Tanya Mendakoff
President, Co-Founder
Ukrainian-born Tanya grew up in the former Soviet Union where her parents were harassed and ostracized because of their faith in Christ.  The communist police often raided the home of her grandfather, a pastor, to confiscate Bibles. Tanya was nine years old when her parents fled the persecution and came as refugees to the United States. Twelve years later, after graduating from Seattle Pacific University, her love for the people of Russia and her heart to serve those whom Jesus called “the least of these” provided the impetus for Tanya to return. Driven by compassion for the confused and hurting people around her, Tanya launched SunErgos International in 2003.

Michael Mendakoff
Vice President, Co-Founder
Michael grew up in Saint Petersburg and became a Christian while studying at Med School.  He changed schools and graduated from Saint Petersburg Christian University with a degree in Theology. Throughout his time at the University he started to minister to orphans in Russia through involvement in camps and programs inside orphanages. After graduating, he joined Tanya in starting a ministry that would provide basic necessities and hope to the fatherless. Michael’s background involves being the Senior Pastor of the Saint Petersburg Nazarene Church and working as a teacher at various orphanages in the Saint Petersburg region. Now, he dedicates himself to serve orphans and the poor through SunErgos International.

Olga
Project Director, Eastern Europe
Olga oversees our project “Next Stop” at a local Crisis Center. Olga has a degree in Child Psychology and brings over twenty years of experience working with troubled youth. Her detailed knowledge of how to best work with youth, enables SunErgos to serve kids-at-risk at a professional level in government institutions. Olga’s leadership, training and compassionate heart empowers local Christians to serve the fatherless in the city.

Simon
Field Director, Eastern Europe
Simon oversees one of our projects in a critical area in Eastern Europe. His experience of over 25 years working with local churches, families and children enable him to serve with a true servant heart. Simon leads medical projects, relief projects, children centers; and in doing so, brings people closer to the Lord, building compassionate communities across Eastern Europe.

Katya
Field Staff, Eastern Europe
Katya brings with her over 25 years of experience in working with the local church and those in need in Eastern Europe. Her compassion and a servant heart brings reconciliation in the hurting hearts of the abused, abandoned and orphaned.  Katya is one of SunErgos’ Coordinators and Interpreters with Summer Mission groups. Throughout the year she continues to serve the needs of her community.

Irina
Local Advisor and Volunteer, Eastern Europe
Irina brings with her several decades of experience in working with the local church and those in need in. Her compassion and a servant heart brings reconciliation in the hurting hearts of the abused, abandoned and orphaned.  Irina is one of SunErgos’ Advisors and Coordinators with Summer Mission groups in. Throughout the year she continues to serve the needs of her community..

Alona
Support Staff, USA
Having left the Soviet Union as a three-year-old, Alona went back to Eastern Europe after High School to serve on a ministry team with SunErgos. That summer changed her heart and the following year she came to serve as an intern for a year. While serving as in Intern, Alona assisted in the weekly orphan ministry in the local city. She continues to support SunErgos ministry with administrative tasks in the USA.

Sarah
Volunteer and Intern, Eastern Europe and USA
A past SunErgos Short-Term Team member, Sarah came back and served as an Intern for the summer in 2018 and 2019. Sarah is passionate in issues concerning child’s safety, education and family. While serving as an Intern in 2018 and in 2019, Sarah oversaw the ministry at the Crisis Center in Eastern Europe. Her compassion towards the fatherless was evident in her daily interactions with the kids and teens at the shelter. Sarah continues to serve through media support in the USA.

Lena
Interpreter, Eastern Europe
A volunteer and interpreter with SunErgos since 2008. Lena has always been involved in the local church and has searched ways to serve those in need and has dedicated her life to being a servant to others.  Lena is one of SunErgos’ Interpreters with Summer Mission groups.