Nice to meet you.

CEO

Michelle Shapiro Abraham (she/her) has been a trailblazer in the field of Jewish organizational leadership for over twenty years and is excited to join the Gather, Inc. team as their second organizational CEO. Her work explores the intersection of community organizing and relational strategizing as a way to reimagine Jewish leadership, communal power, and individual thriving. Most recently Michelle served as the Executive Director of Strategic Innovation and Program for the Union for Reform Judaism overseeing the Reform Movement’s teen strategies, Israel Immersives, and system-wide camp initiatives. A respected educator, author, speaker, and consultant for camps, congregations, and Jewish organizations, she holds a Master’s Degree and an honorary Doctorate in Jewish Education from the Rhea Hirsch School of Education at HUC-JIR. MIchelle is a PJ Library and Sydney Taylor Notable Book Award author and the recipient of the 2015 Covenant Award for Excellence in Jewish Education. In her free time, you can find Michelle in her home art studio where she enjoys ceramics, metalwork, and general artistic playing.

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

As Sr. Director of Operations, Joann Gomez (she/her) leads the operational and strategic development of Gather, Inc. as it works to expand its relational platform on a national level. She brings 15+ years of experience in nonprofit management, operations and administration. Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to helping leaders identify areas where they should direct their focus as well as metrics for success. Her superpower is speaking “business” and “people” to easily distill information to make sure the right people have the right information to execute. Joann is originally from The Bronx, NY and currently resides in North Carolina. In her spare time she enjoys live music events, traveling, and camping to name a few.

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PEOPLE & CULTURE

As Gather, Inc.’s Director of People & Culture, Julie Silber (she/her) is responsible for making Gather a really awesome place to work. With over seven years of experience in building up internal processes and infrastructure for growing grassroots nonprofit organizations, Julie knows that at the heart of every healthy organization is a team that feels supported, invested in, and energized by the work they're doing. Julie's passion lies in creating supportive, equitable, and FUN places to work, and is deeply grateful to be able to show up every day knowing that through her work, she’s bringing Gather's people-first mindset inward and infusing it throughout every facet of what we do. Julie has a B.A. in Psychology with minors in Middle Eastern Studies and International Development & Conflict Management from the University of Maryland. She would be nowhere without her bullet journal keeping her life in order, and enjoys hosting friends for dinner at her home in Adams Morgan and spending sunny days outdoors with her husband.

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF ENGAGEMENT AND IMPACT

Alexandra (she/her) specializes in facilitating effective and efficient spaces where people can freely bring big bold ideas into the real world. As Gather, Inc.’s Senior Director of Engagement and Impact, Alexandra spends her day working with both GatherCities and GatherTrainings to bring relationship-based engagement to Jewish communities across the country. Alexandra has been a member of the Gather team since early 2021, and also serves as Managing Director of GatherDC. She is an expert in the Gather methodologies and strategizing new and creative ways to deepen relational work, supporting cyclical learning processes throughout the organization, and developing relational data and metrics.

Alexandra has worked in both the public and private sector and has a master’s degree in International Relations from American University. Outside of work, you can find her on the yoga mat, obsessing over skin care, and watching PBS.

DIRECTOR OF TRAININGS

Sarah Fredrick (she/her) is Gather, Inc.’s Director of Trainings. She previously served as GatherDC’s Northern Virginia (NoVA) Community Director, where she led grassroots young adult engagement and strategy development. Sarah is a relational engagement expert, specializing in facilitation and coaching. She is passionate about collaborating with organizations, individuals, and communities to re-envision more meaningful, accessible, relational approaches to Jewish life. Sarah lives in Washington, D.C., where she also works as a freelance musician.

NETWORKS MANAGER

Blair Lineham (he/him) is Gather, Inc.’s Networks Manager. He spent nearly a decade in the sales world before leaving to support individuals as a life and leadership coach, group facilitator, and mindfulness meditation teacher. Blair founded the Authentic Relating community in his hometown of Rochester, NY and is a regular facilitator in the Bay Area leading workshops to help people create deeper connections with themselves and others. At the core of Blair’s work lies a deep curiosity and drive to welcome people exactly as they are and create cultures of belonging. Currently residing in Oakland, CA, Blair loves dancing, playing guitar, and bringing community together through song and movement.

OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

Omega Hollies (she/her) is the Operations Coordinator at Gather, Inc. She works in the operations team to streamline systems and support the financial, people & culture, and development spaces as Gather grows. Prior to joining Gather, she spent 8 years as a Higher Education administrator, working in student affairs & DEI. Omega wholeheartedly believes in the powerful ways better, more equitable policies, systems, and structures can improve our lives. She holds a B.A. in Education and an M.Ed in Adult and Higher Education both from Grand Valley State University. She currently lives in Ithaca, NY with her husband, 1-year old son, and house cat, Max. She enjoys being joyfully engaged in her community and sits on a number of committees for her local Reform temple. In her free time she focuses on her many hobbies including knitting, quilting, DIY home improvement, and frequent trips to the Ithaca farmer’s market.

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Sam Milligan (he/him) is Gather, Inc.’s Communications Manager and serves in the same role for GatherDC. He is always seeking out new and exciting ways to tell the personal, vulnerable, human stories that exemplify Gather’s community- and connection-building impact. Find him outside of work playing pickup basketball, writing short fiction, baking, and fruitlessly trusting Philadelphia sports teams with his time and hope.

Learn more about the teams stewarding our relational communities in GatherDC and GatherBay!