Board Co-Presidents, Ann Bernstein and Lisa Treiman
For JFS, 2024 was a year dedicated to strategic planning, laying the groundwork for transformative steps that will unfold in 2025. “The JFS Staff and Board are energized and enthusiastic about furthering our growth into the future,” said Ann Bernstein, who assumed the role of Co-President of the JFS Board of Directors on January 1, alongside Lisa Treiman. “We are deeply grateful to our outgoing President, David Dowsett, for his steadfast leadership during this pivotal time of change. His patience, unwavering dedication, and profound commitment to JFS and its mission have been invaluable,” added Lisa.
We welcomed Melissa Zimmerman, MSW, as Executive Director in the Spring of 2024, after the retirement of our beloved Ellen Silver, who was with JFS for nineteen years and served as Executive Director for a decade and a half. Melissa, who joined us from Tucson, Arizona, where she was the Chief Behavioral Health Officer for JFCS of Southern Arizona, immediately took charge of implementing the Strategic Plan developed by the Board and Staff in 2023. A key step in turning that vision into a reality was hiring Andrea Ballard, JFS’ first Senior Director of Finance and Operations. Together, Melissa and Andrea have reimagined and modernized critical systems and infrastructure that will help JFS continue to strengthen individuals and families of all backgrounds through counseling, advocacy, care management, and community education.
The JFS Board is excited to support our leadership team. Along with Melissa and Andrea, the team includes Nicole Levy, MSW, Director of Development, and Allie Salazar, LCSW, our Director of Professional Services. We are also delighted to welcome four new Board members into this exciting time for JFS. Starting their three-year terms this month are Aaron Rokeach, Annabel Sheinberg, Mara Rabin, and Polly Unruh. “We are grateful to these new Board members for their enthusiasm about our mission and the experience and expertise they bring to our organization,” said Ann Bernstein.
Aaron Rokeach, a life-long Utahn and father of three boys, currently works as a Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. Aaron has served on the JFS Budget and Finance Committee for the past two years and was instrumental in creating several financial policies for JFS. We are delighted to welcome Aaron to this new role.
Annabel Sheinberg, a long-time supporter of JFS, is well-versed in community service in Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Front. Annabelle is a consultant, and the former VP External Affairs for Planned Parenthood Association of Utah. Her volunteer work includes serving as the Past President of the National Council of Jewish Women Utah Section (2023-2024), former Board Member of the Salt Lake City JCC, and Mentor for Girls on the Run Utah. We welcome Annabelle’s expertise to our Board.
Mara Rabin has worked with JFS for years, co-facilitating Mind Body Skills Groups to help community members find balance and wellness. Mara is the Medical Director for Thrive Center for Survivors of Torture (formerly Utah Health and Human Rights), which promotes the health and well-being of torture survivors. JFS and the Thrive Center have partnered for years to leverage services for shared clients. We appreciate the insight and caring that Mara will bring to the JFS Board.
Polly Unruh is retired Career Coach at the David Eccles School of Business. She is also a Sustaining Member of the Junior League of Salt Lake City and previously worked as a Program Manager for Hewlett-Packard and Novell. Polly has been an active volunteer for JFS for several years, supporting a number of programs providing community outreach and education about JFS services. We look forward to working with Polly as a Board member.
JFS is also grateful to returning Board members whose leadership and dedication continue to strengthen our mission. The 2025 Executive Committee includes Kim McGuire (Vice President), John Bergerson (Treasurer), Jim Isaacson (Secretary), Erin Litvack (Executive Committee Member at Large) and Karen Lindau (Executive Committee Member at Large) as well as David Dowsett, (Immediate Past President) and Ann Bernstein and Lisa Treiman, (Co-Presidents).
We also acknowledge and appreciate the continued service of returning members Patrice Arent, Harriet Berg, Gerry Goldman, Doug Goldsmith, Sara Lambrinos, Donna Milavetz, Andrea Silver, and Liz Tashjian. Finally, we express our deepest thanks to Susan Arsht, Kathryn Whitehead Goddard, and Lavine Shapiro for their invaluable contributions as they completed their Board terms in December.
