The Schmooze: Chats with Jewish Greats

In this episode of The Schmooze, Jamie Kleinman sits down with Michael Rozen, Founder and Co-Managing Partner of TRGP Investment Partners, to explore his path from law to building a private equity firm focused on complex litigation. Drawing on his work with major compensation programs like the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund and the BP Gulf Coast Compensation Fund, Michael shares insights on risk, leadership, and decision-making in high-stakes environments. He also reflects on launching TRGP, his work in public ethics and board leadership, and what it means to keep evolving throughout your career.

In this episode of The Shmooze, Rabbi Dave Sorani sits down with David Nickoll, Showrunner and Executive Producer, for a candid and wide-ranging conversation on life behind the scenes in late night television. Drawing from his experience working on iconic late night shows and comedy central shows, David shares stories from his career, insights into how the industry has evolved, and where he sees the future of late night heading. The conversation also takes a more personal turn as he reflects on his Jewish journey through adulthood, offering thoughtful perspective on identity, growth, and staying grounded in a fast-paced industry.

In this episode of The Shmooze, David Solomon gives an absolute masterclass on navigating the early stages of your career with intentionality, confidence, and clarity. Drawing on decades of experience, he shares practical insights on overcoming imposter syndrome, navigating the rise of AI in the workforce, and standing out in a competitive job market.David Solomon is a business builder, operator, and lifelong career mentor who has led companies across SaaS, climate tech, supply chain, and manufacturing. His career spans aerospace engineering, investment banking, and decades of bringing innovative technology to market for both Fortune 500 and early‑stage startups. Throughout these roles, he has built high‑performing teams, scaled organizations as CEO and CRO, and created environments where people grow and do their best work. He founded CareerMind and Careers‑Starter.com to give high school, college, and early‑career job seekers the honest, structured guidance he wished he had early on. His coaching blends practical job‑search strategy with the emotional skills young adults need today, including confidence, clarity, resilience, and the ability to tell their story. His mission is simple: help the next generation build real judgment, real confidence, and real momentum as they step into the workforce. David lives on the Main Line in Philly, is married with three children, stays involved as a Wharton grad, and spends his free time refereeing high school soccer.

In this episode of The Shmooze, Managing Director & Co-Founder of Differential Ventures, David Magerman, challenges and inspires young Jews to build a meaningful Jewish life alongside a successful career. With a background in quantitative finance, he offers a unique perspective on investing, innovation, and navigating today’s rapidly evolving tech world.

In this episode of The Shmooze, Jesse Klein takes us behind the curtain of the executive search industry, how to invest in your leadership potential, and what it takes to pursue excellence. Drawing from his experience helping build one of the leading life sciences executive search firms and from winning a World Series of Poker championship, Jesse shares insights on strategy, discipline, and the mindset required to succeed at the highest levels.

In this episode of The Schmooze, Jamie Kleinman sits down with Oscar Feldenkreis, CEO and President of Perry Ellis International and a longtime leader in the global apparel industry. Having spent decades involved in the company across branding, manufacturing, sales, and strategy, Oscar has helped guide its evolution into a recognized portfolio of global fashion brands.Oscar shares perspective on learning the business from the ground up, including how early exposure to every part of the company shaped his approach to leadership and long term growth. He speaks candidly about discipline, hard work, finding your passion, setting goals, and building success step by step.The conversation also explores Jewish identity, community, and unity, and the responsibility of showing up for one another, especially during challenging times, themes that have influenced both Oscar’s leadership and his broader civic and philanthropic involvement.

In this episode of The Shmooze, David Goldberg reflects on how early experiences with the medical field as a child sparked a deep commitment to patient-centered leadership. He talks about what it takes to lead a nonprofit healthcare system with compassion and a long-term commitment to the communities it serves, and why maintaining meaningful relationships with lifelong mentors has been one of the most important drivers of his growth as a leader.

In this episode of The Schmooze, Joe Spector shares how he built Dutch Pet, Inc. and leveraged telehealth to transform access to veterinary care. He discusses scaling a mission driven company, forming strategic partnerships, and what it takes to innovate in highly regulated industries. Joe also offers practical advice for young professionals looking to build, lead, and create meaningful impact. Joe is the Founder and CEO of Dutch Pet, Inc., a telehealth platform making veterinary care more convenient and accessible for pet parents. Passionate about growing organizations through strategy, marketing, finance, and product innovation, he also advises digital healthcare platforms such as 9am.health and Mosh to improve consumer access and affordability.

In this episode of The Schmooze, Henry Stimler reflects on his path to becoming Vice Chairman at Newmark and the lessons he learned along the way. He shares insights into the evolving real estate landscape, the challenges of navigating complex deals, and the leadership mindset required to succeed in a competitive industry.

In this episode of The Schmooze, Pamela Pekerman shares her journey from entrepreneur to mom-preneur and how redefining success in her 30s led her to build a movement. She opens up about ambition, identity shifts, and what it really takes to grow a sustainable business while raising a family. Pamela offers practical tools and mindset shifts for women who want to align their personal and professional lives without sacrificing either.Pamela is the founder of Hustle Like a Mom, a community and educational platform supporting women building businesses between school drop off and pick up. A speaker, author, and mom of three, she empowers mom entrepreneurs through live events, coaching programs, and her Edit to Expand Planner™, helping them create businesses that fit their lives and values.

In this episode of The Schmooze, Marc Brownstein reflects on building his agency from humble beginnings and the entrepreneurial lessons that shaped his journey. He unpacks the art and science of branding, the limits of AI, the resilience required to lead, and why the Jewish community must take greater ownership of its narrative in the face of rising antisemitism and misinformation.Marc began his career as a copywriter at Ogilvy & Mather, creating award winning campaigns for brands like AT&T, American Express, and Hershey. He later returned to Philadelphia to lead Brownstein Group as President and CEO, transforming it into a modern, brand focused agency that has quadrupled in size and serves major clients including Humana, Wawa, the 76ers, and Peloton.

In this episode of The Schmooze, Rich Isaacson shares insights from his journey building RI Entertainment and shaping careers across the music industry. From artist development to brand strategy, Rich offers his perspective on what it takes to succeed in an ever evolving entertainment landscape and how young professionals can position themselves for long term impact.Rich is the Founder of RI Entertainment and an executive music producer and consultant specializing in cross genre artist management, marketing, and publishing. A former executive at Def Jam, Alamo Records, and RED Distribution, he has spent more than two decades launching successful artist careers and building international brands across hip hop, pop, and jazz.

In this episode of The Schmooze, Rabbi Dave Sorani schmoozes with Cintra Pollack, an experienced investment and foundation manager in Denver, Colorado. She’s run a single-family office called Race Street Management since 2009. She is the Secretary and Treasurer for the Singer Family Foundation. Before founding Race Street Management, Cintra worked as a research analyst for Granite Point Capital, a long-short equity fund in Boston, Massachusetts. She has also worked in the UW Technology Transfer office, as web consultant for the website Epilepsy.com and as a browse developer and editor for Amazon.com.

In this episode of The Schmooze, Scott Schulman shares his perspective on the future of AI and his advice to young professionals as an executive coach. Scott has spent his career in the information and media industries as a CEO & President of global businesses, board member and executive chairman, and consultant & advisor to many of the world’s most successful and innovative companies. Scott currently serves as Executive Chairman for Torchlight, a PE-backed data, technology and analytics platform, and an independent strategy advisory and coach through his advisory practice, Blue Pine Growth LLC.

In this episode of The Schmooze, Meir Zimmerman sits down with Asher Epstein, CEO and Chief Commercial Officer at Focus@50, which helps Israeli companies break into the U.S. market. Asher shares practical advice for companies working to win customers abroad, key lessons for building a successful startup, the importance of leading with integrity, and reflects on how his Jewish values and sense of peoplehood shape both his professional and personal life.Asher has just made Aliyah and is moving to Israel with his wife and children. Asher has extensive experience in Israel with a strong business network, and through Focus@50, he provides fractional Head of Sales support for Israeli startups selling to the C-level executives at US enterprises with market values from $50M-$25B. Over nearly 30 years working with founder-led startups, he has supported over $600M in deals, most recently serving five years as Chief Commercial Officer at 10Pearls (an Inc. 5000 company with 1,300 employees) where he helped scale revenue from $25M to nearly $100M, and previously helped grow VIVA Creative from $18M to $53M in five years, including $40M of business with Apple. Earlier in his career, he led the University of Maryland's entrepreneurship center for eight years, supporting more than 100 startup ventures across the U.S., China, and Israel and developed a close partnership with the Technion.

In this episode of The Schmooze, Jamie Kleinman sits down with Alex Gellman, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of Vertical Bridge, the largest private owner and operator of wireless communications infrastructure in the U.S., and a member of the Wireless Hall of Fame, for a meaningful conversation on leadership, values, and long-term impact. Alex reflects on his journey building one of the nation’s leading wireless infrastructure companies, sharing the pivotal moments, mentors, and lessons that shaped his path.Alex discusses his approach to leadership, including the importance of building strong teams, prioritizing emotional intelligence, and learning from both mentors and “anti-mentors.” He offers powerful insights into why great leaders give credit generously, take responsibility when things go wrong, and build cultures rooted in trust, humility, and accountability.He also shares the vision behind the Vertical Bridge Charitable Network and his belief that companies and investors can play a powerful role in strengthening communities. His perspective on purposeful philanthropy, values-driven leadership, and long-term thinking offers a compelling model for business leaders, investors, and emerging professionals alike.

In this episode of The Schmooze, Anthony Meyer shares insights from a wide ranging career across real estate, finance, private equity, venture capital, and technology. He reflects on founding and leading investment platforms, co founding companies in healthcare and education, serving as acting CEO for multiple startups, and building a family office to support long term investment and philanthropic strategy.Tony discusses leadership in complex environments, managing risk across industries, and lessons learned from building and scaling organizations. This conversation offers practical insight for professionals interested in entrepreneurship, investing, and values driven leadership.

In this episode of The Schmooze, Avi Cohen, Managing Director and Private Client Advisor at Bank of America Private Bank in Los Angeles, shares insights from more than 25 years in wealth management, advising high-net-worth individuals and families on financial strategy, legacy planning, and holistic stewardship. Drawing on a career rooted in trust, deep client relationships, and thoughtful leadership, Avi reflects on the evolution of private banking, the intersection of financial expertise with values-driven guidance, and what it truly means to support clients across life’s most meaningful milestones. He also offers candid lessons on building a purposeful career, navigating complex decisions with integrity, and mentoring the next generation of Jewish professionals as they chart their own paths. This conversation is rich with practical insight, thoughtful reflection, and inspiration for leaders at any stage of their journey.

In this episode of The Schmooze, Adam Meshberg, founder and principal of Meshberg Group Architects, shares his journey from architecture school to building a nationally recognized architecture and interior design firm based in Brooklyn and Miami. Adam reflects on the leap of faith that led him to launch his own practice, his passion for creating one-of-a-kind residential communities, and the creative vision that drives his work.He discusses what it takes to build and scale a values-driven business, navigate risk and uncertainty, and lead with intention in a competitive industry. Adam also explores the role of creativity, discipline, and purpose in shaping long-term success. This conversation offers insight, inspiration, and practical lessons in entrepreneurship, leadership, and building something meaningful.

In this episode of The Schmooze, Jamie Kleinman sits down with Mark Leslie, renowned technology entrepreneur, educator, and philanthropist, for a thoughtful conversation on resilience, leadership, and long term impact. Mark shares his journey as the first in his family to attend college, from growing up in New York City to finding his way into the emerging computer industry without a formal computer science background. He reflects on early career pivots, unexpected challenges, and the mindset required to turn setbacks into opportunity. The conversation explores Mark’s role in building and scaling Veritas Software, along with the leadership lessons he has distilled over decades of experience. Mark also invites listeners to explore his pitch deck, Some Things I Learned Along the Way, offering practical insights on strategy, decision making, trust, and empowering teams. Mark closes with reflections on purposeful philanthropy and community based impact, including his belief in the American dream and values driven leadership.

In this episode of The Schmooze, Jonathan Rubinstein, founder of Joe Coffee, shares his journey from the entertainment world to building one of New York City’s most beloved specialty coffee brands. Jonathan reflects on the leap of faith that led him to leave a career as a talent agent and pursue a vision rooted in craftsmanship, quality, and community. He discusses what it takes to build a values-driven business, scale thoughtfully, and stay committed to excellence over two decades of growth. This conversation offers insight, inspiration, and lessons in leading with intention.

In this episode of The Schmooze, Michael Elbaz — Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of Airgain, Inc. — shares insights from a distinguished career in finance and strategic leadership across public companies and complex operational environments. With more than thirty years of experience in financial and strategic planning, accounting, and international finance, Michael has led finance functions at a range of organizations, including executive roles as VP Finance at Cohu and AMN Healthcare, and Chief Accounting Officer positions earlier in his career.At Airgain, Michael plays a critical role in guiding financial strategy and operational execution for a technology-driven company focused on embedded antenna solutions. In our conversation, he reflects on the evolving role of finance leaders in today’s dynamic corporate landscape, how thoughtful financial stewardship supports innovation and growth, and the personal and professional lessons he’s learned navigating complex career paths while maintaining balanced leadership. Whether you’re building your own finance career or leading cross-functional teams, Michael’s perspectives on resilience, strategic decision-making, and continuous learning will resonate with listeners charting their own professional journeys.

In this episode of The Schmooze, Gary Coover—Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Superlayer—shares insights from a career spent building, scaling, and investing in early-stage companies at the forefront of innovation. Gary has worked across the startup ecosystem, from co-founding a venture-backed e-commerce company to architecting and leading global incubation and investment programs at Samsung NEXT, where he helped launch a $150M venture fund, expand operations into Israel and Europe, and develop models that led to multiple acquisitions and spin-outs. In our conversation, Gary reflects on what it takes to build companies from the ground up, the realities of operating at the earliest stages, and how he and his wife think intentionally about raising Jewish kids while navigating demanding careers and fast-moving industries. He also shares the lessons he believes aspiring founders and operators should carry with them as they chart their own paths forward.

In this episode of The Schmooze, Jon Hyman shares how he got started in his career and the process of building and growing Braze into what it is today. Jon has over 15 years of experience in computer science, software development, product engineering, and SaaS with leadership positions in both entrepreneurial start-ups and complex corporate environments. Jon is the co-founder and chief technology officer of Braze, a customer engagement platform that delivers messaging experiences. He leads the charge for building the platform’s technical systems and infrastructure as well as overseeing the company’s technical operations and engineering team.

In this episode of The Schmooze, Bob Rauch—widely known as The Hotel Guru—shares insights from a remarkable 50-year career in hospitality, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Bob has worked across every facet of the industry, from managing Four Diamond hotel properties to consulting for global hospitality brands, founding and selling a leading hotel advisory firm, and shaping the next generation of leaders as a professor at Arizona State University. In our conversation, Bob reflects on what great leadership looks like in service-driven industries, how the hospitality world has evolved, and the lessons he believes young professionals can carry with them no matter what field they enter.

In this episode of The Schmooze, Scott Schulman shares his perspective on the future of AI and his advice to young professionals as an executive coach. Scott has spent his career in the information and media industries as a CEO & President of global businesses, board member and executive chairman, and consultant & advisor to many of the world’s most successful and innovative companies. Scott currently serves as Executive Chairman for Torchlight, a PE-backed data, technology and analytics platform, and an independent strategy advisory and coach through his advisory practice, Blue Pine Growth LLC

In this episode of The Schmooze, Emily Glasser shares her inspiring journey shaped by values, service, and purpose. She reflects on the deep lessons of tzedakah (charity) and giving that were instilled in her from a young age, and how those values continue to guide both her personal and professional life. Emily speaks candidly about her career transition from investment banking to mission-driven work that truly “feeds both the head and the heart,” and what it means to align success with impact. She also highlights the transformative role of volunteering and mentorship, offering thoughtful insight on how guidance, community, and paying it forward can open doors and change lives. This conversation is heartfelt, grounding, and a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have when values lead the way.

In this episode of The Schmooze, Adina Dolfman shares thoughtful insights on building a long-term career in finance, navigating high-stakes environments, and growing into leadership roles. Drawing on nearly three decades across global financial institutions—including Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan, BlackRock, and her current role at Banc of America Securities—Adina reflects on her career and offers candid advice for graduate students.

In this episode of The Schmooze, Ben Gordon shares his powerful journey as a business leader, philanthropist, and advocate for the Jewish community. He reflects on lessons from building successful companies, leading through challenge, and applying his signature “I Framework” to stay focused on what truly matters. Ben also offers thoughtful insights on combating antisemitism, strengthening Jewish life, and showing up with purpose. This conversation is full of clarity, inspiration, and practical guidance for anyone striving to lead with courage and impact.

In this episode of The Schmooze, Eric Adler shares powerful insights on making the most of graduate school by staying curious, being open to not knowing, and truly using classes as a chance to learn and grow. From his career path and years in education to his work with the SEED Foundation and venture investing, Eric reflects on taking risks early and building a meaningful life and career.

In this episode of The Schmooze, Meir Zimmerman sits down with Brian M. Feuer, a leader with over 25 years in institutional investing, M&A advisory, and high-stakes negotiation.Brian spent 20 years at McKinsey & Company, where he built and led two major enterprises: the Special Situations Investments Group—overseeing complex venture, private equity, and liquidity-focused deals—and the Global Commercial Negotiations Team, which negotiated on behalf of the Firm and trained partners and clients worldwide. After retiring in 2021, he continued advising across the venture and investment space and co-founded dVin LLC.Listen to Meir and Brian's conversation exploring Brian's path to success, the people who helped him along the journey, and the lessons he learnt along the way.

In this episode, Jamie Kleinman sits down with Jay Myers, Vice President of Acquisitions for Myers Erickson Properties, to explore his inspiring journey from the luggage industry to a successful career in real estate. Jay shares how entrepreneurship, hard work, and the ability to recognize opportunities shaped his path, while also reflecting on his Jewish heritage and the values that guide his family foundation’s philanthropy. From business pivots to giving back, Jay’s story is one of resilience, vision, and purpose—both in his professional endeavors and his personal life.

Cindy Shapira has dedicated her career to advancing higher education and strengthening Jewish life through leadership and philanthropy. In this episode of The Schmooze, she reflects on her path—from chairing Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education to serving in top roles across Jewish Federations and national boards. We dive into her lessons on mentorship, identity, and the power of showing up to drive lasting impact.

From startups to IPOs, Gary Alpert has spent two decades building and scaling mission-driven companies transforming healthcare. In this episode of The Schmooze, Gary shares his journey from co-founding WetFeet to leading at Brightline, Livongo, and Castlight Health. We dive into lessons on leadership, staying anchored to purpose, and creating impact at the intersection of innovation and care.

Dr. Jeffrey R. Solomon is Senior Advisor to Chasbro Investments, the family office of Charles Bronfman. For two decades, he was the President of the Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies, a group of foundations operating in Canada, Israel and the United States. He currently sits on the Boards of the Leichtag Foundation in San Diego, the Jim Joseph Foundation in San Francisco and the KIND and Lubetzky Family Foundations in New York. He served as the Chair of Leading Edge, an organization aimed at talent acquisition and retention in the Jewish community and serves as Co-Chair of the Peaceworks Foundation. His books (co-authored with Charles Bronfman), The Art of Giving and The Art of Doing Good, have won awards and recognition throughout the philanthropic world. He is also the author of over 120 publications in both professional journals and outlets such as The Financial Times and Wall Street Journal. He served as an adjunct associate professor in the masters and doctorate programs of New York University School of Social Work.

Leading Through InnovationMike Newman’s path from law school to CEO in enterprise video is anything but typical. In this episode, the former MediaPlatform leader shares his journey—from co-founding Accordent Technologies to scaling cloud-native video solutions for global brands. We dive into his lessons on leadership, growth, and staying grounded in a rapidly evolving industry.

In this episode of The Schmooze, we sit down with Michael Friedlander, Senior Director of Strategy and Transformation at PepsiCo. Michael is an outcomes-based IT Executive with a proven track record of working on mergers and acquisitions and successfully transforming business processes by implementing highly effective technology solutions within multinational companies.

In this episode of The Schmooze, we sit down with Beth Feldman, Senior Vice President of Communications for The CW Network and Nexstar Media. Throughout her career she has launched hit talk shows, primetime series, and well-known brands by developing groundbreaking media campaigns that generate media exposure and drive consumer and viewer awareness.

David Glauber is an innovative international attorney with many years of Legal, Public Policy, Regulatory and Compliance experience.

In this episode of The Schmooze, we sit down with Bill Shafton, a seasoned in-house lawyer who led Grindr’s legal team from its founding days to its public debut on the NYSE. Bill shares insights from his journey through high-growth tech, regulatory challenges, and litigation strategy. Beyond his legal expertise, Bill opens up about his passion for music and how it has shaped his personal and professional journey

Jason Lubin is a manager-producer and the principal at First Story Entertainment, which he founded in 2018. The lit management company represents a diverse roster of talented writers and directors with fresh voices in all genres for Film and TV. The company’s clients have been staffed on shows on multiple networks including Showtime, CW, Apple+, and Netflix, and have sold series to Disney and HBO Max.

With over 15 years of experience in the tech sector, Neal is passionate about investing in and supporting innovative companies that impact communities and solve real-world problems. As a Managing Partner at Interlock Capital, he helped find, evaluate, fund, and support the best technology companies through our venture fund and angel investor syndicate.With over 15 years of experience in the tech sector, Neal is passionate about investing in and supporting innovative companies that impact communities and solve real-world problems. As a Managing Partner at Interlock Capital, he helped find, evaluate, fund, and support the best technology companies through our venture fund and angel investor syndicate.

Stacy Schusterman is chair of Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, whose mission is to pursue more just and inclusive societies in the United States and Israel. Stacy’s philanthropic vision is deeply rooted in Jewish values, including the pursuit of justice (tzedek), repairing the world (tikkun olam) and treating all people with dignity and respect (derekh eretz). Schusterman Family Philanthropies is advancing work started by her parents, Charles and Lynn Schusterman, more than 35 years ago to support joyful, diverse Jewish communities and build understanding of, connection to, and support for Israel in the U.S. Through Schusterman Family Philanthropies - Israel, she has grown the family’s investments in efforts to strengthen Israel as a safe homeland for the Jewish people, a thriving democracy and an inclusive society. Stacy's philanthropic priorities in the U.S. include advancing racial, gender and economic equity through investments in Criminal Justice, Democracy and Voting Rights, K-12 Education, Gender and Reproductive Equity and her hometown of Tulsa, OK. Stacy held leadership positions in several businesses over many years. Currently, her time is almost fully devoted to her philanthropy. Stacy earned her Bachelor’s degree from Yale University and her Master’s in Business Administration from the McCombs School of Business of the University of Texas at Austin.

Michael Kaufman founded Kaufman Lynn Construction (KL) in 1989 with three employees, including himself. Over the past 34 years, having completed over 1,000 projects, he has grown his company into one of the largest construction companies in Florida with operations throughout the Southeast. In 2020, Michael sold KL to its 250+ associates through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), sharing the company’s success.In his daily role, Michael is focused on KL’s regional growth, client satisfaction, and the brand’s continued recognition as a dedicated construction and community partner, and top place to work. Michael is a member of a variety of organizations including the Construction Association of South Florida (CASF) and the Florida East Coast Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). As a testament to his business acumen, Michael was a 3-time Finalist for the prestigious Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Florida Award. He has been repeatedly listed on Florida Trend magazine’s Florida 500 list and was named a “Power Leader in Real Estate” and an “Ultimate CEO” by the South Florida Business Journal.Michael serves on the Florida Council of 100, the Dean’s Advisory Board for the Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University, and is a member of the FAU Foundation, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, The Executive Quorum, Broward Workshop, and a Trustee of the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce. Michael and his wife, Lisa, make their home in Boca Raton, Florida, and have 6 children, and an extended group of family and treasured friends. Michael and Lisa’s commitment to philanthropy includes their dedication to educational and cultural arts initiatives, with a primary focus on the George Snow Foundation’s scholarship program.

Moses Libitzky is Chief Executive Officer of Libitzky Property Companies. Moses has over 40 years of commercial real estate expertise, specializing in mixed-use industrial rehabilitation. He has successfully directed over 100 projects with long term operation.Moses attended Brandeis University where he obtained a B.S. in Physics with a sub-specialty in Computer Science. Moses started his professional career by founding a computer company, Abacus Data Systems.Moses’ other passion is his work with the Libitzky Family Foundation, its mission is to create a culturally rich, supportive, inclusive and strong Jewish community. He also serves as the President of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, and he is a council member of the Muslim-Jewish Advisory Council, an interfaith, bipartisan collaboration convened by the American Jewish Committee and the Islamic Society of North America.

Director of Executive Leadership Jamie Kleinman with Alan Meltzer. Alan Meltzer founded The Meltzer Group, (rebranded to NFP in 2018), in 1982 as a single insurance agent. He has since grown the company to the point where it is consistently recognized as the largest insurance consultant and one of the most philanthropic in the greater Washington, D.C. area. Alan’s strong core values and work ethic were the driving forces behind The Meltzer Group’s exponential growth – and remain today as cornerstones of the firm.

On this week’s episode of “The Schmooze,” Joshua Gould talks about his career journey and what students can learn from his experience. Listen here to hear his wisdom!With over 20 years of experience in the language technology, defense and contingent workforce industries, Joshua is passionate about connecting people and businesses across borders and cultures. As the Group Chief Executive Officer at thebigword, he leads a global team of over 400 employees and 15,000 linguists, delivering translation, interpretation, and localization solutions to clients in over 250 languages and dialects.

Director of Executive Leadership Jamie Kleinman. Jacki Karsh is a six time Emmy-nominated multimedia journalist, covering Los Angeles County for LA36's LA County Channel. Jacki reports on social and humanitarian issues impacting Angelenos. Her pieces focus on the County-wide homelessness crisis, political developments, impactful scientific innovation prison reform, transformative infrastructure, and community initiatives.Jacki is also a host and producer for the entrepreneurial multimedia platform Business Rockstars, where she interviews entrepreneurs, startups and CEOs. She has previously reported for CityTV Santa Monica, Young Hollywood, and Westside TV. Her farmer's market segment called "Market Report" has over a million views. Jacki serves as the anchor and moderator of MontyTV at the annual Montgomery Summit in Santa Monica. In this role, she interviews some of the biggest newsmakers, entrepreneurs, and investors in the technology and finance space.Behind the camera Jacki works with private companies to produce exclusive video content for them. In this role, she maps out a company storyboard that captures the company's essence and creates video content for optimal social media sharing.Jacki graduated with a master's degree in Broadcast Journalism from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism in 2014 and cum laude from Columbia University in 2013 with a B.A. in English and Comparative Literature. She was honored with a King's Crown Award from Columbia University for her contribution to the media landscape and received the Communicator of the Year Award from New York Women in Communications. She serves on the board of directors for the Columbia University Alumni Association of Southern California Board and board of directors of Columbia College Women. She is also a board member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and the Columbia University Young Alumni Fund Advisory Board.

Ari Ackerman is a successful serial entrepreneur, strategic investor and proud philanthropist. His entrepreneurial history includes being the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bunk 1, the enormously popular technology company that allows parents to see online pictures and send emails to their children at camp. In March 2017, he successfully sold Bunk1 to the private equity firm Aquiline Capital Partners.Before Bunk1, his career included stints in product management at Procter & Gamble and marketing at Cendant Corporation. Additionally, he worked for four years on Capitol Hill for a member of Congress and on the Banking and Financial Services Committee. Ari has been featured in dozens of media outlets, including ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, CNBC, the Today Show, the New York Times, Crain's and the Wall Street Journal.Ari grew up in New York City and received his undergraduate degree from Duke University and an MBA with honors from Northwestern University (Kellogg). His philanthropic endeavors have involved serving on multiple boards such as the JCRC, AIPAC, Hillel and UJA. He was recently elected as the National Young Leadership Cabinet Co-chair for The Jewish Federations of North America. Ari has also hosted dozens of leading political figures in his home, including John McCain, Andrew Cuomo and Michael Bloomberg. During Michael Bloomberg's recent presidential campaign, Ari served as National Co-Chair of United for Mike.One of his recent entrepreneurial ventures is Tribe, a unique dating app that facilitates meaningful connections for Jewish singles. He is also a partner and board member of the Derek Jeter-led group that purchased the Miami Marlins in October of 2017.

Lee is CEO, writer at the Garfinkel Group LLC, specializing in marketing and entertainment.He is currently working for a few select clients as well as political and public service assignments.Lee was most recently CEO of FCB Garfinkel, the NY office of FCB. He was previously Chairman of Havas WW, NY.He also served as DDB New York’s Chairman and Chief Creative Officer where he won new assignments on Bud Light, Diet Pepsi, Philips Global, Subaru (It’s What Makes a Subaru, a Subaru), Lipton, United Technologies, and Electrolux. Lee was also the architect behind Amplify, the digital group within DDB.Before DDB, he was President and CCO of D’Arcy Worldwide. In a short time, Lee helped improve the agency’s creative output, rejuvenating such famous brands as Cadillac and Crest.Prior to D’Arcy, Lee worked at Lowe & Partners for eight years as Chairman, CEO and Chief Creative Officer. At Lowe, he was credited with raising the agency’s creative profile with work on such brands as Mercedes-Benz, Diet Coke, Sprite (Obey Your Thirst), Heineken (It’s All About the Beer), Citibank, KPMG, Sony and GMC trucks (We are Professional Grade.)Prior to Lowe, Lee spent three years at BBDO as Executive Creative Director, where he created unforgettable work for Pepsi including “Shady Acres" and the original Cindy Crawford spot.Before BBDO, Lee was at LHS&B for 11 years. Starting as a copywriter, he worked his way up to Executive Creative Director.Lee has received every major advertising award. In addition to winning Cannes Lions for Dos Equis, Subaru, Pepsi, Mercedes and Heineken, his honors also include One Show, ANDY and Clio awards.In 1989, Adweek’s Winners Magazine selected him as the #1 Copywriter in the U.S. In 1994, Lee was inducted into the Advertising Hall of Achievement. The following year, Adweek chose him for their U.S. All-Star Team as Best Creative Director. In 1998, Lee was in the Wall Street Journal’s creative leader series. And in 2005, Lee was part of the management team responsible for DDB being named Adweek’s “Global Agency of the Year.”