Board Members
Meet the dedicated individuals who guide New Hope Advocacy in our mission to serve individuals with disabilities and the elderly with dignity and respect.
Martin A. Ornelas
U.S. Coast Guard Veteran (1983–2003) | Veterans Services Leader, Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA)
Martin A. Ornelas is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran and public-service professional with more than four decades of experience supporting operational readiness, mission execution, and veterans’ advocacy. Born in Kimball, Nebraska, and raised in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, he has sustained a career defined by disciplined service, accountability, and effective teamwork. Across 20 years of active-duty service (1983–2003), Mr. Ornelas served at Coast Guard units in Washington, Florida, Oregon, and Puerto Rico, including Stations Grays Harbor and Tillamook Bay and aboard USCGC Vashon. His assignments encompassed search and rescue coordination, heavy weather and surf operations, maritime law enforcement, and unit administration, supported by specialized training in aids to navigation, maritime law enforcement, coxswain qualification, motor lifeboat operations, and security. Following his military retirement, Mr. Ornelas continued his service with the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA), where he has worked since 2009. He has served as a Veterans Service Officer and in leadership roles within ODVA’s Portland Office and Portland Appeals Office, assisting veterans and their families in navigating benefits, developing well-supported claims, and preparing for appeals, including matters that proceed to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. Highlights · Completed 20 years of U.S. Coast Guard service with operational leadership in search and rescue, heavy weather boat operations, and maritime law enforcement. · Provided command support across training leadership, personnel administration, and key unit administrative and housing responsibilities. · Served with ODVA since 2009, supporting benefits counseling, claims development, and appeals preparation for veterans and their families. Based in Oregon, Mr. Ornelas remains committed to advancing outcomes for veterans through principled leadership, clear guidance, and mission-focused public service.
Dr. Teresa Simkins-Aris
Founder/President
Dr. Teresa Simkins-Aris is the Founder and President of New Hope Advocacy, Inc., an organization dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities and their families through advocacy, education, resources, and opportunities for greater independence. With more than four decades of experience in education, Dr. Simkins-Aris has served as a teacher, school administrator, educational leader, program developer, and advocate. Her career has focused on improving educational and life outcomes for students and adults with disabilities while helping families navigate complex systems of education, transition, employment, and community support. Throughout her career, Dr. Simkins-Aris has developed and led innovative educational, alternative learning, therapeutic, and transition programs designed to meet the needs of individuals who may not thrive within traditional systems. Her leadership philosophy is grounded in the belief that every individual deserves to be recognized for their abilities, provided meaningful opportunities, and supported in achieving the greatest possible level of independence. Her commitment to disability advocacy is both professional and deeply personal. Growing up with a mother who had a disability gave Dr. Simkins-Aris an early understanding of the challenges individuals and families can encounter when trying to access appropriate services, opportunities, and support. That experience became a driving force behind her lifelong commitment to creating stronger systems of advocacy and support. Through New Hope Advocacy, Dr. Simkins-Aris works to bring individuals with disabilities, families, educators, employers, professionals, and community partners together. Her vision extends beyond helping families navigate today's systems—she is committed to building pathways to education, meaningful employment, independent living, community participation, and long-term support. As Founder and President, Dr. Simkins-Aris provides strategic leadership for New Hope Advocacy while developing educational programs, advocacy resources, professional partnerships, and initiatives designed to turn advocacy into meaningful, lasting change. Her guiding belief is simple: Every person deserves more than services—they deserve opportunity, dignity, belonging, and hope.
Kashyap Bhesaniya
Global Technology Leader & Digital Transformation Executive
Professional Overview With 18 years of cross-functional experience in the global software and technology industry, Kashyap Bhesaniya is a seasoned technology strategist, solution architect, and executive leader. He has spent nearly two decades directing end-to-end digital transformation, building enterprise-grade software products, and advising international clients across diverse geographic markets. Core Field & Domain Experience 1. Digital Transformation & Enterprise Solution Architecture Directed end-to-end modernization and application lifecycles for global enterprises, bridging business strategy with scalable technology. Specialized in designing cloud-ready, microservices-based architectures, high-availability web systems, and cross-platform mobile ecosystems. 2. FinTech & Financial Systems Led the delivery of secure, compliant, and scalable digital solutions for financial technology applications. Experience overseeing digital payment integrations, transactional platforms, and data-driven analytical tools for international markets. 3. Real Estate & Property Tech (PropTech) Architected specialized web and mobile platforms to automate workflows, property listings, CRM ecosystems, and client management for global real estate domains. 4. Full-Stack & Emerging Web/Mobile Technologies Deep technical oversight in modern web stack architectures (MEAN, MERN, Java, and .NET frameworks) along with native and cross-platform mobile app environments. Championed DevOps adoption, continuous delivery pipelines, and Agile/Scrum delivery frameworks to accelerate product delivery. 5. Global Technology Consulting & Practice Building Advised international clients across the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific on technology roadmaps, IT investments, and product innovation. Built, scaled, and mentored multi-disciplinary engineering, product, and delivery teams fostering high performance and market-driven execution.