THE ANITA M. PERLMAN WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE

Launched at BBYO International Convention in February 2019 in conjunction with the 75th anniversary of the B'nai Brith Girls (BBG), the Anita M. Perlman Women's Leadership Initiative (WLI) enhances leadership and mentorship opportunities for young women through BBYO. The WLI Advisory Council, featuring successful women at varied stages of their lives and careers, actively works with BBYO to inspire and empower young women through leadership development of BBG alumni.

WLI EVENT SPOTLIGHT:
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

Each year at BBYO International Convention, members of the WLI Advisory Council come together to connect, learn, and hear from an array of speakers on topics related to empowering women’s leadership. This year’s slate of events included “Burnout in the Workplace,” featuring author Rebecca Soffer; “Pathways to Resilience,” a powerful panel of expert speakers on self-care and adaptability; and “Bringing It All Together,” an opportunity to engage with recent BBG alumni on mental health and wellness.

 

WLI Advisory Council

COUNCIL LEADERSHIP

Tracy Kalik

Tracy Kalik


Chair, Women’s Leadership Advisory Council
Heideman Nudelman & Kalik, PC

Ms. Kalik is a Partner at the Washington, DC law firm Heideman Nudelman & Kalik, PC having devoted more than a decade to representing and obtaining judgments for American victims of terrorism in numerous cases against sponsors of terrorism including Libya, Syria, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Palestinian Authority as well as against banks which are accused of funding terrorism. Her firm served as co-lead counsel in Litle et al v Arab Bank, PLC, the first case in the United States in which a jury found a bank was found liable under the Anti-Terrorism Act for knowingly supporting terrorism. In 2016, she along with her partners were named Trial Lawyers of the Year by Public Justice for their work in that case.

In addition to her work on behalf of American victims of terrorism, Ms. Kalik concentrates her practice on complex litigation including class actions on behalf of consumers. She and her firm have served as co-lead counsel in consumer class action cases against Johnson & Johnson, Garmin, and Microsoft, among others. Ms. Kalik received her Juris Doctor from George Washington University National Law Center and her Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Emory University. She is licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia and in the States of Maryland and Missouri. She is married to her husband Greg, and is mom to Allie, former member of the 2017-2018 BBG International Board and graduate of the University of Wisconsin. In 1988-89, Tracy served as the International N’siah of BBG.
Eryn Morgenlander

Eryn Morgenlander


Vice Chair, Women’s Leadership Advisory Council
Vice President, Prime Brokerage, BTIG

Eryn Morgenlander lives in New York City where she is a Vice President at BTIG on the Prime Brokerage Team, where she focuses on client transitioning and relationship management. Outside of a day job in Finance, Eryn is involved with JWI, as President of the New York Young Women’s Impact Network, and serves Manhattan BBYO as an advisor to the newest chapter at Central Synagogue. She loves to find time to volunteer with organizations like NY Cares, try new restaurants, and cheer for the Mets at Citi Field. Eryn is also a very proud alum of the University of Florida!
Claire Blumenthal

Claire Blumenthal


Young Professional Chair, Women’s Leadership Advisory Council
Product Manager, DoorDash

Claire Blumenthal is a Product Manager at DoorDash leading Dasher Growth. Her team of engineers, data scientists, marketing strategists, and designers empowers local economies with job opportunities - enhancing the Dasher delivery app and improving the delivery people's onboarding experience to maximize their earning potential.

Previously, Claire spent 5+ years at Deloitte Consulting as a management consultant advising retail companies on digital strategy, product management, and customer experience. She's worked at luxury e-commerce pioneer Yoox Net-A-Porter, consumer start-ups, and co-founded start-up ShieldWear in 2020. Claire received her BS with honors from Cornell University and MBA from London Business School.

Members of the BBYO Women’s Leadership Initiative Advisory Council advise and inform our efforts to support BBGs of past and present in their local communities and worldwide. Advisory Council members focus their efforts in the following areas:

Develop Year-Round Alumnae Programming
- Design virtual and in-person workshops and events with powerful speakers in the women's empowerment and leadership space.
- Speak at roundtables and/or panel discussions at BBYO Immersive Experiences including summer programs, conventions, and local events.

Provide Guidance and Support
- Mentor a BBYO teen, recent graduate or another member of the council through formal and informal mentor relationships.
- Share your advice, expertise, and lessons on leadership.

Amplify Women's Programming at International Convention
- Bring in speakers and host conversations for BBYO Stakeholders around issues directly facing women in the workplace and at home.
- Partner with teens and staff to host the BBG Lounge, an exclusive space at IC for current BBGs seeking to learn from and build relationships with women across the country.

OUR FOUNDER’S LEGACY

"My grandmother was a huge role model for me in how to be in the world as somebody with opportunity. Even when she didn’t have the resources monetarily to contribute philanthropically, she always gave of herself in ways that she could; in leading organizations and volunteering her time and energy...Our whole family [is] so fortunate to be of service with our talents, not just with the resources we can offer. It’s been a privilege to carry her legacy forward."  

—Ruth Perlman, BBYO International Board of Directors and granddaughter of Anita M. Perlman

 

FEATURED WLI EVENTS

Over the year, the Advisory Council hosted a series of events featuring prominent women in leadership. In conversation with teen leaders, these women shared lessons and insights gleaned from their personal experiences, exploring topics from financial empowerment to the impact of the #metoo movement to the challenges of balancing work and personal life.

CONTACT US

For more information, please contact Rebecca Feuerstein, Senior Director of Alumni Engagement, at [email protected].