Our Team

In October 2019, Steve Hoffman was appointed Chair of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation following a unanimous vote of the board. Prior to his current role, Steve had been a trusted friend and philanthropic partner of the Mandel brothers for over 35 years and had served as a member of the Foundation board for nearly two decades.

In addition to his philanthropic and strategic oversight of the Mandel Foundation, the former CEO of the Cleveland Jewish Federation serves on the boards of the Cleveland Clinic, the Jewish Agency for Israel, the Jewish People’s Policy Institute of Jerusalem, the Cleveland Orchestra’s Musical Arts Association, and United Way of Greater Cleveland. He is also a co-founder of Secure Community Network, the official homeland security and safety initiative of the organized Jewish community in North America.

Steve began his career as director of social planning and research at the Cleveland Jewish Federation in 1974, advancing to the organization’s top leadership role in 1983. Aside from three years (2001-2004) when he was “loaned” to the Jewish Federations of North America, Hoffman continued at the helm of the Cleveland Federation until his retirement in 2018.

A graduate of Dickinson College, Steve earned graduate degrees in social work from the University of Maryland and Jewish studies from Baltimore Hebrew University, where he was also awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.

He lives in Shaker Heights, Ohio, with his wife Amy.

In 2011, Mort Mandel selected Jehuda Reinharz, longtime president of Brandeis University and a Mandel Foundation board member, to succeed him as president of the Mandel Foundation. During his tenure at Brandeis, Jehuda also served as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Director of the Tauber Institute for the Study of European Jewry, and the Richard Koret Professor of Modern Jewish History. Previously, he was a professor of Jewish history at the University of Michigan.

Jehuda is the author or co-author of over one hundred articles and thirty-four books in various languages. He received nine honorary doctorates and has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a member of the Council of Foreign Relations. He served as chairman of the International Board of the Weizmann Institute of Science and served on several boards and advisory committees.

Jehuda earned concurrent bachelor’s degrees from Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. He then earned his master’s degree in medieval Jewish history from Harvard University and his doctorate in modern Jewish history from Brandeis University.

Jehuda lives in Brookline, Massachusetts, with his wife Shula.

Jen is responsible for overseeing grantmaking, reporting, compliance, and strategic implementation for the Mandel Foundation and the individual foundations of Mandel family members, working to ensure clients’ grantmaking is seamless. Jen joined the Mandel Foundation in 2016 as Assistant Manager of Operations.

Before joining the Mandel Foundation, Jen completed a one-year fellowship with Challenge Detroit, where she served as a Data and Financial Analyst with Hospice of Michigan. An additional component of the fellowship program was working with non-profits on several projects ranging from website creation to community organizing. Before this, Jen was Director of Operations for Clean Value Partners, a New York-based hedge fund, managing all operational aspects including fund administration, investor relations and compliance. This range of experience honed her ability to collaborate with diverse groups, conduct oversight and develop a strategic mindset.

Jen earned a BS in Finance and Economics from Susquehanna University. She serves on the Slavic Village Development board and is an activator for Coralus, which funds women-owned ventures to create social impact and drive an economic shift.

Jen and her husband, Zach, reside in Lakewood, Ohio, with their two children.

Eva was appointed Director of the Mandel Institute for Nonprofit Leadership in spring of 2024, following several years as a Senior Research Fellow supporting the Foundation’s strategic planning for North America. In 2022, she led the design and launch of the Cultural Leadership Program, which she continues to direct, in addition to her oversight of the Mandel Institute's programming, strategy and financial operations.

Prior to joining the Mandel Foundation, Eva worked at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership where she managed partnerships with the Center’s board, alumni network, and community organizations. She has developed a range of cultural initiatives over the course of her career, such as Entrepreneurial Musicianship at New England Conservatory, a university-wide program that offers students career navigation, leadership training, and support to develop new creative work. She also served as the founding Executive Director of Piyut North America, an initiative to revitalize Jewish musical and spiritual traditions from North Africa and the Middle East.

Eva holds an MPA from Harvard Kennedy School, an MA in Ethnomusicology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a BA in Music and Hebrew Literature from New York University. She and her husband, Matt, live in Boston, MA, with their two children.

Seymour's primary area of focus is the Foundation’s Mandel Teacher Educator Institute (MTEI) program. He joined the Foundation as a consultant in 2005 and moved into his current role in 2013.

Before joining the Foundation, Seymour served as Director of the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland (JEC), where he frequently worked with the Foundation on various initiatives. He has also served as a teacher, a day school principal, and Director of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, the national umbrella body for South African Jewry.

Seymour holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and an MBA. He graduated from the Jerusalem Fellows program and holds multiple endorsements from the Ohio Department of Education, including a superintendent’s license.

Seymour and his wife Gail life in Beachwood, Ohio.

Mark is responsible for overseeing the operations of the Foundation, which includes grant processing, reporting and compliance, board governance, financial reporting, communications and human resources.

Mark also serves as Vice President of Philanthropic Operations of Parkwood, the administrative trustee of the Mandel Foundation. Mark joined Parkwood in 2004 as the Director of Internal Audit and has served in several roles, including Director of Investment Operations and Risk Manager.

Before joining Parkwood, Mark was a Senior Manager with Deloitte, focusing on audits of closely held businesses, non-profit organizations and public sector entities. This broad range of experience helped him develop an operational focus and keen attention to detail.

Mark earned a BA in Accounting from John Carroll University. He is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) and a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) charter holder.

Mark and his wife, Mary, live on a small farm in Leroy Township and have two children.

Michael has served as the Mandel Foundation's trusted advisor for over twenty years regarding grantmaking and leadership development in Cleveland, Ohio. He is the founder and program director of the Neighborhood Leadership Development Program (NLDP) and the Community Development Corporation Leadership Program (CDCLP), which the Foundation operates to empower engaged community leaders and community development professionals serving Cleveland neighborhoods.

Before joining the Mandel Foundation, Michael was the Mayor of Cleveland for twelve years and previously held two other elected public offices: Ohio State Senator and Cleveland City Councilman. Michael graduated from Ohio State University with a BA in Education and an MA in Public Administration.

Kelsey oversees a portfolio of grantees, assists with the grant review and approval processes, and helps manage grantee reporting and compliance. Kelsey joined the Foundation in 2024.

Prior to joining the Mandel Foundation, Kelsey earned a Bachelor of Arts in English at the University of Dayton with a concentration in Technical Writing. After graduation, she served as an AmeriCorps VISTA at United Way of Summit and Medina before being hired full-time as United Way’s Manager of Grant Development, where she managed all grant research, development, and compliance activities. This experience provides Kelsey with the skills to communicate and collaborate effectively with grantees.

Kelsey lives in Cleveland, Ohio, where she enjoys finding new coffee shops and reading good books.

Kim joined the Mandel Foundation staff in 2022. She had previously worked as an office manager at an area Montessori preschool, where she was responsible for maintaining financial records, billing, and payables, supervising the program’s compliance with state regulations, and writing policy when needed. Kim had similar responsibilities when she spent many years managing non-profit group homes for at-risk children and special populations.

Kim earned her BA in English at North Carolina Central University and then received an MA in English from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. She did doctoral work at Purdue University, specializing in Postcolonial and Queer Theories. As a volunteer, she has focused on LGBTQ causes and has board experience.

Kim and her wife, Erin, live with their dog and cat in Beachwood, Ohio.

Alexandra "Alex" Burrage oversees a portfolio of client grant requests, guides them through the review and approval process, and assists with grantee communications, client relations, and correspondence.

Before joining the Mandel Foundation in 2024, Alex held various roles in arts and cultural nonprofits in Cleveland and Washington, D.C. Her experience and background in audience engagement, development, and arts advocacy make her perfect for assisting clients as they help grantee organizations achieve their missions through philanthropic support.

Alex earned a BA in English Writing from Lake Forest College and an MA in Arts Management from George Mason University.

Carol provides administrative and logistical support for the Foundation’s Mandel Teacher Educator Institute (MTEI) program. She joined the Foundation in 2013 as an Associate.

Carol’s previous work experience includes event planning, marketing, public relations and hospitality with various companies and venues. She has also worked in broadcast media in the Columbus and Cleveland markets. These combined experiences enabled her to assist with the re-launch of the MTEI program in 2014.

Carol attended Cuyahoga Community College and Cleveland State University, earning a BA in Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and majoring in Communications. She became interested in nonprofit work after volunteering with multiple organizations in the city.

Carol previously served on Cleveland State University’s Alumni Board of Directors and enjoys supporting Cleveland’s revitalization efforts.

In this role, Sarah facilitates the grantmaking process, provides compliance oversight, and fosters relationships with grantee organizations. Sarah joined the Foundation in 2020 as a Grants Coordinator.

Before joining the Mandel Foundation, Sarah worked as Deputy Director for SPACES, where she led critical administrative, financial and fundraising operations for the Cleveland-based nonprofit arts institution. Before SPACES, Sarah was the Development Coordinator for Resilience (formerly RVA) in Chicago, Illinois, where she managed all resource development efforts across the organization. These experiences provide Sarah with a unique perspective to effectively engage the Foundation’s nonprofit partners.

Sarah earned a BA in English Literature with a minor in Political Science from Miami University in 2008 and was a member of Alpha Phi Omega. Sarah earned a Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 2013.

Sarah and her husband, Mark, reside in Parma, Ohio, with their three children.

Melissa oversees a portfolio of grantees and guides them through the review and approval process, drafts and reviews grant agreements, and helps support them in maintaining compliance. Melissa joined the Foundation in 2023.

Prior to joining the Mandel Foundation, Melissa wrote guides and explainers and created resources to help state, local, and tribal governments comply with federal grant regulations during her time working at a grants management software company. Before that, Melissa taught courses centered on critical writing, scholarly research practices, and public writing focused on civic and community engagement at Case Western Reserve University during her doctoral work. These experiences give Melissa a unique perspective on grants management and help her support Foundation grantees.

Melissa earned her BA in English from Lourdes University, an MA in Literature from Eastern Michigan University, and a PhD. In English from Case Western Reserve University. She and her partner, Ben, live in Cleveland Heights with their two cats and dog.

Jordan oversees a portfolio of grantees, managing the approval and review process, drafting and reviewing grant agreements, and working with grantees to maintain compliance. Jordan joined the Mandel Foundation in 2022.

Before joining the Mandel Foundation, Jordan worked at various nonprofit organizations in public media, social services and performing arts. Jordan has experience in fundraising, volunteer management and event planning. These past experiences help Jordan work with grantees on reporting and compliance of grants and enable him to advocate for the organizations the Mandel Foundation supports.

Jordan earned a Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He and his wife, Bernadette, live in Lakewood, Ohio, with their two dogs.

Pam joined the Mandel Foundation as its first communications and marketing staff member in 2023. She oversees communications strategy and public relations for the Foundation while providing editorial support for its programs across the United States. She also serves as Lead Coach for the Mandel-sponsored Neighborhood Leadership Development Program (NLDP).

Previously, Pam was a nonprofit communications consultant (2015-2023) for clients such as Cleveland Transformation Alliance, Cleveland State University, Case Western Reserve, and Trinity Cathedral. Earlier in her career, she held various social service roles, including Director of Social Work and ICU/ER Case Manager.

Pam is an elected member of the Euclid City Schools Board of Education, a graduate of NLDP Cohort 12, and co-chair of the Euclid HOPE Violence Reduction Task Force. She graduated from Youngstown State University with a BA in Social Work and lives in Euclid with her husband and three children.