Meet the Team

Amanda began her career in advertising, and quickly realized her passion lay in working to better the Jewish community. Prior to helping launch the Zalik Foundation, Amanda served in executive roles at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta and Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. She was an inaugural Education Fellow at the Institute of Southern Jewish Life and is a member of the Wexner Field Fellowship Class 7. She holds an MBA from University of Southern California, an MA in Jewish Nonprofit Management from Hebrew Union College and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.

Michael is a technology entrepreneur, real estate investor, and Jewish studies scholar. As co-founder of Security First Network Bank and S1 Corporation, he was a pioneer in financial technology. After a successful business career, Michael deepened his Jewish learning through the Wexner Heritage Program and earned a Ph.D. in Religious Studies and a Graduate Certificate in Jewish Studies from Emory University. He now manages Greene Karlin Real Estate and serves as President of the Weber School Board. Passionate about the intersection of business, education, and Jewish community, Michael works to bridge traditional Jewish values with modern approaches to learning and leadership.

Michael is passionate about fostering vibrant Jewish communities. He holds an MA in Jewish Professional Leadership and an MBA from Brandeis University, along with a BA in Urban Studies including advanced coursework in Economics, Social Work, and Jewish Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. He has held roles at Emory Hillel and Ramah Darom, where he served as Camp Program Director. Michael is a former Moishe House Toco Hills resident and a member of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship/Davidson Scholars Class 33.

Eliav is a Jewish communal marketing expert with over a decade of experience in strategic communications, digital engagement, and nonprofit growth. He has advised organizations across North America and Israel on fundraising strategy, system optimization, and stakeholder outreach. Originally from Israel, Eliav holds a law degree and a master’s in philosophy from Bar-Ilan University. He lives in Atlanta with his wife and two daughters.

Sarah has dedicated her career to Jewish communal and educational settings. She received an MA in Jewish Education from the William Davidson School of Jewish Education at the Jewish Theological Seminary and an MEd in Education from the University of Florida. She has held engagement and education roles at synagogues in Washington DC and Chicago, at Ramah Darom as Program Director, and Day Schools in Atlanta. She is also a graduate of the M² Senior Cohorts Fellow Program. 

After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with degrees in Business and Spanish, Alli Brown started her professional career in Human Resources at Texas Instruments before moving home to Atlanta, GA to become a small business owner.

After growing and operating a successful business, Alli decided to follow her passion for Jewish philanthropy by joining the Zalik Foundation. As a grants manager, she helps further the foundation’s mission by working directly with the organizations making an impact in the Jewish community, empowering them to navigate the grants process with ease.

Alli lives in Atlanta with her husband and son.

Neema brings over five years of experience in the nonprofit sector. A graduate of Florida International University, Neema is deeply committed to empowering others and fostering community growth. Her work has focused on program management, stakeholder engagement, and resource development, driving initiatives that create meaningful impact. With a passion for building connections and promoting equity, Neema excels in supporting organizations that improve lives and strengthen communities. She continues to dedicate her career to creating opportunities for positive change and collaborative success.