Our Board of Directors consists of the following eight individuals:
1. Maureen Basquill Ruf
Lawyer admitted to practice in New York; partner, Ruf & Basquill, New York, New York. Prior to earning a Doctor of Jurisprudence (“J.D.”) degree, Maureen earned a Bachelor of Arts (“B.A.”) in Philosophy, and a Master of Arts (“M.A.”) in International Relations focusing on economic development/ international economics and international relations theory; experienced in adoption law, immigration law, charitable organizations; member, Committee on Foreign and Comparative Law, 1999-2001, United Nations Committee, 2002-2006, The Association of the Bar of the City of New York; Board of Directors, United Nations Association of New York (2004-2010).
2. Donna Hallas
Clinical Professor and Director, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program, New York University, Meyers College of Nursing, New York, New York. Board Certified as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Pediatric Mental Health Specialist; Registered Professional Nurse; extensive educational background (Nursing Diploma; Bachelor of Science (“B.S.”) in Biology; Master of Science (“M.S.”) in Education, Allied Health Science; B.S., M.S. and Doctor of Philosophy (“Ph.D.”) in Nursing; Ph.D. thesis: The Attachment Relationship between Foster Care Parents and Foster Care Children), and extensive teaching and clinical experience in foster care preadoption, pediatric primary care, maternal and child health, pediatric endocrinology, infant apnea; medical and neurosurgical nursing. Recipient, 2016 American Association of Nurse Practitioners New York State Award for Excellence.
3. Serene Hang Su
Information Technology Consultant, Open Seas Adoption Services, Inc., New York, New York; Freelance interpreter; Fitness instructor. Extensive experience in international business development, computer science, interpretation, and fitness instruction. Experience working with children, in particular, includes teaching fitness classes to school children in New York, and volunteering abroad at an orphanage in Macao. Recipient, First Prize in an international English language essay contest organized by the Goi Peace Foundation in partnership with the UNESCO, for her essay on her work with the children in the Macao orphanage. New York State Certified Court Interpreter; Certified Medical Interpreter by the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters; Licensed Zumba Instructor; Certified Aerobics and Body Conditioning Instructor by the City of New York Department of Parks and Recreation; Certified Aquatic Fitness Professional by the Aquatic Exercise Association. Educational credentials earned in China, Europe and the United States include a Bachelor of Business Administration (Macao, China), an M.S. in European Business (France), and an M.S. in Computer Science (New York). Fluent in Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), English, and French, with a working knowledge of Spanish.
4. Geraldine Kunstadter
Chairman and President, Albert Kunstadter Family Foundation, New York, New York. Extensive experience with charitable organizations in U.S. (especially in connection with the United Nations and diplomatic community) and globally (including Hong Kong, China, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Central America and South Africa), especially with development of programs for application of funds and monitoring their application; former President of the National Institute of Social Sciences and recipient of the Silver Medal for Distinguished Service from the National Institute of Social Sciences; current board memberships include the Institute of World Affairs, and Bridge to Asia Foundation; member, the Council on Foreign Relations; member, the Advisory Council of the Hospitality Committee for U.N. Delegations, Inc.; fluent in French, working knowledge of Chinese (Mandarin); three full years of study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
5. James A. Ruf, Jr.
Lawyer admitted to practice in New York and Colorado; partner, Ruf & Basquill, New York, New York. Educational credentials include a B.A. in Economics and a J.D. Degree. Recipient,
Meritorious Achievement in Economics award; Recipient, W.D.P. Carey Exhibition, award for Excellence in Legal Research and Writing; Recipient, Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating, for achievement of the highest level of professional excellence in the practice of law. General corporate practice including corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, formation and general representation of business and not-for-profit entities.
6. Priscilla Yuen-Man Kuk
Primary Autism Community Class Teacher, York Region District School Board, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. B.A. in Developmental Studies and Health Studies, Bachelor of Education (B.Ed), Master of Education (M.Ed), and Post-Baccalaureate Studies in Linguistics and Psychology; experience with early childhood development and communication, special education, health issues, developmental disabilities; fluent in Chinese (Cantonese).
7. Juliann Xiaochuang Wang
Extensive marketing, financial, business management experience in U.S., Europe and Asia. Former Marketing Manager, OCBC Bank (Overseas-Chinese Banking Corporation), Singapore. Fluent in Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese); educational credentials include a B.S. in Hospitality Administration and a year of intensive study and practice in traditional Chinese medicine.
8. Diane T. Woo
President, Diane T. Woo, Inc., New York, New York. Extensive experience as a consultant and advisor to U.S. businesses working overseas; extensive experience with charitable organizations as well as “for profit” entities in U.S. and China; current board memberships include The American Friends of Shanghai Museum; Soong Ching Ling Foundation, a group dedicated to the welfare and education of children in China; and Director and Treasurer, Friends of China Heritage Fund; member and former Director, National Committee on United States-China Relations; fluent in Chinese (five dialects including Mandarin, Cantonese, and Shanghainese).
The Board of Directors is our governing body that establishes and approves the Agency’s mission, policies, budget and programs, and appoints and oversees the performance of the officers and Executive Director.
It is the express policy of our Board that, as the Agency gains experience in the placement of orphans from abroad, it will remain a closely knit and active Board and not retreat to merely an oversight function.
The Agency’s Corporate Secretary is Yorlene Vukel.
The President, Treasurer and Acting Executive Director is Maureen Basquill Ruf.