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JICNY Board of Directors
Executive Board
- Alisa Adler
- Steve Eisenberg
- Allen Ganz
- Ari Goodman
- Adam Lewkovitz
- Alessandra Rovati
- Jeff Stier
- Jodi Samuels
- Gavin Samuels
- Frances Zelazny-Ganz
Leadership Board
- Gary Adler
- Oren Adler
- Stuart Adler
- David Fishof
- Mark (Naftali) Horowitz
- Jeffrey Schachter
- Jennifer Smorgon
Executive Board
Alisa Adler is the President and Director of Sales and Investments of ASG Real Estate Services Group, Inc. servicing hedge funds, investors and individuals domestically and internationally. Alisa is involved in numerous charity organizations, by running events, being on boards or donating time and money. Alisa gives 100% to all that she is involved in.
Steve Eisenberg JICNY director and founder, Wall Steet consultant with a passionate commitment to Jewish outreach programs. Steve Eisenberg was former Managing Director of investment firm Ehrenkrantz King Nussbaum, Inc., having previously served as a Vice President at Bear Stearns, specializing in Risk Arbitrage. Steve serves as a lay leader in kiruv, and as a consultant, developing programs for many outreach organizations across the United States. Steve's Monday night classes in Manhattan attract over 100 people and he is frequently invited to speak and lead programs around the world.
Allen Ganz is a Business Development Executive with extensive experience in developing growth strategies for early and mid-stage companies. His most recent experience is with L-1 Identity Solutions, which he had joined as a key member of the management team of one of the original companies that had since been acquired. He was instrumental in bringing the company from 8 employees when he joined to over 2000, and in arranging more than 200 partnership agreements. Before that, he was involved in developing marketing and business development solutions for emerging companies in diverse market segments including, biometrics, computer software, multimedia kiosks, pharmaceuticals, solar energy and telecommunications. Allen received his Master of Business Administration Degree in International Business and Management from the University of Miami and his Bachelor’s Degree from Drexel University in Pennsylvania.
Ari Goodman is the principal of the Law Offices of Ari Goodman, he has been practicing in New York City for over 16 years. His firm is dedicated to providing its clients with the highest possible level of service. They represent clients ranging from national corporations and businesses to small closely held family companies, and individuals. Ari has lectured and presented locally, nationally and internationally. Ari has been a motivating force on numerous charitable and political boards.
Adam Lewkovitz first came to JICNY in 2009 after years of Jewish communal leadership in Australia. Mr Lewkovitz is a certified Project Manager, Business Analyst and Management Consultant. His background includes consulting experience and knowledge in market analysis, digital strategy, system design, project management, quality assurance and change support activities. Mr. Lewkovitz graduated from the University of Technology, Sydney with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. He now serves as president of JICNY's Young Leadership board.
Alessandra Rovati was born and raised in Venice and studied at the Universities of Venice and Trieste and moved to the United States in 1995. She resides in New York City with her husband Lloyd Harmetz and their young children, and regularly hosts young immigrants at her holiday table. Alessandra writes about food and teaches classes. She is the founder of www.dinnerinvenice.com, a blog about Kosher Italian Cuisine.
Jeff Stier Jeff Stier is a Senior Fellow at the National Center for Public Policy Research in Washington, D.C.
He was the Associate Director of the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) from 1997-2010. Mr. Stier has appeared on World News Tonight with Peter Jennings, the Fox News Channel, CNN, MSNBC, and CNBC, as well as dozens of talk radio shows, and in the Associated Press, Reuters, United Press International, The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Newsweek, the New York Post, The Washington Times, the New York Daily News and other major publications.
Mr. Stier also worked both in the office of the Mayor and in Corporation Counsel's office in the Giuliani administration in New York City. His responsibilities included planning environmental agency programs, legal analysis of proposed legislation, and health policy.
Mr. Stier is Chairman of the board of the Jewish International Connection, NY
While earning his law degree at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Mr. Stier served two terms as Editor-In-Chief of the Cardozo Law Forum, the official student newspaper.
Jodi Samuels – Executive director and founder. JICNY is the brainchild of Jodi Samuels. Jodi has 15 years of business management and startup experience. She has worked in the not-for-profit, finance, fashion and beauty sectors. Jodi successfully started two non-profit Jewish organizations including the Jewish International Connection NY that currently boasts 10,000 members from 40 countries. She is the co-founder of Metroimma, an online site for Jewish moms, with over 6000 active monthly members. Jodi recently sold her share in Accounting Comes Alive, a corporate training business which she founded. Prior to that Jodi ran the MyCoupons division of Direct Response Technologies and was COO of MBC Direct Media managing a staff of 30 people. After completing her MBA Jodi worked as a financial advisor at National Australia Bank. Jodi started her first business at age 14. Her expertise in strategic and relationship online marketing has given her the foundation to acquire and retain a strong membership base for her businesses. She is known as a connector and networker in the Jewish community and has an impressive Rolodex of C-level contacts in the business and non-profit sectors. Jodi completed her MBA at Bond University in Australia and hold a Bachelors degree in Psychology from the University of South Africa.
Gavin Samuels JICNY director and founder. Gavin Samuels, is a Senior Director for Teva Innovative Ventures, the innovative division of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Israel. In this role he is responsible for identifying and investing in or licensing early stage compounds from small biotech companies and academic institutions. Before joining Teva, he worked at Quark Pharmaceuticals as Senior Vice President, Business Development & Investor Relations. Prior to this Gavin held positions at Pfizer (2000-2006) and Merck & (1998-2000) including Worldwide Business Development, Strategic Investments and product development. Gavin obtained his medical degree from the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa, an M.B.A. from the University of New England, Australia and a degree in Health Economics from Monash University, Australia
Frances Zelazny-Ganz is Vice President of Marketing & Government Affairs for L-1 Identity Solutions, a global biometrics and identification solutions company, where she focuses on policy matters with the federal, state and local governments, and also in working with all L-1 divisions to develop winning marketing strategies. She is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and has appeared extensively in the media, lending her expertise on industry trends and policy matters. Her previous positions include international franchising for a New York-based restaurant chain, and strategic marketing in the financial services arena. She has also taught several undergraduate courses in international politics and trade at Hofstra University. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Hofstra University and her Master of Arts Degree in Political Science from New York University. Frances also currently serves as chair of the International Biometric Industry Association’s Policy & Advocacy Working Group.
Leadership Board
Gary Adler is the director of property management for ASG Real Estate. Gary oversees the numerous issues involving the management of the real estate assets of ASG and its clients.
Oren Adler CPA is a partner at the accounting firm of Gideon Adler & Co., CPAs with offices in the USA and Israel. Mr. Adler’s expertise ranges the full spectrum of accounting, tax and financial statement services for both businesses and individuals. Mr Adler has worked in various aspects of accounting and forensic analysis for over twenty years. Mr. Adler's under-graduate degree in business and accounting is from Boston University's School of Management and earned his MBA from the prestigious entrepreneurial Babson College. Mr Adler is an active and involved member of his community in New York City, where he lives with his wife and two daughters.
Stuart Adler is the principal broker at ASG Real Estate. Stuart is trained as a real estate litigation attorney,which serves him well in evaluating and negotiating prospective real estate opportunities for ASG and its clients. His extensive network of real estate contacts, and his keen research skills enable him to keep a pulse on the real estate marketplace. He is also involved in numerous charitable organizations - with an emphasis on Jewish outreach and education.
David Fishof is a dream maker, making dreams come true for rock 'n' roll fans all over the world with his ever expanding Rock 'n Roll Fantasy Camps. David was the first executive to combine the world of pro sports and rock 'n roll, earning him the prestigious Performance Magazine Innovator of the Year award and many other accolades. The son of a Holocaust survivor, David learned early in life the importance of "paying it forward".
Mark (Naftali) Horowitz serves as Vice President for Bernstein Global Wealth Management. His education includes a degree in advanced Talmudic law and finance. He serves as a board member for various organizations and foundations.
Jeffrey Schachter is co-founder and managing partner at Cedarview Capital, a multi-strategy hedge fund with $135 million under management. Mr. Schachter was involved in institutional high-yield and distressed debt sales for nine years. Mr. Schachter was part of the initial start up of BancBoston Robertson Stephens' high-yield effort from January 1997 through May 2000. Mr. Schachter began his Wall Street career at Jefferies & Company in March 1995.
Jennifer Smorgon is a board member on the Jack and Robert Smorgon Families Foundation which is a non-profit organization, committed to Australian and world wide philanthropic pursuits. The guiding principal is to help people in need and to develop long-term community solutions. The Foundation’s focus includes medical research, health issues, community welfare, homelessness and drug abuse – with particular attention to youth. Jennifer is also a founder of Dream Catcher, a program through the Reach Foundation that creates job opportunities and internships for underprivileged youth. Her dedication to the Jewish community is worldwide. She served as president of the Sydney, Australia chapter of WIZO Tamid (Women's International Zionist Organization) and has also served as a volunteer bereavement counselor for a Chessed. She is a board member of MJE (Manhattan Jewish Experience). Jennifer is living in California along with her husband and children and they are Jewish community leaders dedicated to serving their local community and Jewish communities abroad. Jennifer holds a BA in Art History from Brandeis University and attended the Post Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program at Columbia University.
