Sr. Director of Strategic Communications at JWI, Award-winning journalist

Session: Behind the Bylines: Meet the Women Who Shape the News

Laura E. Adkins is an award-winning writer based in New York.

Her work on Israel, global Jewish life, and gender issues has appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times, NPR, the Los Angeles Review of Books, Glamour, Fox News and other outlets.

Laura is a senior director at Jewish Women International, working to combat gender-based violence and advance women’s leadership. She is also a volunteer mentor-editor for the OpEd project and serves on the New York Atid board of the Israel Policy Forum.

Previously, Laura was the Opinion Editor of the Forward, an adjunct instructor of journalism at Yeshiva University’s Stern College, an inaugural member of the Shalom Hartman journalism cohort, the Opinion Editor of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, the editor of Jewish Insider and an assistant blogs editor at The Times of Israel.

Approaching the world with curiosity and humility, her work aims to advance our collective understanding of the realities and beliefs that shape individuals and societies, particularly in Israel and Jewish diaspora communities. She holds a B.A. in Economics from New York University and is an M.A. candidate in Middle Eastern Studies at the City University of New York.

Research Economist, Scholar of Economic Wellbeing, PhD Candidate at The New School, YWIN D.C. board member

Session: Know Your Worth: Negotiating for What You Deserve

Fatimah was born and raised in the Gulf and has lived in both New York and Washington, D.C. She is an economist whose research centers on stratification economics, the economics of well-being, and disparities in race and gender, and inclusive economic rights. As a research fellow at a think tank, her work addresses racial wealth gaps and equitable budgeting. Fatimah holds a B.A. in International Affairs, an M.Phil. in Public and Urban Policy from The New School, and an M.A. in Government Studies from Johns Hopkins University. She is currently an all-but-dissertation Ph.D. candidate in Public and Urban Policy at The New School. Fatimah is excited to serve as a DC board member and make an impact in her community.

Executive Managing Director for Savills

Session: Know your Worth: Negotiating for What You Deserve

Powered by tenacity, Wendy Feldman Block is an award-winning commercial real estate executive at Savills, a global firm where she serves as an Executive Managing Director.   Wendy is passionate about wellness in the workplace and was the first broker in the world to advise a client on achieving both WELL and LEED Platinum certifications. Her unique focus on social sustainability has been career defining and a key differentiator within her industry.  In her over 30+ year career, Wendy has completed sales and leasing transactions totaling in excess of 12 million square feet.  She is on the Innovation Board at Savills and has been appointed to serve as the co-chair of the Women’s Initiative Network within her firm.

 She has received numerous professional accolades including being selected as a JWI Woman to Watch in 2018.  Her community engagement has been (and is) extensive.  Wendy has been an active mentor to countless people in the commercial real estate industry and taken leadership roles at many organizations including Jewish Federation of Greater Washington DC where she co-chairs the Real Estate Division, Commercial Real Estate Women DC, Iona Senior Services, Higher Achievement, Round House Theatre and the helped grow Tikkun Olam Women’s Foundation which provided grants to women and girls.

Co-Founder of Articulated Intelligence, nationally recognized keynote speaker, facilitator, and Gala Auctioneer

Closing speaker for the Women to Watch Leadership Conference

Alyce Blum, CPC, ICF iPEC, is a nationally recognized keynote speaker, facilitator, and Gala Auctioneer. She is the Co-Founder of Articulated Intelligence, a communication firm specializing in storytelling. Alyce and her partners created The With 1 Word Storytelling Methodology, a trademarked system that helps individuals shape and share personal stories to connect with others and inspire action. She works with clients across industries to enhance their communication skills and leadership presence.  

Associate Director of Marketing @ OneTable, Founding Member of Long Beach Professional Women

Session: Volunteering Amid War: Firsthand Reflections from YWIN’s Israel Mission and Ways to Get Involved Now

Sabrina was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. She attended Jewish Day School and was involved in Young Judaea (America's oldest Zionist youth movement) while growing up. Sabrina graduated from the University of Rhode Island (URI) with a double major in Public Relations and Political Science and a minor in Marine Affairs. While at URI, she was involved in Hillel, Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, and other leadership groups and jobs on campus. 

 After graduating college, Sabrina has worked 10+ years in various corporate roles as a marketing leader. Currently, Sabrina is the Associate Director, Marketing at OneTable. Sabrina had the honor of volunteering in Israel this past May with Jewish Women International's Young Women's Impact Network and is so excited to speak on a panel at Women to Watch this year. She is also involved in the new Jewish Women International Service Leadership Cohort powered by Repair the World and also on the URI Hillel Board of Directors. 

 In her spare time, she enjoys weight lifting workouts and playing video games with her boyfriend, Garrett. They reside in Long Beach, CA where they love walking along the beach with their two dogs, Kobe (Bluetick Coonhound) and Ruckson (Beagle). 

Founding member of the Washington Chapter of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF), 2019 Irene and Abe Pollin Humanitarian Award recipient, community leader and philanthropist

Session: Leading With Purpose

Carol Burman, the family matriarch, stands out as a dedicated community leader and philanthropist whose commitment to Jewish causes and charitable organizations spans over four decades. With more than 45 years of active involvement at Washington Hebrew Congregation and a decade at B'nai Tzedek Congregation, Carol has deep roots in her Jewish community.

Carol’s leadership has been crucial in numerous successful events and initiatives. She co-chaired the 2008 Charles E. Smith Next Generational Retreat and led a 2011 mission to Israel for 36 first-time visitors. Her organizational expertise was further showcased when she chaired Jewish Federation's 2014 Good Deeds Day, the FIDF Gala, and two Capital Camps Galas. In recognition of her tireless efforts, Carol received the 2019 Irene and Abe Pollin Humanitarian Award from the Bender JCC. Carol is also a Federation Lion of Judah, underscoring her commitment to Jewish philanthropy. 

Carol’s involvement with Capital Camps has been remarkable. She served on the original Scholarship and Special Needs Committee and collaborated with FIDF and Capital Camps to host legacy campers from Israel. Over the years, Carol and her husband, Robert, have played a pivotal role in transforming the camp, raising essential funds to rebuild both the camp and the Retreat Center. Carol strongly believes that attending a Jewish summer camp is vital for instilling Jewish identity in young children and fostering a lasting commitment to Judaism. Recognizing that not all children have access to such experiences, she is dedicated to making these opportunities available to as many as possible.

As a founding member of the Washington Chapter of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF), Carol has devoted the past 12 years to supporting the IMPACT! Scholarship program. This transformative initiative pairs donors with former combat and combat support soldiers from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, offering them a full four-year scholarship and covering all living expenses. Carol’s support has had a profound impact on their lives, empowering these brave individuals to pursue higher education and achieve their dreams. To this day, Carol and Robert cherish lifelong friendships with each of the Impact Soldiers they have sponsored and other soldiers they have met through the program.

Carol Burman’s life is a testament to the power of dedicated leadership. Through her numerous roles and contributions, she has significantly shaped and strengthened her community, leaving a lasting legacy of service and compassion.

On a personal note, Carol is a loving mother to Courtenay, Jennifer, and Kimberly, and she takes great pride in her role as grandmother to Madison, Sophie, Eliza, Ava, Ryan, and Kate. Her family undoubtedly benefits from the same warmth and dedication she brings to her community service.

JWI Board member

Session: Volunteering Amid War: Firsthand Reflections from YWIN’s Israel Mission

Stephanie Nashman of Falls Church, Va. has worked in the real estate industry for over 30 years specializing in commercial real estate, finance, strategy, and service and is involved in a variety of professional and philanthropic organizations. She is a member of the leadership committee of JWI’s Women’s Impact Network, and 2022 co-chair of the JWI Leadership Conference and Women to Watch. In January 2023, she became a member of Save a Child’s Heart US Governing Board. Stephanie volunteers with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and served in an advisory capacity in the development and implementation of the George Washington University’s Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service. Committed to volunteerism, inclusion, and social justice, Stephanie has worked to better the lives of those with developmental disabilities, food insufficiency, and inadequate access to healthcare. In addition, Stephanie is particularly interested in efforts to help women of all ages to realize their potential in and out of the workforce. She earned her BBA and MBA from George Washington University and pursued her PhD in Public Policy from George Mason University. Stephanie is a native Washingtonian, and lives in Northern Virginia with her husband Adam, daughter Lauren, son Joey, and their pandemic puppy named Wally.

Representative and Former Speaker, Virginia House of Delegates

Session: Advocating for Change

Eileen Filler-Corn, (WTW ‘23) the 56th Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates (2020–2022), was the first woman and Jewish person to hold the role. As Speaker, she led transformational change in Virginia, passing comprehensive gun safety legislation, expanding access to health care, and advocating for equity and justice. Her leadership extended to championing Jewish causes, including establishing Jewish American Heritage Month in Virginia, combating antisemitism with legislation utilizing the IHRA definition, and ensuring Holocaust education and memorials received critical support. She also co-patroned a resolution condemning the anti-Israel BDS movement and worked collaboratively to improve statewide antisemitism prevention efforts.

Eileen's Jewish identity has been central to her life, shaped by her upbringing in a proud Jewish home and her involvement in the Zionist youth movement Young Judaea. She spent a year in Israel after high school, deepening her connection to the Jewish homeland and strengthening her commitment to Zionism. Eileen’s dedication to the Jewish community spans decades, with board roles at AJC, JCRC of Greater Washington, and the Jewish Electorate Institute. A graduate of American University’s Washington College of Law, she began her career in the U.S. Department of Justice and lives in Springfield, Virginia, with her husband.

CEO & Founder, Jewish Fertility Foundation

Session: Empowered Health: Taking Charge of your Reproductive Wellness

Elana Frank, entrepreneur and mom to 3 boys through IVF and embryo donation, helps intended parents navigate becoming parents through her non-profit, the Jewish Fertility Foundation (JFF). Cost, education, and access were tremendous obstacles for this “unspoken” issue in the Jewish community, so she rallied countless like-minded people and created JFF. She has raised more than $6 million, trained 1000+ community and healthcare leaders in infertility sensitivity, matched up hundreds of people with “fertility buddies”, allocated more than 2 million dollars in fertility grants, “birthed” 160+ babies, and is now scaling JFF nationally.

Author, Executive Officer of the Kennedy Maritime Analysis Center- Operations Unit

Session: Advocating for Change

Andrea N. Goldstein is a U.S. Navy veteran, national security expert, and tireless advocate for veterans, military, and their families. She previously served in the Biden Administration as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration at the Department of Health and Human Services and as acting Director, Force Resiliency, at the Department of the Navy. In this role, she was the principal advisor to the Secretary of the Navy on integrated prevention efforts, leading the Department’s sexual assault, sexual harassment, and suicide prevention and response efforts. She was also the Department’s executive sponsor for the Women, Peace, and Security effort. Prior to joining the Executive branch, Ms. Goldstein served in the Legislative branch on the staff of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. As the lead staffer for the Women Veterans Task Force, she built an 85-member bipartisan coalition to ensure that the two largest federal agencies, the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, equitably serve the nation’s two million servicewomen and women veterans. She supported the development and passage of the Deborah Sampson Act, the most consequential legislation serving women veterans and military sexual trauma survivors in over a decade, which became law in 2021. Ms. Goldstein served as an intelligence officer on active duty in the U.S. Navy. In the Navy Reserve, she is currently the Executive Officer of the Kennedy Maritime Analysis Center- Operations Unit. She is the co-author of three books and a native New Yorker.

Senior Specialist - Aviate & Pilot Strategy, Marketing and Communications, YWIN Chicago board member

Session: How to Turn Passion into Impact

Elise has always been a strong connector and communicator and first learned of JWI while living in Washington, DC. She was excited to remain connected to the organization when she moved to Chicago in 2022. Elise has always been involved with efforts to strengthen communities – from involvement with JCC’s Camp Seneca Lake to attending Jewish United Fund events to running the Chicago Marathon with Team Sharsheret. Outside of Chicago YWIN, Elise works for United Airlines in communications and marketing and is a committee member of their women's Business Resource Group, uIMPACT. She enjoys traveling, being outside and spending time with friends. Originally from Cherry Hill, NJ, Elise went to University of Wisconsin-Madison and earned a degree in journalism.

Co-founder and president of Seed the Dream Foundation

Session: I Believe Israeli Women: Using Your Voice to Stand Up for Survivors and Victims of 10/7

Marcy B. Gringlas, PhD, is co-founder and president of Seed the Dream Foundation. STDF is an education foundation working with schools, organizations, and programs to advance academic achievement through high-quality education in underserved communities in the United States and Israel; fight contemporary antisemitism and meaningfully integrate lessons on this critical focus into Holocaust education; foster positive and meaningful life-long connections with Israel in high schools, on college campuses, and beyond; support programs to prevent and address gender-based violence in the United States and Israel; address the critical emergency needs of thousands of Holocaust Survivors living at or near poverty in Israel and the United States, responding to humanitarian crises across the globe, and ensuring individuals have access to the care they require to lead healthy lives; and invest in projects that provide opportunities for underserved communities in the United States and Israel.

Dr. Gringlas formerly served on the USC Shoah Foundation’s Board of Councilors, as the chair of the Bearing Witness Program at the Anti-Defamation League, on the executive committee of The Baldwin School, and as a member of the trusteeship committee for Steppingstone Scholars, Inc. and the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center.

Dr. Gringlas is a child psychologist and served as a faculty member in the Department of Pediatrics at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Senior Managing Director of Girls’ Education for Student Leadership Network; JWI Board Member

Session: I Believe Israeli Women: Using Your Voice to Stand Up for Survivors and Victims of 10/7

Laura Rebell Gross (WTW ‘16) is the senior managing director for the Girls’ Education National Team — comprising The Young Women’s Leadership Schools (TYWLS) and Young Women’s Leadership Network (YWLN) — which serves more than 10,000 students every year. A leader in the education field for decades, Laura’s expertise is widely recognized and she has been honored by Jewish Women International and The Center for the Women of New York. Laura is a national speaker and expert on girls’ public education. To impact the lives of girls beyond New York City, Laura co-founded the Young Women’s Charter Prep School of Rochester, a YWLN affiliate, and takes the lead in identifying and establishing new school affiliates nationwide. In addition to the JWI board, Laura currently serves on the Riley’s Way Foundation board and the advisory board for Rattlestick theatre. Notably, Laura’s path to leadership started as a public school teacher, including serving as an English teacher at SL Network’s flagship school in East Harlem for six years. She earned a BA from Tufts University, an MAT from Brown University, and has completed coursework toward an Ed. D. in curriculum and teaching at Teacher’s College, Columbia University and the Warner School, University of Rochester.

Entrepreneur; Women’s Mentor; Board Member of KEEN Greater DC

Session: Know your Worth: Negotiating for What You Deserve

Barbara Guterman (WTW ‘23) is a seasoned entrepreneur, passionate business executive, and a veteran community organizer with a desire to create powerful change. In the last 35 years, Barbara has launched companies and managed businesses in telecommunications, retail, franchising, manufacturing, fine jewelry, and in Internet-based start-ups. Her experience ranges from small business to large-scale public corporations and covers management, operations, sales, investor relations, public relations, community relations, and external affairs. At just 23 years old, Barbara co-created one of the nation’s first competitive local phone companies – the first in its industry to go public, raising more than $80 million and growing to 5000+ employees. Barbara was featured in Forbes' September 1995 issue as a “Woman with a Mission,” and she was the first person to don the cover of Reader's Digest as a distinguished woman entrepreneur. She was also recognized as Ernst and Young’s 1997 Florida Entrepreneur of the Year. Barbara received her B.A. in telecommunication from the University of Florida and an MBA from the University of South Florida, where she was named USF’s 1993 Entrepreneur of the Year. She is currently a mentor and partner in several startup businesses and runs the Teach Give Inspire Fridays women’s speakers series. Barbara has served as VP of the board of KEEN Greater DC for the last 12 years, is an entrepreneur-in-residence at The Bullis School in Potomac, Md., and is the current president of Congregation Bna’i Tzedek in Potomac. She is a devoted wife and mother to three grown sons who share her passion for business and for giving back.

Board Member and Vice Chair-Elect, JCC Association; JWI Board Member

Session: Leading With Purpose

Felicia “Lisie” Gottdenker has been on the board of JCC Association since 2012. She has served on the JCC Maccabi®, governance, and executive committees and is on the CEO search committee. Gottdenker co-chaired the program engagement committee and served as the continental chair of JSummit 2020, Forward 2022, and JSummit 2024. 

For 15 years, Gottdenker served on the board of the Bender JCC of Greater Washington in Rockville, Maryland, completing her term as chair in 2017. She also has served on the board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. In 2022, she was the Sondra D. Bender Community Leadership Honoree as part of JWI’s Women to Watch Leadership Weekend, and she currently sits on the board of JWI. She is on the steering committee of the Giving Network, which is a part of the Aspen Community Foundation. 

She and her husband, Michael, have three children, Ellie, Noah, and Olivia. 

Senior Newborn Advisor at USAID, board certified Pediatrician and Neonatologist

Session: Empowered Health: Taking Charge of your Reproductive Wellness

Dr. Leah Greenspan Hodor is a board certified Pediatrician and Neonatologist. She has worked clinically in the Washington DC area for almost 20 years. Dr. Greenspan Hodor has extensive experience working in Global Health with a focus on newborn health in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Prior to joining the team at USAID as a Senior Newborn Advisor in March of 2020, she worked with multiple NGOs as a Newborn Consultant developing and implementing programs both in the rural and urban settings to build the capacity of medical professionals and strengthen health systems around the continuum of maternal newborn care. As a member of the Newborn Team at USAID,  Leah is a Senior Newborn Advisor focusing on advancing small and sick newborn care globally as well as being a key member of the MCHN Office Commodities and supply chain team, co-lead of Every Newborn Action Plan-Commodities team and lead for the USAID MCHN oxygen coalition focused on strengthening oxygen ecosystems for mothers, newborns, and children.

Founder of Unshakeable

Session: Take Control of Your Financial Future

Debbie Isaacs is the founder of Unshakeable and this year’s Loribeth Weinstein Changemaker honoree.

Originally from New York, Debbie Isaacs relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1994, where she initially worked at The Trade Show Group.   

While in Las Vegas, Isaacs honed her production and storytelling skills, and began working for local production companies, as well as Caesars Entertainment, as an executive producer. What began to set her apart from others were her creativity, vision and ability to parlay human connection into an authentic story.  

“Looking back, I wasn’t completely certain of what I wanted to do long term.  But I knew I cared about people … and their stories.” says Debbie.  “It’s no wonder I landed a leadership role in production.  Every day I set out to tell someone’s story, in the most influential way possible.  It seems everything comes full circle in the end.” 

It was while wearing her producing hat that Isaacs’ life was forever changed, when in 2009, she found herself in Las Vegas Specialty Courts listening to a group of women who were coming out of trauma with the intent of telling their stories. While listening to these women from all races, ages and economic backgrounds struggling to reclaim their self-identity, she realized that she shared that same struggle. She left that courtroom knowing her purpose wasn’t to tell their stories, it was to change their stories. 

It was this realization that led Isaacs to found and lead UNSHAKEABLE, a non-profit that serves women in recovery from homelessness, domestic violence, substance addiction and human trafficking. UNSHAKEABLE partners with other nonprofit organizations that are providing housing and therapy and brings their clients the ‘Empower to Employ’ program to support their return to the workforce into a sustainable career and achieve financial independence.

Since launching UNSHAKEABLE in 2016, Isaacs and the organization have been the recipients of several awards, including ‘The Bob Gray Community Partner Award’ and winner of ‘Google Impact Challenge Nevada’ and the ‘Google People's Choice Award’ in 2019, the ‘AARP Purpose Prize Award Fellows’ in 2022, the ‘Women of Distinction Award’ from NAWBO in 2023, and Nevada’s Business Magazines ‘The Overcomer Award’ in 2024. Additionally, in 2021, Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman declared October 28, 2021 as UNSHAKEABLE Day in the City of Las Vegas.  

Founder and CEO of RxLA

Session: Entrepreneurs Building a Better World

Andi Israel (WTW ‘24) is the founder and chief executive officer of RxLA, an innovative affordable housing development company committed to ending homelessness in Los Angeles. With over 15 years of experience in this space, Andi started RxLA with a vision to create an efficient and scalable private financing model to produce high-quality, lower-cost affordable housing. The company’s flagship development, built at half the average cost of comparable projects, opened in 2023; It provides 55 permanent homes coupled with on-site supportive services for formerly unhoused individuals with medical complexities and special needs.

Andi is a third generation Angeleno and holds a B.A. in Human Services and Sociology from George Washington University, an M.A. in Urban Planning from NYU’s Wagner School of Public Service, and an M.S. in Social Entrepreneurship from the USC Marshall School of Business. She was named the USC Grief Center’s 2015 Social Entrepreneur of the Year and she is a member of the CORO Women in Leadership Program.

CEO of Jewish Women International (JWI), award-winning journalist and former editor-in-chief of Washington Jewish Week

Session: Navigating Generational Differences at Work

Meredith Jacobs is CEO of Jewish Women International (JWI), a 125-year-old nonprofit dedicated to ending violence against women and girls. Since assuming the role of CEO in 2020, Jacobs has shepherded the development of numerous JWI initiatives, including the National Center on Domestic & Sexual Violence in the Jewish Community; the Collaborative of Jewish Domestic Violence Agencies; the Women’s Financial Empowerment Institute; ReStart: job readiness for survivors; the Jewish Communal Women’s Leadership Project; Men As Allies: Leading Equitable Workplaces; the Jewish Gun Violence Prevention Roundtable and the international expansion of Young Women’s Leadership Network. Under her leadership, JWI is spearheading state-wide advocacy efforts to achieve justice lending practices that would give survivors of financial abuse access to bank loans that would set them on the path to long-term economic security.

Jacobs is an award-winning journalist and former editor-in-chief of Washington Jewish Week. She is the author of The Modern Jewish Mom’s Guide to Shabbat (HarperCollins) and co-author, with her daughter Sofie of the bestselling series of interactive journals, Just Between Us (Chronicle Books). Prior to joining JWI, she founded ModernJewishMom.com, the first Jewish parenting website (now part of Kveller), and was the host of the WYPR radio show, Connecting Family and The Jewish Channel television holiday specials, Modern Jewish Mom. 

Named one of the “50 Most Influential Jews of 2020” by The Jerusalem Post, Jacobs is a sought-after speaker, moderator and writer. Her opinion pieces appear frequently in outlets such as JTA, eJewishPhilanthropy, and the Forward. She is a member of the advisory board of the Women’s Business Collaborative (WBC) and serves on the Women’s Economic Empowerment Council for the State of Maryland — an advisory council to Brooke Lierman, Comptroller of Maryland. Jacobs serves on the expert panel on Improving Access to Services for Domestic Abuse Victims in the Military, sponsored by the Department of Defense. She earned a B.A. in English from Haverford College and holds a Masters of Science in Business from Johns Hopkins University.

Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Jewish on Campus

Session: Advocating for Change

Julia Jassey is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Jewish on Campus, the leading voice for Jewish students in the United States, combatting antisemitism, engaging in grassroots activism, and advocating for the Jewish community. Her work has been recognized widely in the Jewish community and beyond, featured on CNN, CBS, Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, and other international news outlets. Working together with students around the country, she has advocated for students at every level—from university administrators to the White House as a contributor to the National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism. She was awarded at the Anti-Defamation League’s Concert Against Hate for her leadership in the Jewish community, and she was considered one of Algemeiner Magazine’s “Top 100 People Positively Influencing Jewish Life” in 2021. She currently serves as a board member of American Jewish Committee ACCESS New York, a Brume and Allen Scholar at the American Sephardi Federation, and she was formerly the host of the "Nice Jewish Girls" feminist podcast. She graduated from the University of Chicago in 2023, where she studied Political Science and Jewish Studies.

Health, wellness, and weight loss expert with over 15 years in the industry

Session: Empowered Health: What We Need to Know and What We Must Talk About

Liz Josefsberg (WTW ‘19) walked into a Weight Watchers meeting looking to get healthy; 10 years later she was a health, wellness, and weight-loss expert co-hosting Dr. Oz. Today she creates weight loss programs for corporate and high-profile individual clients and consults with companies bringing technology-enabled weight loss and health devices to market.

Co-founder of Serena & Lily

Session: Entrepreneurs Building a Better World

Lily Kanter (WTW ‘24) is a serial entrepreneur with extensive experience in the home design industry. She has founded and led four very successful companies as a co-founder and CEO in the past 20 years; including Mill Valley Baby & Kids, Serena & Lily, Boon Supply, and Averylily. Lily spent the early part of her career in accounting and technology leadership. While at Microsoft she was awarded the Chairman’s award from Bill Gates for innovating their first Retail presence in San Francisco. She left Microsoft in late 2000 to start a family and focus her time and energy on philanthropic causes. She was featured on the cover of Time Magazine in July 2000 as part of the cover story “The New Philanthropists” for sponsoring and mentoring disadvantaged young adults into technology careers. After having her first child, Lily decided to leave the corporate world and open Mill Valley Baby & Kids Home which ultimately led to the founding of Serena & Lily. She built and led Serena & Lily as the CEO for thirteen years. After leaving Serena & Lily she went on to start two more startups. Boon Supply a commerce focused fundraising platform gave back $104 Million to Schools and other non-profits. Lily’s partnership with Avery Solmssen (Averylily) is focused on designing soulful spaces through interior design, products and lived experiences. In addition to the Design Studio, Averylily also introduced a capsule collection of curated home basics with a focus on local makers in Hawaii and global women artisans.

Lily is a Wexner Heritage Fellow as well as a Henry Crown Fellow from the Aspen Institute. She guest lectures at Stanford on the case study she authored on Serena & Lily. She currently serves as the Chair of the Diller Tikkun Olam Awards. She and her husband, Marc Sarosi, live in Mill Valley and have 3 college aged sons. During time off Lily and her family love to travel to Africa and play tennis.

Financial literacy advocate and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional

Session: Take Control of Your Financial Future

Bobbi Rebell (WTW ‘19) is a financial literacy advocate and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. Her latest book is Launching Financial Grownups: Live Your Richest Life by Helping Your (Almost) Adult Kids Become Everyday Money Smart (release date March 22, 2022). She is a speaker, conference host, and moderator, and works as a spokesperson for brands aligned with her values. Bobbi is also the host of the critically acclaimed “Money Tips for Financial Grownups” podcast, which has more than 700,000 downloads. In 2021 she launched a new venture, GrownupGear.com as a fun way to promote adulting and being a financial grownup. Earlier in her career Bobbi was a global business news anchor and personal finance columnist at Reuters and held various journalist positions at top news outlets including CNBC, CNN and PBS. Bobbi is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and received her Certificate in Financial Planning from New York University. Her first book, How to be a Financial Grownup: Proven Advice from High Achievers on How to Live Your Dreams and Have Financial Freedom, was released in 2016. She lives in New York City with her family.

Senior wealth advisor at Citi Personal Wealth Management

Session: Take Control of Your Financial Future

As a senior wealth advisor at Citi Personal Wealth Management with over 25 years of experience, Diane (WTW ‘24) has deep knowledge of the financial markets and how to align her clients’ portfolios to maximize their financial goals. Many of her clients span generations of families, attesting to her ability to build strong relationships by earning their trust. These clients rely on her substantial experience for wealth management, estate planning, retirement, trust and financial planning (that she works in conjunction with her client’s legal and tax advisors). Diane focuses her efforts in these areas on the long term, with customized investment strategies that are especially important during periods of market uncertainty. 

Leading financial publications such as Forbes continue to recognize Diane as a top wealth advisor, including Best-in-State Wealth Advisors (Maryland) and Top Women Best-in-State Wealth Advisors.

A graduate of Drexel University, Diane has also completed three executive education programs in financial services at the Wharton School of Business. She lives in suburban Maryland with her husband and two daughters.

Chief Operating Officer at Sandy Spring Builders; JWI Board Member

Session: Leading With Purpose

Mimi (WTW ‘17) has been one of the owners in Sandy Spring Builders since 1998, and is responsible for the company’s business and administrative management. Prior to joining Sandy Spring, she was a partner in Kenwood Homes and Springbrook Builders from 1990 to 1998, building over 500 homes in Maryland and Virginia. In 1980, she joined her family-owned construction business, Brodsky Group. building and developing light industrial projects in Montgomery, Frederick, and Prince George’s counties. She is still a partner in the management of those properties. Professionally, she has served on the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Commercial Builders Council and the Maryland-National Capital Building Industry Association (MNCBIA) Board of Directors. In addition to her professional work, Mimi is involved with many charitable organizations in the area. She currently sits on the local boards of: NAMI-MC, Jewish National Fund's Women for Israel, and BBYO's Wellness and Inclusion Advisory Council. She is actively involved with Habitat for Humanity of Metro Maryland and their "Women Build" efforts. She is married to local professional photographer Michael Kress, and has a grown son and daughter.

Community activist, co-founder of the Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse, co-founder of the Tikkun Olam Women’s Foundation

Session: Leading With Purpose

Liza Levy (WTW ‘12) is a community activist who has received numerous awards and recognitions for decades of volunteer service in the D.C. area Jewish community.

A retired teacher, Levy, 62, is a past president of The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, co-founder of the Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse and co-founder of the Tikkun Olam Women’s Foundation, which invests in programs for women and girls.

In 1984, she and her then husband, Dr. Michael Levy, immigrated from Cape Town, South Africa, to the United States, settling in Washington, D.C. They have three children.

A resident of Potomac, Levy is a member and past board member of Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation in Bethesda.

Co-Founder, CEO, and Editor-in-Chief, Her Campus Media

Session: Navigating Generational Differences at Work

Stephanie Kaplan Lewis (WTW ‘19) is the co-founder, CEO, and editor-in-chief of Her Campus Media, the #1 media company for college students and Gen Z, which she co-founded in 2009 as an undergraduate at Harvard. Her Campus Media empowers the next generation of student journalists, marketers, and creatives through its community of 50,000+ college students across thousands of campuses, and powers college marketing programs for some of the world’s largest brands. Stephanie has been named to Forbes 30 Under 30 and Inc. 30 Under 30, and Her Campus Media has been named to Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies among other accolades. As a leading force for women's empowerment, Stephanie and Her Campus have partnered with First Lady Michelle Obama, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power, and received the Office on Women's Health’s first-ever Partnership Award. Stephanie is also an Innovation Fellow at Harvard and a Boston Marathon finisher. She lives in Newton, Mass. with her husband, two young children, two rescue dogs, and cat.

MSNBC analyst and a senior legal correspondent at Slate, New York Times bestseller

Session: Behind the Bylines: Meet the Women Who Shape the News

MSNBC analyst and a senior legal correspondent at Slate, Dahlia Lithwick (WTW ‘24) is one of the nation’s foremost legal commentators. She is the host of Amicus, Slate’s award-winning weekly podcast about the law and the Supreme Court, and author of the instant New York Times bestseller Lady Justice: Women, the Law, and the Battle to Save America, which recounts the gripping and heroic story of the women attorneys who fought the racism, sexism, and xenophobia of Donald Trump’s presidency—and won.

Lithwick is the recipient of a 2013 National Magazine Award for her columns on the Affordable Care Act. She has been twice awarded an Online Journalism Award for her legal commentary and was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2018, Lithwick received the American Constitution Society’s Progressive Champion Award and the Hillman Prize for Opinion and Analysis. By 2021, she was named an honoree of the Women’s Media Center’s Exceptional Journalism Awards. In that same year, she was a recipient of a Gracie Award for Amicus Presents: The Class of RBG, which featured the last in-person audio interview with Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Lithwick has held visiting faculty positions at the University of Georgia Law School, the University of Virginia School of Law, and the Hebrew University Law School in Jerusalem. She was the first online journalist invited to be on the Reporters Committee for the Freedom of the Press. She has testified before Congress about access to justice in the era of the Roberts Court and how MeToo impacts federal judicial law clerks.

She has appeared on CNN, ABC, The Colbert Report, and The Daily Show and is also a frequent guest on The Rachel Maddow Show. Lithwick co-authored Me Versus Everybody with Brandt Goldstein and I Will Sing Life with Larry Berger, and her work has been featured in numerous anthologies. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Harper’s, The New Yorker, The Washington Post, The New Republic and Commentary, among other places.

Co-Chair, Next Gen Board, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

Session: Leading With Purpose

Robin London (WTW ‘22) is a digital media compliance expert. Most recently, leading Amazon’s global advertising policy team where she was responsible for advertising compliance for businesses such as Amazon.com, Prime Video and Twitch. She spent 18 years at AOL (Verizon Media) as the director of the company’s global advertising policy group. For many years, Robin has been a mentor to young women in the adtech industry. In the community, she spends her time working on event and fundraising committees at local Jewish organizations and her children's schools. She most recently was co-chair of the Next Gen Board at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and board member at the Bender JCC of Greater Washington. Born and raised in New York City, Robin moved to Washington, D.C. in 1994. She received her J.D. from The George Washington University Law School and has lived in the area ever since. Robin and her husband, Jeremy London, have three children: Sammy, Casey, and Cooper. 

2022 Women to Watch Honoree

Founder, Support The Girls and Accessibility Partners

Session: How to Turn Passion Into Impact

Dana Marlowe (WTW ‘16) can turn a moment into a movement. What began with her spontaneous question of “What can I do with my old bras?” led to the creation of I Support the Girls, a non-profit organization that provides a source of dignity, self-esteem, empowerment, and support to marginalized women via the donation of bras and menstrual hygiene products.

As a human rights advocate in the intersections of feminism, menstrual equality, health, and dignity, Dana works tirelessly to better the lives of the most invisible populations. These women and girls are often overlooked by mainstream society. Dana can’t fix the larger societal issues that create insecurity, like homelessness and living paycheck-to-paycheck, but she can combat feelings of worthlessness by encouraging an accommodated period and properly fitting bra. 

In her tenure as the Executive Director and Founder at I Support the Girls, Dana has worked behind the scenes and beyond borders, not only facilitating donations, but also visiting countless shelters to connect with women experiencing homelessness, hearing their stories and using these experiences to become a stronger advocate. 

I Support the Girls is Dana’s passion project. She is also the founder and principal partner of Accessibility Partners, an IT company making technology accessible for people with disabilities. Dana promotes equal access to technology and full inclusion of people with disabilities in technology usage. When she is not sorting bras or striving for inclusivity, she can be found at playgrounds with her sons, walking her new puppy, or attending early morning dance raves.

Assistant Director of Health Government Affairs at University of Southern California; Advocacy Chair, JWI YWIN L.A.

Session: Advocating for Change

Arianna Miskin has spent the past decade working in healthcare, government, and political campaigns across the country. She currently works for the University of Southern California as Assistant Director of Health Government Affairs, representing the Keck Medicine of USC health system and USC’s health science schools at the local, state, and federal levels. She has previously held Public Affairs and Communications roles at AltaMed Health Services and the Los Angeles City Council. She has worked on campaigns at both the state and federal levels; most recently serving as New Hampshire Deputy GOTV Director for the Biden 2020 campaign. Arianna is passionate about improving quality of life for healthcare professionals while also expanding access to high-quality and affordable healthcare to all Americans. Arianna currently serves as a Neighborhood Councilmember on the Mid City West Neighborhood Council and in her free time, she loves to read, run, travel, and study new languages on DuoLingo. She has a rabbit named Bruiser, an M.P.H in Health Policy from George Washington University, and a B.S. in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina

Co-founder of Hineni

Session: Entrepreneurs Building a Better World

Brandy Mitnick and Julia Zuroff are the co-founders of Hineni Jewelry Co., a mission-driven brand inspired by the concept of Hineni—a powerful commitment to showing up with presence and purpose.

The two first connected while pursuing their MBAs at Columbia Business School, bonding over a shared desire to create a venture with impact. Julia, whose career spans startups, venture capital, and strategic finance, saw an opportunity to merge her professional expertise with her passion for meaningful work. Brandy, with a background in sales and marketing, brings her talent for building authentic connections and her enthusiasm for event planning, and mindfulness to the brand.

Together, they have spent the past year dedicated to building a movement rooted in connection, community, and giving back.

Co-founder and Executive Director of Eidot Chemdata; CEO of Tiferet

Session: Entrepreneurs Building a Better World

District Attorney for Westchester County, New York

Session: Behind the Bylines: Meet the Women Who Shape the News

Leading the largest prosecutorial agency in the state of New York outside New York City, Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah ("Mimi") has dedicated her life to pursuing justice for victims, keeping our communities safe, and working for a fairer criminal justice system for all. Before she was elected as Westchester DA in November 2020, DA Rocah was Pace University School of Law's Distinguished Fellow in Criminal Justice, a legal analyst for MSNBC and NBC News, and an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Department of Justice in the Southern District of New York (SDNY) for 16½ years. She oversaw the prosecution of organized crime, gun traffickers, corrupt public officials, narcotics dealers, sex traffickers, and child predators. She is a recipient of the 2016 Women in Federal Law Enforcement Leadership Award. Prior to her career as a federal prosecutor, DA Rocah clerked for Judge John Gleeson of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, and Judge Chester J. Straub of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. She was also a litigation associate at the law firm Cravath, Swaine and Moore, and a paralegal at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. A native of Chicago, Illinois, DA Rocah is a graduate of Harvard University and New York University School of Law. She is also an alum of the nationally-acclaimed NYC Urban Fellows Program, a public policy fellowship where she completed her program with the NYPD’s Deputy Commissioner for Legal Affairs.

Chief Program Officer, JWI

Session: Take Control of Your Financial Future

Deborah Rosenbloom, JD/MPA is JWI’s Chief Program Officer and leads JWI’s innovative social justice initiatives engaging Jewish, interfaith and secular communities in collaborative work to address gender-based violence through advocacy, trainings, resource development and community building.

In recognition of her work, Deborah was awarded a “Huntington Her Hero Lifetime Achievement Award” from the New York City Bar Association. The award, which honors women who have spent their careers advocating for women and girls by improving their legal rights and economic opportunities, was presented during the 5th Annual International Law Conference on the Status of Women in March 2024.

Deborah served as the primary researcher of JWI’s 2021 Needs Assessment of Jewish domestic violence survivors in the US and has directed five grants from the US Office on Violence Against Women, and developed JWI’s economic empowerment portfolio. Deborah’s recognition that the faith-based community can play an important role in addressing domestic violence led her to establish in 2008 JWI’s advocacy portfolio on Capitol Hill, as well as the Clergy Task Force on Domestic Abuse in the Jewish Community and the Interfaith Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.

Prior to joining JWI, Deborah served as the director of public policy and law and executive director of the National Association of Public Policy and Law; had an appellate practice in upstate New York, and was a writer/editor for major legal publishing houses. 

Deborah holds a B.A., cum laude in history from Cornell, attended Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel and earned a JD/MPA from Syracuse University School of Law and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Deborah was admitted to the bars of New York, Maryland and Washington, DC.  She lives in Washington, DC and is a member of Congregation Kesher Israel.

President of the YWIN NY board, fundraiser in Major Gifts in Women's Philanthropy for UJA Federation of New York

Session: Volunteering Amid War: Firsthand Reflections from YWIN’s Israel Mission

Taylor Ross is currently the president of the YWIN chapter for New York City after being on the board for the past 3 years and a member since 2018. A graduate of Muhlenberg College with a degree in theater and vocal performance, Taylor also has a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Drexel University and one in Philanthropy and Non-Profit Fundraising from Northwestern University. She currently works for UJA Federation of New York as a fundraiser in Major Gifts in Women's Philanthropy. When not raising money, you can find her frequenting NYC’s cultural institutions, a Jewish event or at a live performance event and the lights on Broadway.

Urologist and Sexual Medicine Specialist, Assistant clinical professor in Urology at Georgetown University Hospital 

Session: Empowered Health: What We Need to Know and What We Must Talk About

Dr. Rachel Rubin is a board-certified urologist and sexual medicine specialist. She is an assistant clinical professor of Urology at Georgetown University and owns her private practice in the Washington DC region. She is one of only a handful of physicians fellowship trained in male and female sexual medicine. Dr. Rubin is a clinician, researcher, and vocal educator in the field of sexual medicine. 

Social Entrepreneur, Community Activist, Writer, On-Camera Talent, Music Industry Veteran, and Founder of Mosaic Visions, LLC

Session: How to Turn Passion Into Impact

Dee Sanae is a writer, social justice activist, and a strong advocate for equity, diversity, inclusion, and women’s empowerment. In 2020, Dee founded Mosaic Visions, which advocates for and creates community through arts, humanities, and culture. Dee is a dynamic and accomplished professional who has dedicated her career to amplifying diversity, inclusion, and social justice. As the Founder and Executive Director of Mosaic Visions, a 501(c)3 community-based organization, Dee is at the forefront of promoting racial equity and elevating the voices of marginalized and underrepresented communities, including Jews of Color, and the broader BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) community.

Dee's leadership skills and artistic talents are evidenced throughout her impressive career. As a Producer, Content Developer, and Social Media Strategist at Magnetic Magazine in Los Angeles, she developed and executed integrated digital media campaigns, leveraging reporting, metrics, and analytics to drive the magazine's online presence and advertising efforts. Additionally, she has demonstrated her artistic abilities in creating communication products, such as media kits, videos, and internal memos, for ReGroup Media.

Her extensive volunteer work and community involvement further exemplify Dee’s advocacy and passion for community engagement. She has served as the Elected Diversity and Inclusion Director of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, as well as the Director of Community Outreach and a Board Member for the Asian Pacific American Film, Inc., a 501(c)3 organization. Dee has been an accomplished diversity advocate in these roles, speaking at local, state, and international events while providing strategic planning guidance and creating diverse programming.

With an Executive Master of Business Administration from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the same institution, Dee's academic background is as impressive as her professional accomplishments. Her dedication to amplifying diversity, inclusion, and social justice, her artistic talents, and her strong leadership skills make Dee a remarkable individual impacting her communities. She was the past Vice president and volunteer for the DC APA Film Festival in DC since 2016. Before her NGO, she was a music industry veteran who served as a publicist, music journalist, and producer/host for an international online show called Backspin. 

Dee is a proud alumna of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and the past Diversity, and Inclusion Director of the Northern Capital Region Virginia Tech Alumni Association, she is on the board of the Virginia Board College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and was the 2022 Jewish Women International’s Women to Watch. Dee also serves on the board of directors of both the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, the DC regional board of the  Anti-Defamation League, and an advisory board member of Save A Heart Israel, DC Chapter.

Mosaic Visions: Mosaic Visions is a nonprofit organization committed to promoting equity and amplifying the voices of historically marginalized communities with a focus on Jewish artists of color. Through the arts, humanities, culture, and education, we use a multidisciplinary approach to nurture creativity, foster civic engagement, and drive systemic change. Our goal is to build a more inclusive world by empowering diverse voices and inspiring lasting transformation.

YWIN Seattle board member

Session: Navigating Generational Differences at Work

Samantha is originally from outside Philadelphia and attended Duke University. During her time at Duke, she connected more deeply with Judaism than ever before, spending many days and nights at Hillel. Following graduation, Samantha worked in advertising in New York and made it her mission to stack rank the city's best bagels (#1 is Kossar's). She then enrolled at Wharton for her MBA and found herself in Seattle after. Samantha has been a member of the Seattle board since 2023 and loves to create space for Jewish traditions. You can find her hosting Shabbat dinners, taking 1000s of pictures of her nice Jewish dog, Jake, and paddle boarding on Seattle lakes.

Managing Partner and Co-Founder of SPARK Solutions for Growth

Session: Empowered Health: What We Need to Know and What We Must Talk About

Rachel Braun Scherl, recognized as a Woman to Watch in 2016 and current JWI board member, is a business builder, marketing strategist, investor, author and speaker. She is Managing Partner and Co-Founder of SPARK Solutions for Growth, a strategy boutique focused on driving topline growth.  She has extensive experience working with leading brands and businesses in women’s sexual and reproductive health.  As President of Semprae Laboratories, Inc., a company by women and for women’s sexual health, Rachel became a leading voice in the space.  Semprae was acquired by a specialty pharmaceuticals company.  As a result of her work, Rachel has been interviewed and featured for her work in leading publications as well as at leading companies and universities, including The New York Times, Forbes, CNN, ABC News, CBS, Oprah Radio, Stanford, Duke, Johnson & Johnson and AbbVie among many others.   Rachel is the author of the best-selling book, Orgasmic Leadership:  Profiting from the Coming Surge in Women’s Sexual Health and Wellness. 

YWIN Philly board member; Associate Director of College Student Network at the Hartman Institute

Session: Empowered Health: Taking Charge of your Reproductive Wellness

Avigail Schneiman is the Associate Director of the College Student Network at Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. In this role she is responsible for cultivating and sustaining relationships with alumni and participants in our rapidly expanding suite of programs for college-aged students.

 The 28-year-old Philadelphia native returned to Philadelphia after earning an undergraduate degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh and a master’s in social work from New York University. In addition to her duties at the Shalom Hartman Institute she is a patient escort at Planned Parenthood, and is on the board of the Young Women’s Impact Network chapter of Jewish Women International. 

Pelo Buddy podcast co-host, WTW ‘24 Event Chair

Session: Empowered Health: Taking Charge of your Reproductive Wellness

Amanda’s connection to the Jewish community started back in Cape Town, South Africa where she attended Herzlia Jewish Day School. When she emigrated to the Washington DC - Maryland area in 1991, she began her career, continuing with her Jewish connection working for the newly created congregation of B’nai Tzedek in Potomac, Maryland. Amanda worked alongside Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt in helping the synagogue prepare for its buildout.

In 1993 Amanda moved on to work at Shady Grove Fertility, today the largest fertility practice in the country. Within a year she helped market an innovative financial program for patients seeking in vitro fertilization treatment and helped thousands of patients understand the financial side of the process. In 2008 she helped create an international Egg donation program enabling patients from the UK, Ireland, Canada, Europe and China seek treatment in the US. Having needed fertility treatment herself to conceive her 3 children she was a source of comfort as well as a wealth of information for prospective patients. In 2013,  Amanda was awarded employee of the year for her dedication, passion and expertise in her field.

With covid changing the landscape for international travel and after almost 30 years of service, Amanda found a new home within the Peloton community becoming a Peloton influencer in encouraging hundreds of people to join the platform. Her passion for promoting a healthy lifestyle and her love of her peloton workouts led her to joining  a community based podcast called Pelobuddy TV. Pelobuddy is a weekly podcast with well over a 100K followers, and focuses on the world of Peloton.

Amanda lives between Potomac, Maryland and Florida, with her husband Mark.  Her greatest pride and joy are her 3 children Aaron, Kayla and Nicole.

Director of partnerships and programs at Riley’s Way Foundation

Session: How to Turn Passion into Impact

Lauren Shenkman (WTW ‘24) is honored to be the director of partnerships and programs at Riley’s Way Foundation. Lauren is a nonprofit professional with a background in camp, educational and cultural programming, community building, program strategy, and partnership development. As Director of Partnerships and Programs, she oversees strategic partnerships and program strategy and implementation.

Riley’s Way invests in and supports the next generation of kind leaders. It works with emerging young leaders who are leading social impact projects in areas like food insecurity, homelessness, and education equity, through the lens of kindness, empathy, and connection. The Foundation has invested in more than 3,500 young people across the country to envision and achieve change, with over $4 million in grants and programming.

Lauren previously served as the Director of Membership and Community Engagement at Brooklyn’s Congregation Beth Elohim, where she helped launch CBE Feeds after Hurricane Sandy and acclaimed author series Brooklyn by the Book with the Brooklyn Public Library and the Community Bookstore. She was the Director of the Educational Alliance’s Downtown Community Center, the Director of Youth Programs at the 14th Street Y, and the Beacon Director at Moshulu Montefiore Community Center. In each role, Lauren is a connector who brings diverse communities and individuals together to make a difference. Lauren lives in Brooklyn with her husband, actor Ben Shenkman, and their two kids. She currently sits on the Steering Committee for the NYC Civic Engagement Coalition. She loves swimming in the ocean, theater, a consuming novel, introducing fabulous people to each other, and goes everywhere with too many bags.

Senior Manager of Strategic HR at Hillel International, YWIN D.C. board member

Session: Volunteering Amid War: Firsthand Reflections from YWIN’s Israel Mission and Ways to Get Involved Now

Allyson Silver is the Senior Manager of Strategic HR at Hillel International and serves as a D.C. YWIN board member. She grew up in Potomac, Maryland and studied Psychology, Business, and Jewish Studies at Tulane University in New Orleans. Upon graduating, she moved back to Maryland, started working in the Strategic HR department at Hillel International and has been there for 6 years. She currently lives in Bethesda, Maryland and is very involved in the Jewish community, serving as a BBYO advisor, staffed a Birthright trip, and frequents Jewish events in the D.C. area. 

In her free time, she loves spending time with family, hosting Shabbat dinners, going to workout classes, and is on the hunt to find the best restaurants in D.C.

Author of Simple Acts: The Busy Family’s Guide to Giving Back and Host of the Simple Acts, Big Impact: Celebrating Teen Changemakers Podcast

Session: How to Turn Passion into Impact

Natalie Silverstein, MPH, (WTW ‘23) is an author, speaker, nonprofit founder, philanthropist and passionate advocate for family and youth service. Her first book, Simple Acts: The Busy Family’s Guide to Giving Back, was published in 2019 and was named as one of the Top Books for parents who want to raise kind kids by the HuffPost. Her second book, The Busy Teen’s Guide to Making a Difference was published in July, 2022 and was chosen as a National Parenting Product Award winner. She is the host of the award-winning weekly podcast, Simple Acts, Big Impact: Celebrating Teen Changemakers. Natalie is the New York coordinator of Doing Good Together, an organization with the mission of helping parents raise kids who care and contribute. In this role, she curates a free monthly e-mail listing of family-friendly service opportunities that is distributed to thousands of subscribers in New York City. Natalie is a sought-after speaker on the topics of family and youth service, and has appeared on radio, television, webinars, podcasts, and was featured on the Third Hour of the TODAY show on NBC. She is a founding member of Impact 100 NYC, a women’s giving circle and was a proud JWI “Woman to Watch” in 2023. She is a member of the board of trustees of Riley’s Way Foundation and serves as Development Chair. Natalie holds a master’s degree in public health from Yale University.

Curriculum coordinator, teacher, and reading tutor, 2023 Women to Watch co-chair and JWI Board member

Session: Empowered Health: What We Need to Know and What We Must Talk About

Sharon Slotkin is originally from New York City and moved to the Greater Washington area in 1998. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1993 and has a Masters in Early Childhood Education from Trinity University. She has worked in schools in New York and Maryland as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, and curriculum coordinator. She currently works as a reading tutor.

Sharon served as a co-chair of the Pomegranates for the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. She is a past chair of the Next Generation Board of the United States Holocaust Museum and currently serves on the board. She chaired the 2023 Jewish Women International Women to Watch luncheon with her daughter, Jayme.

Sharon lives in Potomac, MD with her husband and has two children, Jayme (age 24) and Ben (age 22).

Founder of inspiro Tequila

Session: Entrepreneurs Building a Better World

Mara Smith (WTW ‘24) is the founder of Inspiro Tequila. She is a mother of three and a former attorney and corporate strategist. Mara began her legal career at Mayer, Brown & Platt in Chicago before joining the corporate strategy team at McDonald’s Corporation. After her twins were born prematurely, Mara made the difficult decision to leave the corporate world to focus on her family and charitable work.

She never stopped thinking about what was next. Mara always envisioned running her own company and in February of 2020 she set out on her journey to create a new tequila brand.

Mara is on the advisory board of Cradles to Crayons and on the Women's Board of the Illinois Holocaust Museum. Mara shared her Grandmother's Holocaust story on If You Heard What I Heard. 

Executive Vice President, Consumer Engagement & Brand Strategy at NBCU Cable Networks - Bravo, Oxygen, USA, SYFY, E!, Universal Kids

Session: Know your Worth: Negotiating for What You Deserve

Ellen Stone (WTW ‘11) of New York, N.Y., is executive vice president, consumer engagement & brand strategy at NBCU Cable Networks - Bravo, Oxygen, USA, SYFY, E!, and Universal Kids -, overseeing the development of brand strategy, consumer promotions, license/merchandising, and social marketing for the networks, with multi-million dollar campaigns for franchises such as Bravo’s "The Real Housewives” & “Vanderpump Rules”, “Chucky” on USA and “E!’s Live From the Red Carpet.” Ellen is the mastermind behind some of NBCU cable’s most successful ventures, including the recently held BravoCon 2023 in Las Vegas, two-time New York Times best-selling Top Chef cookbook series, "Top Chef: The Tour" and Oxygen’s entry into Crime Con. Additionally, under Stone’s watch, her team earned the 2010 Digital Publishing & Advertising Award for Best Social Engagement Campaign, an IMA Outstanding Achievement Award, multiple Cablefaxies and CTAM Mark Awards. Stone holds a bachelor's degree in marketing and a minor in French from Lehigh University School of Business and is a graduate of CTAM University at Harvard School of Business. She was a 2011 Women to Watch Honoree and recently featured in Variety’s 2023 Digital Marketing Impact Report.

CEO of the American Jewish Medical Association (AJMA)

Session: Empowered Health: What We Need to Know and What We Must Talk About

Michelle Stravitz (WTW ‘22) is the Chief Executive Officer of the American Jewish Medical Association. Formed in the wake of October 7, 2023, the AJMA is a non-political, non-profit organization comprised of Jewish healthcare professionals with the mission to be a safe, enriching community with a unified voice for Jewish healthcare workers. We advocate to address contemporary issues affecting our members and society, including recently rising incidents of antisemitism (including anti-Zionism) that impact the workplace and patient care. We leverage our unified voice to stand strongly with Israel, to promote Jewish values and ethics in medicine, and to combat antisemitism within the medical community.

Michelle is the former CEO and co-founder of 2Unstoppable a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and supporting exercise for women with a cancer diagnosis. She has served as CFO of Spectrum Management Consulting, was a management consultant with Booz Allen, and has worked with and for Jewish communal organizations including the Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning and Sixth&I Synagogue in Washington DC.

Michelle is considered an influential leader in the Washington DC Jewish community, having served on the board and as committee chair for the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, Gesher Jewish Day School, the Pozez JCC, and Congregation Olam Tikvah.

Ms Stravitz has a BS Econ from The Wharton School, a BAS Systems Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, and a MS from The George Washington University. She has been recognized as a JWI Woman to Watch and a Guardian of the Bridge of Gesher Jewish Day School. She lives in Fairfax, VA with her husband and has four adult children.

Distinguished Professor of the Practice of Law, former United States Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama

Session: Behind the Bylines: Meet the Women Who Shape the News

Joyce White Vance is a Distinguished Visiting Lecturer in Law. She served as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama from 2009 to 2017. She was nominated for that position by President Barack Obama in  May of 2009 and unanimously confirmed by the Senate in August of 2009. As U.S. Attorney, she was responsible for overseeing all federal criminal investigations and prosecutions in north Alabama, including matters involving civil rights, national security, cybercrime, public corruption, health care and corporate fraud, violent crime and drug trafficking. She was also responsible for affirmative and defensive civil litigation on behalf of the government and for all federal criminal and civil appeals.

She is a frequent legal commentator on MSNBC and other news outlets.

Luxury Travel Advisor for Smartflyer

Session: Leading With Purpose

Carol’s daughter Courtenay Burman-Wallach, a Potomac native, has spent her life fostering community in the Greater Washington area. A lifetime member of Washington Hebrew Congregation, Courtenay serves on various committees and is a current Sisterhood Board Member.

Courtenay’s involvement with The Federation of Greater Washington began after a 2014 JWRP trip to Israel. She subsequently participated in a 2015 Campaigner's Mission to Israel with Jewish Federation North America and led a 2019 Women's Philanthropy Mission to Budapest and Prague. Courtenay serves on The Women's Philanthropy Advisory Board, is a Lion of Judah, and belongs to The Women's Brigade of the local FIDF chapter. In March of 2024, she joined a transformative mission to Israel with B'nai Tzedek Congregation.

In 2022, Courtenay embarked on a new career as a Luxury Travel Advisor for Smartflyer. She applies her passion for research and commitment to excellence in curating ultimate travel experiences for her clients, whether to familiar or unexplored destinations.

Courtenay’s two daughters, Madison and Sophie Wallach, are already following in their grandmother and mother’s footsteps with impressive accolades themselves. 

Executive Board Member of FIDF Young Leadership New York

Session: Advocating for Change

Madison Wallach, 26, (WTW ‘24) currently works at an experiential and influencer marketing agency in New York City, where she has lived for the past four years. In her philanthropic role, she serves as an Executive Board Member of FIDF Young Leadership New York and is chairing the 2024 FIDF Young Leadership Gala. Recently, she led a FIDF Young Leadership Solidarity Mission to Israel with 60 other young professionals from across the country. Before graduating from the prestigious Cornell Hotel School in 2020, Madison spent ten years at Holton-Arms, an all-girls school in Bethesda. At Cornell, she was actively involved in the Sigma Delta Tau sorority and the dance troupe Base Productions.

Executive Assistant, committee member for the 2024 FIDF Young Leadership Gala

Session: Navigating Generational Differences at Work

Sophie Wallach, 24, is a Wisconsin Business School graduate and a member of the Sigma chapter of the Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority. Her deep love for Israel began during the three months she spent there with her graduating class from Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in 2018, where she lived and volunteered on Kibbutz HaZore'a in Northern Israel. She currently works as an Executive Assistant and handles Human Resources for a luxury skincare company in New York City. In May 2024, Sophie participated in the FIDF Young Leadership Solidarity Mission to Israel with her sister Madison to bear witness to the October 7th attacks. She is also serving as a committee member for the 2024 FIDF Young Leadership Gala.

Lawyer, member of the United States House of Representatives

Session: Advocating for Change

The daughter of a journalist and a career Air Force officer, Congresswoman Susan Wild is a mother, attorney, public servant, and a dedicated member of the Greater Lehigh Valley community for more than 30 years.

Susan is focused on working across the aisle to find common-sense solutions to the problems we face. She is fighting to lower costs and build an economy that works for working people, make health care and mental health care accessible for everyone who needs it, and invest in American manufacturing and create good-paying jobs here at home.  

As an independent-minded Member of Congress, Susan’s focus is on serving all her constituents—regardless of whether they identify as Republicans, Democrats, Independents, or none-of-the-above. For her, representing PA-07 in Congress is the honor of a lifetime, and she is working every day to deliver results for every part of Pennsylvania’s 7th district.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) for Deloitte

Session: Volunteering Amid War: Firsthand Reflections from YWIN’s Israel Mission and Ways to Get Involved Now

Annie Wilkin is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) working in Deloitte’s Audit & Assurance Practice. A Los Angeles native, she completed her degree at Babson College in Boston, MA before moving to San Diego, CA. Her Jewish identity has shaped every aspect of her personal and professional journey, from taking a gap year in Israel before college to finding a company that supports diversity of religious views and opinions. Israel advocacy has played a key role in Annie’s life. As a Hasbara Fellow in college, she learned how to advocate for Israel in her campus, going on to be the Founder and President of her university’s Students Supporting Israel (SSI). Annie was honored to participate in YWIN’s 2024 Volunteer Trip to Israel, bearing witness to the atrocities of October 7 and came home ready to educate her community. 

Co-founder of Hineni

Session: Entrepreneurs Building a Better World

Brandy Mitnick and Julia Zuroff are the co-founders of Hineni Jewelry Co., a mission-driven brand inspired by the concept of Hineni—a powerful commitment to showing up with presence and purpose.

 The two first connected while pursuing their MBAs at Columbia Business School, bonding over a shared desire to create a venture with impact. Julia, whose career spans startups, venture capital, and strategic finance, saw an opportunity to merge her professional expertise with her passion for meaningful work. Brandy, with a background in sales and marketing, brings her talent for building authentic connections and her enthusiasm for event planning, and mindfulness to the brand.

Together, they have spent the past year dedicated to building a movement rooted in connection, community, and giving back.