Anna Rister
Russia/Kazakhstan Liaison

Anna is a native of Saint-Petersburg, Russia where she worked as an interpreter and supervisor for a non-profit organization that worked with children in orphanages and the elderly.

“I have seen how kids live in orphanages and I know how much they appreciate even a little bit of attention,” Rister said. “I am proud to work with Children's Hope to help the little ones find loving homes.” Rister is married and has lived in the United States since September, 2003. She has received her bachelors in Database Processing and Management, from Saint Petersburg College and then went on to work on her Masters Degree in International Economic Relationship at Saint Petersburg University.

Janiece Wieschhaus
Program Coordinator
Southern Illinois Child Welfare Supervisor/Director of LCSW Supervision

Janiece joined the Children's Hope family in June of 2004 and brought with her six years of experience in international adoption. Her work is very close to her heart as Janiece and her husband Neal adopted two of their three children from Russia. She feels incredibly blessed and honored to work in the area of international adoption. “I love seeing the Lord work in the lives of these precious children and families!” says Janiece.

Karolyn Tucker
Travel Coordinator for China/Russia

Karolyn is married to Michael and the mother of Michele and Mia, both adopted from China. Shortly after adopting Michele in 1995, Karolyn began working for Children's Hope and is a senior Children's Hope staff member. Karolyn has experience in dossier preparation, the waiting process and post-adoption paperwork such as adoption legalization and citizenship. At this time, Karolyn is concentrating her efforts on working with families in the travel stage.

Marti Jennings
Program Coordinator/Social Worker

Marti joined the Children’s Hope team in May 2006. She has a Bachelor in Social Work from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. She brings seven years of experience as Deputy Juvenile Officer for the Family Court of St. Louis County working with at risk teenagers and their families; she specialized in the area of juvenile delinquency. Marti is excited to be a member of the Russia team and is looking forward to working closely with families in their adoption journey.

Nichole Nymoen Deal
Social Services Director/Practicum Supervisor
Social Worker for Colombia/Vietnam/Russia

Nichole joined the Children’s Hope Russian Team in February 2001 as a Program Coordinator and later served as Director of the Russia Program. Since 2005, she took leadership instead as the Social Services Director. In addition she is now the main contact and social worker in the St. Louis office serving Colombia families and completes home studies for the Vietnam and Russia programs per diem.

Nichole came to us with many years of professional experience working both in domestic adoptions and with children and families, including at-risk, abused and neglected children. She has a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Missouri – Columbia. Nichole also has a lot of personal experience in adoption as well, as she was adopted domestically at the age of 2 months. Nichole’s parents were always very open with her about her adoption and therefore adoption has been a positive part of her life. Nichole loves working in a field that is so near and dear to her heart! She is very happy to be a part of such a wonderful organization helping to create forever families, just like her own!

Nichole is married and has two children.

Marilyn Muegge
Administrative Assistant for Russian/Kazakhstan

Marilyn joined the Children’s Hope team in May 2006. Her background includes positions in the international corporate, legal, and non-profit fields, most recently the Center for Conservation at Missouri Botanical Garden. Marilyn earned her MA in Spanish from St. Louis University, has studied in Spain and Mexico, and traveled in Europe extensively. She has taught classroom Spanish and enjoys tutoring. Her passions are international culture/travel and volunteering for Birthright, the St. Louis Crisis Nursery and Ranken Jordan Pediatric Rehab Center.

“I feel privileged to be part of a distinguished and dedicated team serving Children’s Hope mission to unite children and loving families!”

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