Alyssa Baron is JWI’s director of women’s impact.

Michael Ian Black is a multi-media talent who’s starred in numerous films and TV series, written and/or directed two films, is a prolific author and commentator, and regularly tours the country performing his ribald brand of jokes and observations. He has authored 11 books (seven of them children’s books), including “A Child’s First Book of Trump,” “You're Not Doing It Right: Tales of Marriage, Sex, Death and Other Humiliations,” and “A Better Man: A (Mostly Serious) Letter to My Son.” Sketch comedy fans know Black’s work on “The State,” “Viva Variety,” “Stella” and “Michael and Michael Have Issues” all of which he co-created, wrote, and starred in. Black’s movie roles include “This is 40,” “Wet Hot American Summer,” “Reno 911!: Miami,” and “The Baxter.” He hosts the podcasts “Mike and Tom Eat Snacks,” with Tom Cavanagh; "Topics,” with Michael Showalter; and his own interview podcast, “How To Be Amazing.”

photo from Montclair Film Festival

Hannah Chosid is JWI’s manager of prevention and training programs.

Rabbi Aderet Drucker is executive director and community rabbi at the Washington, D.C. area Den Collective. After receiving her rabbinic ordination and a concentration in pastoral care from the Jewish Theological Seminary, Rabbi Aderet served as senior rabbi for a congregation in Northern California. She has also served as the campus rabbi for Hillel at the University of Maryland, where she was part of UMD’s Interfaith Campus Chaplaincy and a co-founder of UMD’s first Interfaith Student Fellowship. Rabbi Aderet led a successful two-year community building listening project for an 850-household congregation in New York. She also leads relational community organizing trainings for congregational boards and professionals seeking to impact systemic change within their communities. Rabbi Aderet holds a certificate in Mindful Leadership in Higher Education from NYU’s Of Many Institute For Multifaith Leadership, is an AJWS Global Justice Fellow, and a fellow of RRC’s Campus Chaplaincy for a Multifaith World. She is an alumnus of the Gladstein Fellowship in Entrepreneurial Leadership, the Rabbis Without Borders Fellowship, and the Clergy Leadership Incubator.

Sue Gelsey, the chief program officer at JCC Association of North America since 2019, oversees the growth and development of JCCA’s signature programs and talent portfolio. Most of her career has focused on Jewish communal work, and previously Gelsey was the chief operating officer at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly, N.J., a large social service agency with more than 12,000 members. Earlier, she held positions there as the youth services director, camp director, JCC Maccabi Games® director, and a program director. She also served as a regional youth director and assistant overnight camp director for the Union for Reform Judaism and as vice president of a fitness management company, working with JCCs, universities, and hospitals on operations and management. Gelsey holds a master’s degree in recreation management from Temple University and a bachelor’s degree in Judaic studies and psychology from Emory University and is an alumna of the inaugural Mandel Executive Leadership cohort.

Toby Graff is head of social responsibility at the Alliance of American Football, and president of The Graff Group, a social impact consultancy. Previously she served as senior vice president, corporate social responsibility, for NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. In this position, she was responsible for developing and implementing all pro-social initiatives, creating cause marketing promotions; handling government relations; and managing charitable giving for USA, Syfy, Bravo, Oxygen, E!, Esquire, Sprout and Universal Cable Productions. Graff created and led USA Network’s Public Affairs division and its award-winning Characters Unite public service campaign to combat hate and discrimination. Before joining USA, Graff was senior vice president, public affairs and corporate communications, for Lifetime Networks. She has served as deputy press secretary for then-First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, and worked on health care and welfare reform at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as special advisor for public affairs. She is a 2007 Women to Watch honoree and currently serves as chair of JWI’s board of trustees.

Abby Greensfelder is the founder and CEO of Everywoman Studios, a purpose-built media company whose mission is to tell female-focused stories that might not otherwise be told, and that can have a positive impact on our culture. She is also a co-founder of Half Yard Productions, an award-winning production company specializing in non-fiction series and documentaries, including Say Yes to the Dress for TLC, How the States Got Their Shapes for History, and The Last Alaskans for Discovery. Prior to starting Half Yard Productions, Greensfelder was senior vice president of programming and development for Discovery Channel, where she launched programs including Deadliest Catch, MythBusters, and Planet Earth. Greensfelder holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale University and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She serves on the board of the Alliance for Women in Media and is a limited partner at Rethink Impact, a venture firm investing in female-led businesses. She was a 2011 Women to Watch honoree.

Session: Women on the Week

Meredith Jacobs, JWI's CEO, 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. 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 Women’s Financial Empowerment Institute; the Jewish Communal Women’s Leadership Project; Men As Allies: Leading Equitable Workplaces; and the international expansion of Young Women’s Leadership Network. She works closely with JWI’s philanthropic partners, Sigma Delta Tau national sorority and Zeta Beta Tau national fraternity, developing initiatives like Green Light, Go! that was awarded a Laurel Wreath for outstanding programming in the fraternal world. A sought-after speaker, moderator and writer, her opinion pieces appear frequently in outlets such as JTA, eJewishPhilanthropy, and the Forward. She was named one of the 50 Most Influential Jews of 2020 by The Jerusalem Post.

Senator Cheryl C. Kagan (D-17) returned to elected office in 2015, and was appointed Vice Chair of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee in 2019. Kagan is a nationally-recognized expert on “Next Generation 9-1-1,” which will update our emergency response centers with more reliable modern technology. Kagan's concern for the environment and sustainability led the Maryland League of Conservation Voters to name her a “Green Champion” and present her with the 2019 Legislator of the Year Award. She is also lauded as a key ally for her leadership on behalf of nonprofits; she sponsored a law that established the Nonprofit, Interest-Free, Micro Bridge Loan (NIMBL) fund, as well as a 2020 bill to streamline all State grant applications for nonprofit organizations into what will be called a “Common App.” When the General Assembly is not in session, Kagan serves as the Outreach & Development Coordinator for Community Reach of Montgomery County (formerly known as Community Ministries of Rockville), a nonprofit that helps vulnerable County residents. Senator Kagan represented District 17 in the House of Delegates for two terms, from 1995 to 2003. After choosing not to seek reelection, she stayed involved in the community as the first-ever Executive Director of the Carl M. Freeman Foundation. Kagan later served as the Director of Community Engagement for BBYO.

David Kahan is the Chief Operating Officer of the WINGS Program Inc., which he joined in 2017. His responsibilities include oversight of Programs, Community Resources, Resale Operations, Logistics, Maintenance and Facility Operations. His team oversees the Safe Homes, Shared Homes, Community Based Services, Transitional Housing and Resale Stores. David has more than 30 years of operational experience. David’s leadership and expertise have been crucial in augmenting the overall economic vitality of WINGS. David began his career in health administration. He directed daily operational activities of 700 intake and clinical personnel at contact centers in Illinois and California. David was responsible for ongoing improvement strategies to ensure sustained capabilities in people, processes and technology. David contributed heavily to the design and implementation of various strategic systems in telephony, preauthorization, clinical scripting, web portal development and review models. David also led key corporate real estate project expansions in Illinois and California. David received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois.

Carrie Seleman is an attorney at the Office of the Cook County Public Guardian in the Juvenile Division, representing youth in the child protection system. Carrie was born and raised in St. Louis (go Cardinals!) and moved to Chicago after graduating from Indiana University. She went to Loyola University of Chicago School of Law, during which she volunteered as a mediator and interned at the Office of the Public Guardian, the Juvenile Expungement Help Desk, and the Domestic Violence Legal Clinic. She is on the board of managers for the Decalogue Society of Lawyers, Illinois' Jewish bar association, where she acts as the founding chair of the Women's Council. In her free time, you can find Carrie sitting by the lake reading a book or binge-watching Gilmore Girls and The West Wing.

Kathy Manning represents North Carolina’s Sixth Congressional District. Kathy graduated from Harvard University and the University of Michigan Law School before moving to Greensboro, N.C. in 1987, where she and her husband raised their three children. After serving as a partner at a major law firm for 15 years, she left to start her own immigration law firm. Before her election to Congress, Kathy worked to expand access to early childhood education, college scholarships, workforce development, and assistance to those in need through nonprofit organizations. Kathy was the first woman to chair the Board of the Jewish Federations of North America, one of the largest charitable, faith-based organizations in the world. In Congress, Kathy is a proud member of the Education and Labor and Foreign Affairs Committees. In North Carolina, Kathy is a strong advocate for affordable health care and prescription drug prices, a quality education for every student, economic opportunity and equal justice for all.

Temmi Merlis is a social worker and program coordinator for the United Federation of Teachers retiree social services department. Temmi strongly believes that all people are deserving of having supportive communities that accept and celebrate people exactly as they are. Temmi has a special interest in centering the voices of non-binary and LGBTQ individuals. In their free time, Temmi enjoys volunteering for Keshet’s Jewish LGBTQ youth programs, Flatbush Cats TNR/rescue and Nurture BK compost . Temmi also plays basketball and softball in several sports leagues around Brooklyn.

Ariella Neckritz is JWI’s director of violence prevention and training.

Victoria Raggs is co-founder and executive director of Atlanta Jews of Color Council, Inc. She is a progressive strategist, DEI consultant, disability rights advocate, and lobbyist, specializing in mobilizing communities to be their own powerful voices against economic and structural inequalities. Victoria serves on the Jewish Family & Career Services Board of Directors, and on their Board Governance Committee. She also serves on American Jewish Committee Atlanta’s Board of Counselors and is a Co-chair of the Black and Jewish Coalition of Atlanta. For three years Victoria has participated as a Core leader with Bend the Arc, Atlanta. The Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta selected Victoria for their 2020-2021 Agents of Change Cohort. The mother of four has been on numerous committees and associations at Jewish Day Schools, and has served on her synagogue’s Education, Inclusion, and Sisterhood Committees. Victoria is also a member of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival’s Programming Committee. During Advocacy Days at the Georgia State Capital, Victoria works as a team lead lobbyist for the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities. While a student at University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, Victoria was a four-time NCAA Division I All-American in the sport of Track and Field and competed in the USA Olympic Trials.

Deborah Rosenbloom, JD/MPA, is JWI's chief program officer. As such, she is responsible for directing and implementing JWI’s programmatic work to end and prevent violence against women and girls. For over a decade, Rosenbloom has led JWI’s innovative efforts, which include engaging the Jewish and interfaith communities in advocacy and resource development, providing training to the domestic community, empowering men and boys to be allies, advocating for anti-violence legislation, promoting women’s economic security through advocacy and trainings, and collaborating with diverse organizations. Deborah developed JWI’s groundbreaking Life$avings: Financial Literacy for Women and Financial Fitness programs empowering women of all ages with skills and confidence to take charge of their money. She leads several faith-based initiatives, including the Clergy Task Force on Domestic Abuse in the Jewish Community developing resources to address abuse, and three federal grants engaging men and boys as allies in violence prevention. Rosenbloom is an experienced trainer who presents regularly at conferences and on college campuses. She attended Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel, holds a B.A., cum laude in history from Cornell University, and a J.D./M.P.A. from Syracuse University College of Law and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

An award-winning digital strategist, educator, and public speaker, Jeff Rum has nearly 15 years of experience in digital strategy, branding, and marketing. Prior to founding ignite: action in 2015, Jeff was a partner and Chief Marketing Officer at SPARK Experience, a user experience agency. Jeff served as a digital consultant with The White House, United Nations Foundation, and Human Rights Campaign. During his tenure at SPARK, Jeff also led digital campaigns and special projects with Pepsi, AAA, Fossil, Bose, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Jeff published his first book, Post with Purpose: A Digital Strategy Handbook in 2018. Profiled in SmartCEO Magazine and an online panelist for CMSWire, Jeff has been a featured speaker on digital marketing at regional and national conferences including Social Media Week. He regularly guests lectures at The George Washington University’s School of Business on topics including digital marketing and social media strategy. Jeff received his BA from American University in Communication: Visual Media and Jewish Studies. He received his MA from Georgetown University in International Studies. He resides in Bethesda, MD with his wife Jessica and three children, Eva, Maxim, and Ori.

As Florida’s first Jewish Congresswoman, Debbie Wasserman Schultz has earned the respect of her colleagues for working tirelessly on behalf of seniors, children, women, and families for nearly three decades. First sworn in to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2005, Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz previously served in the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate. She teamed up with former Republican Senator Arlen Specter to write a unanimously-passed resolution to declare May as Jewish American Heritage Month. Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz has led and been instrumental in legislation such as the EARLY Act, designed to increase breast cancer education and awareness; the PALS Act, which helps increase young women’s access to mammograms; and the Rape Survivor Child Custody Act, to encourage more states to allow women to terminate the parental rights of a rapist. Currently Wasserman Schultz serves as a Cardinal on the Appropriations Committee and the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and Chief Deputy Whip of the Democratic Caucus. She has been a tireless defender of Social Security and Medicare and is committed to expanding access to quality and affordable health care, preventing senseless tragedies of gun violence, and defending the fundamental idea that all Americans have the right to be treated equally under the law.

Originally from Boulder, Colorado, Austin Van Grack is a Clinical Trials Specialist for the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) providing project management support for international HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis clinical trials. She has a background in global health, maternal and child health, and community health program evaluation with the mission to use compassion, creativity, problem-solving and a culturally sensitive lens to improve maternal and child health outcomes. Austin has a BA in Anthropology from Emory University, a MPH in global maternal and child health from the University of Colorado and Project Management Professional certification. She also has a background in event planning and meeting management for private and non-profit organizations. In her free time, Austin enjoys making beaded jewelry, all things crafty, exploring Washington, D.C. and travelling.