Speakers

Alana Knoppow

Project Manager, Center on Aging, Trauma, and Holocaust Survivor Care, Jewish Federations of North America

Alana Knoppow is a Project Manager at The Center on Aging, Trauma, and Holocaust Survivor Care. Her responsibilities include technical assistance, capacity building, systems improvement, and program analysis. For over a decade, Alana has managed programs across the nonprofit field, at hospice organizations, Habitat for Humanity, and the Older Adult Services department at Jewish Family Services in Ann Arbor, MI. Alana earned her BA in Psychology at the University of Michigan and returned to earn an MSW with specializations in Aging and Management. She is a Fellow with the University of Michigan School of Social Work Geriatric Scholar program and completed a Certificate in Advanced Clinical Dementia Practice there. Alana holds a professional certificate in Human Resource Management.

Alice Tennis

Senior Vice President of Senior Services, Ruth and Norman Rales Jewish Family Services

Alice Tennis, Senior Vice President of Senior Services, is responsible for overseeing the delivery of services for Holocaust Survivors, caregivers of older adults, volunteer-based programs and services for frail seniors in the community. Alice carries this out through program development, evaluation and supervising an active team of social workers and professionals. Strong community partnerships enable her team to serve over 500 older adults annually.

Anat Barber

Director, UJA-Federation New York

Anat Barber is a Director in the Capital Gifts & Special Initiatives Department at UJA-Federation of NY. Prior to this role, Anat served as Planning director of the Commission on the Jewish People. Anat holds an MPA from the Robert F. Wagner School and an MA in Hebrew and Judaic Studies both from NYU. During her tenure there she was also a Wexner Graduate Fellow.

Andrea Korsunsky

Director, Center for Dementia Care and Care Management, Jewish Family and Children's Services of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties

Andrea Korsunsky, BSW, is the founder and director of the Center for Dementia Care, a specialized division of Jewish Family and Children’s Services. For over a decade, this program has provided vital psychosocial support to individuals living with dementia and their family care partners, improving quality of life through compassionate, person-centered trauma informed care.

Dr. Ashley Stripling

Professor, Nova Southeastern University

Ashley M. Stripling, PhD is a professor, licensed psychologist, and Director of Nova Southeastern University’s Counseling Center for Older Adults. Dr. Stripling served as Chief Intern in Psychology at the Bruce Carter VAMC in Miami, with a geropsychology specialization, and completed her postdoctoral fellowship in the Division of Geropsychiatry at the San Francisco VAMC. She has a long-standing interest in psychology and aging, which is demonstrated through her nearly twenty years of aging focused clinical research and provision of psychological services across VA and University settings. As a result of her research involvement Dr. Stripling had authored or co-authored one book, twenty peer-reviewed articles, two book chapters, 9 grants and over a hundred presentations at national conferences. Her geropsychological interests span clinical, teaching, scholarly and advocacy activities; and she is particularly interested in avenues that promote healthy aging, understanding subjective aging and ageism and combating ageist stereotypes.

Rabbi Avrohom Hecht

Executive Director, Project Lead

Avrohom Hecht is the Executive Director of the Project Lead that has serviced over 6,000 youth throughout Central Queens and thousands of frail elderly, and distributed over seven million pounds of nutrient-dense foods. Under his leadership Project Lead has developed special services for at-risk elderly, Holocaust survivors, Nazi victims and other elderly victims of trauma. Special services have also been implemented to benefit émigré and American youth. On a city-wide basis, he has been a strong advocate for increased food security assistance to the disadvantaged and at risk.

Bertha Sanchez-Hayden

Directing Attorney, Bet Tzedek Legal Services

Bertha Sanchez Hayden serves as a Directing Attorney at Bet Tzedek Legal Services. Ms. Hayden currently oversees Direct Services for Seniors, Dependent Adults, and Caregivers. Ms. Hayden has dedicated her career in legal services to serving older adults, dependent adults and their caregivers navigate elder law issues. Current projects include launching the Leaving a Legacy, an estate planning program providing estate planning with the aim of preventing financial elder abuse and building intergenerational wealth for low-income families. In 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Ms. Hayden to the Professional Fiduciaries Advisory Committee where she currently serves as chair. In 2022, she served as a delegate at the World Congress on Adult Capacity. In 2023, she was appointed to the California’s Judicial Council Probate and Mental Health Advisory Committee. Ms. Hayden serves as stakeholder co-chair of California’s Elder and Disability Justice Coordinating Council (EDJCC) and chair of the EDJCC’s conservatorship subcommittee.

Carly Bruski, LMSW

Assistant Director, Strategic Partnerships, Center on Aging, Trauma, and Holocaust Survivor Care, Jewish Federations of North America

Carly Bruski is the Assistant Director for Strategic Partnerships at The Center on Aging, Trauma, and Holocaust Survivor Care. Carly has worked in the non-profit sector for 15 years with a focus on person-centered, trauma-informed care. Carly’s areas of expertise include older adult services, violent crime, and human trafficking. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from The Pennsylvania State University, and in 2014, Carly received her Master’s degree in social work from Temple University.

Carmel Rabin

Director, Research and Evaluation, Center on Aging, Trauma, and Holocaust Survivor Care, Jewish Federations of North America

Carmel Rabin is the Director for Research and Evaluation at The Center on Aging, Trauma, and Holocaust Survivor Care. She oversees research projects and program evaluations of the Center and subgrantee initiatives. Prior to joining the team, Carmel worked on monitoring and evaluation of economic development programs across private, public, and social sectors. She helped US-based organizations ensure effectiveness and impact of philanthropic spending. She specializes in empowering, person-centered, and trauma-informed evaluation. Carmel holds a Master of Arts in Development Studies from Erasmus University in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and a Master of Arts in International Relations from Syracuse University.

Carmiya Weinraub

Washington, DC Based Observant Jewish Comedian and Mom

Carmiya Weinraub is a Washington, DC based observant Jewish comedian and mom. She was honored by the Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington for creating Interfaith Comedy, a nationally-touring show with comedians of different religions that aims to reduce prejudice through laughter. Carmiya is a former geriatric social worker and currently serves elderly residents and patients as part of the pastoral team at Charles E. Smith Life Communities in Rockville, Maryland. Her comedy's clean, but her house isn't.

L. Carter Florence

Vice President of Programs, Meals on Wheels America

L. Carter Florence is Vice President, Programs at Meals on Wheels America. In her professional capacity, Carter is responsible for building Meals on Wheels America’s overall program strategy to grow the impact of Meals on Wheels services. She works to design and implement programs and partnerships that support the capacity needs of Meals on Wheels providers. Carter leads grantmaking efforts, provides education and training for implementing best practices and sharing lessons learned, and seeks to build partnerships that enable growth and sustainability. She has a long history working with and supporting community-based organizations to successfully design and implement health improvement programs and policies, specifically in rural and underserved areas. She is passionate about collaborating with unique partners to improve communities’ health. She holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Centre College and a Master and Doctor of Public Health in community health from East Tennessee State University. She is an Appalachian native and enjoys cooking, yoga and traveling in her spare time.

Chris Herman

Senior Practice Associate–Aging, National Association of Social Workers (NASW)

Chris Herman (she/her), MSW, LICSW, is the senior practice associate–aging at the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) in Washington, DC. In this role, she analyzes and advocates for aging-related federal policy; creates resources to enhance social work practice with older adults; provides technical assistance to NASW leaders, members, and other stakeholders; and represents NASW in numerous national coalitions and collaborative initiatives focused on older adults, including serving on peer review and other committees for the Center on Aging, Trauma, and Holocaust Survivor Care. Before joining the NASW staff in 2007, Chris worked with adult clients in various aging, disability, and health care settings. More recently, she was a care partner for her parents in the final years of their lives.

Chris Nufer, LPC

Counselor, Jewish Family Services of Richmond

Cindy Laegeler

Program Support Specialist and Special Projects Coordinator, CJE SeniorLife

Cindy Laegeler transitioned to roles that have followed her heart after spending the first decade of her career as an investment banker, working at multiple start-ups including an organic snack bar company, a progressive, independent elementary school, and a non-profit that upcycled school, art and craft supplies and distributed them to under-resourced communities. In her free time, she founded and organized the Chicago Kindness Club, a volunteer organization for local families that coordinated monthly, hands-on community service opportunities for 12 years. Cindy joined the Holocaust Community Services Group at CJE SeniorLife in early 2023. Although initially hired to assist with data management and prepare for an audit, her role has expanded to include teaching a weekly ESL class for survivors and co-leading our Mitzvah & Mingle programming initiative.

Courtney Owen

Program Officer for Hoarding & Care Management, Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia

Courtney Owen, LCSW, has primary responsibility for leadership of specific JFCS programs; ensures the fiscally-responsible operation of those programs and services; and seeks new program development opportunities consistent with the mission and values of the organization. In this role, Courtney partners with program leaders and the development team in the identification and pursuit of new funding sources for program sustenance and expansion. Courtney received her MSW from Tulane University and her BS in Psychology from the University of Oregon. She has over 17 years of experience providing community based mental health and social services in Philadelphia and New Orleans. Prior roles at the organization include JFCS Director of Individual and Family Services (2017-2022) and JFCS Program Manager for Hoarding & Care Management (2015-2017).

Daniel Dearmin

Peer Leader, Colorado Health Network

Daniel Dearmin has called Colorado home since 2001 but identifies as a proud southerner from Western North Carolina. He is a long-term survivor of HIV/AIDS circa 1985-’86. Through his personal and professional career, he is an artist, musician, cook, volunteer and lover of life with all its ups and downs. He leads his life by centering gratitude as his north star; acceptance, forgiveness, curiosity and listening as his temperance; diversity and change as his power! Daniel is also a member of the Colorado Health Network Healthy Aging Peer Leadership Committee working to support the implementation and facilitator of Aging Positively Part 1 & 2.

Daryna Marchenko-Bernhardt

Technology and Volunteer Coordinator, CJE SeniorLife

Daryna Marchenko-Bernhardt joined CJE Senior Life Holocaust Community Services in January 2022 as Virtual Systems and Programs Coordinator, where she uses her training and experience working with various virtual platforms and electronic/digital data management systems and applications to support Holocaust survivors. A native of Kyiv, Ukraine, Daryna provides technology assistance to Ukrainian, Russian and English-speaking survivors, and leads all technology-related projects for the program, including Uniper. In 2023, Daryna was promoted to Technology and Volunteer Coordinator, and started overseeing HCS' active program, through which approximately 50 volunteers are actively engaged in supporting survivors and the program. Prior to joining HCS, Daryna spent 10 years with Upwardly Global supporting the Chicagoland immigrant and refugee community by providing trainings and job assistance. Daryna received her Bachelor of Science in Linguistics and her Master of Arts in Education. She also holds an MBA from the National Technical University of Ukraine.

Dawn Olson

Ability Expert, North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities, Minot State University

Ms. Dawn Olson (Bachelor of Science) is an Abilities Expert for the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities. She co-teaches a disability studies class at Minot State University with Ms. Webster. She also works directly with consumers who have disabilities on a project to help them find affordable health insurance through navigating the healthcare.gov website. Most recently, Ms. Olson is part of the Trauma Informed Approaches for Adults with Disabilities (TRIAD) Project. As a person with disabilities who lived in an institution from the age of four to 20, Ms. Olson brings real life experience related to the trauma that resulted from living away from her family during her childhood and young adult years.

Deborah Victoria Rokhsar Rosen

Community Program Coordinator, Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest NJ

Debbie Rosen administers grants that seek to care for Holocaust survivors and other older adults with a history of trauma using a person-centered trauma-informed care (PCTI) approach. Prior to working for Federation, Debbie led the budget office at Columbia University following more than a decade in hospital administration and finance. She holds a Masters in Public Administration from New York University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Brandeis University.

Edo Banach

Partner, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

A seasoned health care leader with a record of success in both the public and private sectors, Edo Banach leverages his deep understanding of home-based, hospice and palliative care; Medicare and Medicaid law and policy; and health care delivery to increase access to care and create a more equitable health system for communities throughout the country. Edo has established himself as a trusted partner for post-acute and long-term services and supports looking for strategic legal, regulatory and policy counsel. He advises on a variety of federal and state regulatory matters, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), fraud and abuse, administrative appeals, privacy and consent, and state licensing issues. He also counsels clients on Medicare-Medicaid program integrity and overlap as well as coordinating Medicaid and Medicare palliative care, hospice and home health partnerships. As former President and CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, Edo has extensive experience directing nationwide efforts to deliver care for patients with complex health needs and has led numerous legislative and administrative advocacy efforts before the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the White House. Additionally, as former Deputy Director of CMS’ Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office, Edo helped improve program coordination and reform the delivery system for approximately 10 million enrollees. Tapping into this experience, he helps clients adapt to changes in the Medicare-Medicaid program and provides counsel on Medicaid managed care, Medicare Advantage and dual eligibles matters, among other related issues. Edo also advises clients on providing more integrated care for individuals seeking post-acute and long-term care, including for Special Needs Plans (SNPs), Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), and Home and Community Based Services (HCBS).

Elissa Mittman, Esq.

Advisor, Financial Oversight, Center on Aging, Trauma, and Holocaust Survivor Care, Jewish Federations of North America

Prior to serving as the Center’s Advisor/Financial Oversight since 2022, Elissa spent more than 20 years in the field of refugee work, immigration law, and refugee resettlement. She was previously employed in senior roles at several international non-governmental humanitarian organizations (e.g., International Rescue Committee, HIAS, and IRAP), and by the U.S. government, where she supervised and provided programs, services, and protection for some of the world’s most vulnerable populations in the U.S. and overseas. In these capacities, Elissa managed multi-year, multi-million dollar grants and projects, and oversaw programming, operations, finance, human resources, advocacy, training, and networks of immigration legal services providers. Collaborating with UNHCR (the United Nations' refugee agency), government agencies, and international non-governmental organizations, she’s worked on various projects such as evacuated at-risk Afghans in the United Arab Emirates seeking refugee resettlement in Canada; overseas refugee and migrant processing in Europe, Central America, and the Middle East; U.S. legislation, including The Refugee Crisis in Iraq Act and The Afghan Allies Protection Act, et al. Elissa taught an Introduction to Refugee Law and Overseas Refugee Processing course at the University of Curacao School of Law; co-founded the Tax Assistance Project for Immigrants and Refugees at the University of Baltimore School of Law’s Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic; and is currently volunteering with the Refugee Employment Partnership, and the Coalition on Immigration and Refugee Crises. She is a member of the New York Bar, has a JD with academic honors from Hofstra Law School, and a BA from Johns Hopkins University.

Ellie Kastel

Executive Director, Young Men & Young Women's Hebrew Association of Borough Park

Mrs. Ellie Kastel has been the Executive Director of the Boro Park Y for the past 15 years. Under her leadership, the Boro Park Y created a dynamic center of community for Holocaust Survivors, Club Nissim and with the help of JFNA, was able to more recently launch a new program for the children of Holocaust Survivors, Club 2G. Mrs. Kastel has been honored by the New York State Senate with the " Woman of Distinction Award.

Hon. Eric D. Fingerhut

President & CEO, Jewish Federations of North America

Eric D. Fingerhut is the President and CEO of The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA). Prior to his appointment at JFNA, Mr. Fingerhut served as the President and CEO of Hillel International from 2013-19. At Hillel, he led the organization’s Drive to Excellence, which resulted in doubling the number of students engaged by Hillel each year to over 130,000 and the total funds raised each year to nearly $200M. His emphasis on recruiting, training and retaining top talent for the system, and on building a data and performance driven organization, have become models for the non-profit sector. Mr. Fingerhut has also had a varied and distinguished career in public service and higher education. He served as Chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents from early 2007 to 2011, leading Ohio’s system of public universities and colleges; as Ohio state senator from 1997 to 2006; and represented Ohio’s 19th congressional district in the U.S. Congress from 1993 to 1994. In 2004, he was the Democratic Party’s candidate for U.S. Senate. Mr. Fingerhut received a juris doctorate from Stanford University Law School and a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University. He and his wife Amy have two sons, Sam and Charlie, and beagles Pedro and Lulu.

Erica Costello

Director, Commission on Law and Aging American Bar Association

Erica Costello serves as Director at the ABA Commission on Law and Aging, where she works on issues concerning adult guardianship, elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation, supported decision-making, and access to courts. Prior to joining the Commission, Erica was the Adult Guardianship Attorney with the Indiana Supreme Court and assisted courts and the public on all matters relating to guardianship. Erica has a B.A. from Indiana University-Bloomington, a M.A. from Northwestern University, and a J.D. from Brandeis School of Law, at the University of Louisville, in Kentucky.

Dr. Eva Fogelman

Holocaust survivor Psychotherapist, Author and Filmmaker

Dr. Eva Fogelman is a licensed psychologist, author, and filmmaker specializing in trauma, intergenerational effects, and psychotherapy. A pioneer in Holocaust survivor and descendant support, she co-founded the first clinical training program on this topic and co-directs Child Development Research, including archives at Hebrew University and Yad Vashem. Her work integrates Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed (PCTI) practices, emphasizing the importance of addressing trauma with sensitivity and respect for individual experiences. She authored the Pulitzer Prize-nominated Conscience and Courage: Rescuers of Jews During the Holocaust, co-produced the award-winning documentary Breaking the Silence, and has published widely. Dr. Fogelman is also the Founding Director of the Jewish Foundation for Christian Rescuers and frequently lectures and appears in the media.

Gabe Halperin-Goldstein

Hoarding Program Manager, Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia

Gabe Halperin-Goldstein, LSW, is the Hoarding Program Manager at Jewish Family and Children's Service of Greater Philadelphia. Gabe is a clinical social worker who recently graduated from Temple University. He has spent the past two years at JFCS Philly, working with individual clients, facilitating Buried in Treasures groups, leading training and educational events, and supporting new JFCS staff. In addition to social work, Gabe has worked in digital communications, writing news stories and blogs about research in public health and business.

Gail Belfer

Director, Holocaust Survivor Services and Advocacy, Jewish Family and Children's Service of Southern NJ

Gail Belfer is a licensed clinical social worker who graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with dual degrees in social work and psychology. She earned her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Pennsylvania with a specialization in health and aging. As a geriatric social worker, Gail’s specialties are grief counseling, life transitions, and caregiver counseling. She works with many Holocaust Survivors, offering counseling and case management services. Gail is an experienced supervisor for staff and social work students and interns, and is trained as a certified dementia practitioner. She has worked for Jewish Family & Children's Service of Southern New Jersey for 25 years and the majority of her current work is with the Holocaust Survivor population.

Dr. Gigi Amateau

Assistant Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Gerontology and Virginia Center on Aging

Gigi Amateau serves as Assistant Professor and Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed Care Lab Director for the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Department of Gerontology and Virginia Center on Aging. She holds a Master of Science in Gerontology and a Ph.D. in Health Science. In her role with VCU, she focuses on person-centered, trauma-informed care for nursing homes, capacity-building within the home and community-based services network, and teaching in the graduate program, where she integrates poetry, film, and humanities as tools for building person-centered, trauma-informed skills. Her current projects include Oral Housing Histories with Centenarians, Caregiver Empowerment, Social Health Connector, Elder Justice Shelter Innovation, and Trauma-Informed Care Toolkit for nursing homes. Dr. Amateau is the author of 7 books for teens and children that celebrate elderhood and intergenerational connection. She is a certified personal care aide in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a certified yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance, a YWCA Richmond Pat Asch Social Justice Fellow, and a Health Equity Faculty Fellow with the VCU Health Humanities Lab.

Haley Sanner

Healthy Aging Programs Manager, Colorado Health Network

Haley Sanner is an innovative leader, a trauma-informed facilitator, and an intentional mixed-methods researcher. As the Healthy Aging Program Manager at Colorado Health Network, she works alongside older adults living with HIV to design and implement individual and group programs that promote improved quality of life and social connections. She leads the department in expanding program offerings including Aging Positively. Haley has worked in the aging field for over ten years, including with AARP Foundation, LeadingAge and as a Fulbright Scholar in Nepal working alongside aging non-profits to bilingually explore aging and multigenerational connections. She is a co-founder of Collective Healing Through Art, a psychosocial arts program using creativity and storytelling to build meaningful intergenerational connections. Haley has a BS in Mathematics from Davidson College with specializations in social determinants of health, specifically social isolation.

Hayley Bunting-Herzog

Assistant Manager, Research and Evaluation, Center on Aging, Trauma, and Holocaust Survivor Care, Jewish Federations of North America

Hayley Bunting-Herzog is the Assistant Manager for Research and Evaluation at the Center on Aging, Trauma, and Holocaust Survivor Care. Hayley enhances the research and evaluation team by advancing program evaluation efforts, building the field of PCTI evaluations, and supporting the Center’s online training program. Prior to joining the Center, Hayley worked as a research assistant in academic and non-profit settings focusing on and publishing in the areas of reproductive health, sexual- and gender- based violence, and gender equity. Hayley has a Masters of Public Health and Masters of Public Administration from New York University.

Dr. Irit Felsen

Clinical Psychologist, Irit Felsen, LLC

Irit Felsen, PhD, is a clinical psychologist specializing in trauma and traumatic loss, with a focus on Holocaust survivors and their families. She maintains a private practice in New Jersey and serves as an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University. Dr. Felsen is a member of the APA Trauma Division, the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, and serves on the board of the Holocaust Council of MetroWest. She co-chairs the NGO Committee on Mental Health at the United Nations. Her research on trauma and its intergenerational effects has been published widely and informed the book Psychoanalysis and Holocaust Testimony: Memories of Unwanted Social Trauma. Dr. Felsen is an experienced national and international speaker on trauma and resilience.

Jacqueline Raxter

Behavioral Health Program Manager, Chaldean Community Foundation

Jacqueline Raxter, MA, LMSW, LPC is the Behavioral Health Program Manager for the Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) in Sterling Heights, Michigan. CCF is a non-profit social service organization serving over 48,000 individuals from 70 different countries of origin in 2024. Jacqueline has a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling with a certification in Gerontology and licensure as a Social Worker and Professional Counselor. Jacqueline has over 40 years of experience providing mental health services, she serves on the board for MI center for Contextual Factors in Alzheimer’s Disease (MCCFAD) and current programs she oversees have received national recognition for innovative and exemplary care.

Jamila Kulov

Russian-speaking Case Manager, Jewish Family and Children's Service of Southern NJ

Jamila Kulov, a native Russian speaker with a degree in Political Science and Economics from Hunter College, CUNY, pursued her passion for communications and project management both in the U.S. and her home country of Kyrgyzstan. She worked on various commercial and non-profit projects, including founding a grassroots feminist organization. Experienced in Russian-English communications and passionate about engaging with people, Jamila brings her expertise in project management, cross-cultural translation, and marketing campaigns to the role of a Russian-speaking Case Manager at the JFCS of Southern NJ.

Jean Hartnett

Founder, Radical Sabbatical

Jean M. Hartnett, MHSA, NHA, CDP, YTT, C.N.A., is the Founder of Radical Sabbatical with the purpose of helping others turn past adversity into self-advocacy. Recognizing that every individual's experience with trauma is unique, Jean integrates both the science of ACEs and the art of trauma-informed care to create environments of understanding, resilience, and empowerment. With over 25 years of executive experience serving older adults, Ms. Hartnett brings consultative guidance to healthcare, community, and business leaders from the unique perspective of the frontline employee. She has worked as a healthcare executive, college professor, consultant, trainer, and strategic advisor for large and small health systems across the United States. Ms. Hartnett earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from The University of Nebraska Omaha and a Master’s in Health Services Administration with Long Term Care Specialty from The George Washington University. Ms. Hartnett is a Certified Dementia Practitioner, a Certified Yoga instructor and a Certified Nursing Assistant.

Dr. Jenni Frumer

President, Jenni Frumer & Associates, LLC

Jenni Frumer, PhD., LCSW, MSEd, serves as VP of Strategic Initiatives and Director of the NOW for Holocaust Survivors Initiative at MorseLife Health System. She is the retired CEO of Alpert Jewish Family Service in West Palm Beach, Florida, and is a founding board member of the International Center of Multigenerational Legacies of Trauma. She helped co-create the national guidelines for PCTI programming and services for Holocaust Survivors. Her passion is evident in her oversight of the Holocaust Learning Experience, an impactful initiative that deploys and delivers a bundled approach as lessons from the Holocaust directly into 5th - 12th-grade classrooms. Dr. Frumer has published on Holocaust survivors, the impact of COVID, and support models for community-dwelling older adults and is an adjunct faculty member at Fordham and Lynn Universities and the Lifespan Gerontology Certificate Program, affiliated with the Finger Lakes Geriatric Education Center - University of Rochester Medical Center.

Dr. Jennifer Davidtz

Associate Professor, Nova Southeastern University

Jennifer Davidtz is an Associate Professor in the department of Clinical and School Psychology, the Director of the PSED (Psychological Services for the Emotionally Distressed) clinic in the Psychology Services Center, and the coordinator of the Serious Mental Illness Concentration in the College of Psychology at Nova Southeastern University. She completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, followed by a doctoral internship at The Cambridge Hospital/Harvard Medical School and post-doctoral fellowship at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Davidtz specializes in the treatment of severe and persistent mental illness, personality disorders, and complex posttraumatic and dissociative conditions. Dr. Davidtz’s other interests include community psychology and social justice; countertransference and other intersubjective psychotherapy process phenomena; psychotherapy integration; and clinical psychology training, clinical supervision, and therapist development.

Dr. Jeri Mendelsohn

Consultant, Young Men and Young Women's Association of Borough Park

Jeri Mendelsohn, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker works as a consultant assisting clients in the not for profit, philanthropic and educational sectors develop meaningful organizational strategies, building capacity, and identifying tools for ongoing assessment and evaluation. As a clinical social worker, she provides services for older adults, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations, and provides ongoing clinical supervision for social workers. Additional services include grant writing, advocacy, and program development. In addition, Jeri is committed to facilitating professional development through teaching targeted courses and individual coaching. Jeri has worked extensively in the field of social work as a clinician in psychiatric hospitals, in private practice, as a social worker, and as an agency executive.

Dr. Jessica Ruiz

Associate Professor, Nova Southeastern University

Dr. Jessica J. Ruiz is an Associate Professor in the department of Psychology at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) where she is also the Director of the Healthy Lifestyles Guided Self-Change clinic, a specialty training clinic that provides motivational, evidenced-based treatment for individuals presenting with substance use and other behavioral concerns. She obtained her doctorate from NSU and completed her internship and postdoctoral training at Yale University’s School of Medicine where she gained additional experience in the treatment of addiction, trauma and co-occurring disorders. In her previous role as Director of Behavioral Health for Goodman Jewish Family Services of Broward, Dr. Ruiz led a team of trauma-trained clinicians who served individuals who were directly impacted by the school shooting in Parkland, Florida. She is passionate about training providers in trauma-informed care and the use of evidenced based treatments for trauma and addiction.

Jim Murphy

Senior Vice President of Healthcare, Ageless Innovation

Jim Murphy joins the Ageless Innovation team with more than 25 years of experience in marketing and innovation, particularly in the area of healthcare. Jim’s ability to integrate and innovate across business lines and teams has earned him high industry recognition and led him to oversee large-scale projects and budgets. In his role at Ageless Innovation, Jim serves as the Senior VP of Healthcare and spearheads the company’s growing business with a variety of healthcare organizations and CMS-related grant programs. He is also responsible for expanding Ageless Innovation’s footprint as an approved nontraditional intervention for older adults who are lonely, socially isolated, or living with cognitive impairments such as all forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.

JoLynn Webster

Director of Human Potential, North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities, Minot State University

JoLynn Webster (M.Ed) is the Director of Human Potential at the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities at Minot State University. She facilitates professional development training that is responsive to ever-evolving changes in the disabilities field. Ms. Webster has served as a Research Associate on grant-funded state and national projects. She is currently the Project Director for the Trauma Informed Approaches for Adults with Disabilities (TRIAD) Project which supports older adults with disabilities who have a history of trauma, as well as family caregivers and professionals who have experienced vicarious trauma. As an adjunct instructor in Minot State University’s Education and Inclusive Services Department, Ms. Webster has also taught courses to prepare preservice students as educators and researchers. For over 30 years, Ms. Webster has supported individuals with disabilities to live meaningful lives. Ms. Webster is passionate about supporting the well-being of individuals with disabilities across the life span.

Karen Edell Yoskowitz

Director, Partnerships and Grants, Center on Aging, Trauma, and Holocaust Survivor Care, Jewish Federations of North America

Karen Edell Yoskowitz is the Director for Partnerships and Grants at The Center on Aging, Trauma, and Holocaust Survivor Care. Karen oversees the development of the Center’s partnership strategy with internal and external partners. She also leads strategic grantmaking for supportive services for Holocaust survivors, older adults with a history of trauma, and family caregivers by distributing subgrants to Federations and national human service agencies, and by providing coaching, technical assistance, and capacity building support to subgrantees. Previously, Karen worked on Capitol Hill; as well as for the Montgomery County (MD) Council Office of Legislative Oversight (OLO) and at a DC-based, lobby firm advocating on key issues for cities. She earned an MPA from the American University and a BA in Political Science from the University of Arizona.

Kari Benson

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging, Administration for Community Living

Dr. Karyn Harvey

Psychologist

Dr. Karyn Harvey has worked as a clinician in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities for over 35 years. She has her Ph.D. in Applied Developmental Psychology from the University of Maryland. She has written three books: Positive Identity Development, Trauma –Informed Behavioral Interventions and Trauma and Healing, as well as several articles and chapters in various publications. Dr. Harvey currently has a private practice and does therapy with people with IDD. In addition, she regularly conducts trainings on trauma-informed support for people with IDD, trauma-informed leadership, and trauma-informed behavioral interventions for both individual and state organizations throughout the US and Canada. Dr. Harvey has trained numerous professionals in providing person-centered trauma informed support. In the last several years, she has received awards for her clinical service from the National Association for the Dually Diagnosed, University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability, and the American Association on IDD.

Katharine Manning

Author and President, Blackbird DC

Katharine Manning is the President of Blackbird, which provides training and consultation on empathy at work. She is the author of The Empathetic Workplace: Five Steps to a Compassionate, Calm, and Confident Response to Trauma on the Job, and teaches at American University and in the Master’s in Trauma-Informed Leadership Program at Dominican University. Her work has been featured in the Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Newsweek, CNBC, Business Insider, Thrive Global, and CEOWorld. She has worked on issues of trauma and victimization for more than 25 years, including 15 years at the Justice Department, where she was a Senior Attorney Advisor consulting on victim issues in cases like the Boston Marathon bombing and the Pulse Nightclub shooting.

Kayleh Levy-Weller

Planning Associate, UJA-Federation New York

Kayleh Levy-Weller is a Strategic Planning & Grants Associate in the Caring Department at UJA-Federation, where she oversees the Aging and Holocaust Survivor portfolios. In this role, she works to ensure that adults age 55 and older have access to vital services such as end-of-life care, dementia and Alzheimer’s support, and robust socialization programs. Since joining UJA in June 2019, Kayleh has been deeply committed to fostering community inclusion and promoting dignity for older adults.

Dr. Kendra Ray

Vice President of Research and Innovation in Aging, MJHS Menorah Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care

Kendra Ray, PhD, MPH, MBA is a New York State licensed creative arts therapist, nationally board-certified music therapist, clinician, and researcher with more than two decades of experience working with people with dementia and their caregivers. She has published several widely recognized, peer-reviewed articles that focused on the use of music therapy and music-based interventions for the aging population, especially people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Currently, she is the principal investigator on an Alzheimer’s Association and Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement funded study that focuses on the use of evidence-based music interventions for people with dementia and their family caregivers.

Kent Deslongchamp

Peer Leader, Colorado Health Network

Kent Deslongchamp is a third generation Coloradan, graduating from University of Colorado at Denver with a BA in Communication and Theatre. He has applied his professional skills across a variety of fields including at Denver Public Schools i Special Education, Denver Health Hospital as a Nursing Assistant, and WellPower Recovery Center as a Mental Health professional. Kent has served the LGBTQ+ and HIV community as a facilitator at Colorado AIDS Project, Metropolitan Community Church of the Rockies, and currently as a Peer Leader at Colorado Health Network. Kent has many entrepreneurial endeavors focusing on self-awareness, self-kindness and self-unconditional love including a second upcoming book publication.

Lauren Shaivitz

Executive Director, CHANA

Lauren Shaivitz, Esq., LMSW, is both a lawyer and social worker with more than 25 years of experience in the field of domestic violence, sexual abuse and elder abuse. She served as CHANA’s Director of Programs for 6 years and became the Executive Director in November 2018. She has established policies and procedures that have sustained core components of a comprehensive elder abuse and domestic violence center while incorporating innovative practices that have addressed the complex trauma that victims experience. Ms. Shaivitz also served as president and a board member of the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence. She began her career as an attorney at House of Ruth Maryland. Ms. Shaivitz received her B.A. from Hamilton College, her MSW from the University of Maryland School of Social Work, and her J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law. In 2018, she received the Outstanding Jewish Communal Professional Award.

Leah Bergen Miller

Director of Grants and Training, Center on Aging, Trauma, and Holocaust Survivor Care, Jewish Federations of North America

Leah Bergen Miller is the Director or Programs and Training at The Center on Aging, Trauma, and Holocaust Survivor Care and helped to launch it. Leah manages program operations, coordinates the grant award process, coaches subgrantees and develops a supportive cohort, presents at conferences, facilitates webinars, and plans the national Training Workshop. Previously, Leah worked as a case manager, program manager, client advocate, and teacher. Leah graduated from American University’s School of International Service with a BA in International Peace and Conflict Resolution.

Leah Rosenberg

Wellness and Education Coordinator, Care Manager, CJE SeniorLife

Leah Rosenberg joined Holocaust Community Services in 2016 having more than 25 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry working for retail, infusion, and corporate pharmacies, serving people with various backgrounds and cultural diversities. Leah is the daughter of a Holocaust survivor and is well versed in how survivor experiences affect their wellbeing and needs. In addition to a large client caseload, Leah leads numerous wellness groups and social outings for HCS clients including Memory Café, Book Club, and Brain, Memory and Wellness Classes. Leah holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from University of Illinois-Chicago as well as numerous certifications and competencies in the pharmaceutical industry. She incorporates her love for psychology, history and pharmacology into her work with Holocaust survivors.

Lily Liu

Principal, Liu Consultants

Lily Liu is an advocate for family caregivers and a public speaker about caregiving issues, in particular, her lived experience as a 1.5-generation immigrant family caregiver to parents with lived experience of trauma. Lily participates in community-education events around the country and on virtual platforms to share the learnings from her own caregiving journey. She encourages other family caregivers to empower themselves with information and resources and to have agency as everyone handles their wide range of daily caregiving tasks and responsibilities. She presents in English, Mandarin Chinese and bilingually.

Linda Blumberg

Vice President, Development, Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies

Linda Blumberg joined the Network of Jewish Human Services in 2021 as Grants Manager. She currently serves as Vice President of Development at The Network, responsible for grants and fundraising. Prior to coming to The Network, Linda spent 25 years at the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit including serving as Senior Planning Advisor, Director of Planning and Agency Relations, and Director of the Commission on Jewish Eldercare Services. Before working at the Federation, Linda served as Manager in the Social Work Department at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and worked for the Council of Jewish Elderly in Chicago. Linda received her Master's Social Work and Master's Education from Washington University in St. Louis.

Lorenzo Ramírez

Peer Leader, Colorado Health Network

Lorenzo Ramírez has worked as a Community Research Liaison with the University of Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CCTSI) serving the various Latino communities of metro Denver for the past 16 years. He is a member of the CCTSI Colorado Community Engagement Alliance for Health Equity (CO-CEAL) serving as a data collector / community connector, a member of the Healthy Living Ageing Positively Peer Leadership Committee with the Colorado Health Network, serves in the role of a facilitator with the Older Adult Research Specialist (OARS) Program training team with the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and as a selected member of the Near Northwest Denver Area Plan Steering Committee addressing the impact of gentrification and development in the neighborhoods of Northwest Denver that he has called home for over 40 years. Lorenzo is also a member of the community-based Arts Alliance for Health Equity, and is the Founder / Artistic Director of the award-winning Denver based Grupo Folklórico Sabor Latino, faculty member of the In Lak’ech Denver Arts Program, and the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities Arts Day Program.

Lori Mars

Director, National Center on Elder Abuse

Lori Mars, JD, LLM, is the Director of the National Center on Elder Abuse and Elder Abuse Guide for Law Enforcement. She is an assistant professor of clinical family medicine in the Department of Family Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. After practicing law for over 20 years, Lori’s concentration lies at the intersection of law, aging, education, and elder abuse. Ms. Mars has a master’s in law in alternative dispute resolution and serves as a volunteer long-term care ombudsman.

Malky Hertz

Social Worker, Young Men and Young Women's Association of Borough Park

Malky Hertz, MSW, is the Social Worker at the Boro Park YM-YWHA, where she provides support and meaningful connections to Holocaust survivors and children of Holocaust survivors. Malky has worked in various community social service agencies and, having grown up in the community, is deeply committed to this work.

Malya Levin

Assistant Director and General Counsel, The Weinberg Center for Elder Justice

Malya Levin is the Assistant Director and General Counsel at The Weinberg Center. In this role, she represents victims of acute elder abuse from throughout New York City and Westchester County in a wide variety of legal forums. Malya has spoken extensively about various aspects of elder abuse to professional and community audiences, and has also published prolifically on the subject, with a primary focus on the role of legal tools and policies in elder abuse cases. She is on the Executive Committee of the New York State Bar Association Elder Law Section, and a member of its Elder Abuse Committee. Malya was named one of The New York Jewish Week’s “36 Under 36” for 2018. She graduated cum laude from Brooklyn Law School in 2012 and is a certified Reiki energy healer.

Marina Yakush

Dementia Certified Nursing Assistant, MJHS Menorah Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care

Marina Yakush immigrated from Belarussia in the early 1990's, settling in Brooklyn, NY. With a background as a registered nurse in her home country, Marina faced the challenge of learning English upon her arrival. She quickly earned her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certificate and began her career in a Brooklyn rehab facility, where she gained valuable experience as a nursing assistant, staffing coordinator, and translator for Russian-speaking patients For over 26 years, Marina has dedicated her career to working in nursing homes, focusing on the dementia unit. Currently, she serves as a Dementia CNA at MJHS Menorah Center, where she leads daily activities and programs for residents with various types of dementia. Her responsibilities include planning and facilitating special events, culinary activities, arts and crafts, and assisting with fundraising efforts. Marina is also committed to supporting families in the nursing department, ensuring a compassionate environment for memory care residents.

Masha Pearl

Executive Director, The Blue Card

Masha Pearl is a philanthropist, mother, and businesswoman. As the Executive Director of The Blue Card, she leads its national efforts to provide direct financial assistance to over 3,000 Holocaust survivor households living at or below the poverty line. Her leadership emphasizes Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed (PCTI) practices, ensuring that survivors' needs are addressed with compassion and respect for their unique experiences. Under Masha's guidance, The Blue Card operates in 35 states and is recognized for its stellar record, earning praise from lawmakers and media outlets. The organization has provided more than $30 million to thousands of survivors. Since becoming Executive Director, Masha has leverage donor support to increase the charity’s annual operating budget by 40%. Her philanthropic efforts have led The Blue Card to receive The Independent Charities of America’s Best in America Seal of Excellence, a four-star rating by Charity Navigator, and accreditation by Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance.

Mohini Mishra

Vice President, Senior Communities, Selfhelp Community Services, Inc.

Mohini Mishra, LMSW, is a nationally recognized thought leader with expertise developing innovative programs for large nonprofit organizations. Since joining Selfhelp in 2004, Ms. Mishra has played a key role in advancing the organization's mission. As Vice President, she oversees vital programs, including the Selfhelp Active Services for Aging Model (SHASAM), Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs), and Person-Centered Trauma-Informed (PCTI) Care. She leads emotional resiliency initiatives to prevent staff burnout and compassion fatigue while ensuring teams effectively support clients facing trauma. Ms. Mishra drives Selfhelp’s PCTI Strategic Priority, integrating it across the organization to honor its legacy of supporting Holocaust survivors. An advocate for community-based solutions, she serves on the NYS Board of Regents' Office of Professions (Social Work) and the Gravity Project to set national standards for social determinants of health. She also chairs the Diversity Committee for NASW New York Chapter and serves on LeadingAge NY’s HCBS cabinet.

Olga Barbakova

Dementia Program Supervisor, MJHS Menorah Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care

Olga Barbakova, originally from Kiev, Ukraine, emigrated to the United States in 2002. Since then, Olga has turned her passion for color, design, and handcraftsmanship into a unique career, focusing on the use of arts & crafts in the care and treatment of people who have a diagnosis of dementia. Olga employs everyday materials that are familiar and often comforting to the Menorah residents. The items can include paper, fabrics, yarn, decorative beads, and even fruits. Participants in Olga’s “workshops” benefit from increased cognitive focus, use of fine motor skills, creative thinking, sharing and implementing ideas, socialization, and a sense of purpose, teamwork, and community. Further, Olga always welcomes the participation of family members and student volunteers. The artwork produced by the Menorah residents has been displayed in several NYC-based Starbucks shops, seen in the annual calendar produced by the Geater New York Hospital Association, and at Kingsborough Community College.

Patricia Bunyasi

Health and Housing Manager, Habitat for Humanity International

Patricia Bunyasi is the Housing and Health Manager with Habitat For Humanity International. Ms. Bunyasi main focus is on addressing social determinants of health and equity, with a passion for improving conditions where we live, work, learn, and play. She has led outreach efforts, designed and evaluated communications strategies, and authored numerous blogs, articles, and newsletters to highlight health and equity issues. Known for her stakeholder engagement skills, Ms. Bunyasi has fostered trust and collaboration, influencing strategies to address health disparities. She holds a B.A. from Virginia Tech and a Master’s from the London School of Economics.

Peggy Jo Archer

Director of Elder Justice Projects, International Association for Indigenous Aging

Peggy Jo Archer presently holds the Director of the Elder Justice Project role at the International Association for Indigenous Aging. With a deep connection to New Mexico, Arizona, and Mexico, Peggy Jo embarked on her journey in violence prevention in 2007, focusing on bullying prevention through the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. Progressing in the nonprofit sector, she spearheaded community-based prevention programs and orchestrated impactful events like the Take Back the Night Rally and Clothesline project. Peggy Jo brings a wealth of experience not only in program leadership but also in training community members, medical, law enforcement, and military professionals in trauma and culturally informed practices. Her expertise extends beyond traditional sectors, creating a bridge between diverse fields. Her expertise extends to mobilizing communities to address violence, creating a cohesive and informed front against these challenges.

Ruber Simbana

Music Specialist, MJHS Menorah Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care

Ruber Simbana, a Brooklyn native, began his musical journey playing gospel music in church. His passion for percussion led him to pursue jazz drumming in college, where he honed his skills and deepened his love for rhythm. With a degree in jazz drumming, Ruber combines a deep understanding of rhythm and music techniques to create meaningful, personalized experiences for residents. As a skilled percussionist, Ruber uses drumming to engage patients, encourage cognitive stimulation, and promote emotional well-being. In addition to percussion, Ruber sings and plays a variety of other instruments, including guitar and piano, ensuring a diverse and enriching musical environment for patients. With a compassionate and patient-centered approach, Ruber tailors each session to the needs of the individual, helping to improve mood, communication, and overall quality of life. Ruber is committed to the divine healing power of music, fostering connection and joy in every session with the residents he serves.

Robin Stone

Senior Vice President of Research, LeadingAge

Robyn I. Stone, DrPH, Senior Vice President for Research at LeadingAge and Co-Director of the LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston, is a noted researcher and internationally recognized authority on long-term care, aging services and workforce policy. She has been engaged in policy development, program evaluation, large-scale demonstrations and other applied research activities in these areas for over 40 years. Dr. Stone has held senior research and policy positions in both the federal government and the private sector, including serving in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Disability, Aging and Long-term Care Policy and Assistant Secretary for Aging in the Clinton administration. Her work bridges the worlds of research, policy and practice to improve the care delivered to older adults--particularly lower-income populations—and to ensure the best quality of life for these individuals and their families.

Sara Vogler

Program Manager, Office for American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiian Programs, Administration for Community Living

Bio Forthcoming

S. Orlene Grant

Founder and CEO, Juanita C. Grant Foundation

S. Orlene Grant, RN, MSN, is the Founder and CEO of the Juanita C. Grant Foundation whose mission is “to improve the lives of older adults through economic development, education, and training.” Ms. Grant is an innovative leader in the aging field as is known for building partnerships with government entities, higher education, local and national non-profit organizations in delivering national programs and services at the local level. Ms. Grant works collaboratively in the community to develop inclusive outreach programs to address high levels of elder poverty, lack of social connectedness, and financial hardships as a result of elder abuse and fraud.

Shelley Rood Wernick

Associate Vice President, Center on Aging, Trauma, and Holocaust Survivor Care, Jewish Federations of North America

Shelley Rood Wernick is the Associate Vice President of The Center on Aging, Trauma, and Holocaust Survivor Care. Her work changes the way aging services are delivered by recognizing how a history of trauma impacts people as they age; and by promoting person-centered, trauma-informed (PCTI) care as the universal strategy for serving all older adults and family caregivers. Previously, Shelley lobbied on behalf of The Jewish Federations of North America and the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies, conveying policy priorities to Congress and the White House and training communities to advocate for the populations they serve. On behalf of Federations, Shelley led the public movement to install the Jewish Chaplains Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. Before joining the nonprofit sector, Shelley was a foreign policy advisor on Capitol Hill. Shelley earned an MBA from Georgetown University and a BA in Sociology and Political Science from the University of Florida. Shelley graduated from the Mandel Institute for Nonprofit Leadership, Executive Leadership Program, and she serves on the board of Hillel at the University of Florida. Shelley shares her work at national aging and trauma conferences, and as the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, she shares her grandfather’s story with classrooms and the general public.

Dr. Sheri Gibson

Co-Chair, Board of Directors, Pikes Peak Elder Justice Center

Dr. Sheri Gibson received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Geropsychology from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS). She is an instructor and clinical supervisor for the Psychology Department at UCCS and a faculty affiliate with the UCCS Gerontology Center. Dr. Gibson serves on the editorial board for the Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, is a member of the Research Committee for the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA), and a founding member of the Pikes Peak Elder Justice Center. In addition to being an advocate for elder justice, Dr. Gibson has a private psychotherapy and consultation practice, which includes provision of capacity evaluations, expert testimony, consultation, and training. For more information on Dr. Gibson’s services and resources, visit her website: www.DrSheriGibson.com

Stephanie Bostic

Aging Services Program Specialist, Office of Supportive and Caregiver Services, Administration for Community Living

As an Aging Services Program Specialist at the Administration on Community Living, Stephanie Bostic serves as program officer for discretionary grant projects innovating services for older adults and their caregivers, with a special focus on efforts to support Holocaust Survivors and people living with dementia. Before entering federal service in 2024, Stephanie developed care management services at a community health center and coordinated Older American’s Act programs at an Area Agency on Aging in western North Carolina. Stephanie holds a master’s degree in public health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a bachelor’s in the science of health and wellness promotion from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, and a graduate certificate in gerontology from Appalachian State University.

Dr. Steven Butz, Psy.D, ABPP

Clinical Geropsychologist, VA Maryland Healthcare System

Steven Butz, Psy.D, ABPP is the clinical geropsychologist and neuropsychologist for the Loch Raven VA Medical Center, which is part of the VA Maryland Healthcare System (VAMHCS). He obtained his doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Loyola University Maryland where he is also an affiliate faculty member. He completed a post-doctoral fellowship in geropsychology through the VA Boston Healthcare System/Harvard Medical School and obtained board certification in geropsychology in 2014. His clinical work has included neuropsychological testing, decisional capacity evaluations, psychotherapy, and behavioral management for residents in settings that include independent living, assisted living, nursing homes, rehabilitation, and hospice units.

Susan Green

Co-Director, Institute on Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care

Susan A. Green, LCSW, is a Clinical Full Professor at the University at Buffalo School of Social Work. She is the Co-Director of the Institute on Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care (ITTIC) at the University at Buffalo School of Social Work and Buffalo Center for Social Research. Professor Green is the Principal Investigator (PI) on multiple grant projects for the implementation of trauma-informed approaches in various agencies, organizations, and systems of care. She has been a contributing author and presenter for peer-reviewed, trauma-related publications and presentations. Professor Green practices and is trained and licensed in several trauma therapies as well as sitting on various committees and councils for trauma[1]related practices, curriculum, and community work.

Susan Green

Assistant Manager, Research and Evaluation, Center on Aging, Trauma, and Holocaust Survivor Care, Jewish Federations of North America

Vanessa Rubenstein is the Assistant Manager for Research and Evaluation at the Center on Holocaust Survivor Care and Institute on Aging and Trauma. She is responsible for the writing of articles and reports, program evaluation efforts, and data analysis. She also ensures that the Center is kept up to date on the latest research in the field of aging and trauma. She holds a Master of Public Health from Sacred Heart University and a B.S. in Public Health from Fairfield University. Prior to coming to JFNA, she worked as a research assistant at both of her academic institutions focusing on maternal and child health, health disparities, and nutrition.

Vera Rodriguez Mancera

Care Manager II & Supervisor, CJE SeniorLife

Vera Rodriguez Mancera specializes in trauma-informed person-centered clinical case management for Holocaust survivors. With nearly a decade of experience, Vera manages a caseload of 100 survivors, providing mental health counseling in Russian, needs assessments, and support to maintain clients’ independence and dignity. She also co-leads an ongoing support group for Russian-speaking survivors. Vera ensures survivors receive necessary resources for their brain health as her special interest in this field continues to grow. She participated in the creation of an 8-week holistic curriculum combining chair yoga, mindfulness practices, and stress reducing exercise classes, then implemented another 6-week Healthy Exercises for Mind and Body course featuring games and exercises to keep the brain healthy and engaged. Recently, she co-facilitated the first Russian-speaking Memory Café in Chicagoland, providing support and resources to survivors and their care partners. Vera is dedicated to empowering survivors through compassionate care and community initiatives.

Yelena Mushkatina

Manager of Socialization Program for Older Adults, Jewish Family Service Seattle

Yelena Mushkatina is a Manager of Socialization Program for Russian-speaking older adults from Soviet Union in Seattle area. She created and manages several projects, including two day centers funded by JFNA, that successfully decrease loneliness and isolation among seniors. Prior to this position Yelena worked as a Geriatric Care Manager with vulnerable older adults. Yelena was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia. She holds MSW from University of Washington.

Dr. Yonit Hoffman

Senior Director, Holocaust Community Services, CJE SeniorLife

Dr. Yonit Hoffman is Senior Director of Holocaust Community Services at CJE SeniorLife in Chicago. She oversees program development and services for nearly 1,600 Holocaust survivors, supervises clinical and administrative staff, and provides direct services and support groups for survivors and families. She is a key advocate in establishing partnerships to build resources and capacity. Dr. Hoffman has conducted numerous national and international presentations on PCTI care and the unique needs of aging Holocaust survivors. Her clinical research focused on resilience in Holocaust survivors and their descendants. Dr. Hoffman served as Co-Chair of the Holocaust Survivor Services Professionals Group of the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies in 2021-2022 and received their 2024 Impact and Professional Leadership Award. Dr. Hoffman earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Case Western Reserve University, and prior clinical work centered on childhood trauma in underserved populations in Ohio, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois.