Executives and Key Staff
Composed of experienced professionals and committed community leaders, our executives and staff bring an impressive array of experience and expertise to the table, covering such key areas as social service delivery, campaign development, marketing/communications, finance, data, engagement/outreach, and more. Together, this team works to meet the needs of our community, today and for the future.
You can reach JFOC staff members at 949.435.3484 except as noted below.
Marsie Alford, Chief Financial Officer
Marsie Alford brings more than 25 years of accounting and finance experience to the Jewish Federation. She has most recently been an Adjunct Professor and an Accounting and Finance Consultant for such nonprofit client organizations as Union Station Homeless Services, Catholic Community Foundation, Society of Saint Vincent De Paul, and Human Options. Marsie has previously held Executive Finance roles for several nonprofits, including Make-a-Wish Foundation of Los Angeles, Southern California Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation, and East Bronx Daycare Center, Inc., in New York. She also served on the Board of Directors for James Varick Community Center in New York, NY. Marsie began her career as an Accountant and Financial Analyst for a top Fortune 500 company and later as a Financial Advisor. She holds a Bachelor of Science & Arts in Accounting and an MBA.
Stephanie Epstein
Chief Philanthropy Officer
Stephanie@JFFS.org
Stephanie Epstein has been a Jewish Communal Professional since starting her career in 2008. As a proud graduate of Jewish Federations of North America’s Fundraising University Program, Stephanie continues to live her passion of securing resources to support the community while pairing philanthropic passions with impact. Prior to serving as Jewish Federation of Orange County’s Chief Philanthropy Officer, Stephanie held roles such as Senior Director of Philanthropy, Interim Women’s Philanthropy Director, NextGen Director, and Manager of Shalom Family and PJ Library. Having been with the organization for over eight years, Stephanie has honed her skills of establishing strong fundraising operations and deepening relationships with donors and lay leadership. Prior to living in California, Stephanie worked for three years at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh within the young adult and campaign sphere. Stephanie was born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh. She currently lives in Aliso Viejo with her husband and son.
Accounting
Kay Williams
Accounts Payable
AP@JFFS.org
Community Partnerships / Relations
Kathleen Mellon
Senior Director, Community Partnerships
Kathleen@JFFS.org
Lisa Armony
Senior Director, Community Relations
Lisa@JFFS.org
Donor Services
Jacob Francis
Database Analyst / Jr. Developer
Jacob@JFFS.org
Lifelines
Nancy Almaleh
Case Manager, Lifelines, and Referral Specialist, MHSA Outreach & Engagement Program
Nancy@JFFS.org
949.435.3460 ext. 366
Engagement
Jillian Katz
Coordinator, Youth Outreach and Engagement
Jillian@JFFS.org
Dustin Biton
Director, NextGen
Dustin@JFFS.org
Marketing, Communications & Events
Sharyl Holtzman
Director, Marketing & Communications
Sharyl@JFFS.org
Alexandra Mars
Director, Special Events and Volunteers
AMars@JFFS.org
Nitzan Harel
Creative Director
Nitzan@JFFS.org
Philanthropy
Jahanna Semelroth
Director, Donor Relations
Jahanna@JFFS.org
Ashley Wolf
Associate, Donor Relations
Ashley@JFFS.org
Sebastian Feldman
Campaign Associate
Sebastian@JFFS.org