Leadership

Jessica Kort develops and manages communications and business strategies as well as directs special initiatives for Impact Cubed. As Leichtag Foundation’s Director of Communications and Strategy, Jessica manages all of the Foundation’s communications and research projects, and develops and implements organizational and inter-program strategy and evaluation. Jessica is highly skilled in the human-centered design research method and has extensive experience in developing and directing research projects of all kinds.

She previously served as Managing Director of Foothold Foundation, Communications Officer at the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego and Program Coordinator at Temple Emanu-El of San Diego.

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Vice President, Philanthropy, Leichtag Foundation

Sharyn Goodson has over 25 years of experience in philanthropy, program design and delivery, organizational development, and nonprofit fundraising. She currently serves as Vice President of Philanthropy for both Impact Cubed and Leichtag Foundation where she manages grantmaking, leads funder partnerships, and trains and counsels nonprofits on revenue generation, board and organizational development, as well as program design and evaluation. Sharyn holds the Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credential.

In April 2010, Sharyn joined the Leichtag Foundation as its first Program Officer. Beginning in 2012, she also began managing the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego’s philanthropy programs and served as the lead contact for major family funds and foundations as well as the Jewish Women’s Foundation. Her most recent role at the Jewish Community Foundation was as its Vice President of Philanthropy.

Previously, Sharyn was Director of Grants of Jewish Family Service of San Diego and Program Director of the Aspen Community Foundation in Aspen, CO.  Sharyn also served on the board of San Diego Grantmakers.

Mitchell Price supports Impact Cubed’s operations as it evolves and is responsible for managing content for internal and external needs. Mitchell is Leichtag Foundation’s Senior Grants & Programs Specialist. He coordinates event planning, grant processing, donor stewardship, and database management. Mitchell also supports program management for the Murray Galinson San Diego-Israel Initiative.

Prior to joining Leichtag Foundation, Mitchell worked at the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties as a Development Associate. Mitchell holds a B.A. in Political Science from Point Loma Nazarene University.

Executive Vice President, Leichtag Foundation

Charlene Seidle leads Impact Cubed’s efforts to engage new high net worth philanthropic partners and supports their work. As Leichtag Foundation’s Executive Vice President, Charlene oversees grantmaking, implements new programs, and provides management and strategy development. As the architect for the Leichtag Foundation’s Israel grantmaking strategy, Charlene visits frequently and has extensive knowledge of Israeli society and a strong Israeli network. She is often asked to consult on Israeli grantmaking by other Foundations.

Charlene spent 18 years working for the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego in increasingly responsible positions including serving as President and CEO.  Charlene won the 2013 JJ Greenberg Memorial Award, an international prize given annually to one outstanding philanthropic professional under the age of 40.

Heather Wolfson is the Founder and CEO of Maven Coaching and Consulting. She is a professional consultant and Board Certified Coach (BCC), specializing in helping people achieve organizational resilience and overcome roadblocks to their success. Heather’s experience in leading teams and developing strategies for organizations has given her the unique insight to propel people forward in their personal and professional lives. She is also a skilled and engaging facilitator who brings sessions to life for participants. Heather has over 15 years of experience working with organizations. She has served in many senior level positions including most recently as the COO of an international nonprofit organization that she helped establish.

David Cygielman is the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Moishe House. He has been a non-profit innovator since high school when he started Feed the Need, a nationally recognized homeless feeding organization. While attending the University of California at Santa Barbara, David served as the Hillel Student President and later the Executive Director of the Forest Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to helping college and high school students develop leadership qualities while following their passions. In 2006, he helped establish Moishe House and became the organization’s first CEO. Through his work in the Jewish community, David has garnered many honors including the Avi Chai Fellowship, the JCSA Young Leadership Award, and the Bernard Reisman Award for Professional Excellence. In 2013, David was the recipient of UCSB Hillel’s inaugural Alumni Achievement Award.

Jeffrey Ressler is a retired attorney.  An active philanthropist long involved in San Diego’s nonprofit community, Jeffrey served as Board Chair of the La Jolla Playhouse and on the board of the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego.  He currently serves as board chair for the Jewish Family Service of San Diego Foundation and on the boards of the Tectonic Theatre Project in New York City and the Museum of Photographic Arts in San Diego.