Our team

Nelli Tkach

Director

Nelli, a refugee from Moldova who came to the U.S. in 1993, has 20+ years of community support experience. She is a child/adolescent therapist with a background in education, bilingual student support, and writing.

Nelli's main projects target:
— working with kids affected by war and bullying;
— building connections between schools and newly-arrived families;
— helping refugees navigate social and medical services;
— providing academic and college planning advice to K-12 and adult students;
— organizing community events and leading the volunteer team.

Since February 2024, Seattle Envelopes have been focused on resettlement efforts in Seattle. Nelli is committed to helping new families in the Seattle area find opportunities for success, as well as building a community to rely on for support and networking.
Irena Furmanova

Educational programs

Under Irena's guidance, Seattle Envelopes has launched key ESL programs and expanded its education efforts. She has effectively trained a diverse group of volunteer ESL teachers, including teenagers, to bring fresh and engaging ways to teach languages. This mix of volunteers helps create a learning environment where both young students and their teachers benefit from each other.

Irena's methods help overcome language barriers, giving non-native speakers the confidence to adjust to their new surroundings. Her commitment has made Seattle Envelopes a place where volunteers gain the teaching skills and understanding needed to truly help immigrants.
Masha Makarenkova

Treasurer

Masha grew up in Tashkent, Uzbekistan and moved across different countries and US States since she graduated from school. Masha has a degree in Economics and an MBA from the University of Washington. Masha was deeply involved in volunteering work since she was a child. As a Treasurer she plays a crucial role at Seattle Envelopes, overseeing the organization's budgeting, financial planning, and ensuring that resources are used efficiently.

Masha's background brings a high level of expertise to our financial practices, helping us maximize our impact on the community. Her commitment to our cause ensures that Seattle Envelopes remains financially healthy and well-positioned to continue its important work. Her experience is invaluable in navigating the financial challenges of non-profit management.
Dmitry Grigorenko

Advisor

Dmitry Grigorenko is an accomplished software engineer with a range of volunteering experiences that highlight his dedication to community service and education. In 2021, he co-founded CovidWA.com, a crucial resource that helped Washingtonians find COVID-19 vaccine availability. WA COVID Vaccine Finder checked more than 1300 WA providers every 5 minutes for new availability, and its data was used to power the WA State Department of Health’s VaccineLocator.

In 2022 Dmitry organized several projects to support refugees. Since 2023 he has been helping to build Seattle Envelopes as a non-profit organization.
Gregory Gridin

Chief Technology Officer

Gregory Gridin is a professional with years of experience in the design, development, and delivery of software solutions. He has been assisting Seattle Envelopes and The Lucky Pen with various technical projects for a long time. These projects include supporting and repairing electronics, procuring and donating quality computers for refugees, maintaining office network security and internet infrastructure, and creating videography for educational events.

In today’s digital age, access to a reliable computer and a stable internet connection is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. This is especially crucial for people who are starting a new life thousands of miles away from home. Staying in touch with their families, accessing legal and healthcare information, connecting with local communities for help and social support, utilizing educational resources, researching work opportunities, and applying for jobs — all these activities require digital access.

Gregory firmly believes that new technologies, coupled with human kindness, can make the world around us significantly better.

The Seattle Envelopes volunteer team is a vibrant group of over 30 dedicated individuals sharing a common goal: helping families to rebuild their lives. We’re always looking for more people to join us! Every hour counts and every volunteer makes a significant difference.