Young Women’s Impact Network: PHILADELPHIA

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.