The voices shaping Kehillah 2.0.
Leaders, educators, and changemakers from across the JCC community and beyond — bringing the questions and answers we need for the next chapter.
Chief Executive Office
MARJCC
Alan Sataloff, Chief Executive Officer of the Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center in North Miami Beach, Florida grew up in Staten Island, New York. He has a BS from SUNY Brockport and an MSW from Yeshiva University. Alan began his career as a Sports and Fitness instructor, progressing through the Jewish Community Center field, having had the opportunity to live in many places across the U.S during his 44-year JCC career. This includes Houston, Memphis, West Orange, Seattle, Richmond, Palo Alto and Chicago. During this experience, Alan undertook and led the completion of $140M Capital Campaign; has managed the design, construction and/or renovations of several JCCs and has worked with lay leaders and professionals throughout the JCC field. When not tending to JCC matters, Alan and his wife Susan enjoy golfing, cycling, working out and go for walks with their dog, Emi. Alan’s daughter, Laura is a Program Director for the JCC in West Palm, and his son Aaron is the Rabbi at a synagogue in Hollywood, Florida.
CEO
Puzzles and Profits
Amanda brings deep expertise in AI strategy for mission-driven organizations, with a particular focus on JCCs and nonprofits. Her people-first approach to technology integration has helped organizations across North America build AI confidence. Amanda's experience spans custom AI agent development, training design, and change management for teams at every stage of their AI journey.
JDirect Consultant
Membership, Fitness & Wellness, and Aquatics
As a Professional Consultant with over 25 years of experience, I specialize in providing expert guidance and support to JCC's of North America. My skillset includes Professional Development, Strategic Planning, and Talent Management. I am passionate about helping organizations reach their full potential and thrive in today's competitive environment. My extensive knowledge and experience make me a valuable asset to any organization looking to achieve their goals and objectives. Let's connect to discuss how I can help your organization achieve success!
Executive Director
Center for Innovation and Impact
Deann Forman is the executive director of the Center for Innovation and Impact at JCC Association of North America. Prior to joining JCC Association, she was the CEO and principal of Perspicuity Coaching and Leadership Services, where she provided executive coaching and leadership development to more than 500 senior leaders and teams across the nonprofit, public, and private sectors. Forman formerly served the JCC Movement as CEO of the Riverdale YM-YWHA in the Bronx, chief operating officer at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly, New Jersey, and the first director of benchmarking at JCC Association. She holds a master’s degree in public administration from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Brandeis University. She and her husband, Sid, are proud parents of three children.
MS MFT
A therapist specializing in supporting women, couples, and families to overcome emotional and personal challenges. With over 10 years of experience in psychotherapy and a focus on acceptance, self-connection, and personal growth, my goal is to help you build healthy relationships and a balanced life. Throughout my career, I have guided hundreds of people on their journey to emotional well-being and personal freedom, combining couples therapy techniques, emotional therapy, and my own transformative method, P.A.T.H. Therapy.
Butler House Consulting
With over 25 years as a non-profit CEO and close to 50 years working for non-profits Jay has decades of experience and demonstrated expertise in leading and improving both non-profits and for-profit agencies/companies. Jay is sought out for his expertise and guidance on customer experience, leadership training, non-profit executive coaching, non-profit turnarounds, facility improvements and building culture. A skilled facilitator, he is known for transforming staff and customer experience, training boards and committees, building staff culture, resolving complex organizational issues and working with leaders to create effective plans for growth and change. As a CEO Jay has led multiple agencies through an unprecedented period of growth and has been honored to work with amazing teams. Jay was born and raised in Pittsburgh (a die-hard Steelers fan) and a graduate of Penn State University. He loves the outdoors, has done multiple desert survivals, run over 50 half marathons and currently lives in Arizona.
Professional Development Associate
Sheva Center Talent
Lital Dayan is the professional development associate for the Sheva Center at JCC Association of North America. She previously served as a classroom educator, curriculum director, and assistant director at the Mandel JCC of the Palm Beaches, Florida, for 11 years. More recently, she was the shinshinim South Florida hub director for the Jewish Agency for Israel. Dayan holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from the Kibbutzim College of Education, Technology and the Arts in Tel-Aviv, Israel. She is a recipient of the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education from the Friedman Commission for Jewish Education. Originally from Israel, Dayan lives with her family in Florida.
Vice President
Center for Talent Development
Mark S. Young is vice president of Talent and the director of JResponse® at JCC Association of North America. He brings more than 20 years of experience in leadership, program development, and talent strategy in nonprofit organizations to his roles, having gained much of it in previous positions with the Willam Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America (JTS), Episcopal Social Services of New York, the 92nd Street Y, and the Mandel JCC in Cleveland, Ohio.
Incoming Executive Director
Center for Jewish Peoplehood
A fifth-generation Houstonian, Rabbi Septimus has been in Austin since 2014, serving as Texas Hillel Executive Director for just over two years and now as CEO of Shalom Austin since September 2016, the hub of Jewish life in Central Texas. Before coming to Austin, Rabbi Septimus served at Temple De Hirsch Sinai, the largest Jewish congregation in the Pacific Northwest for seven years as Associate Rabbi and Director of Congregation Learning where he brought a holistic approach to congregational learning. Rabbi Septimus graduated from Tulane University in 2002 and was ordained by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 2007. He has also been awarded the prestigious Hartman and Schusterman Fellowships.
Sheva Center, Engagement in Innovation in Early Childhood Education
Veronica Maravankin is vice president of the Sheva Center for Innovation in Early Childhood Jewish Education and Engagement at JCC Association of North America. She previously served as the early childhood director at the Mandel JCC of the Palm Beaches, Florida, for 12 years. She earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Club Nautico Hacoaj in Argentina, and a master’s degree in education from Harvard University. One of the original architects of the Sheva Early Learning Framework, she served as a member of the Sheva faculty for over four years. More recently, Maravankin launched her own consultancy to mentor and support educators and directors in an array of areas including values-based practice, fiscal responsibility, strategic planning, and donor and board relations. She is a native of Argentina.