Marna Goldwin joined The Ark as CEO in 2020. She has held senior level positions in the business and non-profit sector. Prior to joining The Ark, Marna served as Chief Advancement Officer for Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School, an independent Jewish day school in Chicago for more than ten years, overseeing the school’s external relations including all fundraising, admissions, communications and marketing efforts. She also has extensive experience in the financial services industry.  

Jeff Blumberg joined The Ark as CFAO in 2022. He has held CFO positions for more than 30 years in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors. Jeff has vast experience in leading and managing several organizational functions, including Finance and Accounting, Human Resources, IT, Facilities, Risk Management and Legal. He also has deep knowledge in capital raising and business development. Jeff has served industries in health care, social services, professional services, and media and advertising.

Cheryl Davis leverages two decades of experience in marketing, branding, and digital and print communications to attract and engage Ark donors, volunteers, community partners, and clients. Prior to joining The Ark in 2021, Cheryl led e-commerce and wholesale account marketing at ACCO Brands and spent 10 years at AOL managing an account management team across consumer goods, travel, and financial services. She holds an MBA from George Washington University and a BA in American Studies and Jewish Studies from Tulane University.

Robin Karr has been at The Ark since 2003 and was instrumental in opening our Northbrook location in 2011. She received her Master of Social Work degree and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. In addition, Robin holds a Master of Accounting degree and is a Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor (CADC).

Naomi Ledersnaider received her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan and is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). A Chicago-area native, she joined the staff of The Ark in 2011.

Dawn joined The Ark in 2021 with years of critical outreach experience. She has worked for JCFS Chicago since 2015 as an Outreach Coordinator and Jewish Community Liaison, where she had the opportunity to work with Jewish organizations across denominations to help meet the social service and mental health needs of their members, students, families, staff leadership, and clergy. Prior to working at JCFS, Dawn was the Social Action and Volunteer Coordinator at Chicago Sinai Congregation.

Adam Parker joined The Ark as Director of Development in July 2021. He previously served as Director of Campaigns & Special Gifts at the Latin School of Chicago, where he led major and planned giving programs and developed leadership giving programs inclusive of annual, capital, endowment, and planned gifts. Adam previously served as Assistant Director of Major & Principal Gifts at Shedd Aquarium and began his development career in Jewish community at the Masorti Foundation in New York.

Jonathan Roth brings over two decades of non-profit and corporate organizational experience. He has incorporated his non-profit work under an umbrella of experience including being a decorated Gulf War Veteran, Public School Educator, corporate expansion specialist, Corporate Education and Educational Manager.

Andrea Storz, Director of Employment Services, created, developed and has grown The Ark Employment Department since 2004. In addition to being a professional resume writer and career coach, she uses her background in business, psychology and theatre to provide intensive Job Readiness training to a broad spectrum of clients from high level executives to recent graduates. Her unique approach and style as a job coach consultant and public speaker for both nonprofit and corporate worlds has been instrumental in helping businesses improve overall operations.

Mimi Seleski was born and raised in Chicago, attending Jewish day school growing up before attending Loyola University, where she graduated magna cum laude with RN, BSN. She worked as a public health nurse for CJE before returning to school for a Master’s in Public Health. Since joining the staff of The Ark, Mimi has served as Clinical Manager of Medical, Dental, and Pharmacy.

Rabbi Shlomo Tenenbaum has been with The Ark for over 36 years. Initially hired to start the Tzemach Program (now called IDP) he has worked as a general caseworker, director of housing, and director of Jewish enrichment. He holds a Masters of Science in Social Work from Columbia University. He also has semicha(ordination) Yoreh Yoreh from Yeshivat ITRI in Jerusalem. He studied applied halacha under Rabbi Tuvia Goldstein in Brooklyn and received Yadin Yadin from Rabbi Zalman Nechemiah Goldberg and Rabbi Chaim Kohn. He has been a member of the Chicago Choshen Mishpat Kollel for many years and has served as a dayan in various batei din in Chicago. He has a number of pieces published in Jewish newspapers, halacha journals and in books. He addresses spiritual needs, including Jewish life cycle events and funerals. In addition to funerals for Ark clients he is among the primary parties who buries any Jew with no family abandoned in the hospital or morgue through the Ark’s commitment to our community. He is a popular lecturer in the community and delivers three weekly shiurim on the telephone currently. He also has presented at professional mental health conferences.

Shimon Zeisel came to The Ark in 2005 where he has helped to develop and run The Ark’s group program (IDP). Shimon graduated with his Master’s in Social Work in 1995 after having spent six years working in residential and in-patient treatment. Since graduating he has been working in community mental health providing case management, group services and counseling. Shimon is a native of Chicago and enjoys walking and biking.