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!

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 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!

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).

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.

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!"

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.

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.

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.

Bio coming soon!

Eva is passionate about building community, fostering meaningful connections, and strengthening ties within the Jewish community. While studying at Michigan State University, she served as a Hillel intern, deepening her involvement in Jewish life on campus. Her commitment grew further through her participation in the Onward Masa program during the summer of her junior year, where she developed a deeper connection to the global Jewish community.

Now based in Chicago, Eva is an active member of MEMGlobal and hosts events through her Moishe Pod, welcoming others into her home to celebrate Jewish life and culture. She is eager to continue expanding her network, meeting new people, and cultivating unity among Jewish women across the city.

Professionally, Eva has worked in strategy consulting, with a focus on the technology, non-profit, and higher education sectors. Outside of work, she enjoys playing padel, traveling, and diving into a good book.

Dani has always been involved in her local Jewish community, both in the Chicago suburbs and throughout her four years at the University of Michigan. She is excited to strengthen these connections as a member of the YWIN Chicago board. Dani has worked as a physical therapist in Chicago for the past 2.5 years after graduating from Northwestern University. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, walking, cooking and trying all of Chicago’s newest restaurants!

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.

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.  

Bio coming soon!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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!

Melissa is a leadership development and Jewish non-profit professional, going into her third year on the JWI Denver board and first as co-president. Melissa has a passion for community building and development, serving full time as the Senior Regional Director for Rocky Mountain Region BBYO, and part time as an indoor cycling instructor at CycleBar. Melissa was born and raised in Colorado Springs and is a graduate of University of Colorado Boulder, where she studied Advertising and Religious Studies. She spends her free time exploring all the live music and outdoor activities Denver has to offer with her fiancé Zach, or snuggling at home with their cat, Nutella.

Allison is going into her third year on the Denver JWI board and is so excited to be returning as co-president this time. A Colorado native, she attended Colorado State University to study business. She currently works in healthcare software focusing on strategy and how to better connect doctors with health insurers. In her free time, Allison is doing pilates, exploring a farmers market, or hanging out with her fiancé Pierre and dog Jules.

Rosalie Baseman is an ambitious and multidisciplinary artist, creative, and young professional with over seven years of experience in strategic communication, global public relations, digital marketing, etc., and over a decade of making art out of life!

Et en plus — she’s multi-lingual (fluent in French and learning Hebrew, Italian & Spanish, among other languages). Originally from Philadelphia, PA and now residing in Denver, CO, Rosalie currently serves as the Communications Manager at Colorado Ballet, which is a dream job she is profoundly grateful to have manifested. She graduated Magna Cum Laude and as a qualifying member of Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society from University of Delaware with a dual honors B.A. degree in Interpersonal Communication and French Language & Culture, and a minor in Fashion History & Culture. She is a self-taught jewelry designer and avid bead collector.

Sydney has focused her career on political fundraising and strategy. After attending American University, Sydney remained in Washington D.C., working on various Democratic political campaigns. Recently, she returned home to Denver. A fourth-generation Colorado native, you can likely find her in a Soul Cycle class, testing a new recipe for Shabbat, on a hiking trail or hitting the ski slopes. 

Sarah is a marketing leader at a software company, bringing a creative edge to her work through a background in design. Her passion for storytelling and community building fuels her role on the Denver Young Women’s Impact board, where she’s committed to empowering women and supporting meaningful causes. A first-generation American, Sarah’s connection to her Israeli roots led to her leadership as president of Students Supporting Israel (SSI) in college and continues to drive her to making impact in her community through ongoing volunteer work. Outside of work, you’ll likely find her at a concert, hiking Colorado trails, or eating pistachio ice cream. 

Adrienne is entering her second year on the Denver JWI board. A North Carolina native, she is the founder of Ameliora, a women’s clothing brand blending heritage tailoring with modern performance. Adrienne is focused on empowering women through quality, machine-washable wardrobe staples. In her free time, she enjoys playing pickleball, spending time with friends, and exploring all Denver has to offer. 

Abby has worked in the tech industry for over six years and currently calls Colorado home after several years living in Tel Aviv. She holds a bachelor's degree in Communications from Towson University and recently completed a Human Resources Management program through Cornell University. Abby is an avid runner currently training for the NYC Marathon and is passionate about community building and women's empowerment. This is her second year serving on the JWI YWIN board.

Alissa has spent the last three years with Jewish Women International and is honored to be part of such a powerful network of women working to uplift and support one another. When she’s not planning and attending JWI events, Alissa works as a mental health therapist based in Denver, where she’s called home for the past four years. Originally from Philadelphia, she also spent a meaningful chapter of her life living in Israel, which continues to shape how she connects with community and culture.

Outside of work, you’ll usually find her outdoors enjoying the Colorado sunshine, crocheting something cozy, tending to her garden, or hanging out with her dog, Murphy!

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. This is her 2nd year serving on the NYC YWIN board. Zoe works in health tech 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.

Hannah Greenwald is excited to join the NYC YWIN Board this year and help build a meaningful community in New York City. A longtime supporter of JWI, Hannah has worked on issues of domestic violence throughout her career and has been engaged with NYC YWIN events since 2023. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health and Psychology from the University of Rochester and a Master’s degree in International Development and Gender from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She is also an alumna of the JDC Global Jewish Service Corps, having served in Rwanda from 2017 to 2020 as the Public Health Fellow at the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village. Hannah currently works in business development at HIAS, a nonprofit supporting refugee communities in the U.S. and around the world. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, skiing, going to concerts, walking around NYC, and watching a lot of Netflix!

Lauren is so excited to join the JWI YWIN NYC board after participating in events for the last year. Having grown up in Florida, she is a "Reverse Snowbird", first studying journalism and integrated marketing at Northwestern University and now calling NYC home for the last six years.

Outside of JWI, she is a media strategist at WPP Media. In her spare time, she enjoys reading on the subway, punching things at a Rumble class, or watching sports (especially hockey!)

Lauren Lamonsoff is thrilled and honored to serve on the board of JWI/YWIN’s NYC chapter. She currently works as a full-time Spanish teacher while pursuing her doctoral degree at Hofstra University. Her postgraduate work includes research linking linguistics to trauma in Holocaust survivors. She is a lifelong member of the women’s Zionist organization Hadassah, and also serves on the Central Synagogue Welcome Project’s Education Committee, where she works as a translator for newly-immigrated families.  In her spare time, she likes to sing, read true crime novels, and explore brunch spots. She is enthusiastically looking forward to her first year on the board!

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. 

Ashley works in healthcare PR in NYC and lives in Northern New Jersey. Being involved in the Jewish community has always been important to her. In her free time, she enjoys Broadway and all things Bachelor Nation.

Rachel Goldberg currently works in customer experience for a biotech company. Rachel is passionate about Israel, and worked for several Jewish non-profits in the Boston area coordinating an initiative called Boston Partners for Peace to promote and educate about Israelis and Palestinians working together on grassroots projects to promote peace. Rachel started her career as the Director of Community Relations at the Consulate General of Israel to New England. In her free time, Rachel loves to volunteer, engage with Jewish communities, play her banjo, and bike around DC. 

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.  

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.

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. 

Bio coming soon!

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. 

Vanessa holds a BA in Social Welfare from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and an MSW from Columbia University. A former teacher in DC public and charter schools, she followed her passion for social work and mental health, serving as a birth parent counselor at Adoptions Together during graduate school. She later worked as a school counselor at Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, where she deepened her connection to Jewish education and community life. Vanessa is currently the middle school counselor at Maret School in Washington, DC, where she also leads the Jewish student and faculty affinity groups, creating spaces for reflection, celebration, and connection. She is passionate about educational equity and community empowerment, serving on the board of Fundación CEIBA, which provides scholarships for students in Puerto Rico, and leading workshops for Health by All Means, a nonprofit that partners with women and girls in rural Kenya to promote health education and human rights. In her free time, Vanessa enjoys yoga, baking challah, and spending time with family and 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!

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.

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.

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. 

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!

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

Danielle grew up in Los Angeles, CA, but has lived most of her adult life in Seattle. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California and her JD from Seattle University School of Law. Danielle is enthusiastic about JWI's mission and vision, and is excited to help Jewish women come together, uplift one another, and strengthen their communities through YWIN. In her free time, Danielle can often be found sewing or crafting, listening to audiobooks or podcasts, and spending time with friends and family.

Danielle grew up in Los Angeles, CA, but has lived most of her adult life in Seattle. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California and her JD from Seattle University School of Law. Danielle is enthusiastic about JWI's mission and vision, and is excited to help Jewish women come together, uplift one another, and strengthen their communities through YWIN. In her free time, Danielle can often be found sewing or crafting, listening to audiobooks or podcasts, and spending time with friends and family.

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.

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. 

Heather Reiter grew up in Morris Plains, NJ, and has always had a passion for numbers and technology. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Accounting and recently earned a master's degree in Technology Management from Georgetown University. Heather works in tax technology, where she combines her love for finance and tech to create innovative solutions.

Heather got involved with JWI after attending a few events in Seattle and wanting to become more engaged with the local Jewish community. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, walking, live music, and hosting dinner parties. Heather loves exploring new places, meeting new people, and sharing good food and music with friends and family.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bio coming soon!

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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.