About Us

Founder and Managing Director

Immigration attorney Katya Stelmakh has over 15 years of successful experience in the field of business immigration law. Prior to founding Stelmakh & Associates in 2008, Ms. Stelmakh managed business immigration practice of an international law firm with offices in Philadelphia, Moscow, and Kiev. While with the firm, Ms. Stelmakh counseled one of the world’s largest ferro-alloy and steel manufacturers on all international business personnel relocation matters and travel concerns. She also litigated international legal disputes and advised corporate clients on business transactions.

Chief Operating Officer

Sergey Tumakha is a Chief Operating Officer at Stelmakh & Associates, where he has been refining business processes, market focus, culture, and operational standards since 2008. With a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering and an MBA from The Wharton School, Sergey uniquely blends high-tech expertise with entrepreneurial and strategic business management skills.
Sergey held significant roles in leading corporations like Amazon and Microsoft and drove initiatives in privacy-preserving technologies. His substantial experience in technology, including founding and managing startups, equips him with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs, particularly tech founders. Sergey’s leadership extends beyond internal management to directly influencing the success of clients seeking O-1 Work Visas, EB-1 Green Cards, and EB-2 NIW petitions. His extensive background in technology development, combined with his entrepreneurial success and a profound commitment to helping others realize their potential, drives him. Sergey’s firsthand experience with the demands of innovation and leadership in the tech industry provides him with unique insights into the specific needs and potentials of clients navigating complex immigration processes.

Associate Attorney

Kimberly is a dedicated and compassionate immigration attorney with expertise in the O-1 Extraordinary Ability visa, as well as various permanent residency paths such as EB-1 Extraordinary Ability and Outstanding Researchers, EB-2 National Interest Waivers, and their accompanying Adjustment of Status applications ("green cards"). She is experienced in assisting clients navigate complex legal systems in creative ways, adept at creating optimal outcomes for clients and collaborating in teams to foster successful results for internal and external stakeholders. She has experience at both small and mid-sized firms, as well as in the private and public sector. Prior to becoming an attorney, Kimberly held roles in the startup and finance industries.

Senior Paralegal

Kelsie has several years of experience in U.S. immigration law, specializing in the O-1 Extraordinary Ability visa, EB-1 Extraordinary Ability and Outstanding Researchers, EB-2 National Interest Waivers, Adjustment of Status applications, and RFE responses.

Before joining the firm, she worked at Legalpad, an immigration support startup, for 3 years, where she helped a multitude of startup founders, business executives, and STEM workers navigate their complex immigration journeys. Kelsie helped the legal team grow by developing critical SOPs and resources, resulting in a high approval rating for EB-2 NIW, O-1A, and EB-1A petitions. After Legalpad was acquired, Kelsie worked in a management role where she trained and mentored a team of 5 immigration paralegals.

As a child of Cambodian refugees, Kelsie understands the complexities, stress, and heightened emotions of the U.S. immigration process. She is extremely passionate about providing exceptional white-glove service and an empathetic approach to her clients.