the bakery for creative workshops and meaningful experiences. She provides ongoing assistance to boarding schools, medical institutions, and children with special educational needs. She also returns regularly to the hospital where her journey began, bringing moments of celebration, warmth, and hope to children who continue to fight for their health each day.

One of her most meaningful dreams is to create the first inclusive public space in Chernivtsi - including a playground thoughtfully designed for children with disabilities, where every child can experience joy, connection, and a true sense of belonging.

Her work also extends to supporting temporary care institutions for children awaiting permanent placement, as well as sending aid to communities in frontline regions.

For her, this is not volunteering in the traditional sense. It is the natural continuation of her life’s purpose - an expression of an inner calling to stand beside children wherever care, safety, and the warmth of childhood are needed most.

Oksana Yehorova was born in 1965 in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, where she continues to live today. Life has not always been easy for her. Her family life did not work out, and she never had children. For many years, she served as the sole caregiver for her seriously ill mother, dedicating nearly all of her time to providing care until her mother sadly passed away just before the war began.

Since childhood, Oksana has had a deep love for animals. Over the years, she has rescued countless homeless cats and dogs, offering them food, shelter, and compassion when no one else would. Even now, she cannot walk past a sick or hungry animal without stopping to help - she feels their pain as if it were her own.

When the war started, many of the people Oksana knew fled the country. Some encouraged her to leave as well, but she simply could not. At the time, she was already feeding more than 25 stray cats and about 10 dogs who lived in her yard. They wait for her every day - they know exactly when she comes to feed them. They trust her. They rely on her. And she could never abandon them.

Tragically, the number of abandoned animals has continued to grow. As families fled, many pets were left behind - even purebred ones. One such dog, a poodle she found so matted he was barely recognizable, now lives with her.

But with each passing day, life becomes more difficult. Prices for food and medicine continue to rise. Earning a living is becoming nearly impossible. Even purchasing basic groceries and essential medications has turned into a struggle. She has lived by candlelight for weeks at a time. Her health is worsening - affected by constant stress, her age, and the harsh reality of survival. Despite having worked her entire life, many years of her labor were not counted toward her official record, leaving her without even a minimal pension. Finding paid work now is nearly impossible due to her age and declining health.

Still, Oksana does everything she can - not only to support herself, but also to care for the “little tails,” as she lovingly calls them, who look up at her with hungry, trusting eyes.

One thing remains clear to her: no matter how hard life becomes, she will not leave. She cannot abandon the animals. Without her, they would not survive.

For this reason, she is humbly asking for support. Even the smallest donation would mean the world - not only to her, but to the many animals who depend on her for their daily survival.

Oksana still believes that this nightmare will end and that peace will return. Until that day comes, she simply needs a little help to keep going - to buy food, medicine, and continue caring for the voiceless souls who have no one else.

In Chernivtsi, Ukraine, Nadiia Molchanova has quietly dedicated the past seven years to caring for those most often forgotten - the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and abandoned animals.

Inspired by her grandmother’s example of kindness and selflessness, Nadiia has made it her life’s mission to ensure that no one is left without care, dignity, or human connection. Today, her grandmother remains a source of encouragement and support as this work continues to grow.

Through her charitable initiative, “Help for Grandmothers,” Nadiia currently supports over 100 vulnerable individuals and more than 200 animals across her region.

But behind these numbers are real lives - people living in extreme hardship, often without family, adequate food, or basic medical care.

With limited resources but an unwavering heart, Nadiia provides:

Nutritious monthly food packages

Life-saving medications and medical treatment

Funding for surgeries and urgent healthcare needs

Clothing and proper footwear

Essential hygiene and foot care

Food and care for abandoned animals

Cleaning and maintenance of living spaces

Assistance with other essential daily needs

And most importantly - human connection, dignity, and emotional support

Many of these individuals face unimaginable loneliness. For some, Nadiia is the only person who visits, who listens, who reminds them they are not alone.

She shares their stories not only to raise awareness, but to give them a voice - and to inspire compassion in others.

At its core, Nadiia’s mission is about more than aid. It is about reminding the world - and especially the next generation - that these lives matter.