JWAAA Board Officers & Directors
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Civia Tamarkin is an award-winning investigative journalist, documentary filmmaker, former CNN executive, and president of JWAAA (formerly NCJW AZ) since 2019. Under her leadership, the organization has become a leading force in Arizona social justice advocacy, challenging abortion bans, gender injustices, and government overreach through legislative and legal action. Civia serves on Governor Hobbs’ Advisory Councils on Reproductive Justice and on Jewish American Relations. A Chicago native, Civia has lived in Arizona since 2004. She and her husband are grandparents to a blended family of 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren who motivate Civia's fierce advocacy for transformational, progressive social change.
President
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Julie joined the NCJW AZ board in 2021 and has played a leading role in the organization’s advocacy efforts. A Scottsdale-based attorney, she focuses on small business litigation, regulatory law, and reproductive justice. In 2021, she won a landmark appeal challenging an Arizona law that criminalized pregnancy. Julie previously served on Arizona’s Midwifery Scope of Practice Committee and continues to advocate for safe, accessible reproductive healthcare. She also serves as Legal Director for Arizona NORML, helping individuals expunge marijuana-related convictions and secure second chances. Julie lives in Scottsdale with her husband, three children, and dog, Potato.
Vice President of Legal Affairs
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Amy Herman joined the NCJW AZ board in 2022 and is an active member of the Immigration Task Force. She serves as Director of Leadership and Organization Development at Lumen Technologies, bringing 20+ years of experience in strategy, learning and development, and leadership coaching across organizations including CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Trulieve, the NIH, and the U.S. Postal Service OIG. Amy holds a Master’s in Organization Development from American University and certifications in coaching, change management, DEI, and mediation. Her expertise is complemented by a naturally positive approach and a passion for helping people and organizations succeed and thrive.
Vice President of Strategic Planning
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Jen specializes in procurement and SaaS implementation, helping organizations refine their Human Capital Management and Financial systems to drive efficiency and value. As a Client Director, she leads global teams to optimize processes and support transformation. Jen has served on the NCJW board since 2023, strengthening financial accountability and modernizing budgeting for both NCJW AZ and Ruth Place. Originally from the Chicago suburbs, she earned her BA and MBA at ASU and has called Phoenix home since 2003. Outside of work, she enjoys time with her husband and three kids, good fiction, and local restaurants.
Treasurer
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Jen Rogers is the co-founder of Hudson West, a bi-coastal communications agency with offices in Arizona and New York, where she has built a reputation for delivering high-impact media campaigns through strong relationships across digital, print, and broadcast platforms. Prior to launching Hudson West, Jen held leadership roles overseeing daytime syndicated series for HARPO, Sony Pictures Television, and Telepictures. Deeply committed to community service, Jen takes active roles both professionally and personally, supporting numerous charitable and educational organizations throughout the Valley and nationwide.
Director
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Jamie moved to Phoenix at age two and attended local public schools before earning degrees in Social Thought & Analysis and Economics from Washington University in St. Louis and a J.D., magna cum laude, from Whittier Law School. She returned to Arizona to build a legal career in juvenile dependency, representing both the state and parents at the trial and appellate courts. Jamie has contributed to amici briefs shaping family policy in Arizona and is deeply committed to serving underserved communities and advancing social justice.
Director
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Cindy Weiser is a retired licensed clinical social worker who had a private practice in Scottsdale and Phoenix for 42 years. She has a long history of being an agitator, willing to use her voice to protest or support a cause. She is currently focusing her work in JWAAA advocating for Ruth Place. Cindy was a founding member of the Center for Tzedakah and Social Justice at Temple Chai. She has been married for 43 years to Paul, who is a retired attorney. They visit their daughter, son-in-law and 2 granddaughters in Berkeley, CA. as often as possible.
Director
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Elise Adland is originally from Edmonton, Alberta, but has called Arizona home for the past 26 years. She is a Speech-Language Pathologist and owner of EZ Therapy, LLC, and has worked in school-based and private practice settings since 2004. Married to an Arizona native and mother of two, Elise is active in her community through local nonprofits, her children’s school site council, and support of the district’s Dual Language Immersion program. She is passionate about helping children and families thrive and has served on the JWAAA Board since 2025.
Vice President
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A graduate of Chaparral High School, Wendy earned degrees in Public Policy from the Wharton School and Urban Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. After teaching middle school math in Washington, D.C., she received her J.D. from Georgetown University in 2007, where she developed a passion for juvenile defense advocacy. Since returning to Phoenix in 2008, Wendy has served as Chief of Staff for Teach For America, practiced securities law, and spent the past decade working in residential real estate and as a grant writer for The Be Kind People Project.
Vice President, Policy
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With a background spanning journalism, advocacy, and strategic communications, Julie has spent more than two decades shaping Arizona’s civic and media landscape. A former producer at KPHO TV5 and 3TV, she founded Erfle Uncuffed in 2016, advising organizations and campaigns on strategic messaging, brand development, and media relations. Julie is a former executive director of ProgressNow Arizona, an award-winning columnist for the Arizona Mirror, and a fellow of Leading for Change and the Flinn-Brown Arizona Center for Civic Leadership.
Vice President, Communications
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Jill Edwards is a community development investment banker, currently serving as Director of Community Development Investments at Charles Schwab Bank since 2016. She has held senior roles at Bank of America Merrill Lynch and has experience in economic development andinstitutional sales. Ms. Edwards graduated Phi Beta Kappa and with High Distinction from Pennsylvania State University and holds a Master of City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University. She is involved with multiple boards and advisory committees related to affordable housing and community development and has received several awards recognizing her professional achievements and advocacy in supportive housing.
Director
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Julie Cieniawski (Director) is a Minnesota native and first-generation college graduate, earning both her Bachelor of Science and Master’s in Education degrees from the University of Minnesota. She has been a tireless advocate for the well-being of children and their families in our communities since she began her career as a public-school educator in 1986. Her service to our community consists of many assorted leadership roles, including: past president of the Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board and serving many non-profit organizations in assorted capacity.
Director
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Rena joined the NCJW AZ board in 2022 and has served as a director throughout the past biennium. Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, she moved to Arizona in 1993 and began her career in accounting before transitioning to research development and project management at Arizona State University, where she has worked for more than 18 years. Rena holds a B.A. in Psychology, is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), and is currently studying to become a Strategic Doing practitioner. An active community volunteer, she is especially proud of helping launch a Leukemia & Lymphoma Society hiking program pilot.
Director
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Sasha is an attorney, business owner and real estate advisor specializing in investment real estate. Her expertise spans legal compliance, property acquisition and sale, and residential renovation. A native Phoenician, Sasha is a proud, third-generation attorney who prior to becoming an entrepreneur, served as labor and employment counsel where she advised businesses of all sizes on workplace matters. Sasha is deeply engaged in the Jewish community and is a passionate advocate for reproductive rights. Since 2023, Sasha has served and continues to serve on the Board of Directors of Planned Parenthood Arizona supporting affordable access to reproductive healthcare.
Director
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Liz Kaplan, CFRE, is a philanthropic leader with more than 25 years of experience supporting nonprofit and healthcare organizations. As a Development Officer at Mayo Clinic, she partners with benefactors across the West to advance clinical care, research, and education. Her background includes leadership roles with the University of Arizona College of Medicine–Phoenix, TGen, Make-A-Wish Arizona, and the Arizona Coyotes Foundation. Liz has served as Board President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater AZ Chapter and was an Estee Lauder Vital Voices Visionary Fellow. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Arizona and lives in Scottsdale.
Director
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Ashley is a political finance professional and strategic campaign advisor whose work focuses on partisan identity, political behavior, and misinformation. A native Arizonan, she is a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ equality and civic engagement, serving in leadership roles with Equality PAC, the Jewish Federations of North America, the Center for Jewish Philanthropy, The Policy Circle, and the American Jewish Committee. A former president of the Phoenix Chapter of NOW, Ashley holds a B.S. in Political Science and an M.A. in Political Psychology from Arizona State University. She enjoys outdoor adventures, woodworking, and spending time with her two young children.
Director
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Monique Vander Molen is a business owner and registered patent practitioner with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. She advises and assists inventors and companies with inventions as well as preparation and filing of patent applications and related documents. Monique holds a Ph.D. in Physiology & Biophysics from SUNY Stony Brook and a B.S. in Kinesiology from UCLA. She has served on the boards of the Dallas Little League and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and on the Health Industry Council of Dallas-Fort Worth. Monique is married and has three wonderful children.
Director
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Jordan Passon brings over 25 years of expertise in marketing strategy, advertising, branding and messaging, having worked with some of the world's largest companies. As we move forward with our new brand, Jordan's expertise will be especially valuable. She is wildly optimistic about this rare opportunity—a moment in time to tell our stories, attract new members, and retain the ones we have. Jordan is ready to collaborate, harness her leadership skills, and give back to an organization she cares deeply about.
Director
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Molly joined the NCJW AZ Board in 2021. A second-generation Holocaust survivor, she was born in the Bergen-Belsen displaced persons camp and came to America with her parents in 1950 at age 3. She attended the University of Houston and was active in Sigma Delta Tau Sorority. Politically and socially engaged, Molly volunteers with NCJW AZ’s Access for Abortion initiative and supports the Power and Persistence fundraiser. She and her husband, Ron, lived in Seattle for 32 years and have two sons, Matt and Casey, and three grandchildren: Davis, Riley, and Amelia.
Director