My husband Matt and I seemed to always travel in the same social circle dating back to our days at PHS and University of Maryland. We were married in 2006 by Rabbi Steven Schwartz and we have two boys, Ben (15), Sam (11) and two rescue dogs, Bruno and Ernie. We are very involved with the Krieger Schechter community. I credit some of my involvement with The Associated to Krieger Schechter. Professionally, I work in downtown Baltimore as a VP, Senior Human Resources Consultant at an asset management firm (T. Rowe Price). Human Resources appealed to me early on as it’s a way for me to merge my relationship and people skills with helping others.

How and when did you become involved with JPW and The Associated?

My involvement with The Associated started when I was a teen although I didn’t know it at the time and has now come full circle.  My mother, Susan Kurlander, has worked for The Associated for almost 37 years and I used to tag along to some of her programs to help at Special Connections (programming for adults with disabilities/special needs). Fast forward 20 years, I was invited to apply for the second cohort of The Associated’s Inspired Women’s Project (IWP). I participated in the yearlong leadership program with 19 fantastic women which culminated in a mission to Israel in 2020.  This amazing experience opened my eyes to the reach of The Associated not only here but in Israel.  Afterward, I was asked to co-chair the third cohort of IWP.  We were emerging from the pandemic, and the group of women that was selected for this cohort was magical and life-changing; experiencing the program with them was one of the most powerful experiences I’ve had to date. When asked to chair JPW, it was a no-brainer for me to continue to help empower women who give back and strengthen our community.

This year’s JPW’s Leadhership program focuses on Barbie’s Jewish mother and savvy businesswoman. Were you surprised to learn that Barbie is Jewish?

I was not surprised in the least. I surround myself with very smart and savvy Jewish women, many of whom are or were business owners, and who I’m lucky to call close friends and family.  Our Jewish values are embedded in everything we touch and propel us forward.  

What do you think about Barbie and her mother’s influence on not just women, but professional women? 

The movie validated what I already knew, that simply being a woman is a hard job unto itself, but also, that our potential and influence to change the world is limitless, regardless of profession. “Weird” Barbie and of course America Ferrara’s role and speech were film highlights that resonated with me.

Did you grow up with Barbie dolls? Do you have a favorite? Were you lucky enough to have Barbie’s “dream house?”  

Yes, I had the dream house, the pool, and the car, and Barbies were often given to me as Chanukah gifts. That said I am a true 80’s kid and preferred my Cabbage Patch dolls (maybe because they were so hard to get – my mother waited in a long line at some shady place for us to have the authentic ones with the signature).

Rapid Fire Questions…

Favorite restaurant? I love food.  And good restaurants so it is hard to pick. The last great meal was at a favorite – Cypriana.

Last thing you googled? all the winners of the People’s Choice Awards which I wasn’t able to watch.

3 things you MUST have on a deserted island? my 3 guys but we would need both dogs as well.

What song do you sing in the shower/in the car by yourself: I love music.  Whatever I last heard that matches my mood is what I’m always singing in the car.  My boys can attest.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Cures for sickness, with an emphasis on mental health.  I would love to be able to eliminate mental health sicknesses and re-wire people’s brains who suffer.

Who would you want to meet dead or alive? There are so many.  Golda Meir, Martin Luther King Jr., JFK, Princess Diana, Taylor Swift, Oprah and Lebron James.