The Norton & Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics’ Board of Directors features practitioners from numerous relevant clinical fields, professionals with other critical expertise, and community representatives. For information about service opportunities with our Board, please contact Eve Kleinerman.
Edward Linn, MD, Chair
Retired
Former Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Rush Medical College
Rabbi Aaron Melman, Treasurer
Chaplain & Captain, Illinois Army National Guard
Dena Levy, JD, Secretary
Reproductive Attorney, Levy Law Solutions
Joel Charrow, MD, Medical Director
Former Head, Division of Genetics, Birth Defects and Metabolism
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
Matthew Davidman
Senior Sales Executive, Clinical Solutions, InformedDNA
Aron Greenburg, MBA
Senior Transformation Partner, Endeavor Health
Dennis Kessler
President, Midwest Family Business Advisors
Karin G. Klein, PhD
Senior Educator, Curriculum and Instructional Specialist, Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Shelly Weiss McQuaid, MS, CGC
Genomic Science Liaison, Ambry Genetics
Alan Peaceman, MD
Professor Emeritus of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Courtney Scherr, PhD
Associate Professor of Communication Studies, Northwestern University School of Communication
Sivan Schondorf, MA, CCC-SLP
Chief Communications Officer, Center for Special Education Services
Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
Shari Snow, MD
Associate Chief Medical Officer, Chief of Gynecology and Minimally Invasive Surgery, University of Chicago
Andrea Rozran Yablon
President, Diversified Health Resources, Inc.
An “ambassador” group comprised of young adults in their 20s and 30s who have a connection to the Sarnoff Center from either their personal or professional lives. Associate Board members assist in planning new, innovative and exciting programming to help reach their peers with information about Jewish genetics. If you are interested in joining our Associate Board, please contact Sydney Cohen.
Becca Lustig, MA
Brandon Poticha, Co-Chair
Brandon Poticha grew up in Northbrook, Illinois, and graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelor’s degree in Psychological Science, a minor in Social Work, and a certificate in Multicultural Studies. Professionally, he serves as the Director of Human Resources at Mosaic Processing, where he leads human resources, compliance, and organizational development for a growing startup. Brandon has been actively involved in the Chicago Jewish community for more than a decade through Response, the Lewis Summer Internship Program, JUF, and YLD, and has remained passionate about developing future Jewish leaders and strengthening community connections. He currently serves as Co-Chair of the Sarnoff Center Associate Board, is a member of JUF’s Young Leadership Division Board of Directors, and Co-Chairs the YLD Sports Leagues Committee. Brandon is also a graduate of Gesher and has participated in numerous YLD programs and fundraising events over the years. He is passionate about creating opportunities for young Jewish professionals to connect, volunteer, and build lasting relationships within the Chicago Jewish community.
Lydia Du, MD, Co-Chair
Dr. Lydia Du is a pediatric pathologist practicing at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, IL. Her professional interests include global health, medical education, and clinical research. She completed her one-year pediatric pathology fellowship at Lurie Children’s Hospital/Northwestern McGaw Medical Center following the completion of a four-year anatomic and clinical pathology residency at Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, PA. In her capacity as a pediatric pathologist, she specializes in the areas of congenital conditions and genetic syndromes, including cancer predisposition syndromes, as well as cancer diagnostics. She initially got involved in the Norton & Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics through her rabbi after expressing an interest in volunteering within the Jewish community while utilizing her unique skill set as a physician. She currently serves as the co-chair of the associate member board.
Hallie Margolin, Membership and Recruitment Chair
Jessica Bank, Marketing Chair
Rachel Goldberger, MPH, MSW, CHES, Education Chair
Elisha Friedman, RN, MPH
Leah Frydman, LCSW
Sonia Ehrlich, MS, CGC
Molli Goodman
Haley Fuoco, MS, CGC
Mady Katz, MS, CGC
Jesse Berkson
Ariella Reiter
Isabella Holland, MS, CGC
Ilana Baker
Jamie Frankel, MPH
Betsy Weill
Maya Benquesus Charlat
Ruth Spivak
Daniela Ostrov
Laurence Bender
Maddy Levine-Wolf, MPH
Rachel Kallianis
Michael Schraiber
Articles and Events
When Biology Meets the Bar: Genetic Testing, Reproductive Health, & Policy (CLE)
On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the Sarnoff Center co‑hosted a hybrid CLE program with the Women’s Bar Association of
Gut Check: Gastrointestinal Health and Cancer Risk
In honor of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, this webinar led by the Sarnoff Center’s genetic counselor, Scott Weissman,
Babka & BRCA: Exploring the Genetic Links to Cancer
On Sunday, March 22nd, 2026, the Sarnoff center joined the Makom Solel Lakeside community for an engaging program on
Planning for a Family?
Our affordable, accessible carrier screening program allows most participants to get screened from home.
Concerned About Cancer Risk?
We offer guidance on hereditary cancer risk assessments and information about where to get counseling and screening.




