About Us
Think of Ukraine not as where your parents are from, but where your children's future lies. That's when real change happens.
That statement paraphrases something Jeff heard while streaming a Ukrainian radio station and it epitomizes our purpose. Working in collaboration with people in Ukraine to build a great future.
Our Story
Feb. 24, 2022 - The world all of our children will grow up in changed. The outcome of Russia's horrific full-scale invasion of Ukraine will shape world order for decades but it will affect young people in Ukraine the most. NATO and other allies must continue military support and increase it to see the conflict to an end that allows Ukraine to remain an independent and free country on all her land. Our mission is to look beyond the victory, toward rebuilding smashed communities and forging bonds across continents. So many of us wanted to do something, anything to help after Feb. 24th. Jeff donated where he could, but agonized over ways to do more. He'd been there, he was married in Kherson, his son was born there. He knows the strength, resilience, and determination of the people and knew he had to help. A bit aged for a soldier and with a business to run, he couldn't join the front - but when an idea sparked for what we are doing, he knew he'd found a way to start an enduring legacy of love, hope, and inspiration between people half a world apart. With a great team of like-minded folks, that seed took root and became Razom Sestra, Razom Brat - Together Sister, Together Brother - From Oregon, USA, to Ukraine - ALWAYS
Meet The Team
Jeff Musall, President
Jeff is a man of many passions and pursuits who is always thinking of what's next -be it his garden, a great vacation, a business matter, or a way to help others. His personal mantra is to never rest on the past and to always look for more ways to experience life while living a "plus positive" existence - meaning giving more than taking to his family, friends, and the world in general. Growing up with roaming parents, he lived in towns as small as 81 residents and as big as Los Angeles. Joining the Navy after high school only fueled his desire to explore places, people and cultures. That kicked into high gear when he worked in the airline business and could travel space-available for free. He deeply treasures the many people, cultures and lands he's been fortunate to get to know. These days, he owns two tax preparation offices, holds an Enrolled Agent certificate with the IRS, and is also an Oregon Licensed Tax Consultant. His wandering ways found him visiting Ukraine in 2004 where he met his bride-to-be, Oksana. They married in Kherson and went back there for the birth of their son Sasha in 2007. Now living in Newberg, Oregon, Jeff serves as chairman of the Planning Commission and sits on a joint county/city planning commission. A frequent community volunteer, he also coached youth soccer for six years. From a Kherson watermelon to the street scenes of Kyiv and the warmth of the poeple, Ukraine felt, and still feels, like another home for Jeff. He was one of the few who saw the full-scale invasion coming as the Russians built up, dreading what would come to pass Feb. 24th 2022. Always an optimist who knew the people would not be easily conquered, he was still surprised by Ukraine's ability to repel the invaders. Now, he is committed to do his part to assist Ukraine as she emerges from the darkness, stronger than ever.
Yelena Schlyakhtich, Director, Board Chair
Yelena owns her own business and also works in a tax office where she holds an Enrolled Agent Certificate from the IRS. It's been about twenty years since she moved from Ukraine to the United States, eventually settling down and buying a house in SW Washington. Outside of the tax season, she's frequently traveling throughout the Western US with her business. When it's time to do taxes, she manages a busy office, with a long list of clients who trust her year after year. She lived in the Ukrainian city of Kriyvyi Rih, near the center of the country. It's actually the longest city in all of Europe, stretching around 100 km long (but only about 20 km wide) and it's also the hometown of President Volodmyr Zelenskyy. It's been attacked multiple times by the Russian invaders but remains freely in Ukraine. Yelena knows loss from the war personally - relatives have been casualties of the front lines in the East. She's been a strong supporter of a hospital in the region and other initiatives and now Yelena is looking forward to helping Razom Sestra, Razom Brat assist in Ukraine's rebuilding.
Abigail "Abby" Adler, Director
Abby graduated high school from a Denver suburb in 2023 and will be attending Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA, where she will study early childhood education. Abby wants to add to the organization's vision of having engaged and empathetic youth involved with the mission. In Colorado she was active with Casa de Paz, working for immigration reform. Abby served as a church camp counselor, worked in kid's programs at the YMCA, volunteered with Joy's Kitchen, and worked as an Au Pair in Spain part of the summer. She loves being outdoors enjoying camping, hiking, rafting, and just being in nature. Her school provided students the opportunity to travel, helping her to learn about the world that ought to be while adapting to the world as it is. Abby is passionate about what we are doing because she believes everyone deserves to feel safe and have opportunities. She says that it's important to help rebuild Ukraine and give students there the chance to experience everything in peace.
Suchita "Suchi" Dadhich, Director
Suchita R. Dadhich is a seasoned leader with over 2.5 decades of impactful service in the IT and business industries. Renowned for her courageous and dynamic leadership style, she has been a trailblazer in thought leadership for women in technology (STEM), embodying inclusiveness and addressing challenges with innovative, intersectional ideas. Suchita’s dedication to creativity and innovation is reflected in her leadership approach, where she challenges assumptions to thrive in uncertain environments. As a fervent builder of positive capability, she commits herself to spreading STEM capabilities and ensuring education accessibility within the community. Her most recent corporate role was as Vice President of Infrastructure & Operations/SRE + DevOps+ Agile at JPMorgan Chase. Suchita is well known as a change agent and transformation leader. Her design-first approach and expertise in Thought Leadership for social impact, as well as Subject Matter Expertise in cutting-edge technologies like AI, Automation, Big Data, and Modern IT Infrastructures, drive pioneering solutions. Collaborating with stakeholders, she fosters a culture of agility and innovation, benefiting clients, employees, and communities. Suchita’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through her contributions to a WIN-WIN-WIN value system. Having played pivotal roles in transforming companies like IBM, JPMorgan Chase, and Avnet, she has created innovative technology platforms and facilitated successful shifts to DevOps and Agile. As a modern-day explorer and “brain coach,” Suchita navigates organizational networks adeptly, continuously developing new skills and fostering innovation. Her dynamic leadership, coupled with a willingness to tackle challenges beyond her comfort zone, cultivates a culture of passion and innovation. Passionate about creating positive change and fostering compassion, Suchita Dadhich is a dedicated humanitarian advocate committed to championing the rights and well-being of vulnerable populations. With a strong belief in the inherent dignity of every individual, Suchita R. Dadhich, tirelessly works to address social injustices, promote equality, and advance humanitarian causes. Her advocacy extends to issues such as access to education, healthcare, gender equality, child's rights, diversity, and basic human rights, with a focus on empowering communities to build a more inclusive and compassionate world. Suchita R. Dadhich is driven by the belief that collective action can create lasting impact, and their efforts serve as an inspiring example of the transformative power of compassion and advocacy. She stands for being a compassionate force for positive change, as a humanitarian champion, she is focused on working to uplift the marginalized and advocate for justice, embodying a fervent commitment to human rights.
Jefferson Mildenberger, Director, Board Vice Chair
Jefferson Mildenberger is a business/clinical consultant with the National Medical Team and has been with Kaiser Permanente since 2011. During that time he has held various positions within the organization, including Senior Director of Care Delivery Strategy and Government Programs in KPNW and Service Area Director for KPNW's Mid-Valley Service Area. Before joining KP, Jefferson was the Health Director for a Federally Qualified Health Center serving urban Native Americans and the homeless in downtown Portland and a Service Area Director for another health system. In his current role, he often works on market alignment for national projects such as Thrive Local, A30, and Compass Rose. Jefferson is a Navy veteran who holds an MBA from George Fox University and he is passionate about health equity and social justice. He is an ally for under-represented populations, previously holding board positions with Familias en Accion, Project Access Now, and the Coalition of Community Clinics in Portland. Jefferson resides in Newberg, a small town in Oregon's Wine Country, with his wife Melanie, his three grown children, and their two small dogs. An active community member, he has coached youth soccer, taught Lego Robotics, and held local office as a city councilor. Jefferson's motto is "be the Change you want to see in the world."
Aleksandr, "Sasha" Musall,
Director
Sasha is a student at Newberg High School in Oregon and he is part of the Class of 2025. He sets a high academic standard for himself and plans to study astrophysics and philosophy when it's time for a University. He is tech-savvy and helped create the Razom Sestra, Razom Brat website and social media programs. Sasha loves to engage himself with physics-related topics like alternate realities, different logic systems, extra-dimensional spaces, and life extending technology. He spends a lot of time researching Multiverse Theory and hopes humanity can one day explore it and observe just what the term "beyond infinite" encompasses. He also feels passionately about helping his fellow Ukrainians get the education, medicine, and peace of mind they deserve and he is excited to bring his generation's perspective to the mission. Although he only spent his first two months of life in Ukraine with a couple of visits since, he does not hesitate to say "I'm Ukrainian!" He frequently volunteers in the local community and is thrilled to be part of Razom Sestra, Razom Brat from the beginning. Sasha is unwavering in his strong belief that Russia's barbaric invasion of his country was completely unjustified and cannot be allowed to stand. Sasha is committed to helping Ukraine rebuild in peace and freedom.
Salina is a lifelong native to the Pacific Northwest, residing in SW Washington. She traveled the lower 48 prior to settling down and raising a family. In those days, she spent a lot of time camping or fishing. No whining and limited electronics are the two requirements to be accepted just the way you are in her company. She always roots for the underdog and has been told more than once that her "authenticity is a rarity." There was hardly a day when her kids came home from school without someone new to meet when they walked in the door. The running joke was "Dad brings home the animals and Mom brings home the humans" Even before being diagnosed with Complex-Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, seeing the light in others and being of service to them filled her with motivation to continue her journey. She believes we are here for two purposes - to teach, and to learn. She knows she still has so much to learn and just as much to share with others and teach. As a trauma survivor, she sees the blessing of waking each day as something not to be taken for granted. Her goal in life is to touch every person she encounters. Whether it be in a big or small way is immaterial. Her hope is that each person she meets, at one point in their life, pauses for just a moment to think about something she had said or done and ponders it before making a bad decision. The thought overfills her "cup of gratitude." She spends much of her leisure time outside playing with a 60-pound Dox-Bully (Pitbull Dachshund mix) named Weiner. Painting is another passion she enjoys. A favorite is on the top of an old school desk with the words "All Walks Welcome." She mounted it on the entryway to her home for all to see. Most who saw it admired the painting and went on about their day, but a select few questioned her as to the meaning. She responds "no one should ever be deprived of a hot shower and a warm meal." She is happy that her children try to live their lives the same way and she loves being "Nina" to their kids.
Salina Grendahl,
Secretary