| Presenter Bios |
 | Rabbi Aaron specializes in formal and informal adult education. Scott is currently completing his PhD in Educational Philosophy through Loyola University of Chicago, where his academic work focuses on the impact of experiential education on the Jewish identity of emerging adults. Scott has worked in emerging adult education through the Hillels at New York University, Ohio State University, and the University of Chicago. He has also worked extensively in the camping and retreat field, and was the director of education for the Brandeis-Bardin Institute outside Los Angeles from 2001-2004. He is the author of Jewish U: A Contemporary Guide for The Jewish College Student, which is now in its second edition. |
 | Shalom Orzach, AVI CHAI Foundation Project Director, Education Department, Jewish Agency Shalom Orzach manages various projects that seek to enhance Israel education in residential camps in North America. He has a rich background in camping, running various camps in England where he grew up and later serving as the education director at Camp Ramah in the Poconos. He has served as consultant for the Jim Joseph Foundation and the Jewish Peoplehood Committee. Shalom has a strong passion for teaching, feels privileged to live in Jerusalem with his family, and will always have an amusing story about life in the Land of so much Promise. |
 | Vardit Ringvald, Professor of Hebrew & Director, Hebrew Language Program, Brandeis Vardit Ringvald initiated and directs the MA in Hebrew Education at Brandeis and is the founding director of the Brandeis University–Middlebury School of Hebrew. Along with her colleagues, she published Brandeis Modern Hebrew, which instantly became the standard college Hebrew language textbook in the United States. Dr. Ringvald serves as Senior Academic Advisor at Hebrew at the Center, Inc. (HATC) and is an expert in the application of the Proficiency Approach to foreign language instruction and the development of competency-based curriculum for teaching Modern Hebrew in all educational settings. |
 | Rae Ringel, President, Ringel Group Rae Ringel is a PCC certified executive coach and leadership trainer with an expertise in transforming professional performance of mid-to-senior level management to drive greater business excellence. As President of The Ringel Group, she is nationally renowned for her outstanding repertoire of skills and interpersonal acumen. Her esteemed clientele, which include executives at Microsoft, Management Concepts, MarketResearch.com, The Goldstar Group and officials at the White House, have benefited from the profound influence that Rae has had on the vitality and productivity of their improved workforce. Prior to opening The Ringel Group, Rae was the Director of Professional and Volunteer Development at United Jewish Communities (UJC), where she devised an award-winning interactive web-based training program and other inspiring workshops, retreats and conferences to train over 20,000 professionals and volunteers. Rae is also globally recognized as an innovator in the field of not-for-profit fundraising and board development, and serves as a lead coach for PEJE (Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education) and a consultant for Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life. Rae is a Phi Beta Kappa Graduate of University of Rochester, received her MA in organizational psychology from Columbia University, and earned her Executive Coaching certification from Georgetown University. She was a recipient of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship. Rae is a mother of four and resides with her husband in Washington D.C. |
 | Rachel Lissy, Senior Trainer, Ramapo for Children Rachel Lissy began her career working with young people as summer counselor at Camp Ramapo in 1995. During her seven summers working at Ramapo, Rachel developed behavior management, relationship-building, and supervision skills that continue to be fundamental to her work. She served as a teaching associate with Citizens Schools and worked with Good Shepherd Services, first as the director of an after-school program and then as the site coordinator for a program serving 200 students in grades K-8. Rachel is currently pursuing a PhD in Education at UC Berkeley. |
 | Loida Noriega-Wilson, President, Norwil Group Loida works domestically and internationally as a consultant, trainer, speaker, executive coach and published writer. The Norwil Group specializes in working with professional of all levels, from CEOs to front-line supervisors, offering training and assessments that help to develop organizational and personal performance. Prior to founding The Norwil Group, Loida worked in domestic and international business and management for more than 30 years. She has leveraged her experience in the business world to help camps understand how they can build better, stronger, and faster communication connections with staff, campers and parents. |
 | Judith Belasco, Director of Food Programs, Hazon Judith Belasco oversees the annual Hazon Food Conference, as well as a network of over 50 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, the Jewish Food Education Network (JFEN), and Siach: An Environmental and Social Justice Conversation. She is a registered dietitian with a Masters in nutrition and public health. |
 | Jay Frankel, President, True to Life Training Jay is a highly regarded consultant to camps and schools throughout the U.S. and Canada that benefit from his expertise in organizational development and transitions; staff and leadership development; one-on-one coaching; and instructional and evaluation design. Prior to starting True To Life Training in 1999, Jay was the director of training and development for Viacom, Inc. Jay is currently a faculty member of the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s Specialty Camps Incubator and the Executive Leadership Institute, as well as an active business affiliate of the American Camp Association. |
 | Andrew Hazen, Founder, Prime Visibility Andrew Hazen has been developing and branding successful businesses for more than 15 years. He has extensive knowledge and experience in web-based marketing, website optimization and social media marketing. In 2008, Andrew’s book, Search Engine Optimization: Plain & Simple was published. He has been recognized as a leading search engine marketing expert on the A&E Biography Channel and Fox Business. |
 |
