About Adoption First Steps
Adoption First Steps is a Government accredited not-for-profit charitable trust established by parents who adopted children from other countries. We wanted to use our knowledge to help other people wanting to create, or add to, their families by adopting children in orphanages or other State care overseas.
Our Director, Sue Peacock, is one of the founding members. Sue works with a team of Social Workers who specialise in inter-country adoption.
Our operations are overseen by the AFS Board of Trustees which is made up of founding members with on-the ground-experience as well as professionals with related skills. AFS services are accredited by the New Zealand Government’s Ministry of Social Development. We are audited by the Ministry of Social Development and professional accountants annually.
While AFS is based in Auckland, we offer services throughout New Zealand. Read about our story here.
Our Executive and Board
Sue Peacock – Executive Director
I have worked in a range of roles in the Health sector for many years and bring this, as well as an understanding of quality processes, to my role as Director. I have experienced the frustrations and joys of my own adoption journey. My husband and I are the parents of 2 children (now young adults) adopted from Russia.
Poohan Nathan- Chairperson
I took up the role of AFS Board Chair in June 2025. I am a seasoned technology executive and chartered accountant based in New Zealand, with extensive experience in finance, operations, and scaling tech ventures globally. Beyond my corporate roles, I contributes to the not-for-profit sector as a board member of an international NGO, where I apply strategic and financial expertise to support child welfare initiatives. In 2018, my wife Jaya and I adopted our two children from India and have been active members of the inter-country adoption community in New Zealand ever since. I am a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors (IoD) .
Sanah Seth – Treasurer
I currently serve as Head of Commercial at Crockers Property Group and have previously managed large-scale portfolios across some of New Zealand’s most significant developments. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Property from the University of Auckland and have developed strong expertise in both financial and operational performance—skills I’m passionate about applying in meaningful, purpose-driven work.
Joining Adoption First Steps gives me the opportunity to contribute to a cause I truly believe in—supporting families and individuals through the complex and life-changing process of adoption. I’m committed to helping ensure the charity remains financially strong and transparent as it continues to do vital work in our communities.
Leonne Pfeiffer – Secretary
My professional career is in sustainability education and community engagement included program development, delivery and review, event management, coordinating staff and contractors, budgeting and reporting as well as grant and award applications.
My husband and I have a teenage son and a preschool daughter (through adoption from Thailand). Our family has been actively involved in the adoption community for four years. Several extended family members lives have also been touched by adoption. These relationships and experiences give me an understanding of the needs and challenges faced by children and families. I am passionate about best practice in the adoption process and look forward to contributing to the continual improvement of AFS.
Carol Marshall – Trustee
I have a Certificate in Business Studies and over twenty years experience in accounts to bring to the board of Adoption First Steps. My husband and I have a son adopted from St Petersburg, Russia and a daughter adopted from Pskov, Russia. I feel that the best place for children to grow and mature is in a loving and supportive family.
Anya McNeill – Trustee
I completed a psychology and communications degree at the University of Auckland in 2024. I have been affiliated with AFS since 2022, sharing my story at their education workshops, to now joining their board of trustees.
My story began in Novokuznetsk, Russia where I was adopted into a kiwi family along with my brother in 2001. I wanted to be more involved in the adoption and adoptee community in NZ after living abroad. I believe I will bring my experience and knowledge as an adoptee to help advocate and contribute to prospective parent’s and future adoptee’s journeys.