Rafa Kern, Ph.D. (he/him, pronounced HAH-fah, with a soft “h” like in human) is an Ashkenazi cisgender queer Jew from Brazil who currently lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, much to his surprise and delight. He grew up in a culturally Jewish family that wasn't very interested in much of anything religious. As a teenage boy, he was a militant atheist. Then he stopped caring so much about whether God is real and decided to explore how to live. This is why he studies Jewish things. Also other things. He holds a Ph.D. in Education and Jewish Studies from Stanford University, an MA in Instructional Technology and Media from Columbia University Teachers College and a BA in Theater Studies from Yale. He is the Founder and Chief Education Officer of the House of Inquiry and Imagination, which seeks to help build meaningful relationships and diverse community through the study of culturally significant texts.

Dr. Marc N. Kramer is the founding director of the Kramer Education Group, an independent consulting firm focused on issues of leadership and growth in the nonprofit sector. He is the former Executive Director of RAVSAK: The Jewish Community Day School Network, a position he held for 17 years. RAVSAK is one of the legacy partners of Prizmah. Marc earned a bachelor’s degree in Near East and Judaic Studies from Brandeis University, a masters degree in social work from Columbia University, a masters degree in Judaica from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, and both a master’s and doctorate in education from Columbia University- Teachers College. He did additional research and training under the late Dr. Linda Powell of Harvard University centered on group theory in both therapeutic and non-therapeutic settings. Dr. Kramer is the author of several studies and academic papers on Jewish education and leadership in the nonprofit setting. Marc was the recipient of a number of awards and public recognitions including the Sachar Prize for academic research, the Wexner Foundation Graduate Fellowship, and the 2007 Covenant Award. In addition, Marc was presented with the Benjamin Shevach Award for Jewish communal service by Hebrew College, Boston and the Hachmei Lev Award for his work on inclusion in the Jewish community.

Dr. Marc Medwed is a mission-driven senior executive with more than thirty years of leadership experience across nonprofit, academic, and accreditation sectors. He began his career in Jewish education, teaching Religious School and advising youth programs before moving into more than two decades of K–12 day school leadership. Marc held senior roles at Milken Community High School, the Schechter School of Long Island, and the Solomon Schechter School of Westchester (now The Leffell School), where he led high school expansion efforts, strengthened academic and operational infrastructure, secured significant grant funding, and developed faculty leadership pipelines. A fellow in the inaugural cohort of the Day School Leadership Training Institute, he is recognized for building systems that promote excellence, innovation, and community engagement. Marc transitioned into higher education accreditation leadership at ACPE: The Standard for Spiritual Care and Education, where he served for eleven years as the Associate Executive Director. He now serves as the newly appointed Director of Accreditation for the National Architectural Accrediting Board. Marc holds a BA from Emory University, an MAEd from the University of Judaism/American Jewish University, and an EdD in Educational/Organizational Leadership from Northeastern University.

Donna Cecil has been working in early childhood education for over 25 years. She is currently an Adjunct Faculty member in Child Development at Palomar College and within the San Diego Community College District. She began her career at Marine World Africa USA, where she introduced animals to preschools in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has since served as an early childhood educator for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, as well as a program director overseeing campus laboratory schools for the San Diego Community College District. Donnaearned her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University in Portland and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from San Jose State University. In addition to her teaching and administrative roles, she has been actively involved in California statewide advocacy and professional organizations. She serves as Vice President of Public Policy for California Community College Early Childhood Educators (CCCECE), Public Policy Lead for PEACH, and has presented at CAAEYC and other state and local events. Donna is dedicated to preparing the next generation of early childhood educators through accessible, inclusive, and equity-centered teaching.