Jenny, returning for her second year as YWIN Philly’s board president, is a project manager with Placemakr, a hospitality living start-up, and owns her own travel planning and consulting business, Go with Jenny O. Prior to working at Placemakr, Jenny worked for 6 years with BBYO as a regional director. She received her degree in Business Administration with a minor in Jewish Studies from Muhlenberg College. Born and raised in the Philly suburbs, Jenny currently resides along the river in Conshohocken. In her free time, she enjoys a good book, a workout class, playing with her nephews and, of course, is always planning her next trip.

Rachel is the Director of Impact & Quality at Friendship Place (a homelessness services provider) as well as the Director of Programs & Partnerships at Dinah (a Jewish domestic violence organization). In addition to serving on the YWIN Philly board (for the third year), she serves on the board at the Abington Friends School and regularly volunteers at the Jewish Relief Agency. Rachel grew up in Northeast Philadelphia with her parents who immigrated from the Republic of Georgia and Moldova after the fall of the Soviet Union, but currently lives in Fishtown. Rachel received her Master of Public Administration, Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management, and Bachelor in International Affairs from George Washington University. In her down time, Rachel likes to cook, travel, Zillow-shop, and take her dog to the dog park for never-ending “fetch!"

Jen is returning for her third year on the YWIN Philly board! She currently works in the corporate professional development space, and is an avid thrifter, a seasoned bread baker, and a lover of a hot girl walk & dinner (AKA a long stroll to get a caesar salad and fries!). Jen lives in the Art Museum neighborhood with her two cats Romy and Vera where she is attempting to master the art of container gardening.  She holds an M.Ed in Student Affairs from Iowa State University and a B.A. in Sociology, Religious Studies, and Women & Gender Studies from Case Western Reserve University. Looking forward to another wonderful year of community building here in Philly!

Elvera is the Marketing Operations Specialist at National Philanthropic Trust, an organization dedicated to increasing philanthropy in society. Prior to working at NPT, Elvera served as the Director of Communications and Technology at Jewish Relief Agency for 5 years. She is excited to take on the role of Philly YWIN President this year and continue to grow its network! Elvera received her BA in Communication Studies from James Madison University. In her free time, Elvera loves cooking, listening to podcasts, playing games, and exploring the city with her husband Dan, and pup, Gambino!

Avigail is a Philly native and lives in Washington Square West! Also returning for her second year on the YWIN Philly board, she works as the Associate Director of College Student Network at the Hartman Institute where she is responsible for cultivating and sustaining relationships with alumni and participants. Avigail has been working at Columbia Hillel and in the Jewish non-profit world since graduating from the University of Pittsburgh. Her claim to fame is that she is a member of Lombard Swim Club and loves all water activities. She is that meme of always traveling or sitting on her sofa watching TV.

Carly is a South Jersey native who recently moved to Philly (her dream) in 2023. Working as a Local Delivery Lead for GSK, her role focuses on delivering global oncology clinical trials to the United States. With a background in project management, her excellent organizational skills will serve her well on this year's YWIN Board! Carly is so excited to plan events for the local Jewish community and to meet like-minded Jewish woman around town! In her free time, Carly loves to eat around town, take hot girl walks, weight lift in the gym, and snuggle up to her two cats Monkey and Bug (honorary board members).

Alyssa is the Manager of Philanthropic Partnerships at Hillel International, and loves talking about Jewish college life, grassroots fundraising, and the power of philanthropic giving. She earned her BA in Political Science and Jewish Studies from the University of Pittsburgh and is thrilled to now call the other side of Pennsylvania home. Alyssa lives in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood of Philadelphia with her husband, Justin, a proud Philly native. In her free time, she enjoys watching Philly sports, exploring the city’s incredible coffee shops and restaurants, crafting (fun fact: she embroiders and makes stained glass art!), and taking long walks that usually end with water ice or ice cream. She’s so excited to be joining the YWIN Philly board for her first year!

Alyssa is an Assistant Director of Development at Penn Medicine and is in her first year on the YWIN Philly board. She received her bachelor’s in Human Development & Family Studies at Penn State and master’s in Nonprofit Leadership at Penn. Alyssa lives in Logan Square and in her free time, you can find her looking for the best ice cream in Philly, people watching on the Schuylkill trail, going to a concert, or bopping around the city with friends.

Jen is a nurse practitioner working with lung transplant patients at Penn Medicine. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Skidmore College and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. Born and raised in the suburbs of Washington, DC, Jen has lived in Philly for eight years. In her free time, you can find her watching or attending sporting events, taking a run in the city, trying a new restaurant or recipe in the kitchen, or traveling with family and friends.

Talia is currently a Lead Product Manager at Lime. She builds better consumer experiences for new and existing users. Her focus includes new experiences and overseeing app quality. Talia has built a career in product management working with market place, SaaS, and advertising businesses. On the side, Talia stays active in leading the SF JWIYWIN chapter, developing events through Google’s Women in Tech program, and mentoring young females interested in joining the industry. Talia is based in San Francisco, but was born and raised in NYC. She is an avid traveler and huge foodie!

Jen is a 29-year-old South Florida native who moved to the SF Bay area as a travel nurse in 2019. Jennifer is a passionate nurse who loves to help others. Currently, she lives with her boyfriend in Cow Hollow and works at Stanford Children’s Hospital as a pediatric nurse. In her free time, Jen enjoys meeting new people, spending time with loved ones, travel, concerts, game nights, and anything food related. She looks forward to joining the board of JWI and enriching the lives of Jewish women in the Bay Area!

Sabra Mwaura is a multi-talented marketer, avid traveler, and lifelong learner. With a passion for creativity and innovation, Sabra has carved a successful career in marketing, working with top brands in various industries. When she's not busy crafting marketing campaigns, Sabra can be found exploring new cultures and cuisines, adding to her diverse list of travel destinations. She also enjoys photography, dancing, and reading to stay balanced and focused. With a growth mindset and a thirst for knowledge, Sabra is always seeking new challenges and opportunities to expand her skills and expertise.

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 Jewish 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. She enjoys travel, 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.

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.

Starting with her high school involvement in BBYO and continuing with college involvement in Greek life, Alyssa has always enjoyed opportunities to connect with both Jewish and female-driven organizations that foster community and provide opportunities for leadership and giving back. This made JWI's Young Women's Impact Network, which she first learned about during a summer internship in Washington, D.C., a natural fit post-college - and she’s excited for her fourth year on the YWIN board in Chicago!

Emily is as a pediatric occupational therapist originally from St. Louis. Since moving to Chicago in 2021, she has involved herself in Jewish groups and communities. She found JWI through a friend and loved the focus on advocacy, helping the community, and learning. She is excited to help plan and lead events which give back to the Jewish women of Chicago. In her time, Emily enjoys baking, going to musical and concerts, and reading. She graduated from Grinnell College and Washington University’s school of Occupational Therapy.  

Esther has always lived near Chicago and has been involved in various Jewish organizations throughout her life, including Hillel and JUF. She values building community, which is what led her to join the JWI board. She hopes to create a supportive space for Jewish women to connect, learn, and grow together. Professionally, Esther is a data scientist in the health insurance industry. She graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a degree in Statistics and Economics and received her master’s in Statistical Practice from Carnegie Mellon University. In her free time, she enjoys playing guitar, exploring new places, and continuously expanding her knowledge and skills.

From 13 summers at Beber camp to facilitating Jewish affinity groups and to being a member of Sigma Delta Tau at the university of Illinois , Hannah has always been passionate about furthering social justice through a Jewish lens. Hannah is a social worker who seeks to amplify women’s voices and advocate for their experiences in her personal and professional life. These areas culminated in 2017 when Hannah spent the summer in Israel volunteering for a Women’s empowerment organization that lobbied for increasing women’s involvement in the Israeli government. Her many endeavors in the Jewish community and in women’s advocacy work have lead her to join the YWIN board in Chicago.

Building community and giving back have always been an important part of Eliza’s life. As a member of Sigma Delta Tau, Eliza learned about JWI’s mission, but became more involved upon moving to Chicago in 2021.She is honored and excited to serve as the Chicago YWIN chapter’s President this year. Eliza is a Senior Associate in Global Culture at KPMG, supporting the firm globally on promoting its purpose and values. At KPMG, she helped to found the Jewish Ancestry Business Resource Group, unifying nearly a thousand Jewish employees and allies through educational programming about Jewish culture

Goldie is a strong connector, creator, innovator, and emerging leader in the Jewish professional world. As a fundraiser for Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP), she engages members of the Boston Jewish community in meaningful philanthropic opportunities through the organization’s annual campaign and events. Goldie has been at CJP since graduating from Brandeis’ Hornstein Jewish Professional MBA/MA program in 2022, where she met Molly and Susannah – her fellow YWIN Boston founding board members and leaders she is inspired by daily. Outside of her deep involvement in the Jewish community, she enjoys cooking (but mostly eating) Persian food, taking Orangetheory classes, planning her next beach day, and dreaming about her next chance to travel. Goldie is honored and excited to be stepping into her second year as President of the YWIN Boston chapter. 

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 now works in consulting and is honored to serve the Boston chapter of YWIN as a founding member and President.

Eliza (she/her) was born and raised outside of Boston, MA. Eliza attended Connecticut College and after graduating with dual degrees in history and psychology, she worked as a Youth Outreach Worker at a free after school program designed to provide a safe and supportive space for at-risk youth, and also at a Harvard Medical School/Mass General Hospital center that provided youth caregivers with mental health resources, tools and information. Eliza then earned her Masters in Social Work at Boston College and now works in acute psychiatric care at McLean Hospital. Eliza is passionate about helping others make positive change in their lives, deepen connections with others and explore their passions. She is dedicated to furthering social justice and is politically active in support of candidates and causes that strengthen our democracy and women’s rights. Eliza is a Registered Yoga Teacher, avid Formula 1 fan and Swiftie who enjoys cooking, spending time near the ocean, riding her Peloton, and watching Veep and Real Housewives in her free time!

Molly likes to build Jewish community wherever she goes. She grew up in the Midwest, moved to Boston for graduate school, and forgot to leave. Molly earned an MBA from Brandeis' Heller School for Social Policy and Management along with a Master’s in Jewish Professional Leadership as a Nachshon Project Graduate Fellow. She now works at Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP), Boston's Jewish federation. Prior to joining CJP, Molly spent 5 years working for Jewish organizations in Latvia, Israel, and across the US to strengthen Jewish life through programming and development. During her spare time Molly can be found drinking chai tea, preferably with a yoga mat near a body of water.

Born and raised in Miami, Sara grew up immersed in the Jewish values of Tikkun Olam and building community. She became even more engaged with Judaism during her gap year program, Young Judaea's Year Course, in 2010 and throughout her four years at the University of Michigan. After moving from New York to Boston in 2021, she searched for community and Jewish life in her new home and found YWIN. After a year as a community member, she joined the board to help build vibrant relationships, make the city feel smaller, and spark engagement. Sara works in Employee Engagement Communications and is so happy to be on the board.

Sari (she/her) was born and raised outside of Boston, MA.  Sari attended American University where she earned a bachelors in Elementary Education and Masters in Special Education: Learning Disabilities.  She worked in DC as a special educator for 3 years before moving back to the Boston area in 2017.  Sari continues to serve as a special educator working with students with mild-moderate language based learning differences.  During the summer 2022, Sari found JWI and felt like she found “her place” within the young Jewish Greater Boston community. She is excited to contribute more to the organization that’s been one of the best parts of her last few years, as well as help more women connect with this amazing community.  Sari also serves on the board of Mass Teacher Resources (MTR), which helps teachers in economically disadvantaged elementary schools throughout the Greater Boston region get access to the supplies and resources they need for their classrooms.  In her spare time, Sari loves hiking, skiing, reading, spinning, barre!

Abby prides herself as a people first problem solver, and is thrilled to enter her third year on the Boston board. Abby was first introduced to JWI in 2015 while living in DC, and quickly became involved, serving on the board for three years. She returned back to her hometown of Newton, MA in the fall of 2020 and was thrilled when the Boston chapter launched. 

Abby lives in Somerville and works as an HR consultant. In her free time, she is scouting out new restaurants and seasonal activities in the city or going for a long hike or walk.

Miriam grew up in Southern California, and has lived in the Boston area since attending Brandeis University. There, she pursued her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with concentrations in social justice and gender studies, along with her Social Impact MBA and Master of Public Policy focused on race and gender equity. She does community-engaged research at Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, a small nonprofit working toward policy change through research and advocacy. Miriam is a member of Repair the World Boston’s Advisory Council, as well as an alumna of the Jewish Federations of North America's Jewish Changemakers Fellowship. In her free time, Miriam enjoys reading, crocheting, doing spin classes, and spending time with loved ones.

Sami (she/her) is an educator, community builder, and aspiring professional organizer from Connecticut. She earned her BA in English from the University of Connecticut, where she stepped into her first Jewish leadership roles as president of Alpha Epsilon Phi, Alpha Xi chapter, and Engagement Intern at Uconn Hillel. She then earned her MA in Education from Teachers College Columbia University and touched the lives of countless students as a beloved high school English teacher. Sami’s career has taken her to Westport, Barcelona, New Haven, London, and now Boston, where she serves as an Educator/Advisor teaching entrepreneurship at The Possible Zone. Solo travel, salsa dancing, grocery shopping, and paint-by-numbers are just a few of Sami’s favorite things. She is honored to join the YWIN board.

Sara grew up in the suburbs of Boston and is very proud to continue to live in and serve the same community that is so dear to her heart.  She graduated from Brandeis University with a major in Sociology and minors in Legal Studies and Near Eastern & Judaic Studies, and her passion for engaging the Jewish community was in many ways ignited during her college career. There, she held a multitude of Executive Board positions within the Brandeis (Delta Gamma) chapter of Sigma Delta Tau, served on the Brandeis Chabad student board, and acted as a Jewish On Campus student fellow. Sara was first introduced to JWI through Sigma Delta Tau and was deeply inspired by their mission, and looks forward to continuing to contribute to this work in her role on the YWIN board. Sara currently works at Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP), Boston's Jewish Federation. She enjoys iced lattes, taking pilates classes, re-watching sitcoms, and spending time with her beloved cockapoo, Benji. 

Lilli is a writer, blogger, and marketing specialist from Worcester, MA, where she began her journey in Jewish leadership as social action chair of her local USY chapter. She graduated Emerson College with a BS in Journalism, rediscovering her joy for Jewish community development as Marketing & Development Associate at the Worcester JCC. This year, moving to Somerville for her new role as Marketing & Communications Coordinator for the Rabb School at Brandeis University, Lilli sought out to make her own personal Jewish community, finding connection at JWI. In her free time, she loves to travel, read, write, collage, and try new food spots around the city.

Darby is originally from Connecticut and moved to Boston after graduating from Syracuse University with a Bachelor’s degree in public communications. As a young adult, she taught Hebrew school and volunteered with the Anti-Defamation League, where she traveled to synagogues throughout the state teaching Jewish children and their families how to confront antisemitism. Currently, Darby does public relations and oncology communications for a pharmaceutical company in Boston. In her spare time, Darby loves to travel, read historical fiction, bake sweet treats for friends and family, and try all the new restaurants on the Boston foodie scene.

Jordan is a Colorado native. She earned her degree in International Affairs, Film, and Communication from the University of Southern California before spending over 7 years in New York City, honing her skills in marketing and leadership.
Born with severe to profound hearing loss, Jordan has never let obstacles define her path. Her experiences have fueled a deep commitment to empowering others, particularly Jewish women and people with disabilities. As President of the Denver Young Women’s Impact Group, she leads efforts to inspire and support women in advancing their careers and personal growth. a dynamic Senior Marketing Manager at Clinch, Jordan blends strategy and creativity to deliver innovative marketing solutions, all while championing inclusivity and empowerment within her community.

Sarah Knaster is a marketing professional with a background in design and animation, allowing her to bring a creative edge to her role on the Denver Young Women’s Impact board. As a first-generation American born to Israeli parents, Sarah's deep connection to her heritage fueled her role as president of Students Supporting Israel (SSI) during college, a commitment she continues through various community volunteer efforts. When she's not working or volunteering, Sarah can be found exploring the outdoors with her husband, daughter, and their beloved dog, attending concerts, or searching for the perfect matcha. Her commitment to empowering women, fostering community, and supporting meaningful causes drives her dedication to making a positive impact through her work with JWI Denver.

Marlene is an experienced customer success leader with over a decade of expertise working with various tech companies. A first-generation college graduate, Marlene's journey has been shaped by her passion for fostering growth and empowerment. She is committed to helping women advance both personally and professionally, leveraging her expertise to guide others in navigating challenges. In addition to her focus on customer success, Marlene integrates her knowledge of AI tools to support women in utilizing technology to enhance their careers and creativity. As a board member of the Denver Young Women’s Impact Group, she is dedicated to driving initiatives that inspire and uplift women in her community.

Taylor Ross is thrilled to be the president of the YWIN chapter for NYC 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 a professional certification in Philanthropy and Non-Profit Fundraising from Northwestern University. She currently works for UJA Federation of New York as a fundraiser in Major Gifts. When not raising money, you can find her frequenting NYC’s cultural institutions and the Bronx Zoo, as well as at a live performance event and the lights on Broadway.

Zoe has been involved with JWI since 2015 as a participant in the YWIN community in DC, Boston, and New York. Zoe moved to New York from her hometown of Boston in 2023, and is excited to bring her passion for fostering community and exploring the hidden gems of NYC (especially the food!) to JWI. She currently works as a health care consultant at ZS Associates, and has a Master of Public Health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She also holds a B.A. in Political Science from Bryn Mawr College. In her free time, Zoe enjoys playing with her two rescue pups, watching Bravo, going to concerts, and running in Central Park.

Shayna Herzage-Feldan(she/her) is thrilled to be on the NYC JWI YWIN board for her second year! She is a master’s student in psychology at Queens College. In her spare time, she loves theatre, writing, and exploring the city. Shayna is excited for another year of bringing young professional women together and creating more kindness in the world.

Bethany grew up in Canada, New Jersey, Virginia and New York City, graduating from the University of Delaware (go Blue Hens!). After graduation, she stayed in the city and has worked as a project manager in real estate, tech, medicine and now finance. 

She is very excited to be joining JWI’s YP Board for her first year to help execute events + foster a sense of community. 

Born in Washington, DC, and raised in Boulder, CO, Austin has been residing in DC since 2020. She works as a Clinical Trial Manager, overseeing international HIV and TB studies. Austin earned her BA in Anthropology from Emory University and an MPH in Global Maternal and Child Health from the University of Colorado. Since 2012, she has been actively involved with JWI, starting as an intern in the development department, participating in the Denver YWIN network, and serving as a DC board member for the past three years. Austin is passionate about public health, reproductive freedom, and building community. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, crafting, exploring DC’s museums and cultural events, and spending time with loved ones. 

Sophia is originally from the suburbs of Philadelphia. She made her way to Colgate University, where she studied Political Science and Philosophy. After graduating, she moved to Washington, DC, for work. Having grown up with consistent involvement in the Jewish community, she found herself yearning for a stronger sense of community in her new home. She is honored to now serve on the board of the DC YWIN chapter. In her free time, Sophia enjoys hiking, playing pickleball, and diving into board games.

Sophie is from Vancouver, Canada, and previously lived and worked in Toronto, New York, Berlin, and The Hague before landing in Washington, D.C.  She holds a B.A. in international relations and a J.D. from the University of Toronto.  Sophie has worked at think tanks, international organizations, and top global law firms on matters relating to public international law, privacy and cybersecurity, and white collar criminal defense.  

Izzy, a self-described professional Jewish person, has lived in the DMV since mid-2019 and works at Hillel International as the Associate Director of Campus Support. Izzy graduated from Emory University in 2017 with a BA in Comparative Literature and Jewish Studies and has been trying to break into a consistent book club ever since. Currently, she lives in Crystal City and can often be found at any of the Arlington AMC movie theaters, enjoying an after-hours Smithsonian event, chatting more than watching at a sports game, or attending a loosely Taylor Swift-themed get together as an excuse to trade bracelets. 

Sara is from Connecticut and made her way to the Midwest, studying at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she received degrees in political science and business. She lives in D.C. and works in government affairs. Sara is passionate about creating community and excited to be a member of the YWIN D.C. board. When she isn't working, Sara can be found trying new restaurants, playing pickleball and spending time with friends. 

As a native Californian, Madison earned her bachelor’s degree in social sciences with an emphasis in psychology from the University of Southern California at Los Angeles and moved to Washington, D.C., in 2017, where she earned her master’s degree in educational transformation at Georgetown University. She is currently a senior policy analyst for Higher Education Policy at the Center for American Progress. 

Madison found herself looking for a greater connection to the Jewish community and is excited to serve on the board of DC YWIN chapter. Her favorite things to do in Washington include shopping at her local farmers market and taking long walks throughout the city with friends.

Allyson Silver is the Senior Manager of Strategic HR at Hillel International. She is from Potomac, Maryland and went to Tulane University in New Orleans to study Psychology before moving back to the D.C. area. She currently lives in Bethesda, Maryland and loves to host Shabbat dinners, go to workout classes, and try new restaurants in the area with friends and family. She is thrilled to be serving on the DC YWIN board for a 5th year!

Leila Gordon currently serves as the Assistant Director of Religious Education at Washington Hebrew Congregation, and has been living in DC for three years. In her role at WHC she gets to work with students ranging from Pre-K through high school seniors, and she loves serving the Jewish community here in DC. Prior to her move, she lived in Boston and went to grad school at Brandeis University for Jewish Education and Nonprofit work. Leila is a Philly native, a HUGE Phillies fan, and enjoys running and reality TV. She is excited to be serving on the DC YWIN board, and hopes to meet an ever growing community and network of young Jewish women that feel passionate about creating  connections and fostering community.

Alex was born and raised in Colorado. She moved to San Diego from Washington D.C. in 2021. She is currently working as a clinical research coordinator in the field of maternal-child health. This is her third year on the YWIN San Diego board and she is thrilled to continue growing the community and meeting fellow Jewish women. Outside of work and YWIN, Alex enjoys spending time with her dog, running, yoga, cooking, and searching for the best bagel in San Diego. 

Born and raised in sunny San Diego, Rina attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she earned her degree in psychology. Currently, she works at Deloitte as a Lead Learning & Development Specialist. In her free time, Rina loves spending time outdoors in whatever way she can and soaking up quality time with her loved ones.

Originally from San Diego, Lauren graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Communications. After spending a decade in New York City working in marketing, she recently returned to her hometown to take advantage of the better weather and to spend more time with family. During her time in NYC, she was a host for Moishe House Without Walls, fostering community connections, and is excited to continue that journey by joining the JWI board in San Diego. Outside of work, Lauren loves playing sports, volunteering for a local dog rescue, and cuddling with her Goldendoodle. 

Rebecca has spent most of her life in San Diego, being born and raised in East County. In their professional journey, Rebecca has been an esthetician for over 11 years. Throughout the years, she has also discovered her passion for real estate investing, and helping others do the same. At her core, she’s enthusiastic about empowering women to gain financial independence, and reach their goals. In her off-time, she enjoys quiet nights in with her husband, her cats, and a stack of good books.

Born and raised in Riverside, CA, Ariel has now lived in San Diego for over 5 years.  Ariel has continued to be involved in the Jewish community while in high school, college, and post-college.  One of the original San Diego YWIN board members, Ariel is so excited for what’s in store for this next year!

Yael Moyal is a San Diego native with a passion for helping others buy and sell real estate! She graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor's degree in Communication, and has been a licensed Realtor since 2016. She enjoys supporting other nonprofits, trying out new restaurants and cafes, latin dancing, working out, and spending quality time with family. Yael greatly looks forward to creating meaningful connections within the Jewish community, supporting the team in executing the JWI mission, and making a positive, lasting impact. 

Raised in Southern California, Mara first arrived in San Diego as a college student and knew she had found her paradise. After earning her B.A. in Political Science-International Relations from UCSD, Mara spent a year doing national service with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, volunteered with the National Park Service at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and studied in Thailand and Ecuador while earning her M.A. in International Development and Service through Concordia University, Portland. Mara has spent her career at the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego and currently serves as a Program Officer, supporting the Jewish Women's Foundation, Create a Jewish Legacy program, Trusted Charitable Advisor program, and overseeing several scholarships. Mara is excited to join San Diego's YWIN Board because it brings together her passions and skills for creating community, especially among Jewish women. 

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. She is now the president of YWIN Seattle. You can find her hosting Shabbat dinners, taking 1000s of pictures of her nice Jewish dog, Jake, and paddle boarding on Seattle lakes.

Aubrey grew up on Mercer Island, WA and later graduated from the University of Washington. She still resides in the Seattle area and works as a real estate agent with the goal of helping people feel warmly welcomed into the community.  By joining the JWI YWIN board in 2023, she continues this goal by deepening her connections within the Jewish community which she proudly supports. Aubrey is a member and a volunteer for a number of different local, national, and worldwide Jewish organizations that allow her to grow and give back in ways most meaningful to her. In her free time, Aubrey enjoys baking for friends and family, spending time in her garden, exploring the Pacific Northwest while trying new hikes, and going to concerts where she dances her heart out.

Eliana was born and raised in Seattle and has served on the Seattle YWIN chapter board since its launch in 2023. Passionate about JWI's mission and vision, Eliana is honored to help create spaces where Jewish women can come together, uplift one another, and strengthen their communities. When she's not working as a product manager, she enjoys listening to podcasts, tackling the New York Times crossword puzzles, and perusing cookbooks for inspiration.

Maddie grew up in Potomac, MD and moved to Seattle in 2022 to attend the University of Washington School of Law. Prior to moving west, she attended University of Colorado, Boulder for undergrad and King's College London for her Masters in Public Policy. Maddie is currently in her 3rd Year of Law School and will take the bar in 2025. She wanted to join JWI to help foster a community of Jewish women in Seattle. Outside of JWI and Law School, Maddie can be found cooking, reading, or enjoying the PNW outdoors. 

Rachel is originally from Northbrook, IL, and spent many summers at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin. She attended The Ohio State University to study Electrical & Computer Engineering and Spanish & Iberian Studies. After graduating in 2020 she began her career as a Solutions Engineer and moved to Seattle in 2022 for her role. Through her search for a Jewish community in Seattle, she learned about the newly formed Seattle JWI YWIN chapter and immediately got involved. Outside of work Rachel enjoys traveling, attending concerts, and spending time with her husband, Erik, and their cat, Lana. 

Samantha (the other one) is a transplant to Seattle via New Jersey, Miami, Philadelphia, and most recently Washington DC. After growing up in an incredibly strong Jewish community in Bergen County, NJ, she completed here Bachelor’s from the University of Miami. After graduation, she went on to complete two Masters degrees in Clinical Psychology and School Psychology. During the COVID Pandemic, she decided to explore a career in Fashion and Merchandising - a long time hobby and passion of hers. This brought her to Seattle to continue her career in Fashion and Beauty Buying. After finding such a strong sense of community and belonging, and taking comfort being surrounded by Jewish values, Samantha joined the Seattle YWIN board in 2025. When she isn’t ogling over the latest runways, you can find her baking or cooking, going for too-long walks around Lake Union, or trying to grow herbs in her apartment.

Sari Weinstein is a 3rd generation Seattle native, a part of one of the first Sephardic families in Seattle, and is an Israeli Citizen who is very active in the Seattle Jewish community. She grew up in Bellevue, going to Herzl-Ner Tamid and was very active in USY as well as went on the Israel gap year program, Nativ, through the USCJ. She continues to participate in multiple organizations in Seattle including YWIN, JConnect, Moishe House, and is a current member of Congregation Beth Shalom in Seattle, and a board member of the Hillel of the University of Washington as well is a member-at-large of the Jewish Community Relations Council.

In her free time, she loves to spend time with friends and family and with her dog Ori, as well as play and teach Mah Jongg, travel, tend to her large plant collection, watch movies, and bake. She is very excited to join the Seattle chapter of the Young Women’s Impact Network for 2025-2026 and to continue to make an impact within the Seattle Jewish community.

Originally from Santa Cruz, CA, Julia has lived in Southern California and North Carolina before moving to Seattle in 2023 to work for the State Department of Health. Inspired by her time being a Resident at Moishe House in Irvine, CA and participating in Jewish Long Beach's Alpert New Leaders Forum, she became involved in YWIN to foster Jewish community in Seattle. Julia is an alumna of UNC Chapel Hill and California State University, Long Beach. In her free time, Julia enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with loved ones, particularly her dog, Milo.

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 in 2020, launched YWIN Seattle 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 Foundation's Courageous Leadership Incubator. Outside her Jewish community work, Elizabeth is a Senior Sales Manager at Oracle and a University of Virginia alumna.

Erin Horwitz was born in South Africa, but grew up in Agoura Hills, California. After graduating from the University of Oregon in 2016, Erin moved back to Los Angeles where she works for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Erin loves dancing, the Oregon ducks, and searching for the best chocolate chip cookie.

Diane Motamed is an L.A. native who is passionate about healthcare, education, and community engagement. She holds a B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a major in psychology and a minor in applied developmental psychology, and earned her master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Boston University. Prior to attending graduate school, she worked as a project coordinator for the Center for Policing Equity, where she worked on multi-site research projects that examined the perceptions and behaviors of minority populations in schools, community-based organizations, and other public settings. She currently works with children with various communication disorders in the public schools. In her free time, Diane enjoys hiking, exploring art museums, and practicing yoga.

Raizi was born and raised in Oak Park, California and graduated from Chapman University in 2019. She currently works in Fintech and outside of work enjoys spending time with friends and family, trying new restaurants, curling up with a good book or even strolling down the aisles of Trader Joes. She believes that making and building connections in the Jewish community are crucial in today's day and age, and is one of the many reasons why she is proud to be part of the board.

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