JWI Staff

Meredith Jacobs is CEO of Jewish Women International. Founded in 1897 as B'nai B'rith Women, JWI is dedicated to ending violence against women and girls. Since assuming the role of CEO in 2020, Meredith has shepherded the development of numerous JWI initiatives focusing on ending gender-based violence; advancing access to economic security; and amplifying Jewish women's leadership. Among the many initiatives are the Collaborative of Jewish Domestic Violence Agencies; Here for You: a Jewish communal response to domestic violence; ReStart: job readiness for survivors; and the expansion of Young Women’s Leadership Network.

In the aftermath of October 7th, Jacobs led JWI’s partnership with the Seed the Dream Foundation to co-found I Believe Israeli Women — a global movement standing in solidarity with Israeli women and men and fighting the denial of and disinformation about the sexual atrocities committed by Hamas. IBIW's international work includes coalitions of Jewish organizations as well as global feminist activists who stand in solidarity with Israeli women.

Meredith is an award-winning journalist and former editor-in-chief of Washington Jewish Week, she was the force behind the ground-breaking report "On Land and Online: Conflict-related sexual violence and the social media battlefield." 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, Meredith has been published in the New York Times and has appeared on MSNBC (MS NOW). She is a sought-after speaker, moderator, and writer. Her opinion pieces appear frequently in outlets such as JTA, eJewishPhilanthropy, and the Forward. She is on the advisory councils for Jewish on Campus and for Kehilanu an Israeli non-profit, founded post 10/7, shifting trauma from an experience of isolation into a pathway for connection, meaning and mutual support. Jacobs served on the Women’s Economic Empowerment Council for the State of Maryland and 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 an M.S. in business from Johns Hopkins University.

Sara Hefez serves as Chief Development Officer at JWI, where she leads national fundraising strategy and donor engagement to fuel our mission of empowering women and girls worldwide, supporting their growth, resilience, and impact at every stage of life. A seasoned nonprofit executive with more than 20 years of experience, Sara is known for her visionary approach, deep relationship-building skills, and unwavering commitment. 

Prior to joining JWI, Sara spent two decades at Jewish National Fund-USA, most recently as Executive Director of New England and the Capital Region. There, she led transformative fundraising efforts—growing local revenue from $400,000 to exceeding $6 million annually. During her tenure she secured over 150 six-figure gifts and 14 seven-figure contributions that enabled lasting change and inspired others to give boldly. These donations are more than numbers; they are legacies of impact. In this role, Sara also mentored high-performing teams, spearheaded national initiatives, directed high-impact donor missions to Israel, and built lasting partnerships across generations of philanthropists. 

Outside her professional work, Sara is a passionate volunteer and served for five years as a photographer for LRC Stage Productions, a nonprofit youth theater group. She finds joy in capturing moments of creative expression—especially those that help young people build confidence and connection. 

Sara brings heart, humor, and clarity to every space she enters—whether leading a development strategy, mentoring a team, or behind the lens of her camera. 

Alexis Ewald is the Creative Director at JWI, where she leads the organization’s visual identity, brand strategy, and storytelling across platforms. She translates complex issues—such as gender-based violence prevention, advocacy, and community building—into clear, compelling work that informs, engages, and inspires action. 

Alexis holds a B.F.A. in graphic design from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, with a strong foundation in visual communication, typography, and conceptual thinking. At JWI, she partners closely with program, development, advocacy, and communications teams to ensure brand consistency and elevate the organization’s voice across print, digital, and social media. She’s especially passionate about using design as a tool for empowerment and connection. 

Alexis lives just outside Cleveland with her husband and their golden retriever, Jake. In her spare time, she enjoys painting, golfing, cooking, watching and attending sporting events, and never turns down a good brunch. 

Chloe Goldstein is the Director of Women’s Impact and Development, supporting the growth and mentorship of more than five YWIN networks, as well as programming and marketing efforts. 

Before joining JWI, Chloe spent eight years working in the nonprofit sector, primarily in development within Jewish organizations. She holds an M.A. in political science and public policy from Lehigh University and a B.A. in psychology from Dickinson College. 

Throughout her career, she’s helped strengthen organizational missions through philanthropic initiatives and storytelling. Chloe brings her commitment to empowering women and helping them thrive. Chloe also contributes as a lifestyle magazine writer, covering community stories and events across South Jersey and Philadelphia, where she resides. 

Hannah Loffman, M.S.W., is a social worker dedicated to advancing sustainable social change at the systems level. 

With over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, Hannah brings a deep commitment to mission-driven strategy, community engagement, and measurable impact. Prior to joining JWI, she served as Development Officer for The Posse Foundation’s Washington, DC site, where she led fundraising for a $2 million annual budget, expanding access to higher education and leadership development for Posse Scholars. 

A New Jersey native, Hannah worked at the Rutgers University School of Social Work, where she designed and led equity-focused advocacy surveys, translated findings into strategic impact reports and DEI action plans, and convened cross-stakeholder meetings and roundtables to address systemic challenges. She’s the co-founder of Challah Back Girls, a grassroots social justice organization that mobilizes community through challah baking and collective giving to support social, economic, and racial justice causes. 

A proud graduate of Binghamton University and Rutgers University, Hannah brings a strong background in relationship-building, strategic planning, and nonprofit operations. She currently lives in Washington, DC with her husband and their dog, Baxter. In her spare time, you’ll find Hannah reading, at REI, or taking classes at Orangetheory Fitness. 

Anna Gerstein (she/her) is the Senior Manager of Impact Initiatives at JWI, where she leads the development and implementation of national education and prevention curricula focused on healthy relationships, intimate partner violence (IPV) prevention, and financial empowerment. 

Her work includes designing trauma-informed curricula, facilitating trainings and webinars, supporting public policy initiatives, and creating practical tools for individuals, educators, and professionals working to foster safe, respectful, and equitable relationships. Anna also contributes to JWI’s reproductive rights and gun violence prevention portfolios. 

During college, Anna served as President of the University of Maryland’s Preventing Sexual Assault Organization, where she led survivor support, peer education, and advocacy efforts, training more than 50 student organizations and strengthening collaboration with university leadership. She also worked as an Education Analysis Intern with the Maryland Office of the Inspector General for Education, focusing on child sexual abuse investigations; her work was cited in Maryland Supreme Court cases. 

Anna’s a proud graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, where she earned her B.A. in public policy. Outside work, you’ll find her at the movies, exploring the outdoors, or lifting heavy weights at the gym. 

Sierra Schnitzer, LMHC, is the Assistant Vice President of Survivor Supports and Women’s Empowerment at JWI. With over a decade of experience, she leads programs focused on survivor empowerment, including financial literacy, emotional healing, and job readiness initiatives. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Sierra applies a clinical, trauma-informed lens to all of her work, with a particular focus on educating communities to better understand and respond to domestic abuse. 

Sierra’s spent most of her career in Jewish nonprofit programming. Before joining JWI, she managed the domestic abuse program at Jewish Family Services, where she worked directly with survivors and advocates. Her broad clinical background also includes experience working in a psychiatric hospital and supporting neurodiverse children and their families at an ability center. 

By blending her clinical training with her experience in community-based programs, Sierra works to ensure that support for survivors is practical, empathetic, and effective. She develops trainings and initiatives that help survivors regain their independence and move toward long-term stability.