Staff and Consultants

Dr. Jane Aronson
Founder and Executive Medical Director

Dr. Aronson is a board certified general pediatrician and pediatric infectious diseases specialist, and has been a practicing adoption medicine specialist for the past 12 years. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University, and the director of International Pediatric Health Services (IPH), which she opened in 2000. Since founding WWO in 1997, Dr. Aronson has visited orphanages in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, Russia, and Latin America. Dr. Aronson and her partner Diana have three children: Hilary, (adopted domestically), Desalegn, (adopted from Ethiopia) and Ben, (adopted from Viet Nam).

Dr. Jill Cole
Chief Program Officer

Jill Cole has her doctorate in social work from Columbia University and has a long time interest in international social work. She lived and worked in Yugoslavia in the late '60's as a Fulbright Scholar, has been a consultant for UNICEF in psychosocial programs, completed a research study on ethnic identity issues of Korean born adopted children, headed the Social Work Department of Children's Hospital in Seattle and the international adoption program at Spence-Chapin in NYC. She currently has a private therapy practice in Seattle, WA. and is a child and family therapist who specializes in internationally adopted children and their families. She consults with WWO and is innovator and principal investigator for the WWO projects in both Bulgaria and Serbia. After many years as a consultant with WWO, Jill has joined the staff and oversees all of our programs worldwide.

Stacey Kerr Kirschenbaum
Director of Development

Stacey Kerr Kirschenbaum has a successful record of creating vision, implementing strategic initiatives and surpassing established goals through fundraising, donor and community relations.
For almost 2O years Stacey had served as the Executive and Chief Fundraising Professional for not-for-profit organizations in South Florida and now, New York. She currently is the consulting Director of Development at WWO, a position she has held for the past two years.  Prior to that, she was the Vice President for the Boca Raton Community Hospital Foundation. Stacey earned her B.S. in Education from Buffalo State University and her M.P.A. and Ed.D from Nova Southeastern University.   At WWO Stacey’s role includes development and implementation our Financial Resources Development Plan as well as coordinating our special events. She lives in Monroe, NY with her husband Marc and their two daughters, Julia and Vera.

Diana Leo
Director of Communications

Diana Leo has worked in every aspect of development and nonprofit communications.  She currently is the consulting Director of Communications at WWO, a position she has held for the past two years.  Prior to that, she was the Associate Vice President for External Affairs at New Jersey City University and the Senior Director of Development at New York Law School.  Diana has been involved in strategic planning, major gifts, and annual funds.  She has created materials for Capital Campaigns and brochures.  While at WWO, Diana is responsible for all written materials, including the WWO Newsletter, the Annual Report, and the website.  Diana works closely with the Director of Development to coordinate the WWO annual benefit gala.  She lives in Maplewood NJ, with her partner.   She is the mother of three children through adoption.

Simone Sarmet
International Program Coordinator

Before joining WWO, Simone Sarmet worked at two Brazilian nonprofit organizations founded by the former First Lady in the roles of Marketing Manager and Consultant. Her previous experience includes project management, fundraising, and event planning. She has a Fundraising Certificate from NYU's George H. Heyman Center for Philanthropy and Fundraising, a Master's degree in Marketing from Graduate School of Advertising and Marketing (ESPM / Brazil) and a Bachelor's Degree in Advertising from Brasilia University (UNB/Brazil).

Kristy Aichroth
Accounting Manager

(To be posted)