BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Del Larsh, Chairman
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​Del and his wife Elaine adopted their first daughter from St. Petersburg Russia in 2008. After their visit to St. Petersburg in 2006 they fell in love with the city and the culture. Three weeks later one of the Detsky Dom now “Every Child Has a Name” Summer Tours was performing at their church they decided to go see the children from St. Petersburg Russia perform. Their second daughter was adopted from Latvia in 2015 and also had come to the US on a hosting program.
Del has been in worldwide missions for many years He has served as Vice President and President Redhill Lutheran Church, Community Lay Director for Orange County Walk to Emmaus and served on numerous boards. He is currently is responsible for global outreach for Red Hill Lutheran church, working with Baja Christian Ministries, City of Angels Orphanage in Mexico. Del is in Computer Sales working for a large display company.
Susan Colombo, Secretary​
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Susan Colombo and her husband Jim, got involved with ECHAN and their first Russian adoption in 2002. They adopted Anastasia from orphanage #31 in St. Petersburg when she was just seven years old. In 2004, they took their second trip to orphanage #31 in St. Petersburg for their second daughter, Kasenia , who was almost 11 years old. For Susan, the adoption experience was quite an adventure. She was especially drawn to the older children in the orphanage, who were so full of life and hope, and ready to embrace their unknown futures. This is the reason why Susan is so motivated to help the children left behind. Susan works with her husband in the Real Estate Investment Business. The Colombo’s live in Newport Coast and attend Mariner’s Church in Irvine.
Carol Light, Board Member
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​Carol Light is a former teacher, adoptive mother, and child development specialist. She has had a passion for children since earning her bachelor’s degree in childhood development, continuing her studies in earning her teaching credential. After a successful career in the Anaheim and Newport Mesa School Districts, Carol left education to become a full time mother. In 2004 she and her husband Jim made the decision to become adoptive parents through Nightlight Christian Adoptions. Finally, in 2006, they brought their daughter Georgiana home from Tver, Russia. In the meantime Carol has been an advocate and supporter of Nightlight, and of foreign adoption as a whole. Since being invited to join the board of Every Child Has a Name, Carol has been excited to work to help children find their forever home.
Elaine McCarthy, Treasurer
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​Elaine and her husband Neil are both California natives who, in 1999, reached across the globe to Saint Petersburg, Russia to adopt their twin daughters, Alina and Karina. The twins arrived in America just days after their 9th birthday. For the last 15 years, the McCarthy Family has remained involved with ECHAN and international adoption. Alina and Karina embraced their heritage through many years of performing Russian folk dance with the ECHAN, and the McCarthy family has participated in hosting both children and chaperones from Russia, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan in 8 years of Summer Tours. The experience of adopting older children instilled in Elaine the desire to help give the same opportunity to other orphans that was given to her daughters – the opportunity to find their forever family. Elaine is a CPA who practices in Laguna Hills and Neil is an architectural designer, working from their home in San Clemente.
Dan Nehrbass, Board Member
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Daniel is the President of Nightlight Christian Adoptions, home of the Snowflakes® Embryo Adoption program. He has worked as a pastor, professional counselor, and adjunct professor of biblical studies at Biola University. He is also a published author of four books and numerous articles in adoption and religious magazines. Dan is a board member of Every Child Has a Name, the National Christian Adoption Fellowship, A Helping Hand, and on the organizing committee of Adopted for Good. Daniel earned a PhD in Practical Theology and three master’s degrees in ministry, divinity, and theology. Dan and his wife, Kristina, have been best friends since they were thirteen years old. His hobbies include rock climbing, off-roading, hiking, skiing, and reading. Dan and Kristina are adoptive parents, and have six children.
Melinda Olmedo, Board Member
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​Melinda and her husband Manuel (Manny) have been married for 32 years and have 2 children, Melissa (27) and Matthew (25). She is a member of Red Hill Lutheran Church, Tustin, CA where she served on the Youth Board for 8 years and as a board representative on Church Council for 2 years. She is currently serving on the church Master Planning Committee to evaluate facilities requirements for future growth. She and her husband Manny are passionate about orphan care and regularly host the chaperones who come to supervise the children here on orphan tours. She was also a board member of Orange County Lutheran Youth Band. She has thirty-five years’ experience in financial and business management for major corporations.
Ron Stoddart, Board Member
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​Ron is an attorney with a private practice in Loveland, Colorado. He worked in the field of adoptions for the past 30 years as an attorney and agency director. His longtime commitment and involvement in pro-life issues were instrumental in the development of the agency’s innovative Snowflake Embryo Adoption Program. Ron also developed and directed the agency’s international adoption programs in Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa. Ron and his wife, Linda, had four children, including one adopted domestically at birth and one adopted from Russia at age 11. He lives in Colorado close to their 7 grandchildren.