Young Women’s Impact Network: CHICAGO

Building community and giving back have always been an important part of Eliza’s life. As a member of Sigma Delta Tau, Eliza learned about JWI’s mission, but became more involved upon moving to Chicago in 2021.She is honored and excited to serve as the Chicago YWIN chapter’s President this year. Eliza is a Senior Associate in Global Culture at KPMG, supporting the firm globally on promoting its purpose and values. At KPMG, she helped to found the Jewish Ancestry Business Resource Group, unifying nearly a thousand Jewish employees and allies through educational programming about Jewish culture

Starting with her high school involvement in BBYO and continuing with college involvement in Greek life, Alyssa has always enjoyed opportunities to connect with both Jewish and female-driven organizations that foster community and provide opportunities for leadership and giving back. This made JWI's Young Women's Impact Network, which she first learned about during a summer internship in Washington, D.C., a natural fit post-college - and she’s excited for her fourth year on the YWIN board in Chicago!

Elise has always been a strong connector and communicator and first learned of JWI while living in Washington, DC. She was excited to remain connected to the organization when she moved to Chicago in 2022. Elise has always been involved with efforts to strengthen Jewish communities – from involvement with JCC’s Camp Seneca Lake to attending Jewish United Fund events to running the Chicago Marathon with Team Sharsheret. Outside of Chicago YWIN, Elise works for United Airlines in communications and marketing. She enjoys travel, being outside and spending time with friends. Originally from Cherry Hill, NJ, Elise went to University of Wisconsin-Madison and earned a degree in journalism.

Emily has always had a passion for surrounding herself within the Jewish community, specifically connecting with Jewish women. She was previously involved with Chicago’s JUF chapter, Northwestern Hillel and served on the board for Northwestern Challah for Hunger. She is an advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention, and she hopes to emphasize these passions through her programming work on the board. In her free time, Emily enjoys cooking, playing pickleball and tennis, reading and traveling. Since moving to Chicago in 2020, she has sought opportunities to connect with other Jewish women in the area which led her to join the YWIN.

Emily is as a pediatric occupational therapist originally from St. Louis. Since moving to Chicago in 2021, she has involved herself in Jewish groups and communities. She found JWI through a friend and loved the focus on advocacy, helping the community, and learning. She is excited to help plan and lead events which give back to the Jewish women of Chicago. In her time, Emily enjoys baking, going to musical and concerts, and reading. She graduated from Grinnell College and Washington University’s school of Occupational Therapy.  

Esther has always lived near Chicago and has been involved in various Jewish organizations throughout her life, including Hillel and JUF. She values building community, which is what led her to join the JWI board. She hopes to create a supportive space for Jewish women to connect, learn, and grow together. Professionally, Esther is a data scientist in the health insurance industry. She graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a degree in Statistics and Economics and received her master’s in Statistical Practice from Carnegie Mellon University. In her free time, she enjoys playing guitar, exploring new places, and continuously expanding her knowledge and skills.

From 13 summers at Beber camp to facilitating Jewish affinity groups and to being a member of Sigma Delta Tau at the university of Illinois , Hannah has always been passionate about furthering social justice through a Jewish lens. Hannah is a social worker who seeks to amplify women’s voices and advocate for their experiences in her personal and professional life. These areas culminated in 2017 when Hannah spent the summer in Israel volunteering for a Women’s empowerment organization that lobbied for increasing women’s involvement in the Israeli government. Her many endeavors in the Jewish community and in women’s advocacy work have lead her to join the YWIN board in Chicago.