Michael has spent almost 30 years focusing his career on helping not-for-profit and public sector organizations.  He is an organizational design expert and has guided many organizations through periods of significant growth and amalgamations.  Michael has been a member of several volunteer boards, including Achilles International Canada (where he is also a running guide for visually impaired athletes) and Camp Ramah in Canada. Michael holds a Masters of Industrial Relations and Human Resources from U. of T.  and is also a lecturer in that same program in the area of Consulting Skills Practice and Theory.  He still plays in the same band he formed in high school at CHAT and is the proud father of two teenagers.

Alex Lowy is a seasoned strategy advisor, writer and educator. For the last 12 years, he has taught courses in critical thinking and problem solving at a number of business schools in Toronto, Hamilton and the Maritimes. He has written and/or co-authored four business books that tackle questions of best practices in complex circumstances. Two of these examine the implications of evolving digital technologies for organizational strategy and effectiveness. He has worked extensively in both the public and private sectors, and for 10 years helped to create and lead a digital economy think tank called the Alliance for Converging Technologies. Alex has served on several boards, including his local Jewish community, The Danforth Jewish Circle, and, The Canadian Psychiatric Research Foundation. He is delighted to be able to contribute to the important and timely work of Neshama.

Lisa Draper has been involved with Community Philanthropy in a leadership capacity for many years. She is passionate about philanthropy and is committed to the Jewish community’s strength and success. Lisa has held numerous leadership roles at UJA Federation of Greater Toronto and in the general community, including Chair of the Jewish Foundation Of Greater Toronto, Chair of UJA Federation Annual Campaign and has served as a member of the board of UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, Sinai Health Foundation, Save a Child’s Heart and Israel Bonds, Women’s Division, CIJA Toronto and Baycrest Foundation. Lisa is married to Philip Draper, and has 3 grown children and is a proud grandmother of 5.

Sally Szuster is a communications executive with more than 25 years experience of supporting not-for-profit organizations. Through traditional and digital storytelling, she inspires deeper stakeholder engagement and strengthens brand reputation. She is currently Director of Communications at Victoria University in the University of Toronto. She previously served as Vice-President, Communications for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and held roles at Mount Sinai Hospital, part of Sinai Health System, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto and The National Ballet of Canada.

A seasoned not-for-profit executive, Dena has worked for a number of Jewish organizations, including 10 years at UJA Federation, and is currently the Chief Strategy Officer of the Azrieli Foundation. She has served on various community boards, including Beth Tzedec Congregation, where she was Chair of the Board. Dena has an MSW and a Certificate in Jewish Communal Service from Yeshiva University.