WashU Hillel 2023-24 Board of Directors

Lori Sheinbein is currently in her second year as WashU Hillel Board Chair. She has been involved as a volunteer and Board member with Hillel for over a decade beginning when her oldest son, Daniel (WashU BA ’16; MS ’17), was a first-year student. Lori became involved in a leadership capacity with Hillel following her participation in the yearlong OnBoard Fellowship. Lori has served on numerous boards, including the Jewish Community Center of St. Louis, J Associates, Women’s Philanthropy of Jewish Federation of St. Louis, and the B’nai Amoona Sisterhood. Lori has a BA in Elementary Education from the University of Missouri – Columbia and a Master’s degree in education from Maryville University. She currently works at Room at the Inn, a local shelter and non-profit supporting individuals in finding solutions to their homelessness through education, referrals, and case management. Lori enjoys providing ongoing support to new and current parents of WashU students, having gotten to know many families through her Hillel involvement and helping to navigate her own three young adult children through college and beyond.

Penny Alper has been involved with WashU Hillel for 16 years. She has held various Board positions and is currently immediate Past Board Chair. Other community leadership roles include serving as a former Board member of Kol Rinah and Co-Chair of its Capital Campaign and past President of the J Associates. Penny’s non-profit involvement extends to The Arthritis Foundation, Jewish Student Union, and Operation Food Search. She was honored to have received the 2023 JProStL Partnership Award and feels grateful she has had the opportunity to work with many talented, knowledgeable professionals and colleagues. Penny began her career in education and early childhood development. She and her husband Marc reside in Clayton and enjoy traveling and spending time with their three children and four grandchildren.

Laura (Siegel) Whalen has been a member of the WashU Hillel Board of Directors since 2017, and currently serves as 1st Vice Chair. A native of Northampton, MA, she is an alumna of Emory University (BA), Miami University (MS) and Washington University (MBA). Laura is an experienced project leader with over 15 years of professional experience in change management and process improvement projects. Since returning to St. Louis in 2014, she has been an active volunteer at her children's schools, and in the Jewish community, including participation in the yearlong OnBoard Fellowship. Laura is married to Mark, also an alumnus of Washington University (MBA), and they have two school-aged children.

Rick Williams is the owner of Millbrook Pharmacy, on the corner of Big Bend and Forest Park Parkway across from Washington University, and co-owner of Ladue Pharmacy in Ladue. Rick began working at his father Maurice’s Pharmacy, Williams Pharmacy, at the age of 7. After graduating from WashU’s Olin Business School with a BS in business administration in 1981, he became a CPA and practiced in public accounting for 16 years. He then went back into the family business, purchasing Ladue Pharmacy with his brother in 1999, and re-opening Williams Pharmacy as Millbrook Pharmacy in 2015. Rick has been married to his wife Marcy, another WashU grad, since 1981. They have four children and three grandchildren and are members of Congregation B’nai Amoona.

Jeff Fishman is the founder of JSF Financial, LLC, a concierge wealth management practice catering to the diverse needs of a discerning clientele. Founded in 1996, JSF Financial is rooted in Jeff’s passion for serving the human element in finance and providing compassionate, innovative, and tailored advice.

Jeff has lectured widely on personal financial planning, estate conservation, and tax-managed investing. He is often featured or quoted in publications such as Barron’s, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Planning Magazine, and Investment News.

Jeff has a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Communications from Yeshiva University, and a JD from the Benjamin Cardozo School of Law. He holds a Personal Financial Planning designation from UCLA and is an Investment Advisor Representative. Jeff and his wife Shari, live in Los Angeles, CA and are the parents of three children, Alexa, Jonathan (WashU BU ’24), and Olivia (WashU ’28).

Dr. David Kantor is a 1973 graduate of Washington University with an AB in Psychology and his DO degree from KCU-College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is a family physician with St. Luke's Medical Group. This is his second tour on the Hillel Board, the first in the 1980s. His Jewish engagement has included serving as a doctor at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin for nine years, and serving at Congregation B’nai Amoona in multiple roles, including past Board Executive Vice President, current Ritual Vice President and former Youth Director. He has also led the B’nai Amoona Junior Congregation for over 15 years and serves as a lay prayer leader. In the broader community, David is involved in CARE - Change & Action for Racial Equity in St. Louis. As part of his role with CARE, David works to place and construct little free libraries in underserved areas throughout St. Louis. David has three children, the eldest of whom is a Brown School MSW graduate.

Dr. Susan Godwin Kofkoff has been a member of the WashU Hillel Board of Directors since 2017, but her connection with Hillel long precedes her Board service. The Silk Foundation, her family's foundation, has helped underwrite Hillel’s rabbi position since 2009. A native of St. Louis, Susan is an alumna of Washington University with a bachelor's degree in Biology as well as a dental degree from the School of Dental Medicine. Susan also completed a residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at WashU/Barnes Hospital and practiced oral surgery in St. Louis for 30 years. She has been involved in the Jewish community and has served on the Board of Directors for the St. Louis Jewish Federation and the Saul Mirowitz Jewish Day school. Susan is married to Richard; they have two children and three grandchildren.

Kayt Kopen joined the WashU Hillel Board in 2023. She is a dual WashU graduate, having received her BA in 2011 and JD in 2014. Kayt joined Husch Blackwell in 2014 and is currently a partner with a wide-ranging practice, specializing in labor and employment law. She counsels employers on personnel decisions, wage and hour issues, internal complaints, investigations, background checks, employment contracts, restrictive covenant agreements, reductions in force, and leave and accommodation issues. Her passion and dedication to her clients provide more than peace of mind; they provide confidence that their business objectives are met, and their employees are well-cared for. Kayt is a member of Husch Blackwell’s Executive Recruiting Committee and True North Committee, an enrichment series for women. In addition to an active pro bono practice, Kayt represents indigent clients in lawsuits and offers regular employment counseling to nonprofit organizations. She has dedicated her time and legal expertise as a Board member and held leadership roles in many St. Louis and national organizations, including the American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division; Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis Call-A-Lawyer Committee and Young Lawyers Division; Humane Society of Missouri, Women’s Leadership Council; St. Louis Crisis Nursery; and St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum. She and her husband, Jacob Greenberg, MD, reside in University City. Jacob is also a WashU alum and joined WashU’s Department of Neurosurgery Spine Division in August 2023.

Amy Kweskin has been an active board member at WashU Hillel having served as the Finance Committee Chair and member of the Executive Committee. She is the Executive Vice Chancellor for Finance and Chief Financial Officer for Washington University in St. Louis. Amy received her bachelor's degree in Business with majors in Finance and Marketing and a minor in Economics from the University of Missouri - St. Louis. She obtained her Masters in Business Administration from St. Louis University. Amy also serves on the Budget, Finance and Administration Committee of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis and is actively involved in several other professional organizations. She has been a guest lecturer for the Olin Business School at Washington University. Amy and her husband, Jay, have two children, both Washington University alumni.

Rick Lerner has been a member of the WashU Hillel Board of Directors since 2021. He is a Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley. Rick received his bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering from Washington University in 1988 and his MBA from the University of Missouri - St. Louis in 1995. Prior to becoming a Financial Advisor, he spent 15 years as a Computer and Systems Consultant. Rick and his wife, Becky, have three children.

Dr. Lisa Ring has been a member of the WashU Hillel Board of Directors since 2020. She is a proud alumna of Washington University in St. Louis (BA '76, MD '80 and Dermatology residency Barnes Hospital '85). She continued her affiliation with Washington University School of Medicine as a Clinical Instructor for over two decades and recently retired after 32 years in her own private dermatology practice in St. Louis. She met her husband, Jay Ring, of blessed memory her first year at Washington University. They have one perfect daughter. Since 2011, she has enjoyed the company of her husband, Gregory Storch, M.D., Ruth L. Siteman Professor of Pediatrics at the Washington University School of Medicine. Current interests include, but aren't limited to, reading, walking, travel, canines and cooking.

Ian Silberman is a principal and co-founder of LOCATION. Commercial Real Estate, a firm specializing in tenant and buyer representation, landlord and owner representation, investment acquisitions, and development services. Ian oversees the brokerage, investment, and operational teams. Ian has also been active in many philanthropic causes. In addition to his current role on the Board of Hillel at Washington University in St. Louis, he is a former member of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis Board of Directors, and was involved in the JFNA National Young Leadership Cabinet, Wexner Heritage Program, and the Jewish Federation’s Millstone Leadership Institute. In 2008, Ian was the recipient of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis Grosberg Young Leadership Award. Ian grew up in Potomac, Maryland and is a 1992 graduate of Washington University’s Olin Business School. He and his wife Heidi have one daughter.

Jenny Wolkowitz is the Director of Parent Engagement & Advancement at Washington University and joined the WashU Hillel Board in 2023. She has a BA in Philosophy from the University of Texas and a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from Eastern Washington University. As the former St. Louis area consultant for Tips on Trips and Camps, Jenny was known as St. Louis’ “camp lady” for 15 years. In her earlier career, Jenny held various political positions for Gov. Ann Richards of TX, U.S. Congressman Dick Swett (D-NH), U.S. Congressman Alan Wheat (D-MO), and Governor Bob Holden of MO. Jenny successfully spearheaded the effort to pass anti-BDS legislation in the 2020 Missouri Legislative Session. She is an alum of the Wexner Heritage Program and continues to be involved as a delegate representing the St. Louis cohort. Jenny is a former President of The St. Louis Jewish Light and Nishmah, a program seeking to inspire, engage, and support Jewish women. She has also served on the Boards of the St. Louis Jewish Community Center, the Jewish Community Relations Council, and the Solomon Schechter Day School, and is currently part of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis Israel & Overseas Allocations Committee. In addition to Wexner, Jenny was previously selected to participate in the Federation’s Young Leadership and Focus St. Louis Leadership programs, the Hadassah Leadership Academy, and the St. Louis County Re-apportionment Commission. Jenny is married to Rich Wolkowitz and resides in Creve Coeur; they have three grown daughters, all of whom live in St. Louis, including one who is in her final year at WashU Law School.