Yael Eckstein

President and Global CEO  |  Israel

As President and Global CEO of The Fellowship, Yael Eckstein oversees all ministry programs and serves as the international spokesperson. Prior to assuming her present role, Yael served as Global Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, and Director of Program Development and Ministry Outreach. With over a decade of nonprofit experience in multiple roles, Yael has the rare distinction of being a woman leading one of the world’s largest religious charitable organizations.

Yael is a published writer and a respected social services professional. She is a regular guest on programs including The Sean Hannity Show, The Ben Shapiro Show, Verdict with Ted Cruz, and The Rosenberg Report, and is frequently featured in news outlets such as Newsmax, theWashington Times, the Times of Israel, the Jerusalem Post, NewsNation, Townhall, Newsweek, and many others. She is the author of three books: Holy Land Reflections: A Collection of Inspirational Insights from Israel, Spiritual Cooking with Yael, and Generation to Generation: Passing on a Legacy of Faith to Our Children.

Her thoughts on the Jewish faith and Jewish-Christian relations can be heard on The Fellowship’s radio ministry programs, which are broadcast on nearly 1,000 radio stations around the world. In 2021, she launched her podcast, Nourish Your Biblical Roots, in which she discusses Jewish-Christian relations and Israel’s significance on the world stage with leading Christian and Jewish thought leaders, such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Michele Bachmann, Elisha Wiesel, Dr. Alveda King, Israel’s Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon, Mike Huckabee, and many others.

Yael has partnered with other global organizations, appeared on national television, and visited with U.S. and world leaders on issues of shared concern. She has been a featured guest on CBN’s The 700 Club with Gordon Robertson, and in 2015 served on a Religious Liberty Panel in Washington, D.C. The same year, Yael’s influence as one of the young leaders in Israel was featured as the cover story of Nashim [Women] magazine. In 2019, The Algemeiner named Yael to the Jewish 100, citing the positive influence she has made to Jewish life, and referring to her as “the world’s leading Jewish interfaith activist.” In 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024, she was named to the Jerusalem Post’s list of 50 Most Influential Jews, and in 2022, she made the list of “50 of our favorite Jewish women right now” by Future of Jewish, and in 2023, Yael received the Jerusalem Post’s 2023 Humanitarian Award. Most recently, Yael was named ‘Woman of the Year’ by The Jaffa Institute in Israel.

Born just outside of Chicago in Evanston, Illinois, Yael was well-educated at both American and Israeli institutions, including biblical studies at Torat Chesed Seminary in Israel, Jewish and sociology studies at Queens College in New York, and additional study at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She is based in Israel with her husband and their four children.

Robin Van Etten

United States CEO & Global Chief Operating Officer  |  United States

Robin Van Etten is the United States CEO & Global Chief Operating Officer of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, the leading non-profit building bridges between Christians and Jews, and blessing Israel and Jewish people around the world with humanitarian care and lifesaving aid. She assumed the role in September of 2020, having previously served as the Vice President of Integrated Fundraising and Marketing.

As United States CEO & Global Chief Operating Officer, Robin has direct responsibility for the implementation of The Fellowship’s strategic plan, The Next Chapter: 2020 and Beyond. She has direct responsibility for the Human Resources, Finance, Operations, Technology, Fundraising, and Marketing departments. In addition, Robin is responsible for coordinating global operations in Canada, Korea, and Israel, to ensure global goals are achieved. Robin also sits on the Board of Directors for IFCJ-Canada.

Prior to joining The Fellowship, Robin served as the Senior Director of Individual Giving at Save the Children, overseeing direct response, in addition to peer-to-peer, events, partner marketing, celebrity management, and face to face fundraising. She is a graduate of Indiana University, Bloomington, with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and East Asian studies.

Ayelet Shiloh Tamir

Director General, HaKeren L’Yedidut  |  Israel

Ayelet is the Director General of HaKeren L’Yedidut, The Fellowship’s operational arm, which implements programming in Israel, the former Soviet Union, and the rest of the Jewish world. 

Ayelet’s service to the Jewish People began over 20 years ago when she started working for the Jewish Agency for Israel. As the Jewish Agency’s COO, she was responsible for all the organization’s operations in Israel and worldwide in the fields of Aliya, Israel education, and empowering Israeli society. Ms. Shiloh Tamir also served as the CEO of Masa Israel Journey for six years. During her time at MASA, she built the initiative into a leader in immersive experiences in Israel for young adults (18-30), including the introduction of internship programs for the first time in Israel, and growing the number of MASA participants from 5,000 to over 10,000 annually. Most recently, Ayelet served as the COO of the Israel Museum in Jerusalem and as the CEO of Concert - Together for Israel.

Born and raised in Jerusalem. Ayelet worked as an attorney in the private sector before joining the professional Jewish world. Ayelet holds an LLB degree from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Jackie Gotwalt

Executive Director  |  Canada

Jackie has called The Fellowship home for more than 10 years. In her current role as Executive Director of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews of Canada (IFCJ Canada), she oversees all operations, including strategic and tactical planning, corporate/board governance, media relations, fundraising and communications, donor relations and educational outreach.

Prior to joining IFCJ Canada, Jackie worked in fundraising for the Toronto-based Cornerstone Group of Companies (acquired by Deloitte Canada), a leading North American provider of customer acquisition and retention products and services. A committed humanitarian, one of Jackie’s most memorable work experiences was visiting the Holy Land, where she saw firsthand the lifesaving work that together we make possible.

Youngmi Kim

Chief Executive Officer  |  Korea

Youngmi Kim comes to The Fellowship with wide experience in both the nonprofit and for-profit fields. She has held leadership positions at Habitat for Humanity, and for years worked as a marketing director in a design consulting agency. Most recently, she served as Director of Operation and Planning at OpenHands, a Korean NGO that supplies water filters to underprivileged villages in Asia.

Guided by her Christian faith, her expertise in leadership, and strong dedication to serving those in need, in 2021 she answered God’s call to head The Fellowship’s Korean office. She says the most rewarding part of her position is the ability to educate and raise awareness of Jewish culture, and grow a strong network of support for Israel in Korea. We’re grateful for her extensive knowledge and faithful leadership.

With her interest and education in art history and her love of culture, you’ll often find her exploring art galleries or museums in her free time.

Robin Van Etten

United States CEO & Global Chief Operating Officer  |  United States

Robin Van Etten is the United States CEO & Global Chief Operating Officer of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, the leading non-profit building bridges between Christians and Jews, and blessing Israel and Jewish people around the world with humanitarian care and lifesaving aid. She assumed the role in September of 2020, having previously served as the Vice President of Integrated Fundraising and Marketing.

As United States CEO & Global Chief Operating Officer, Robin has direct responsibility for the implementation of The Fellowship’s strategic plan, The Next Chapter: 2020 and Beyond. She has direct responsibility for the Human Resources, Finance, Operations, Technology, Fundraising, and Marketing departments. In addition, Robin is responsible for coordinating global operations in Canada, Korea, and Israel, to ensure global goals are achieved. Robin also sits on the Board of Directors for IFCJ-Canada.

Prior to joining The Fellowship, Robin served as the Senior Director of Individual Giving at Save the Children, overseeing direct response, in addition to peer-to-peer, events, partner marketing, celebrity management, and face to face fundraising. She is a graduate of Indiana University, Bloomington, with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and East Asian studies.

Lucas Puzan

Chief Information Officer  |  United States

Lucas Puzan is the Chief Information Officer of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. He assumed the role in 2022. As Chief Information Officer, Lucas is responsible for all global technology operations as well as the US based operations team.

Prior to joining The Fellowship, Lucas held multiple technology leadership positions as well as other executive leadership positions helping to steer technical, operational and strategic growth in nonprofit and educational settings. He holds an MBA from Brennan School of Business (Dominican University) as well as Bachelor of Science from Dominican University in Computer Information Systems and Business Administration.

Natasha Boone

Senior Director of Human Resources  |  United States

Natasha Boone joined the Fellowship in 2013 and serves as the Senior Director of Human Resources. In her position she oversees and implements HR strategies across the U.S. office, ensuring plans, policies, and initiatives align with the organization's vision, mission and strategic plan.

Prior to joining the Fellowship, Natasha served as a Human Resources NCO, with the Illinois National Guard and as HR Manager of an e-commerce company. Natasha is a Society of Human Resources Senior Certified Professional and holds a M.S. in Human Resource Management from National Louis University and a Bachelor's in Technical Management specializing in Human Resources Management.

Laurie Simkovich, CPA, MBA

Vice President of Finance  |  United States

Laurie joined the Fellowship in 2015. In her position of Vice President of Finance at The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews she oversees the financial management of the organization, including reporting, internal controls, accounting functions, budgeting, investments, banking and analysis for strategic planning.

Prior to joining The Fellowship, Laurie has worked in finance management for over three decades in both for profit and non profit organizations, in addition to having worked in public accounting at Coopers & Lybrand (before it became PWC). Prior to coming to work at the Fellowship, Laurie lived and worked in Israel for six years.

Laurie is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). She has a BA in philosophy and social sciences from the University of Chicago, and an MBA from the Simmons Graduate School of Management in Boston.

Working at The Fellowship has allowed Laurie to pursue her passion of helping needy Jews in Israel and around the world.

Joshua Slattery

Global Chief Financial Officer  |  United States

Joshua Slattery joined the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews as Global Chief Financial Officer in January 2026. In this role, he oversees the organization’s global financial operations, including financial reporting, budgeting, internal controls, investments, and banking. Joshua provides strategic financial leadership to ensure the Fellowship’s resources are managed with integrity and aligned with its mission and values.

Prior to joining the Fellowship, Joshua built two decades of experience in finance across both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Most recently, he served as Chief Financial Officer of the Jewish Community Centers of Chicago, where he spent more than 10 years.

Joshua is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and holds BA degrees in Finance and Accounting.

Dennis Christich

Vice President of Philanthropy  |  United States

Dennis joined the Fellowship in 2015 as a major gift officer and serves as Vice President of Philanthropy at The Fellowship, helping align the philanthropic goals of our dear partners with those of The Fellowship’s primary humanitarian relief programs. Dennis attended Colorado State University earning a Master of Science in Organizational Development.  

His great passion is serving as a conduit to those who have a desire to know and follow Scripture, especially pertaining to being a shining beacon for the world and for Israel. He seeks to help his friends and partners—who include Christians, Jews, Muslims, and all others—find a worthwhile place to apply their philanthropic endeavors and help improve today’s world

Rev. Johnnie Moore

Chairman of the Board  |  United States

Johnnie Moore is the founder and CEO of The KAIROS Company and President of The Congress of Christian Leaders. He was twice a presidential appointee to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom serving during the Trump and Biden administrations. Previously, Rev. Moore was Senior Vice President and campus pastor at Liberty University, and Chief of Staff and Vice President of Faith Content for the United Artists Media Group in Hollywood. Throughout his career, Moore has advocated relentlessly for religious freedom in the Middle East, and he is a recipient of the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s prestigious medal of valor for that work. We are so thankful that he’s provided his expertise as a member of our board.

J.R. Dupell

Board Member  |  United States

A native of Pittsburgh, J.R. Dupell attended Penn State University, earning a degree in Real Estate and Urban Economics. As a Sr. Vice President at CBRE, J.R. is responsible for retail tenant representation, site selection, land acquisition, and project representation. This business experience and J.R.’s faith make him a great asset to The Fellowship’s board. Additionally, J.R. feels blessed to find time to ski and be outdoors and is a college football fan extraordinaire!

Dr. David Clark

Board Member  |  United States

Dr. Clark was the sixth president of Palm Beach Atlantic University, a Christian college in Florida. He’s served as president of the television network FamilyNet, and as executive producer for TV programs on ABC and NBC. He was president of Dallas’ KMC Media serving nonprofit ministries, vice president for the Southern Baptist Convention’s broadcast communications group, and served on the boards of trustees of Faith and Values Media and the National Religious Broadcasters. The Fellowship thanks him for having provided such godly counsel and wisdom since 2011.

Jacob Schimmel

Board Member  |  United States

Jacob (“Jacky”) Schimmel co-Chairs UKI Investments - the Schimmel family’s investment arm. After graduating in law and philosophy from UCL and King’s College London, Jacob forged his career within the family business and has spent more than 20 years at its forefront. In addition to his business activities, Jacob serves as Chair of a number of Schimmel Family Foundations; Chairman of The ImagineNations Group; Board Member, and past Vice President, of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee; Chairman of The United Way Israel–Matan and Trustee of Girl Effect.

Suzanne Peyser

Board Member  |  United States

Born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Newport News, Virginia, Suzanne Peyser credits her interest in seeking common ground with Christian neighbors to her southern upbringing. “It's important for Jews to express our gratitude and appreciation to our Christian brothers and sisters and build bridges of friendship and co-operation. The Fellowship has provided me an opportunity to do this." In the 1980’s she began her own bridge-building efforts, assembling a group of Jews and Christians to meet regularly in her suburban Washington, D.C. home. She continues her grassroots efforts to increase understanding between Christians and Jews — and to raise support for The Fellowship.

Bryan Shetsky

Board Member  |  United States

Bryan is an alumnus of the University of Florida graduating Magna Cum Laude with degrees in Finance and Marketing. Bryan started at Tranzact, a large marketing agency that specializes in customer acquisition for major brands. During his tenure, Bryan identified issues with the traditional agency model and wanted to redefine the value proposition. This was fueled by early adoption of digital platforms (including the Facebook ad beta) that can better drive measurable impact.

Subsequently Bryan founded Lamark Media in 2008 and is currently the Founder/CEO, with the vision of leveraging digital Portfolio Theory© to create optimal return on investment. Lamark to grew over the past decade, becoming a trusted partner to Fortune 500s, public companies, national brands and high growth start-ups seeking best-in-class digital. Lamark is a top 1% Google partner and META marketing partner, with offices in Florida, Ohio and Colorado, as well as a technology/AI hub in Romania.

Bryan is a proud husband and father, an active member of YPO, R360 and a Forbes contributor. In addition to being a board member of the International Fellowship of Christians & Jews, Bryan is a board member of the Florida Brain Tumor Association.

Honorable Michele Bachmann, J.D., LL.M.

Board Member  |  United States

Michele Bachmann received a B.A. in Political Science and English from Winona State University in 1978.  She was a member of the charter class of Regent University’s Law School and also completed a Master of Law in taxation at the College of William & Mary. She worked for five years as a federal tax litigation attorney for the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Chief Counsel in St. Paul, Minnesota. She is both former member of Congress and current Dean of the Robertson School of Government at Regent University.

Bachmann and her husband of 45 years, Dr. Marcus Bachmann, have five children. They also parented 23 foster children in their home during the 1990s. Bachmann extensively researched American public K-12 education and spoke nationally on the topic. Her political career stemmed from her interest in educational reform.

In 2000, Bachmann defeated a longtime incumbent for a state senate seat in Minnesota, and she became the first Republican woman from Minnesota elected to the House of Representatives in 2006. She won reelection in 2008, 2010, and 2012. 2011, Bachmann announced her bid for the Republican Presidential nomination and ran for president in 2012. Bachmann is the first Republican woman running for President to have appeared on televised Presidential debates. To date, she is also the only Republican woman to have won a Presidential primary contest, having won the Iowa straw poll in 2012.

Throughout her life and career, Michele Bachmann has been a strong friend of and advocate for Israel. She helped establish the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast, and remains deeply involved with this ministry, as well as other efforts to encourage Christian support for the Jewish state.

Michele Bachmann currently serves as the Dean of the Robertson School of Government at Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA, where she has spearheaded the launch of a new Ph.D. in Government program in Fall 2023.

After her election with IFCJ Board of Directors, she expressed that she is honored to be both part of our "terrific" organization and our mission.

Bishop Paul Lanier

Chairman Emeritus  |  United States

Bishop Paul Francis Lanier serves as Chairman Emeritus for The Fellowship. He founded Hope Community Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in 1990 with his wife, Debbie. They’ve been married for 40 years and are the proud parents of two grown children, Kaylyn and Paul. Bishop Lanier’s education reflects the ecumenical flavor of his ministry, culminating in his receiving the Doctorate of Ministry from Erskine Theological Seminary. He is an author, composer, and recording artist whose pastimes include good coffee, great books, and beautiful music.