Svetlana Ivashchenko
As the Executive Director of the Children’s Guardian Fund, Svetlana works closely with the board of directors on governance, strategic planning, and organizational operations. She oversees donor and foundation research, manages daily organizational processes, and ensures the successful execution of key events and marketing initiatives while cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with community stakeholders.
Svetlana’s dedication to community service and volunteerism began in her early years when she discovered her passion for helping others while assisting the school librarian during recess. Not only did this activity allow her to spend extra time around books, but she learned the fascinating science of library organization. She believed she was getting the better end of the deal, only to later realize that the librarian was equally grateful for her help, presenting her with a certificate of appreciation at the end of the school year. This foundational moment continues to inspire her leadership today. Svetlana believes that connecting individuals with meaningful service and giving opportunities leads to personal growth and a profound sense of purpose and belonging.
Svetlana earned a B.A. in Communication from the University of Washington. In her leisure time, she enjoys gardening and watching sunsets at the beach.
Kristin Poolman
Kristin is the Children’s Guardian Fund’s Program Director. She was an Operations and Human Resources executive for a Fortune 100 retailer. She resided throughout the United States as a FVP on a New Market entry team for a global Fortune 10 financial services firm. As Director of Community Based Programs for a non-profit, she directed a Federal Competitive PREP grant under the HHS department.
Kristin has served as a Guardian ad Litem for many years. Most recently she has worked for the State of Florida 12th Circuit Court in Sarasota County for the Guardian ad Litem program as a Child Advocate Manager.
Kristin brings her passion for serving children and families in the Juvenile Dependency system to the Children’s Guardian Fund.
Rachel Besaw
Rachel has 11 years of teaching experience, mainly focused on elementary and middle school education. She has homeschooled her children as well as taught at a homeschool co-op. She became passionate about homeschooling because she saw how it developed the confidence that her students needed to pursue their personal and educational goals and become independent learners. She has witnessed firsthand the significant impact one-on-one attention can have on a child’s academic development, especially when working with challenging students. As the part-time office assistant at the Children’s Guardian Fund, she gets to apply her organizational skills while also supporting the community’s most vulnerable children.