Ollie BennExecutive Director
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Ollie joined San Francisco Hillel's professional staff in June 2014 after previously serving on its Board of Directors as governance chair. Since assuming the role of Executive Director, Ollie has spearheaded Hillel's efforts to create vibrant Jewish life at USF, UC Hastings and UCSF, while maintaining our traditionally strong base at SF State. Ollie is very active in the Bay Area Jewish community, where he recently sat on the Jewish Community Federation's Board of Directors as a board observer, served in the Federation's Fed Fellows program, and served on the Jewish Community Relations Council's metropolitan council. Professionally, Ollie worked for many years as a lawyer (primarily at the international law firm Duane Morris) representing corporate and technology clients, before founding and running a medical device company. In his free time he loves soccer, yoga and skiing. 
Sasha OrtizOffice Manager
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Sasha, a Bay Area native and local San Franciscan for the past 22 years, brings experience from a variety of non-profits to her role as the Office Manager at SF Hillel. When she's not at Hillel, she can be found teaching aqua-fit at a nearby gym, doing karaoke, or watching Star Wars with her friends and feline children Maggie and Munki. She would choose Han Solo over Luke Skywalker, any day. |
Leah ChakoffDirector of Community Philanthropy
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Leah joined SF Hillel's growing team in May 2017 to run our development and business operations. Prior to coming west, she worked at Penn State Hillel for three years as the Director of Leadership Initiatives. Leah is eager to sustain our city-wide expansion so that we continue to enrich our thriving and diverse student communities. In her free time. you'll find Leah exploring San Francisco's urban hiking, playing guitar, or exploring new restaurants. 
Sasha PresleyStudent Experience Architect
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Sasha Presley's experience as a student and leader at San Francisco State University inspired her drive for creating inclusive Jewish spaces. Her training in design thinking as an Innovation Specialist with the Springboard Fellowship through Hillel International prepared her to support student leaders at SF Hillel's expansion campuses. Sasha works with our graduate communities at UC Hastings, and UCSF, mentoring student leaders to build the Jewish experiences and connections they want and need. If you're looking to get learn more about Hillel's resources in our graduate communities, Sasha is the best person to help. When she isn't working, you can find her taking West Coast Swing dance classes, frantically applying for the daily Hamilton lottery, or enjoying a mint chocolate latte with friends at Home Cafe. |
Rachel Nilson RalstonAssociate Executive Director
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Rachel Nilson Ralston first became connected with SF Hillel as a curious undergrad at SF State, where she was a passionate student leader for social justice issues. Rachel was drawn in by the opportunities at Hillel to pursue dialogue around Israel-Palestine and build welcoming campus communities for Jews from interfaith families/relationships. Rachel loved SF Hillel so much she never left, transitioning from student to staff in 2011. As the Associate Executive Director, she’s focused on empowering students and Hillel’s professional team to create fun, experimental and inclusive Jewish experiences together. When she’s not at Hillel, you can likely find Rachel hiking the Marin coast, wine tasting, or eating burritos with Ricky (her husband and adventure buddy.) 
Jason StecklerStudent Experience Architect
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Jason combines his prior experiences as a student activist at SF State and his current involvement with dialogue and peace-building efforts to empower students to build meaningful, transformative and fun experiences related to Israel. Jason believes in bringing a variety of perspectives to the students he mentors so they can articulate their own unique relationship to Israel's complex and diverse peoples. In his spare time, you’ll find Jason at community events, hanging out at Dolores Park, and trying new cuisines across the city. |
Emily SimonsDirector of Student Experience
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As soon as you meet Emily it becomes clear she loves adventure, social justice, and making new friends. She brings all of these passions into her role as a student mentor, working with SF Hillel's students so they can engage our broader campus community and connect their friends to exciting local, national, and international travel and learning opportunities! Emily is your local San Francisco connection to your Birthright-Israel experience, and will ensure you find the right trip for you. In her free time, you’ll find Emily hiking San Francisco’s hills, cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers, or trying as many different sushi restaurants as she can. 
Naomi ZipurskyDirector of Student Experience
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Naomi brings her knowledge of diverse communities (she's from Omaha, and most recently lived in Atlanta) and design thinking (she's currently an Innovation Specialist with the Springboard Fellowship through Hillel International) to support student leaders at SF Hillel's expansion campuses. Naomi works with USF, UC Hastings, and UCSF, mentoring the student communities to build the Jewish experiences and connections they want and need. If you're looking to get learn more about Hillel's resources at any of these amazing campuses, Naomi is the best person to help you find your community. When she's not hopping between schools, you’ll find Naomi in search of the best views and the best food San Francisco has to offer. |