President & CEO

Rabbi Marc Baker

Rabbi Marc Baker is a board member of Leading Edge and President and CEO of Combined Jewish Philanthropies.

Rabbi Marc Baker | Leading Edge Board

Robert Bank is the President & CEO of American Jewish World Service (AJWS), an organization inspired by the Jewish commitment to justice working to realize human rights and end poverty in the developing world. He previously served in New York's municipal government and in the leadership of GMHC, one of the world's leading organizations combatting HIV/AIDS. Robert's passion for human rights was shaped growing up in a Jewish family in apartheid South Africa.

Robert Bank

Global Chair

Laurie Blitzer

(non-voting)

Gali Cooks

Alisa Doctoroff

Co-President

Lisa Eisen

Barry Finestone

Founding Director

Joe Kanfer

Randall Kaplan

Ilana Kaufman

Interim President & CEO

Scott Kaufman

SVP & Chief People Officer

Rachel Kay

Chief Impact and Growth Officer

Mimi Kravetz

Mimi Kravetz is Chief People Officer at Twin Health and a board member of Leading Edge.

Mimi Kravetz | Board Member, Leading Edge

Darin McKeever

Darin McKeever is a board member for Leading Edge and President & CEO of the William Davidson Foundation.

Darin McKeever | Leading Edge Board

President

Daryl Messinger

Daryl Messinger is Board Chair at Leading Edge.

Executive Vice President

Kimberly Miller Rubenfeld

Director of Jewish and Israel Giving

Wendy Platt Newberger

is a board member for Leading Edge and Director of Jewish and Israel Giving at Crown Family Philanthropies.

Wendy Platt Newberger | Leading Edge Board

Vice President, REDI and Communities of Belonging

Yolanda Savage-Narva

Yolanda Savage Narva is a board member of Leading Edge and Vice President, Racial Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at the Union for Reform Judaism.

Yolanda Savage Narva | Leading Edge Board

Chief People Officer

Gabrielle Sirner-Cohen

is a board member at Leading Edge and Chief People Officer at FullStory.

Gabrielle Sirner-Cohen | Leading Edge Board

Leading Edge helps Jewish organizations improve their workplace culture and leadership so that they can better achieve their missions. Here are the people who make it happen.

Our Team & Board | Leading Edge

Leading Edge is building a robust talent pipeline for Jewish organizations.

Resources curated around key issues related to leadership, talent, and culture

B. Elka Abrahamson

Sandy Cardin

is a former board chair at Leading Edge. Sandy is a frequent presenter and panelist in global forums on topics related to a variety of issues.

Managing Director

Phyllis Cook

David Edell

Faculty

Marty Linsky

Rachel Garbow Monroe

Steven A. Rakitt

Steven A. Rakitt is a former board member of Leading Edge.

Steven A. Rakitt | Leading Edge

Program Director

Rafi Rone

Cynthia Shapira

Chairman

David Shapira

Julie Sandorf

Former President & CEO

Jerry Silverman

Jacob Solomon

Senior Advisor

Jeff Solomon

Andrés Spokoiny

Jess Abercrombie is Program Manager, Surveys and Data, utilizing data to tell stories, find meaning, isolate trends, and share insights that inform the work of Leading Edge. Prior to Leading Edge, Jess has developed a passion for data analytics and research through 8 years of experiences working in various non-profit and academic settings. 

Their previous experience as a research analyst working with juvenile justice, adult protection, and other social service data at Evident Change, combined with leadership in DEI initiatives, has been instrumental in developing an equity focused approach in their work. Through this lens, they have assisted in the development of training on inclusive data collection practices, and agency-specific equity climate surveys. Jess was also responsible for various aspects of data and survey management on the UUHEALTH project at the University of Cincinnati, which aimed to increase diversity in healthcare majors and professions in the region, and improve cultural competency of providers.

Jess received a Masters in Community Planning from the University of Cincinnati, and a Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning and Policy from Virginia Commonwealth University.  When they are not diving deep into an analysis in R, they enjoy playing the bass, gardening, and hiking.

Program Manager, Surveys and Data

Jess Abercrombie

Jess Abercrombie is Program Manager, Surveys and Data, at Leading Edge

Jess Abercrombie | Leading Edge

Alena Akselrod is Senior Director, Data Strategy at Leading Edge, supporting and enhancing the Jewish Nonprofit Sector’s approach to leadership, talent, and workplace culture. Alena’s portfolio at Leading Edge is rooted in problem solving, data storytelling, and responsible data analytics. This includes the largest engagement surveys administered to professionals and CEOs across the Jewish nonprofit sector to unpack their experience in the workplace. Her true passion is finding creative answers to complicated questions and bringing order to chaos.

Alena grew up in Brooklyn after emigrating from the Former Soviet Union in the mid-1990s. Her passion for working with youth propelled her into working with Russian-speaking Jewish (RSJ) immigrant families at a JCC in South Brooklyn for the first 13 years of her career as a Jewish nonprofit professional.

Alena holds an M.B.A. in Nonprofit Management and an M.A. in Jewish Professional Leadership from Brandeis University. She is an MBTI certified practitioner, a proud Wexner Graduate Fellow & Davidson Scholar, and a JCC Association Merrin Teen Professional Fellow. Alena lives in Staten Island, NY with her husband Alex and cheeky toddler Max.

Senior Director, Data Strategy

Alena Akselrod

Alena Akselrod is Senior Director of Data Strategy at Leading Edge.

Alena Akselrod | Leading Edge

Seth Chalmer is Senior Director, Communications at Leading Edge. He lives in Teaneck, NJ with his wife and children. His writing has appeared in publications including Stanford Social Innovation Review, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Los Angeles Times, On Being, First Things, Quillette, The Jewish Week, eJewish Philanthropy, and The Journal of Ecumenical Studies. A graduate of NYU’s Wagner-Skirball dual Masters program in Nonprofit Management and Judaic Studies, Seth also holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Wright State University. 

Seth joined Leading Edge in 2020. His previous nonprofit roles include Jewish Funders Network (Director of Communications); Berman Jewish Policy Archive (Assistant Director; it is now known as the Berman Archive); Dayton JCC (Cultural Arts Director); and the Center for Employment Opportunities (Retention Specialist), where he helped empower people returning home from prison to succeed in careers. 

Before his nonprofit career, Seth was an actor and performed in the 2004-5 national stage tour of “Sesame Street Live: Elmo’s Coloring Book.” (Oscar the Grouch and Professor Art), among other productions. 

Senior Director, Communications

Seth Chalmer

Seth Chalmer is is Senior Director, Communications at Leading Edge.

Seth Chalmer | Leading Edge

Dana Childress joins Leading Edge as the Vice President, Leading Places to Work. She is charged with supporting the field’s “people people”, building their capacity, creating a community of practice and helping organizations become great places to work. 

Previously, she completed a 15-year tenure with Teach For America, developing and leading the organization’s talent acquisition efforts to hire its staff. Her team worked to bring in over 500 hires annually, with a focus on building strong and diverse applicant pools and implementing culturally competent hiring practices. Most recently, she led hiring for the organization’s Executive Directors, bringing together multiple stakeholders, including regional boards, to strategically run ED searches. She thrives on helping individuals and teams develop their strengths and weather change in this dynamic moment in workplaces across the country. She began her time with Teach For America as a high school teacher, serving as a corps member in St. Louis. 

Dana graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with majors in Journalism and Political Science. She lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband, Patrick and two young, active sons, Cole and Ben. She is an active community member, and currently serves on the KIPP DC Ambassador board. 

Vice President, Leading Places to Work

Dana Childress

Dana Childress is VP of Leading Places to Work at Leading Edge.

Dana Childress | Leading Edge

Gali is the founding President and Chief Executive Officer of Leading Edge, an organization that influences, inspires, and enables Jewish organizations to continuously improve performance through culture and leadership. To Leading Edge, Gali brings extensive professional experience in the nonprofit, public, and private sectors. 

Her career began in DC, where she was a speechwriter at the Embassy of Israel and worked as a Legislative Assistant at AIPAC. She was Founding Director of the PJ Library at the Grinspoon Foundation and also served as Executive Director of the Rita J. & Stanley H. Kaplan Family Foundation, overseeing the distribution of millions of philanthropic dollars. In the private sector, Gali was VP of Operations at an ed-tech startup. Gali is a board member of Sacred Spaces and has served on the boards of Exponent Philanthropy, Keshet, and the NYC Venture Philanthropy Fund. She holds a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business. 

Gali Cooks is the President & CEO of Leading Edge.

Gali Cooks | Leading Edge

Abby Crawford (she/her) is the Vice President, Leadership Programs at Leading Edge. Abby and the Leadership Programs team design and execute development experiences for leaders across the Jewish nonprofit sector. In response to ongoing field-level data and program evaluation, Abby iterates and adjusts offerings based on the ongoing needs of our sector’s executive and board leaders.

Prior to joining the Leading Edge team, Abby spent nearly two decades in education and nonprofit senior leadership.  Most recently, she served as the Director of Education for the Center of Creative Arts.  There, her team provided high quality arts and community experiences for more than 50,000 patrons annually.  Previously, Abby led training and leadership development for incoming corps members with Teach For America in Phoenix, Los Angeles, and St. Louis.  She began her career as a special education teacher through Teach For America-St. Louis. 

Abby studied Political Science and Communications at Texas Christian University, and she earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from Webster University.  Abby lives in St. Louis, MO with her husband, Matt, and their two daughters, Daisy and Josephine.  As an engaged city resident, Abby also serves as a Patient and Family Advisor for Barnes-Jewish Hospital. 

Vice President, Leadership Programs

Abby Crawford

Abby Crawford is Vice President of Leadership Programs at Leading Edge.

Abby Crawford | Leading Edge

Marisa began their career in Jewish non-profit work as a volunteer for Friends of the Israel Defense forces while attending CUNY Queens College. She continued to work for FIDF for eight years within their Operations and Special Events department. It was here that she developed a strong passion for the sector. Marisa continued their career as an Administrator for a synagogue and an Executive Assistant for Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds, working with JCCs and Jewish day camps throughout the NY Tri-state area. 

Marisa began their journey within Leading Edge in the operations department. Now working as Manager, Communications, she uses their experience within the Jewish nonprofit sector and love of design to support the communications team. Marisa has a BA in Psychology and Art History from CUNY Queens College and also graduated from The Institute of Culinary Education with a degree in Pastry Arts. She lives in Queens, NY, with her husband and two cats. 

Manager, Communications

Marisa Diehl

Marisa Diehl is Communications Manager at Leading Edge.

Marisa Diehl | Leading Edge

Jeffrey Fingerman is Director, Leadership Programs at Leading Edge. As part of the Programs Team, he has the opportunity to design and implement development experiences for leaders across the Jewish nonprofit sector. He is passionate about ensuring talented professionals can have a meaningful impact and develop the skills to thrive in their sector of choice.  

Before joining Leading Edge, Jeffrey spent a long tenure at Teach For America working in recruitment, talent development, and alumni affairs. He recruited teachers and TFA staff members, and designed and launched several Leadership Development programs. Jeffrey evolved the approach to Alumni Boards, expanded pathways to School Leadership, built out Career Service offerings, and launched Values Based Leadership Development programming.

Jeffrey grew up in Cincinnati and graduated from Indiana University with majors in Marketing and International Business. He and his family live in New Orleans, where the culture and the air are both thick. Jeffrey is honored to serve as Treasurer on the Board and Executive Committee of his congregation, Touro Synagogue. 

Director, Leadership Programs

Jeffrey Fingerman

Jeffrey Fingerman is Director of Leadership Programs at Leading Edge.

Jeffrey Fingerman |  Leading Edge

Chris Harrison is Director, Business Operations at Leading Edge, ensuring that the work of Leading Edge is systematic and data-driven. He joined Leading Edge in January 2021 following six years at Educators for Excellence, where he served as the National Senior Manager of Data. Prior to his tenure at E4E, Chris was a State Data Director for Obama's 2012 campaign and worked as the Technology Director for the Democratic Party of Georgia. Chris finds his passion in working with people to make the world a better place. He lives in Brooklyn, NY.

Director, Business Operations

Chris Harrison

Chris Harrison is Director of Business Operations at Leading Edge.

Chris Harrison | Leading Edge

Abby Kaufman is Chief of Staff at Leading Edge. In her role, Abby partners with the President and CEO, as well as the Executive Team, to develop and implement strategic goals and initiatives that enhance Leading Edge’s impact both internally and with the organizations it serves. She is responsible for internal and external relationship management, board liaising, and ensuring the organization’s leadership, culture, operations, and strategy are aligned to drive excellence and high-quality outcomes.

Prior to joining the Leading Edge team, Abby spent a decade working in the nonprofit and education sectors as a teacher and camp director where she created transformational experiences for youth, families, and young adults, led leadership development programs, and directed the hiring, onboarding, teambuilding, and training for employees. Most recently, Abby took a step outside of the nonprofit space to work at Benenson Strategy Group as their Director of Employee and Organizational Development. In this position, Abby focused on aligning BSG’s culture, operations, communications, and management practices with the organization’s strategy. In addition to coaching employees, managers, and senior leaders, she established several programs and initiatives to enhance organizational feedback systems, internal learning and knowledge-sharing, and to connect employees to each other and BSG’s mission.

Abby holds a master's degree in Education from Harvard University, and a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Michigan. She serves on the Jewish Life Committee of the Rose Community Foundation in Denver, CO, where she lives with her family.

Chief of Staff

Abby Kaufman

Abby Kaufman is Chief of Staff at Leading Edge.

Abby Kaufman |  Leading Edge

Robb Lippitt is is Interim Chief Operating Officer at Leading Edge. He is a serial entrepreneur, having successfully led and grown multiple businesses throughout his (ongoing) career. Robb most recently served as COO of Clarity Voice, a cloud phone company which ensures your business will never miss a call (even the annoying ones). Before that Robb was COO of High Level Marketing, a digital marketing agency which, contrary to popular opinion, believes more traffic is a good thing and before that CEO of Revolution Dancewear, a private equity backed manufacturer and distributor of dancewear. Robb is also the Founder of Secret Sauce Capital, an early stage venture capital and consulting company. 

Robb also founded, consulted with, and otherwise annoyed a variety of other start-ups after finishing his 6+ year learning and growth opportunity as the COO/General Counsel of ePrize (now called Merkle). Pretty much everyone told Robb that leaving his business law partnership (after 7 years of practice), to go into an Internet start-up in 2000 was crazy. While they were probably right, Robb couldn’t resist the lure of giving away lots of free stuff to strangers. Robb also serves on the Boards of a variety of private companies which alternately welcome and dread his input, depending on the day. 

Robb has been inexplicably tolerated by his endlessly patient and saint-like wife Debbie for 34 years, 30 of them in marriage. He is blessed by two daughters, Molly (27) and Eryn (24), both of whom are thankfully shorter than he is and far better looking. Robb is a zealous alumnus of The University of Michigan (B.A. 1990) and also a very proud graduate of the Wayne State University Law School (J.D. 1993).

Robb has been involved in far too many communal committees and activities to list (or that make sense to any rational person), and is the immediate past Board Chair of Repair the World, which mobilizes Jews and their communities to take action to pursue a just world, igniting a lifelong commitment to service. Robb also served as an Executive Board Member of the Fresh Air Society, a Federation agency dedicated to providing a Jewish camping experience to every child who wants one (and even some that don’t but get forced by their parents to go), Treasurer of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, Member of the Jewish Federation of North America’s Executive Committee and Board of Governors, and Co-Chair for Jewish Federation of North America’s National Young Leadership. Robb has been required in the past to compile a complete list of his charitable activities (no, that wasn’t anywhere near a complete list), so it is available upon request to those wishing to cure insomnia.

Robb loves to travel as often as possible to far-flung corners of the world in search of ever more exotic foods to eat (and to raise money), loves to cook, play pickleball when his balky calves permit, runs a whiskey club, can recite The Princess Bride by heart, and blogs from time-to-time when something bothers him so much he can’t help himself. He sleeps little.

Interim Chief Operating Officer

Robb Lippitt

Robb Lippitt | Interim COO, Leading Edge

Danielle Natelson (she/her) is Director, Programs at Leading Edge. Most recently she served as the Director of the Springboard Fellowship at Hillel International, the largest early career development program in the Jewish community. 

Danielle has spent over a decade working at the intersection of leadership and learning across the Jewish communal landscape, ranging from college students, to entrepreneurs and Jewish communal professionals. As a proud Jew of Color she has advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion across the Jewish community. While at UpStart, she designed and piloted the Jews of Color Career Development Program in partnership with the Jews of Color Initiative to catalyze a more diverse and representative leadership pipeline.

Danielle’s passion for music and Israeli dance has helped her enrich numerous Jewish communities through the arts. A lifelong learner and a cohort program enthusiast, Danielle is a proud UC Berkeley alum where she now sits on the Hillel board, and is a member of the fifth class of the Wexner Field Fellowship. 

Director, Programs

Danielle Natelson

Danielle Natelson is Director of Programs at Leading Edge.

Danielle Natelson | Leading Edge

Alicia Oberman is Senior Advisor, Board Leadership at Leading Edge. Before Boardified was acquired by Leading Edge, she was Founder & Chief Experience Officer of Boardified. Alicia deeply understands the challenges of volunteer leaders and those who work alongside them. She is committed to meaningfully engaging with leaders in what she calls their “extra, extra time” (i.e., the time they spend to further develop themselves in their volunteer roles). She encourages everyone she works with to seek a state of “inspired excellence,” recognizing that the most successful leaders are viscerally inspired by their work and take ownership and pride in how they approach all of their commitments (especially those for which they volunteer).

From 2007 to 2019, Alicia served as the Executive Director of the Jack Miller Family Foundation (for which she remains a Board member and strategic lead in Jewish philanthropy) and its related philanthropic fund, the Jack and Goldie Wolfe Miller Fund. In addition to Alicia directing all of the foundation’s programs and operations, she developed her passion for governance by serving on the founding boards of a number of the Foundation’s strategic initiatives and the standing boards of several of the Foundation’s grantees. Alicia is also a not-so recovered corporate and securities attorney.

In her own “extra” time, Alicia currently serves on the Boards of Directors of, and in advisory capacities to, a number of nonprofit organizations, including: the Goldie Initiative (Executive and Governance Committees), 18Doors, Leading Edge (Governance Committee), and the Melanoma Tissue Bank Consortium.

When she isn’t at a board meeting (either working or volunteering), or watching one of her three teenage daughters play sports in the middle of nowhere, she can likely be found trying to unsuccessfully run outside, meditate, or read a book that does not have “leadership” in the title.

Senior Advisor, Board Leadership

Alicia S. Oberman

Alicia Oberman is Senior Advisor, Board Leadership at Leading Edge.

Alicia S. Oberman | Leading Edge

Lauren Porter is the Program Associate, Surveys and Data, at Leading Edge, where she supports new data-related streams of work and helps to develop a strong user experience for all organizations looking to access Leading Edge surveys, resources, and more. 

Prior to joining Leading Edge, Lauren gained experience in developing data-based solutions and managing projects that have impacted the customer and employee experiences for various organizations. Most recently, she worked as a Project Coordinator where she was responsible for supporting the lifecycle of all research projects, and developing and maintaining client relationships to ensure customer satisfaction.

Lauren holds a B.A. in Planning and Public Policy from Rutgers University and a Project Management Certification through Google. Her passion for food justice has allowed her to serve as a Trenton Food Stakeholder and Community Advisory Board Member with the Trenton Health Team since 2020. Lauren loves reading, cooking, and traveling as often as possible.

Program Associate, Surveys and Data

Lauren Porter

Lauren Porter is  Program Associate, Surveys and Data at Leading Edge.

Lauren Porter |  Leading Edge

As the Chief Program Officer, Dena oversees the strategy and implementation of Leading Edge’s suite of interventions supporting the professionals and volunteer leaders in the Jewish non-profit sector. Leading Edge advocates for and enacts its vision for strong talent leadership in the Jewish nonprofit sector through cohort programs, workshops, communities of practice, and other mediums.

Prior to joining the Leading Edge team, Dena had a consulting practice. As a specialist in organizational design and transition management, Dena focused on working with professional leadership to resolve organizational disruptions; enhance individual and organizational strength; and design training programs for leadership, strategic planning, executive presence, and interpersonal skills. Dena lives in the greater Washington, DC area with her husband and two teenagers. She also holds a certificate in Executive Development from the Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management. She was educated at The George Washington University School of Business (BBA, Human Resources) and the University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business (MBA, Management and Organization). 

Chief Program Officer

Dena Farber Schoenfeld

Dena Farber Schoenfeld is Chief Program Officer at Leading Edge.

Dena Farber Schoenfeld | Leading Edge

Isabel Shech is Senior Program Manager, Leadership Programs at Leading Edge, and the strategic force behind Leading Edge’s new and growing Alumni Network, a community of close to 500 executive and board leaders across North America and Israel. In piloting ongoing leadership development opportunities, Isabel spearheads adaptive program design, creates strategic partnerships, and advances research & development that provides alumni with dynamic, timely resources. She has participated in leadership development programs and served as a volunteer leader with JIMENA, AJC, ADL and Honeymoon Israel.

Prior to joining the Leading Edge team, Isabel spent over a decade dedicated to Jewish nonprofit leadership and academic research, including work in Israel, Holocaust, and Antisemitism education, innovation and special projects leadership, community impact and philanthropy. Most recently, she served as the Community Engagement Manager for Boardified before its acquisition by Leading Edge.

Isabel earned her M.A. in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Pittsburgh, an M.A. in Philosophy from Duquesne University, and a B.A. in Philosophy from the Munich School of Philosophy. She grew up in Germany and lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her partner and extended Israeli family, surrounded by a steadily growing collection of coffee brewing devices and homemade ceramics. You’re likely to find her elbow-deep into her next elaborate culinary project celebrating her family’s multicultural heritage.

Senior Program Manager, Leadership Programs

Isabel Shech

Isabel Shech is Senior Program Manager, Leadership Programs at Leading Edge.

Isabel Shech | Leading Edge

Sara Singla is Senior Director, People and Culture at Leading Edge, where she raises the level of organizational productivity and efficiency by listening to her coworkers and co-creating solutions with them to ensure they can do their best work, after serving Leading Edge as Senior Director, Executive Programs. Previously she worked for 11 years at Hillel International, most recently as the Director of Organizational Development. Sara completed her Master of Science in Organizational Development and Leadership from St. Joseph’s University in 2017 and her International Coaching Federation certification in 2021. She loves to help professionals and clients reflect, understand their own motivations and behaviors and empower them to create change. She is from Philadelphia, PA making her an avid (read: obsessed) Philadelphia sports fan. She lives outside of Washington, DC with her husband, Manish, sons Shai and Kiva, and their grumpy rescue pup, Duke Silver.

Senior Director, People and Culture

Sara Singla

is Senior Director, Executive Programs at Leading Edge.

Sara Singla | Leading Edge

Leah is Manager, Finance and Operations at Leading Edge, where she works with the team to translate operational and financial insights into program and strategy. Leah previously served as the Executive Programs fellow, where she helped plan and manage our executive programs in addition to supporting the growing number of Leading Edge program participants and community members. Prior to joining Leading Edge, Leah worked for the American Jewish Committee’s Project Interchange. In her various roles, she actively participated in the planning, recruitment, and execution of delegations to Israel for high-level thought leaders, including government officials, diplomatic leaders, and prominent media professionals. Leah attended the University of Michigan, where she received her undergraduate degree in Economics and Hebrew and Jewish Cultural Studies. Leah holds an MBA in Non-profit Management and a Master’s in Jewish Professional Leadership from the Hornstein Program at Brandeis University and is a recipient of the Nachshon Project Graduate Fellowship.

Manager, Finance and Operations

Leah Spellberg

Leah Spellberg is Finance and Operations Manager at Leading Edge.

Leah Spellberg | Leading Edge

Mordy Walfish is Chief Advancement Officer at Leading Edge, inspiring stakeholders to invest in the most valuable asset of the Jewish nonprofit sector — its people. From 2017-2024, Mordy served as Chief Operating Officer of Leading Edge, partnering with the CEO and Board to build Leading Edge into the organization it is today. Prior to joining Leading Edge, Mordy was Vice President for Programs at Repair the World. He is a Wexner Graduate Fellow, Schusterman Senior Fellow, and the winner of the 2015 JPro Network Young Professional Award. Mordy is a certified leadership coach and serves on the faculty of the Spertus Institute and New Ventures West. He recently relocated from Brooklyn, NY to Oakland, CA.

Chief Advancement Officer

Mordy Walfish

Mordy Walfish is  Chief Operating Officer at Leading Edge.

Mordy Walfish | Leading Edge

Melissa Walters is Senior Program Manager, Leading Places to Work at Leading Edge, managing projects related to surveys and communities of practice for talent professionals. Before Leading Edge, she worked as a fundraising manager at OPERA America and as a fundraising associate at Surprise Lake Camp.

With a degree in sociology, Melissa co-designed and administered a workplace satisfaction survey among faculty at Moravian College, the findings of which she co-presented at the Eastern Sociological Society Conference in 2014. She completed a certificate in Data Analytics from Cornell University in 2020. She finds the work of Leading Edge to be a fascinating union of her interests in data and social science.

Senior Program Manager, Leading Places to Work

Melissa Walters

Melissa Walters is Senior Program Manager, Leading Places to Work at Leading Edge.