This page continues to be updated with presenters' info.
 Alena Akselrod is vice president of Outreach and Engagement at Leading Edge, where she strengthens connections within the Jewish nonprofit sector and expands access to resources, insights, and partnerships. Since joining the organization in 2016, Akselrod has combined strategic relationship-building, data expertise, and systems thinking. Her work centers on problem solving, data storytelling, and collaboration. She has overseen the sector’s largest employee engagement surveys, offering actionable insights to hundreds of organizations and professionals. In her current role, she deepens engagement and responsive support across the field. As an emigrant from the Former Soviet Union in the mid-1990s, Akselrod found a passion for youth work that led her to a 13-year career supporting Russian-speaking Jewish families and teens at a JCC in South Brooklyn. She holds an MBA in nonprofit management and a master’s degree in Jewish professional leadership from Brandeis University and is a JCC Association Merrin Teen Professional Fellow.
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 Leenie Baker Gindy (she/her) is an experiential facilitator driven by curiosity, community, and collaboration, with a focus on values-based, pluralistic Judaism. She is the director of partnerships at Jewish Studio Project, where she shapes JSP’s partnership model and stewards organizational relationships. Baker Gindy has led intentional experiences in a wide range of settings—from wellness promotions programming at USC Hillel and curriculum design and facilitation at Culinary Judaics Academy to teaching adult English learners and leading community-based education across Los Angeles. She is a Nachshon Graduate Fellow and holds a master’s degree in nonprofit management from Hebrew Union College’s Zelikow School of Jewish Nonprofit Management.
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 Michael Bresler is the founder of Broadheights, a consultancy that partners with nonprofits and educational institutions to drive impact through operational excellence and responsible AI integration. With more than 25 years of experience in business operations, innovation, and client success, Bresler brings a unique blend of strategic insight and hands-on leadership to his work. He has delivered workshops and transformation initiatives for organizations including JPro25, Na’aleh, and Beth Tfiloh, where he also served as chairman of the board. His work focuses on reducing administrative burden, enhancing organizational clarity, and equipping teams with the tools and mindsets to thrive in an AI-enabled world. Bresler is known for translating complex technology into accessible, actionable strategies that are aligned with mission-driven goals. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business and a master’s degree in negotiation and conflict management and is a frequent speaker on the future of work, digital transformation, and ethical AI use in the nonprofit sector. |
 Stephanie Butnick is the founder of the Jewish lifestyle newsletter GOLDA. A prominent voice in the Jewish community, she founded and hosted the hit podcast “Unorthodox.” With her trademark warmth and wit, she regularly travels the country addressing audiences about the joys of Jewish culture.
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 Dana Childress is a vice president of programs at Leading Edge where she is committed to designing and leading programs and data-backed interventions meant to foster positive workplace culture and help individuals and organizations thrive. Prior to joining Leading Edge in 2021, she worked at Teach For America for 15 years, eventually leading their staff talent function with a focus on increasing diversity in hiring, executive hiring, succession planning, and building strong teams. Childress lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband and two energetic sons. She is always up for talking about talent, management, and leadership in our sector and beyond. |
 Carly Coons, affiliated with BeWell, the mental health and wellness initiative of Jewish Federations of North America in partnership with the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies, is passionate about integrating mental wellness and Judaism into communities with intention. She is a longtime Jewish communal professional, having previously worked in synagogue life and Jewish youth programming and overnight camping. Her professional endeavors are enriched by her education as a licensed social worker, Jewish educator, youth and teen mental health first aid instructor, and naloxone administration instructor. Coons lives in Denver, where she’s recharged and inspired by exploring the mountains and live music in Colorado’s beautiful outdoor venues. |
 Dori Denelle is a senior vice president, executive leadership at JCC Association of North America and a BoardSource certified governance trainer. She works with JCC boards on excellence in board governance and lay leadership development and leads JCC Association’s executive search team. Denelle has spent her entire career in the JCC Movement, starting at the JCC of Greater Boston followed by many years at the St. Paul JCC, where she was the executive director prior to joining JCC Association’s staff. Denelle earned a master’s degree in Jewish communal service from Brandeis University and holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Rhode Island. A native New Yorker, Denelle resides in St. Paul, Minnesota.
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 Maya Dolgin is a seasoned coach, trainer, and facilitator dedicated to empowering emerging and established leaders to navigate complex challenges with confidence. As the founder of Dolgin Leadership Group, she specializes in enhancing leadership capabilities, fostering effective communication, and driving meaningful change within organizations. Her expertise encompasses coaching individuals and groups, including JCC executives; conducting impactful training sessions; and facilitating retreats and offsites designed to build trust and accelerate decision-making. She has partnered with organizations including JFNA, the Wexner Foundation, JDC, Hillel International, and the RA, among others. With a rich background in Jewish nonprofit leadership, Dolgin has managed international teams, developed global strategic partnerships, and coached top executives to deliver compelling presentations. She earned credentials as a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the International Coach Federation; an MBA in entrepreneurship, strategy, and marketing from Hebrew University; and a bachelor’s degree in cognitive and linguistic sciences from Wellesley College. |
 Rachel Fish, Ph.D., is special advisor to the Brandeis University President's Initiative on Antisemitism and co-founder and president of Boundless, an independent think-action-tank promoting Israel education and combating Jew-hatred. In addition, she teaches Israeli history and society at The George Washington University as visiting assistant professor of educational leadership in the Graduate School of Education and Human Development
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 Alex Fisher is the chief program officer at the Minnesota JCC, where he leads programs that inspire connection, learning, and belonging across the community. With more than 25 years of experience in education and nonprofit leadership, he has championed various initiatives, including a Hebrew immersion preschool, and expanded Jewish arts and culture offerings and job readiness programs for adults with disabilities. Fisher is known as a compassionate and collaborative leader who values relationships as much as results. When he’s not working, he enjoys jogging, cooking, playing acoustic guitar, and spending time with his wife, Dani, their three children, and their dog, Boaz. |
 Keren E. Fraiman, Ph.D., is the vice president and chief academic officer at Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership, where she also holds a faculty appointment as Professor of Israel Studies. Fraiman works with educational organizations across the country to support their Israel educational efforts and also serves on the faculty of the iFellows Master’s Concentration in Israel Education program, Hillel International’s MasterClass Israel, and the Wexner Heritage Program. Her research focuses on conflict education—how we learn and teach about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Jewish settings. In 2025, Fraiman was awarded the Ilia Salita Excellence in Applied Research Award, funded by Genesis Philanthropy Group and facilitated by Jewish Funders Network, in recognition of her groundbreaking work on conflict education in Jewish educational settings. She earned a Ph.D. in international relations and security studies from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s degree in political science and Near Eastern languages and civilizations from the University of Chicago.
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 Erica Frankel is a nationally recognized Jewish educational leader, community builder, and social entrepreneur. Over nearly two decades, she has launched six Jewish organizations and major initiatives, including Hillel's Jewish Learning Fellowship (JLF), the Springboard Fellowship, the Fellowship for Rabbinic Entrepreneurs, and Base Harlem—reaching more than 20,000 Jewish college students, training 600+ rabbis and educators, cultivating a generation of Jewish leaders now serving across the field, and seeding a thriving Jewish ecosystem in Harlem. Most recently, Frankel founded IYUN, a project that builds community through the study of Torah and serves as a training approach for hundreds of Jewish leaders in the art of relationship-based community building. Frankel and her husband, Rabbi Dimitry Ekshtut, and their daughters live in Harlem, where they welcome neighbors at their Shabbat table, laying out well over 11,000 place settings during the last decade. |
 Leah Garber is the senior vice president of Israel engagement at JCC Association and the director general of the Center for Israel Engagement in Jerusalem, where she facilitates connections to Israel in all JCCs in North America. She previously served as a shlicha (Israeli emissary) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, providing an educational and cultural link between the local community and the people of Israel. Garber also served as a teacher and principal at the School for New Immigrants under the Israel Ministry of Education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in educational psychology and art history from Hebrew University; an MBA in finance and human resources from the Academic School in Kiryat Ono, and a general management diploma from Beit Berl College. A native of Jerusalem, she lives in Modi’in with her family.
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 Abigail Goldberg is the teen director at the Trager Family JCC in Louisville, Kentucky, where she has spent the last four years creating dynamic programs that engage and inspire Jewish teens. A proud Louisville native, Abigail earned a bachelor’s degree from Longwood University and brings a passion for youth leadership and community building to every initiative she leads. She recently completed Cohort 12 of the Merrin Teen Professional Fellowship through JCC Association, strengthening her skills as an educator and leader. When she’s not working, Abigail is an avid yoga practitioner, which has been a passion since high school, and aspires to complete a yoga teacher certification to further share the practice she loves. Dedicated, energetic, and relationship driven, Goldberg is committed to helping young people discover connection, purpose, and pride through meaningful Jewish experiences.
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 Jodie Goldberg is the founder and principal of Fleurish Consulting Inc., where she partners with teams and organizations to design meetings, retreats, workshops, and conferences that deepen belonging. She believes that strong relationships are the foundation of meaningful collaboration, and she partners with clients to reframe relationship-building as a strategic, skill-based practice that fuels organizational success. Previously, Goldberg was a program officer at The Covenant Foundation, coaching and supporting a diverse range of grantees and Pomegranate Prize recipients, and an education consultant at The Jewish Education Project, facilitating national networks and professional development experiences for Jewish educators. She holds dual master’s degrees in Jewish education and Hebrew Bible from the Jewish Theological Seminary.
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 Elie Golin serves as the division director of Membership and Fitness at the JCC of Greater Pittsburgh where he has a lifelong connection that began in early childhood and continued through his participation in its summer camps and teen fitness programs. Golin brings experience from the for-profit sector, where he held leadership roles with Marriott Resorts in Spain, Colorado, and New York City and served as general manager at multiple LA Fitness locations. His professional approach is defined by a unique blend of business acumen and a commitment to mission-driven purpose that integrate a results-oriented, for-profit mindset with the values and community focus of a nonprofit institution. Golin is a passionate cyclist and dedicated weightlifter. He is also a proud dog parent to Charlie, his 9-year-old Havanese, and enjoys painting pop culture miniature figures in his spare time.
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 Hannah Grossman is an experiential educator who believes in applying Jewish wisdom to propel change and build resilient communities. She is the director of education for field activation at Repair the World, where she previously was the New York program director and family and youth senior program manager. Grossman has spent more than 15 years in Jewish education in the U.S. and abroad, including in Mumbai, as a JDC Entwine Fellow, and in Prague. She holds master’s degrees in Jewish education and Bible from the Jewish Theological Seminary and bachelor’s degrees in comparative literature and Judaic and Near Eastern studies from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she also earned a certificate in coastal and marine sciences. Additionally, Grossman spent a transformative year at the Pardes Center for Jewish Educators. In her free time you can find her biking, painting, playing Frisbee, swimming laps, hiking and volunteering as an ESL tutor. |
 Jessica Grossnickle is the director of fundraising services for Evolve Giving Group. With nearly 20 years of experience, she specializes in large capital and comprehensive campaigns, empowering professional and volunteer leaders to secure six-, seven-, and eight-figure gifts that transform organizations. Grossnickle has held leadership roles at several notable organizations, including PAWS Chicago, Girls on the Run, and Connections for Abused Women and their Children, where she refined her expertise in developing high-impact fundraising strategies. She has an extensive client portfolio at Evolve, highlighting her proven ability to deliver results and earn clients' trust. Among her loyal clients are Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly, New Jersey; Weinstein JCC in Richmond, Virginia; and the JCC of Central New Jersey in Scotch Plains as well as Keshet, Sefaria, Blessings in a Backpack, Congregation B'nai Israel, and Temple Shaari Emeth.
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 Brian Hayden is president of Collaborative Strategies, Inc. He and his firm have led long-range planning efforts for dozens of JCCs, Federations, day schools, and synagogues across the continent. His strategic approach consistently enhances mission fulfillment, organizational capacity, and financial sustainability for his clients. Beyond his work with individual organizations, Brian has led significant continental initiatives for JCC Association, Jewish Federations of North America, and Hillel International. He has supported the JCC Benchmarking initiative since 2006, leading analytic efforts to uncover the practices of the highest performing JCCs. Brian earned an undergraduate degree from Georgetown University and an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He and his family reside in St. Louis, Missouri.
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 Graham Hoffman has been developing and driving relationship-based engagement strategies in Jewish communities for more than 20 years. He previously served as the president and CEO of the Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona. Hoffman, a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis’ Olin Business School, began his career in consulting at Accenture. In 2003, he joined Hillel International, where he found great fulfillment in translating his for-profit consulting skill set to benefit Hillel’s unique global platform for transforming next-generation Jewish life. He spent a decade at Hillel working to dramatically enhance engagement and education strategies worldwide, before spending five years at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). As AIPAC’s deputy director of development, Hoffman oversaw major gifts and endowments, while developing activist engagement and stewardship strategies. He has been to Israel more than 25 times—in fact, it’s safe to say that he has lost count.
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 Roslyn Kaman is the chief operating and financial officer for the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre in Toronto, Ont., where, for the last 22 years, she has played a key role in developing the facility as a cultural and community hub in downtown Toronto. Kaman’s portfolios include finance, HR, operations, ECE and facility bookings. She began her career as a data analyst at the Financial Post and later worked as a pricing supervisor for Hertz Europe, when she and her husband lived in England. There, she enjoyed two passions: theatre, and travel. Since 2018, Kaman has been a board member of the Necessary Angel Theatre Company and currently serves as a co-treasurer. She also has served on the board of the Linden School since 2024 and recently became the organization’s treasurer. She holds a CPA; an FCCA, a British accounting designation; and a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and sociology.
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 Jeff Kasowitz (he/him) is the executive director of Jewish Studio Project. A social innovator, musician and community builder, Kasowitz has a deep background in nonprofit management and strategic planning. He served as vice president of strategy and growth for City Year, the national education reform organization, where he worked on partnership building, scaling impact, and developing organizational culture. He has taught on leadership and collaboration for organizations, including the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Kasowitz was a prayer leader and board member of Nehar Shalom Community Synagogue and chief strategist for The Boston Tree Party. He is a Joshua Venture Fellow and a former PresenTense and Environmental Leadership Fellow. Kasowitz holds Master of Business Administration and Master of Public Health degrees from UC Berkeley.
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 Rabbi Eliana Kayelle brings a deep love of education and community to their role as Keshet's Bay Area education and training manager. They hope to inspire people to think about how Jewish texts and traditions relate to them here and now—and how they can be used while working for an equitable future.
Kayelle is from Long Island, N.Y., where they worked as a theater-maker, Jewish educator, and community organizer. They served on the Long Island roundtable of Jewish educators for The Jewish Education Project and worked for Temple Beth El of Huntington as the youth group director. Before that, Kayelle was the assistant director for Camp Ga’avah, a year-round program for LGBTQ+ Jewish youth. After relocating to California, they ecstatically joined team Keshet! In their role, Kayelle works with Jewish communities throughout the Bay Area and beyond, creating spaces of belonging. They write frequently about the intersections of Jewish and LGBTQ+ identity. Articles Published: |
 Samantha Kupferman leads business development and client relations at West End Strategy Team, a communications firm in Washington, D.C., that partners with organizations, foundations, and coalitions to create lasting change. A member of the firm’s leadership team, she directs internal and external training programs. Previously, she worked at Marathon Strategies, Rabinowitz/Dorf Communications, on Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe’s communications team, and as a reporter at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Kupferman is secretary of the board of the PTA at her child’s school, and leads advocacy efforts. She is an alumni interviewer of Georgetown applicants. She is a past board member of Literacy Action of Central Arkansas and the Literacy Council of Montgomery County, Maryland, and has served as a grant review panelist for JFNA’s Center on Aging, Trauma, and Holocaust Survivor Care. Kupferman holds a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri and a bachelor’s degree in international politics from Georgetown University.
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 Ari Levy (she/her) is Hillel International’s first associate vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion. She brings over a decade of experience to her work as an executive coach, facilitator, and consultant, specializing in DEI, change management, and strategic planning. Prior to joining the Hillel team in 2017, Levy served as the lead trainer for a statewide youth leadership and public health movement in Massachusetts, while also launching an independent diversity and inclusion consultancy. Previously, she led Boston’s city-wide "Community Dialogues on Race" program that brings together community members of different backgrounds to engage in conversation about their unique identities, the common ground they share, and how to dismantle systemic oppression. Levy studied sociology and community health at Tufts University and earned a master’s degree in public health, also from Tufts, with a focus on health disparities and communication.
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 Beth Lipschutz is the director of education and training at BeWell, the mental health and wellness initiative of Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) in partnership with the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies (The Network). In this role, she creates and facilitates mental wellness programs and training sessions in settings throughout the Jewish community. Lipschutz is committed to supporting the mental health and wellness of youth and those who care about them. Her career has been focused on community building, leadership development, inclusion, and mental wellness education. Previously, she was the regional director of a North American youth engagement organization and spent many summers at camp or leading teen immersive travel experiences. She earned an MSW at the University of Denver and is also a youth and teen mental health first aid instructor. She lives in Denver and enjoys live music and the mountains. |
 Paul Lurie is the chief executive officer of the JCC of Greater Baltimore. No stranger to the J, he has served in executive and directorial roles at the JCC since 2003, including chief operating officer, JCC Maccabi experience director, sports and recreation director, children and teen services director, and senior program director. Lurie holds undergraduate degrees in mathematics and economics from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and an MBA from the University of Baltimore. He is a graduate of the inaugural cohort of the Mandel Executive Leadership Program and is the current national co-chair of the JCC Maccabi® Games. He and his wife, Stacy, met when they worked together at the JCC, and they have a 4-year-old daughter, Risa. In his free time, Lurie, an avid sports fan, enjoys spending time with family and playing golf. |
 Arya Marvazy is the senior director of programs at the Jews of Color Initiative. A first-generation American born to Iranian-Jewish immigrants from Tehran, he has spent nearly 20 years using his leadership, program development, organizational management, and other skills to empower Jewish communities and enrich Jewish communal life. A proud queer Jew, Marvazy is committed to empowering people with diverse Jewish identities, fostering equity, and building inclusive pathways to ensure a vibrant Jewish future. Beyond his professional work, he has served as a lay leader with JDC Entwine, JPro, AJC, the ROI Community, and others. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of California San Diego and a master’s degree in organizational behavior from New York University. Marvazy was recently selected as a member of Class 8 of the Wexner Field Fellowship. When he isn't working, you can catch him flying to find the bluest waters on earth!
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 Andi Meiseles Ph.D. is the senior advisor for Jewish education and the director of the Martin Pear Fellowship at JCC Association of North America. She was previously director of the North American Office of International Academic Affairs for Ben Gurion University; director of Year Course, Young Judaea’s freshman year abroad program in Israel; and director of Camp Tel Yehudah. She taught Hebrew at Jewish day schools in New York and Philadelphia and English as a second language at Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Meiseles is an adjunct professor at the Davidson School of Education at the Jewish Theological Seminary, where she earned her doctorate. She is a summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Rutgers University and earned an M. Ed. with Distinction in secondary and foreign language education at Temple University.
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 Philip Niedringhaus is a regional director with SCN for the Intermountain West and Northern Plains states and previously was a regional security advisor with the organization for JEWISHcolorado. He retired from the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2020, after a 29-year career. One of the first FBI undercover employees to successfully penetrate white supremacy organizations in the mid-990s, Niedringhaus developed expertise in complex violent crime investigations, tactical operations, law enforcement instruction, domestic terrorism investigations, and complex undercover operations. He served in numerous leadership roles in both the field and at FBI headquarters, including leading the FBI’s Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force. Prior to his FBI career, Niedringhaus served as a deputy sheriff with the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and as a special agent with the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office, Division of Criminal Investigation. |
 Tara Ohayon is the chief impact officer at the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center of Dallas, where she oversees initiatives that strengthen community engagement, foster inclusion, and advance the JCC’s mission as the central hub of Jewish life in Dallas. Previously she served as a camp director and early childhood director, experiences that deepened her belief in the JCC’s role as a transformative force in people’s lives. With more than two decades dedicated to work in the Jewish communal world, Ohayon has guided children, families, and staff through programs that build identity, connection, and belonging. Known for her warmth and relational leadership, Ohayon is passionate about mentoring staff and cultivating innovative programming that effects people of all ages. She continues to champion the life-changing power of JCCs for individuals and the broader community. |
 Leah Palestrant is a seasoned professional in learning and development within the Jewish communal sector, with a decade of experience supporting early career talent at organizations including Teach For America and City Year. As executive director of the Springboard Fellowship at Hillel International, she specializes in recruiting, onboarding, and nurturing the next generation of Jewish talent. Palestrant is passionate about creating workplace cultures in which young professionals feel valued, empowered, and equipped for long-term growth. Palestrant also brings experience as a high school biology teacher and community volunteer, coaching for Special Olympics and aiding marine mammals rescue efforts in Florida. She holds a degree in zoology and psychology from The Ohio State University and currently resides in Jacksonville, Florida, with her family and two husky pups. |
 Bonnie Patrick-Mattalian is the chief experience officer at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, where she leads strategic initiatives to enhance member engagement and drive record-setting membership growth. She views JCCs as dynamic engines of community life—places where people connect, grow, and thrive together. With more than 25 years of expertise in customer experience strategy, Patrick-Mattalian has launched more than 60 community centers and revitalized more than 20 JCCs and wellness facilities nationwide. Under her leadership, the Kaplen JCC is nearing full capacity, with a 75% retention rate and a Net Promoter Score—a measurement of customer loyalty and willingness to recommend a company, product, or service—of 70. A former Broadway actress, Patrick-Mattalian brings creativity, empathy, and audience intuition to every interaction. Her background in the performing arts enriches her approach to customer engagement and team leadership. Deeply rooted in service, her family’s involvement in law enforcement and philanthropy reflects her values. When not at the J, you’ll find her riding waves down the Jersey shore.
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 Rick Recht is one of the most influential and celebrated Jewish artists and leaders of our time. His innovations in Jewish music, media, and leadership training have had a profound impact on the fabric of Jewish life. Recht is the national celebrity spokesman for PJ Library and the founder and executive director of SLBC (Songleader Boot Camp) International Conference, the largest leadership training conference in North America. Recht is also the founder and executive director of Jewish Star teen and young adult national leadership programs, as well as Jewish Rock Radio (JRR) and JKids Radio, the first high-caliber, 24/7 international Jewish music radio networks. Recht celebrates life with his wife, Elisa, their two sons, Kobi and Tal, and their super dog, Shoshie.
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 Tamara Rebick M.Ed., is a faculty and community convener for M²: The Institute for Experiential Jewish Education, a position she had held since 2018. She is also the founder and chief experience officer (CXO) of CORIPHERY Holistic Consulting Solutions, a social-impact consulting agency that supports local, national, and global Jewish organizations with program optimization, engagement strategy, Israel education, organizational culture, and customized transformative experiences. With close to 30 years of experience, she has been a featured presenter and subject matter expert at conferences and training workshops across five continents and worked closely with Jewish day and congregational schools, youth movements, JCCs, synagogues, summer camps, Hillels, Federations, and foundations. Rebick is a trusted facilitator and educator who empowers leaders and strengthens engagement across the Jewish community.
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 Uria Roth is the JCC Association-Ministry for Diaspora Affairs project director for JCC Association Center for Israel Engagement. After he completed his army service, Roth worked for the Jewish Agency for Israel on shlichuyot (missions) in Azerbaijan, Italy, Ukraine, and Los Angeles, California. He then served as the head of teen programming at the Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center, where he led Jewish American day school students visiting Israel. Most recently, Roth served as the community/Jewish Agency shaliach for the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Tel Aviv University and a master’s degree, also in political science, from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
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 Sami Savin is the director of education at Sacred Spaces. Driven by a commitment to fostering human well-being and nurturing connections, Savin has dedicated her career to cultivating environments in which individuals feel safe and valued, paving the path to achieving collective goals. Savin has provided direct support to K–12 students, led consulting and training partnerships with schools and nonprofits, and created and scaled a national community movement centered on transforming the effect of educator-student relationships. Savin has led numerous events, conferences, training sessions, and community gatherings focused on reducing bias and fostering authentic, healthy interpersonal engagement. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and education from Carleton College and a master’s degree in education policy and leadership from American University.
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 Amy Schiffman is the president and CEO of Evolve Giving Group. With more than 25 years in nonprofit development, she partners with organizations to develop effective fundraising campaigns, build strong leadership teams, and empower them with tools to visualize and achieve mission impact. Since co-founding Giving Tree Associates in 2008 and launching Evolve Giving Group in 2020, Schiffman has helped over 500 nonprofits, including more than a dozen JCCs across North America, raise hundreds of millions of dollars, create growth strategies, and recruit exceptional nonprofit executives. She served as director of development and communications at Ida Crown Jewish Academy in Chicago from 2003–2008. Based in Chicago and Northern Michigan, she is a frequent public speaker and trainer at local, regional, and national gatherings. She oversees a team of 43 individuals across 16 states and serves on the faculty at Hebrew Union College’s Zelikow School of Jewish Nonprofit Management in Los Angeles and Spertus Institute in Chicago. |
 Sara Shalva is the chief arts officer at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore, where she oversees the strategic vision for the Center for Arts and Culture and Jewish Life programming. She graduated cum laude from Mary Washington College (now the University of Mary Washington) with a bachelor’s degree in political science and from NYU, where she was a Taub Fellow, with dual master’s degrees in nonprofit management and Judaic studies. Shalva lived in Israel for four years, where she studied at Hebrew University and the Pardes Institute, volunteered on Project Otzma, and worked at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. She lives in Pikesville, Maryland, with her husband, Benjamin Shalva, a rabbi and writer.
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 Eli Lurie Sobel is Keshet's Greater Boston education and training manager, where they work to promote and advance LGBTQ+ equality in Jewish life. Sobel works with Jewish organizations and individuals in Boston and New England to provide the tools needed to ensure inclusivity and belonging of LGBTQ+ people in Jewish spaces. Sobel has worked and taught at numerous area institutions, including Tufts and Brandeis universities, and they currently teach a monthly "Queer Torah" series at Lehrhaus, a Jewish house of learning in Somerville, Mass.
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 Joanna Tasch is a program coordinator at M², where she oversees program operations, logistics, and communications to ensure a seamless experience for participants and faculty. Since joining the M² team in 2024, she has supported initiatives including Values in Action, Yated, and the Aleh Summit. Tasch brings a background in education and innovation, holding a bachelor’s degree in education and social policy from Northwestern University. Prior to M², she worked at Evanston Township High School, where she facilitated a course that empowered students to use the design thinking framework to develop creative solutions for community challenges. When she’s not working, you’ll find Tasch picking up a new book from the public library, exploring different neighborhoods around Chicago, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, and spending time outdoors with friends. |
 Rabbi Miriam Wajnberg is the director of professional development at 18Doors, where she works with Jewish organizations, clergy, professionals, and lay leaders across North America to meet the diverse needs of interfaith couples and families. She believes firmly that every interaction an individual, couple, or family has in the Jewish community and with its leaders has the potential to be transformative, a moment of invitation into deeper engagement. Wajnberg lives in Hamilton, Ontario, with her husband, Rabbi Beni Wajnberg, their two children, and their rescue dog, Tucker. She has served Jewish communities and organizations throughout North America and in Singapore. Wajnberg was ordained by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 2016. In her spare time, she serves on the board of Hamilton Jewish Family Services and enjoys hiking, yoga, baking challah and sourdough, and hosting Shabbat dinners.
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 Sierra Weiss is the JCC inclusion specialist and JCC Maccabi® Access director at JCC Association of North America. She previously worked for Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was a longtime employee of the Ruderman Family Foundation. She holds a master’s degree in bioethics from Emory University, where she also completed a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with a focus in disability studies and bioethics. Her graduate research presented suggestions for implementing improved disability cultural competency curricula in medical education and across disciplinary fields. Weiss is committed to working with and advocating for people with disabilities and creating more inclusive and accessible spaces in the Jewish community and beyond.
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