Great Jewish leaders dream big, articulate aspirations, remove barriers, engage in expert problem-solving, and then do everything within their power to bring their vision to reality.
We have an incredible vision of what the CJP can and will be and have recruited staff and board members with the qualities essential to our success.
Our Board of Directors is comprised of leaders from throughout our community. As members of the Board, these volunteers are charged with the responsibility of assuring the integrity of our organization by overseeing financial, structural, and policy decisions that guide the organization, staff, and volunteers.
Rich was named Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Jewish Philanthropy, upon its inception in January 2022. Rich assumed this role after serving as President and CEO of the Jewish Community Foundation since 2013, having brought more than 20 years of valuable experience in law, nonprofit governance, community building, and philanthropy to the organization. Prior to working for the Jewish Community Foundation, he enjoyed a successful law career, most recently as a partner with Ryan Rapp & Underwood PLC, where he provided legal counsel for many secular and Jewish nonprofit organizations, individuals, and publicly traded or closely held companies.
Before Ryan Rapp & Underwood PLC, Rich worked as the Arizona Regional Director for the Anti-Defamation League, Vice President of Professional Services at the Arizona Community Foundation, and as an attorney at Fennemore Craig, P.C.
Rich’s extensive service to the Phoenix Jewish community includes his participation in the Wexner Heritage Program, an exclusive, two-year intensive adult education program for Jewish volunteer leaders. Before joining the professional staff of the Jewish Community Foundation, Rich served on the boards of the Jewish Community Foundation, Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix, Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, the Jewish Community Relations Council, and Planned Parenthood of Central and Northern Arizona. Rich’s term as board chair for Planned Parenthood of Central and Northern Arizona culminated in the organization’s merger with Planned Parenthood of Southern Arizona, for the formation of a statewide entity, Planned Parenthood Arizona. In 1999, the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix presented Rich its Sy Clark Young Leadership Award, and in 2018 Rich received the Anti-Defamation League’s Al Brooks Community Leadership Award.
A graduate of Oberlin College, Rich earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Southern California’s Gould School of Law.
Gail Baer has been committed to serving the Phoenix community since she and her husband, Michael, and three children relocated to Arizona 17 years ago. Working for Grant Thornton, an accounting firm, Gail helped launch the organization’s corporate giving initiative.
Through the program, Gail helped young team members understand the importance of volunteerism; supported executive leadership in their efforts to join boards of directors and guided the firm’s financial commitments to important causes in the community.
In 2011, she left her private-sector career for the nonprofit world, first for a position with Valley of the Sun United Way and then in 2016, with five years of dedicated service under her belt, to Jewish Family & Children’s Service.
Gail’s time at JFCS showed her first-hand how generous the community can be and how that generosity can transform lives. And now, in her new role with the Foundation and the Federation, the possibilities for impact are endless as she works to create life-changing philanthropy plans for our entire community.
Known for developing collaborative relationships and partnerships with both for-profit and nonprofit organizations and executing programs that benefit and impact the greater community, Alison Johnston has been contracted to serve as our Chief of Staff. Working alongside Rich Kasper, she will be an integral part of the integration effort.
Alison has held various leadership roles in nonprofit organizations across the Valley including Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of The Phoenix Symphony; Chief Operating Officer of the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center; Executive Director of Ballet Arizona and Chief Operating Officer of PetSmart Charities.
A longtime Scottsdale resident, Alison is an avid golfer and fitness enthusiast, enjoying the outdoors and spending time with her husband, James, and son Trevor.
As Vice President, Annual Campaign, Sarah’s focus is CJP Annual Campaign efforts. Additionally, she oversees key giving societies for NowGen and Women IN Philanthropy such as Ben-Gurion Society, National Young Leadership Cabinet and Lion of Judah. Sarah started her career through a Graduate Fellowship from Jewish Federations of North America and has worked in Jewish Federations across the country in Baltimore, Tucson, and Denver. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Administration from The University of Arizona Eller College of Management, Masters in Nonprofit Management from American Jewish University, and a Certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility from the University of Colorado – Boulder.
Sarah is a Tucson native, and Camp Ramah in California alumna. She is happy to be back in her home state where she enjoys spending time with her family & friends, volunteering with the Junior League of Phoenix, and most importantly, exploring the city with her red standard poodle, Bailey.
As Vice President, Community Engagement, Kaylie oversees the community engagement department at the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix.
Most recently, Kaylie held the position of associate executive director at Temple Chai. Prior to her role with Temple Chai, she was executive director at Swift Youth Foundation, an Arizona-based nonprofit that fosters positive mentor relationships between at-risk youth and college-bound teens through fun and enriching overnight camps, after-school, and weekend programs.
Kaylie earned both her Bachelor’s in Ethnic Studies and Women & Gender Studies and a Master’s in Public Administration concentrating in Nonprofit Management at the University of Colorado. Kaylie is a Phoenix native who enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time with her husband David, their two children, and their dog.
Julie joined the Center for Jewish Philanthropy in early summer 2021, after having served on the Jewish Federation’s finance committee for a few years. She is originally from Northern New Jersey and moved to Scottsdale, Arizona from Washington, D.C. in 1996. Julie earned a BBA in Accounting from Emory University and is a licensed CPA. She began her career at KPMG Peat Marwick in Short Hills, NJ, and Washington DC. After her move to Arizona, Julie had the privilege to serve as the director of operations for a local foundation that promotes international adoption and produced an award-winning documentary film. Prior to joining the Center for Jewish Philanthropy, Julie was the director of finance for a luxury, green skincare brand.
In her spare time, Julie enjoys yoga, walking, and spending time with her husband Jeff, and their four grown children.
After 20+ years in public relations, Sheryl took the best of her PR skills and applied them to development work and began her tenure at the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix in 2017 as director of campaign and women’s philanthropy. When the opportunity presented itself to guide the marketing and launch of Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix, Sheryl was excited to return to her PR/marketing roots and lend her expertise to developing and positioning this new organization for maximum impact in our local Jewish community.
Sheryl grew up in New Jersey and spent her first 30 years on the East Coast. She earned her undergraduate degree in sociology from The George Washington University and a Master of Arts in strategic communication from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. After living in and working for numerous PR agencies in New York City, Sheryl moved west to Scottsdale in 2002 in search of a better quality of life. She happily found it, and then some! After a move to Los Angeles for her husband’s work, she landed in Tucson as the corporate director of public relations for Canyon Ranch. After almost eight years in Tucson, it was time for a change, and Scottsdale was calling her back again — where she has been ever since.
Sheryl is a member of the Board of Directors of Congregation Or Tzion and she and her husband Michael have two children, Hayden and Sydney.
As Vice President, Community Impact, Sheryl oversees CJP’s annual grantmaking process, including annual campaign and endowment grants to best meet the needs of our community. On the planning side, her role is to bring together community organizations to address issues on a larger scale and understand our community’s needs and priorities. Having served as both a grant maker and a grant seeker, she brings a unique and valuable perspective to the process.
Prior to the CJP’s formation, Sheryl worked at the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix from 1995-2005, and returned in 2010, after working at Planned Parenthood Arizona, serving as Corporate and Foundation Relations Manager, and as the Director of Development at the ASU Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. Sheryl earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and mass media from Rutgers University, served as a mentor for two years in the Women’s Leadership Institute, completed the two-year Hadassah Leadership Academy, the AFP mentoring program, and has served on the Local Board of the Maricopa County Emergency Food and Shelter Program since 2010. Outside work, Sheryl enjoys travel, theater, Pickleball, spending time with her husband and their two children, and most of all, anything that adds laughter to her day.
Rachel Hoffer, Chair
Alison Betts
Francine Coles
Sadie Feinberg, Youth Board Member
Alan Gold, Vice Chair
Neil Goldstein, Treasurer
Russell Goldstein
Danielle Breslow Gross, Secretary
Andre Ivory
Leah Bold Mondlick
Avah Montgomery, Youth Board Member
Stacy Palestrant
Robert Roos
Bryce Schotz
Bob Silver
Richard Kasper, Chief Executive Officer
Stay ahead of the curve and never miss important news with the CJP! Always be informed about recent happenings tailored to your preferences by topics you are interested in.
By choosing topics that matter most to you, you’ll enjoy a personalized experience and receive timely updates on the subjects that resonate with you.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to stay connected and engaged with the CJP community – subscribe now!
" " indicates required fields
We connect and serve the Greater Phoenix community by inspiring philanthropy that supports and enlivens Jewish life locally, in Israel, and around the world.
