Senior Consultant at Slalom, JWI Board of Trustees member

Session: Negotiating

Susannah is a proud Midwesterner from Rochester, MN. She made her way to the East Coast to attend Connecticut College where she became more deeply engaged with Judaism through her four years on Hillel's executive board and through her religious studies classes. After moving to Boston for work in 2017, she made it her mission to help foster a sense of Jewish community in her new home. In 2022, Susannah received her MBA from Brandeis' Heller School for Social Policy and Management along with a Master’s in Jewish Professional Leadership. Susannah was a founding member and President of the Boston YWIN chapter and most recently, the newest YWIN representative for our Board of Trustees.

Managing Director of The Bernstein Family Foundation

Session: Investing for Change

I feel called to carry my family’s legacy into the future - giving back and leaving the earth better than we found it. Although I work in philanthropy, I believe in being responsibly disruptive. That means I am also a catalyst for social change, going beyond just distributing dollars. I help invest in the hearts and minds of the leaders of the Greater Washington, D.C. area. 
 
As a leader, I feel inspired to lead with my heart. I am deeply intuitive and see the world through a different lens. Instead of funding traditional verticals or issues, I see the world as an intricate web. We are all connected, so in order to create systemic change, we need to look at the whole community.

I get to see the world from both above and below - the 30,000-foot view and the 3,000-foot view. This perspective is critical, in order to learn how best to support our creative leaders. In my work, I use my people skills to experience life at all levels, tapping into the human elements of dignity, compassion, empathy, and humility. 
 
My mission in life is to be a model of "what is possible" in community building and turning ideas into actions, to bring about social good. I love finding ways to bring thought leaders together! I feel inspired by the leaders I get to meet, who are willing to dream forward, take risks, and do things left of center. 

I've discovered that sometimes, the best ideas are incubated in collaboration with people from diverse backgrounds and industries. Nothing brings me more professional joy than seeing creative solutions to complex problems. 
 
Who am I? I am a macro, bold, and visionary personality. I am not afraid to express myself. I have the unique ability to see the world upside down, think outside the box, and integrate new partners into community solutions. I use my boundless imagination to push through traditional barriers of resistance and find unexpected ways to bring people together. Above all, I believe in humanity. 
 
I am a creative force. I care deeply about people, causes, and big ideas. I believe that my unconventional, expansive way of thinking, combined with my compassionate heart, allows me to help others feel valued and supported in deeply authentic ways. 
 
In my personal life, I enjoy running, practicing yoga and pilates, snowshoeing, dancing, reading, traveling for a cause, and volunteering. 

Executive Managing Director for Savills

Session: Negotiating

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.

Specialist, Strategic Communications Planning at United Airlines, YWIN Chicago Board Co-President

Session: New Media

Emily has always had a passion for surrounding herself within the Jewish community, specifically connecting with Jewish women. She was previously involved with Chicago’s JUF chapter, Northwestern Hillel and served on the board for Northwestern Challah for Hunger. She is an advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention, and she hopes to emphasize these passions through her programming work on the board. In her free time, Emily enjoys cooking, playing pickleball and tennis, reading and traveling. Since moving to Chicago in 2020, she has sought opportunities to connect with other Jewish women in the area which led her to join the YWIN.

Attorney, YWIN L.A. Board member

Session: On Being a Jewish Woman Now

Shir Davidovicz is an established commercial litigator representing businesses and individual clients in both state and federal courts, with a focus on entertainment disputes and complex commercial disputes.

Shir graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in political science. She served on the inaugural board of Berkeley’s Challah for Hunger Chapter and served as Fellow for the Helen Diller Institute for Jewish Law and Israel Studies at the Berkeley School of Law. She received her Juris Doctor from the Georgetown University Law Center. During that time, she was a student advocate for Georgetown Law’s International Women’s Human Rights Clinic, served on the Student Bar Association, and was a member of the Barristers’ Council. Early in her career, she interned with the Legal Office of the Supreme Court and worked on appellate matters at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

After moving back to her native Los Angeles in 2022, Shir found community with the Los Angeles chapter of YWIN and has proudly served on the Board for the past several years. In her free time, you can find her watching her beloved Dodgers or Lakers and exploring Israeli and Jewish restaurants in the broader Los Angeles area. 

Associate Brand Manager at Conagra Brands

Session: The Business of Food

Sofie Greif is an Associate Brand Manager at Conagra Brands, managing new product development and brand marketing for Slim Jim. Greif is a graduate of Duke University's Fuqua School of Business (MBA; Concentrations: Marketing and Strategy) and the University of Michigan (BA; Major: English Literature, Minor: American Culture). She is the co-author of the best-selling journaling series, Just Between Us (Chronicle Books) with her mother, Meredith Jacobs. Greif has previously served on the boards of JWI’s Young Women’s Impact Networks in New York and DC. She currently lives in Chicago, IL with her husband and their goldendoodle, Bo.

Cofounder of Shalom Tikvah

Session: Pursuing Passion

Jennifer Grossman is the Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Shalom Tikvah, a nonprofit mental health organization serving Jewish families in the Baltimore and Silver Spring communities. A graduate of the University of Michigan with a Master’s degree in Education, Jennifer has devoted her career and personal mission to strengthening families and building compassionate, supportive communities. 

Philanthropy has always been a core value for Jennifer. After chairing Jewish Volunteer Connection for four years, she led a family mission to Israel focused on voluntourism—an experience that inspired the founding of Shalom Tikvah. Now in its ninth year, the organization serves over 100 families annually through a unique whole-family model designed and implemented by her partner, Dr. Nicole Glick. 

In her role as Founder and COO, Jennifer oversees operations and community engagement. She created The Volunteer Village, a dynamic network of community members who rally around Shalom Tikvah’s most critical families, providing hands-on support and care beyond the therapy room. 

Shalom Tikvah delivers intensive, data-driven clinical and wraparound services—including individual, marital, and family therapy; psychoeducational testing; school consultation; IEP guidance; and case management. Services are provided in families’ homes, schools, and in the organization’s Pikesville office. No one is ever turned away based on insurance coverage or ability to pay. Families receive an average of four hours of services per week, creating real, lasting change. 

Jennifer is also deeply involved in the broader Jewish community. She is active with AIPAC, serves on the boards of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) and Beth El Congregation, and continues to advocate for causes that reflect her passion for service and justice. 

She lives in Baltimore with her husband and their three children. 

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

Session: Negotiating

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.

Founder of Unshakeable

Session: Pursuing Passion

Debbie Isaacs is the founder of Unshakeable the 2024 Women to Watch 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.  

Cofounder and Chief Executive Officer of Jewish on Campus

Session: Being a Voice

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.

2024 Women to Watch honoree

Senior Wealth Advisor at Citi Personal Wealth Management

Session: Investing for Change

As a senior wealth advisor at Citi Personal Wealth Management with over 25 years of experience, Diane 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.

2024 Women to Watch honoree

Engagement Manager at Heidrick & Struggles, Former YWIN Chicago President

Session: Navigating Corporate Life

Ellie Kirshenbaum is a talent developer and organizational culture leader currently working in executive search and leadership assessment at global firm Heidrick & Struggles. She consults with clients ranging from early stage to Fortune 50. 

Prior to her career pivot, Ellie was a television executive at 20th Television, where she worked to guide the creative direction of shows such as Modern Family, Empire, This Is Us and Big Sky. 

Following her move from Los Angeles to Chicago in 2021, Ellie stepped into Jewish leadership. She was YWIN Chicago’s President from 2022-2024, co-chaired JWI Networks’ inaugural event, sat on the Young Professionals Board at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and is currently on the Board of Jewish Council for Youth Services. She is a 2025 JUF 36 Under 36 honoree. 

Ellie was born and raised in the greater Chicago area. She earned her bachelors degree at Washington University in St. Louis and her graduate certificate in Leading Equity & Inclusion in Organizations from Northwestern. Ellie enjoys reading, Broadway shows, and walking her labradoodle, Justice Ginsburg. 

Sexuality and relationship educator, author, host of “The Sexy Side of Zionism”, JWI Board of Trustees member

Session: Being a Voice

Dr. Logan Levkoff of New York, N.Y., is an internationally-recognized expert on sexuality and relationships. Logan frequently appears on national television and was the host of CafeMom’s Mom Ed: In the Bedroom, the sexuality expert for A&E/FYI’s Married at First Sight, and host of Shape Magazine's video series, "The Sexpert." A popular sex columnist nationwide, she currently blogs for The Huffington Post. Logan speaks on a range of issues related to sexuality and has designed education programs, faculty development, and parent education in many secular and religious schools, universities, medical schools, and community organizations. She is the author of three books on sexual health, including Got Teens? The Doctor Moms’ Guide to Sexuality, Social Media, and Other Adolescent Realities with Dr. Jennifer Wider (Seal Press, 2014). She has been an AASECT certified sex educator and board member.

2018 Women to Watch Honoree

Cofounder, CEO, and Editor-in-Chief, Her Campus Media

Session: New Media

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.

CEO and cofounder of Challah Back Girls

Session: The Business of Food

Sara Loffman (she/her) is the CEO and co-founder of Challah Back Girls® (CBG)—a mission driven, small business that unites people through challah, Jewish tradition, and the value of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). What began as a family passion project during the pandemic has grown into a global movement—shipping thousands of challahs, hosting interactive workshops, and partnering with organizations, brands, and community leaders to build bridges and deepen understanding across diverse communities.

Sara leads CBG full-time from New Jersey, overseeing partnerships, event programming, production, and brand storytelling. Deeply passionate about using food—especially challah—as a symbol of unity and a vehicle for change, Sara creates experiences that nourish the body while amplifying voices and initiatives that advance justice and compassion.

Beyond CBG, Sara consults with emerging ventures on marketing, event planning, and digital strategy, helping founders turn meaningful ideas into lasting impact.

"You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.” — Pirkei Avot 2:16

Co-Chair, Next Gen Board, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, JWI Board of Trustees member

Session: Navigating Corporate Life

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

President of First Class Vending

Session: Pursuing Passion

Michelle Marsh has served as the President of First Class Nevada Inc. since 2018. She has been a member of the board since the company’s inception in 1994, a time when First Class Vending operated exclusively in California. 

Before assuming the role of President in Nevada, Michelle worked as an advocate for victims of domestic violence, demonstrating her long-standing commitment to enhancing the communities in which she resides. This dedication to community improvement continues to influence her leadership philosophy at First Class Nevada. 

In her role, Michelle is focused on the day-to-day operations of the company. She firmly believes that the foundation of success lies with the employees. By ensuring that staff members are engaged, motivated, and equipped with the necessary tools and resources, she is confident that First Class Nevada can deliver exceptional service to its customers. 

At First Class Nevada, we have assembled an outstanding team that is deeply committed to the company's growth and maintaining a strong reputation within the industry. Michelle emphasizes that our success is rooted in pride in teamwork and a respect for the expertise of our team members. 

Founder of Hatrix Advisors

Session: Navigating Corporate Life

Jaime Matyas is Founder of Hatrix Advisors, a social impact consulting firm.

From 2022-2025 Jaime served as CEO of Galvanize, a global edtech company, expanding access to careers in technology and upskilling thousands of young adults and career changers.

Prior to Galvanize, she spent five years as CEO of Student Conservation Association where she launched new philanthropic partnerships to reduce dependance on federal funding and expanded career development programs for teens and young adults. 

Prior to joining SCA, Jaime spent twenty years at the National Wildlife Federation, the publisher of Ranger Rick magazine, including serving as SVP, Marketing and then Chief Operating Officer.  Jaime expanded programming around climate change, fostered a culture of innovation that resulted in new programs for schools, for families with young children and championed new corporate partnerships including with Dannon Yogurt and Subaru that generated significant funding and raised NWF’s profile amongst younger environmentalists. Jaime began her career in sports and entertainment marketing in NYC.

A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton School’s Executive Education Program, Jaime is a certified Black Belt in Innovation Engineering.   She has served on the Board of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance. She has been recognized by the Washington Business Journal Women Who Mean Business and JWI’s Woman to Watch awards.

Jaime is a member of Bnai Israel and is active in community-based social action efforts.  She lives with her family in Bethesda, Md.

Owner TM Creative Consulting, founder of Ten Seven Stories

Session: Being a Voice

Tess Mendelson is the Owner and Creative Director of TM Creative Consulting, a digital marketing and content strategy firm rooted in storytelling and community impact. She holds a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication from The George Washington University, where she graduated summa cum laude and served as captain of the GW First Ladies Dance Team. Prior to founding TM Creative Consulting, Tess gained hands-on experience as a Marketing Assistant for GW Athletics Marketing, a Graphic Designer for GW Marketing & Creative Services, and a Communications Intern with both Concepts Communications and the Partnership for American Democracy, roles that shaped her passion for accessible, creative, mission-driven media.

She is also the founder of Ten Seven Stories, a docuseries initiative and social media campaign dedicated to preserving and amplifying the voices of survivors and hidden victims of the October 7th terrorist attack in Israel. Through immersive interviews, on-the-ground filmmaking, educational resources, and digital storytelling rooted in Jewish history and resilience, Tess works to ensure these stories are heard and never forgotten.

Outside of work, Tess is happiest behind her camera, teaching heated yoga sculpt, making her weekly challah, catching up on her Goodreads goal, or setting new personal records on Duolingo. She’s always exploring new creative projects, and usually juggling more than one at a time.

Founder and CEO of YES MAM Creative

Session: Being a Voice

Missy Modell is a storyteller, viral creator, and digital marketing expert, having worked with acclaimed brands such as Hello Sunshine, Jones Road Beauty, Juice Press, Maximum Effort, and many others to generate over one billion brand impressions. As the founder of YES MAM Creative, she partners with purpose-driven companies and founders to craft social-first campaigns that educate, entertain, and inspire.

Author, Patrick Clendenen Chair in Women’s and Gender History at American University

Session: On Being a Jewish Woman Now

Professor Pamela Nadell holds the Patrick Clendenen Chair in Women’s and Gender History at American University. Her book America’s Jewish Women: A History from Colonial Times to Today won the 2019 National Jewish Book Award’s Everett Family Foundation “Book of the Year” and was translated into Hebrew. Her new book Antisemitism, an American Tradition, will be published by W.W. Norton in October. A past president of the Association for Jewish Studies, she consults to the museum planned for the rebuild of Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life and has testified before Congress three times.

Food Entrepreneur, Cofounder, President & Chief Alchemy Officer of Twisted Alchemy

Session: The Business of Food

Kim Oster-Holstein (WTW ‘10) Kim Oster-Holstein is the Co-Founder and Chief Alchemy Officer of Twisted Alchemy, providing award winning cold pressed juices and craft mixers for the hospitality industry and home cocktail kits for craft cocktail enthusiasts. Twisted Alchemy partners with world-renowned restaurant hospitality groups, hotels, and event venues, with the mission to elevate spirits. With COVID19, the company pivoted to elevate people’s spirits at home with the Quarantine Cocktail Hour and other virtual gatherings, from client cocktail hours and team virtual huddles to the virtual holiday party, offering a Toast of Inspiration. Kim is a passionate entrepreneur, Tedx speaker, mentor, business & wellness coach with a mission to help others create and live their best lives. She and her co-founder Scott started, built, and sold Kim & Scott’s Gourmet Pretzels to a public company in 2012. She was named the Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year 2009 by Chicago’s Womens’ Business Development Center and was recognized with the Womens’ Business Enterprise National Council Star Award in 2010. She was an inductee in the 2011 Chicago Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame. Kim was honored as a JWI Woman to Watch in 2010. She is former board chair and on the board of trustees of JWI, and is programming chair and member of the executive committee of Northwestern University’s Council of One Hundred. Kim graduated from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism with a MSA in 1990, and received her BBA in marketing from the University of Texas School of Business in 1989.

Author, Founder of Zibby Media

Session: On Being a Jewish Woman Now

Zibby Owens is the founder of Zibby Media which includes the award-winning daily podcast Totally Booked with Zibby, Zibby Publishing in New York, and Zibby’s Bookshop in Santa Monica CA, plus a book club, retreats, events, and more. She is the author of six books including the USA Today bestsellers Blank: A Novel and On Being Jewish Now: Reflections from Authors and Advocates, and founded the On Being Jewish Now Substack. Follow her on the Zibby’s Highlights Substack and Instagram where she tells it like it is.

Founder of Dear FoundHer

Session: Female Founders

As an Entrepreneur, Marketer, Consultant, Educator, Speaker, Connector, Community Builder, Podcaster, Small Business Advocate and Activist who turned $500 into 7-figures, Lindsay Pinchuk makes marketing simple so that you can build your brand and grow your bottom line without a million followers or a million dollars.  

Lindsay grew her first company to reach 3MM people and turned a profit in year one. Less than a decade later, she led her company through its acquisition to a large agency holding company.  

Following her exit two years ago, Lindsay now uses her nearly 25 years of experience to help you take your brand to the next level with easy to execute, cost effective and proven strategies. ⁠ 

One to never shy away from speaking out on what’s important, she’s always used her social media platforms to speak out about social issues:  for marginalized groups, women’s rights, vaccinations, voting, and gun reform following a mass shooting in her community.  Since October 7, 2023, Lindsay has spoken up for Israel and the Jewish Community, combatting antisemitism and keeping her community informed.  While many warned her that she may lose business or followers, she trusted her intuition and continued to speak from the heart. As a result her platform has more than doubled and her business enquiries are up over 500%---thus proving that it’s never wrong to do what’s right.  

Lindsay’s lent her expertise to 300+ television segments, given interviews on 75+ podcasts and has been featured or contributed to stories in Time Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Parents.com, Babycenter.com, “The Doctors,” “Access Live,” The Chicago Tribune, Crain’s Chicago Business, Chicago Magazine and many more as both as a parenting/lifestyle expert, AND as an entrepreneur/small business expert.  

In addition to working with businesses, both large and small, to build their brand and grow their bottom line, you can also find her behind the mic of her Top 2% twice weekly podcast for female founders, Dear FoundHer...  

Lindsay grew up in the suburbs of Detroit and now lives on Chicago’s North Shore with her husband, two daughters and mini Bernadoodle, Ollie.  

Former District Attorney for Westchester County, JWI Board of Trustees member

Session: On Being a Jewish Woman Now

Miriam (Mimi) Rocah was elected as District Attorney of Westchester County, New York, in November 2020, winning office through a grassroots campaign against an incumbent. During her four years as DA, she modernized the Office, aggressively pursued gun and violent crime, developed better ways to serve crime victims, and instituted sensible criminal justice reforms including a Conviction Integrity Unit. During her time in office post October 7, 2023, Mimi organized law enforcement and other prosecutors to issue statements and take action in solidarity against antisemitism.  She also worked with advocates for the victims of October 7th in her personal capacity, writing, speaking, and hosting hostage family members, scholars and activists from Israel on panels and events. 

Prior to her time as DA, Mimi served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Department of Justice in the Southern District of New York (SDNY) for nearly 17 years, where she rose to be a Division Chief and was involved in the prosecution of organized and violent
crime, public corruption, sex trafficking and child exploitation. She has been a frequent commentator on MSNBC, NBC News, CNN, and numerous podcasts on topics relating to law, justice, women’s issues and antisemitism, and has written and published dozens
of opinion pieces on those topics. She has taught as an adjunct professor at Pace University School of Law and Fordham Law School.  A native of Chicago, Illinois, Mimi is a graduate of Harvard University and New York University School of Law.

Marketing at Cue Health, JWI Board of Trustees Member

Session: Investing for Change

Marina Rostein is an Argentine-American raised in the suburbs of Chicago, now residing downtown. She came back to Chicago after 9 years in DC, where she attended The George Washington University. While in DC, she worked in HR at BBYO and later spent five years at OneTable, first leading the organization's DC-area expansion and later focusing on partnerships and experiential marketing nationally. She’s recently joined the marketing team at Cue Health while attending business school at UNC Kenan Flagler. She’s deeply passionate about helping people, especially women, make powerful and lucrative career moves (let’s negotiate those offers!!). Marina loves international weekend trips in search of the best foods, spinning, and wandering through farmers markets with her husband, son, and sweet pup. She first joined JWI's YWIN while in DC, and loves being a part of the incredible community of women in Chicago!

Former YWIN BOT representative

Chief Program Officer, JWI

Session: Negotiating

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.

Writer, actor, leadership consultant and recovering lawyer, JWI Board of Trustees Vice Chair

Session: Play You, The Role of a Lifetime (closing session)

Pam Sherman is a nationally-syndicated columnist (the Suburban Outlaw), actor, recovering lawyer and leadership consultant. Today Sherman coaches and conducts programs for leaders all over the world about leadership communications and how to find their EDGE: Explore, Dream, Grow, & Excite™. She is a keynote speaker, has consulted with Fortune 500 companies, law firms, advertising agencies and is a highly rated global resource for leadership groups, including, EO, Vistage Worldwide and YPO. Her portrayal of legendary columnist Erma Bombeck in “At Wit’s End” played to sold-out audiences around the country. Sherman was recently quoted in the New York Times regarding leadership and emotional authenticity. www.thepamsherman.com

2017 Women to Watch Honoree

Senior Sales Manager at Oracle, YWIN Representative for JWI’s Board of Trustees

Session: Navigating Corporate Life

Originally from Richmond, VA, Elizabeth has lived in the DC area, San Francisco, and Seattle before settling in northern New Jersey. She first got involved with YWIN in San Francisco and, after moving to Seattle, launched YWIN Seattle in 2023 to fill the gap she felt without a strong young Jewish women’s community. To further engage locally, she became a 2024 Leadership Fellow with the Seattle Federation's Courageous Leadership Incubator. Elizabeth is currently one of two YWIN Representatives on the JWI Board of Trustees. Outside her Jewish community work, Elizabeth is a Senior Sales Manager at Oracle and a University of Virginia alumna.

Founder of inspiro Tequila

Session: The Business of Food

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. 

Cofounder of Givver, Executive Director of the Evan and Tracy Segal Family Foundation

Session: Investing for Change

Marla Tobe Werner is a creative, mission-driven professional with over 25 years of experience in building community and resources for both nonprofit organizations and for-profit businesses. Marla is an engaging, visionary leader, speaker, coach, and trainer with a proven ability to initiate and implement exciting ideas while mobilizing staff, boards, volunteers, and donors to achieve extraordinary results.

Marla has held Director of Development, Marketing and Communications roles for Starwood Hotels and Resorts, The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, The Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh and Ronald McDonald Charities of Morgantown and Pittsburgh. Marla was the founder and Chief Growth Strategist at MPower Consulting LLC, which rolled seamlessly into Givver in 2023. Marla has served as the Executive Director of the Evan and Tracy Segal Family Foundation since 2017. Recently, Marla co-founded Givver with her lifelong best friend, Becca Hurowitz.

Marla is a Commissioner appointed by Governor Josh Shapiro for the Pa Commission on Crimes and Delinquency, currently serves on the board of Democratic Jewish Outreach PA (DJOP), was appointed to the Inauguration Committee for Governor Josh Shapiro, serves as a member of The Center for Loving Kindness board, and is a cohort member in a Black / Jewish dialogue for Catapult Greater Pittsburgh and National Council of Jewish Women. Marla lives in the Fox Chapel area of Pittsburgh with her husband Michael and their dog Phineas. Their two sets of fraternal twins are currently all away at college.

Senior Director of Philanthropic Impact at the Jewish Community Foundation in Washington DC

Session: Pursing Passion

Jannah Yutkovitz, Ed.D., is the Senior Director of Philanthropic Impact at the Jewish Community Foundation in Washington DC. Jannah came to the Foundation from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), where she was conducting research and leading portfolios on inclusive design, systems leadership, and education policy. While at CZI, Jannah created a philanthropic funding model to support funders in right sizing grants to nonprofit organizations as they moved through various stages of growth, scale, and innovation—unlocking millions in funding for early-stage organizations by supporting them in building rigorous measurement, evaluation and learning processes and finding ways to communicate impact to funders. Before joining CZI, Jannah co-led a national senior leadership cohort focused on educational equity, and held roles as a teacher, vice-principal, and leadership coach in Atlanta, New Orleans, and Los Angeles. Jannah has a doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California, and is a founding board member of Innovation for Equity.