The Mandel Institute is pleased to announce the fellows of Cohort VI (2025–2026) of the Executive Leadership Program, an 18-month fellowship designed to enable outstanding midcareer professionals to sharpen their guiding visions of Jewish communal life and strengthen their leadership and management skills.
The cohort is comprised of 18 exceptional fellows, representing a breadth of Jewish nonprofits, including Federations, JCCs, Hillels, foundations; environmental, religious, advocacy, educational organizations and more. Fellows are based in communities across the United States and Canada, including Toronto, London, ON, San Diego, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, Portland, OR, Denver, and New York, among other locations. Working in a diversity of Jewish organizations and communities, fellows share a track record of leadership, great intellect and creativity, a passion for Jewish communal life, and are on track for executive leadership.
During the program, fellows will engage in collaborative learning to strengthen their capacity to lead with vision and values, incorporate research to analyze community opportunities and challenges, and draw on Jewish thought to envision and communicate organizational purposes. Fellows will also be equipped to build organizational strategies aligned with core purposes, manage organizational finances and governance, and foster a close-knit network of professional colleagues. The educational program includes seminars in the United States and Israel, virtual workshops and short courses, small peer group meetings, and individualized advising sessions. The fellowship is directed by Dr. Karen Spira and anchored by renowned faculty and advisors.
The fellows of Cohort VI of the Executive Leadership Program are:
Alix Caplan, Director of Annual Campaign of the Jewish Federation of Philadelphia.
Brauna Doidge, Chief Operating Officer of the Dorot Foundation.
Lindsay Hirsch, Vice President of the Mandel Center for Leadership Development at the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County.
Margo Hughes-Robinson, Executive Director of Partners for Progressive Israel.
Juliana Kalish, Chief Operating Officer of the Alper JCC Miami.
Lindsay Kopecky, Vice President of the Atlanta Jewish Foundation at the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta.
Jacob Leibowitz, Associate Executive Director of Hillel of San Diego.
Sonia Marie Leikam, Director of Outreach at the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation.
Aaron Levitt, Executive Director of Jewish Educational Services in Baltimore, MD.
Ariel Moritz, Chief Operations Officer of Atra: Center for Rabbinic Innovation.
Deirdre Munley, Chief Strategy Officer of JPro.
Rob Nagus, incoming CEO of Calgary Jewish Federation.
Jesse Paikin, Executive Director of Base, a movement within Moishe House.
Ashley Pressman, Chesapeake Region Program Director of Adamah.
Willie Recht, Chief Development Officer of JEWISHColorado.
Karen Silverman, Chief Advancement Officer of Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Boston.
Naomi Shapiro, Senior Director of Strategic Philanthropy at Hillel International.
Katy Strulson, Director of Community Engagement at the JCC MetroWest in West Orange, NJ.