Staff

Lauren Mattleman Hoopes, Executive Director

Lauren has served as the chief executive of the Jewish Community Foundation since 2003. During that time, the Foundation has awarded over $64 million in grants to charitable organizations in Kansas City, the U.S., Israel and around the world. During her tenure, assets have grown from $72 million to over $115 million.

Previous to joining the Foundation, Lauren worked for over a decade at the Kansas University Endowment Association in a variety of capacities, including Associate Director of Gift Planning, and Development Director for the Schools of Law and Fine Arts and for the Lied Center and University Museums. Earlier in her career, she engaged in the private practice of law in Boston at the firm of Ropes & Gray and in Kansas City with Stinson, Mag & Fizzell - now Stinson, Morrison & Hecker.

She earned her BA from Yale College, graduating cum laude with Distinction in Religious Studies and holds a J.D. from New York University School of Law, where she served on the editorial staff of The Annual Survey of American Law.

To e-mail Lauren directly, please click here.

Diane Azorsky, Assistant Executive Director

Director of Community Endowments

Diane Azorsky, a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Business Administration, has been working as a professional in the Kansas City Jewish community for more than fifteen years and has been with the Foundation since

1996.

Diane is currently coordinating the Bushman Community Endowment program, a high quality, results-oriented three year program in which the Foundation is partnering with community agencies and congregations to assist them in securing bequests…permanent endowments, as a base of support to secure the future of our Jewish community. Through Diane's efforts, the Foundation is providing comprehensive educational training, one-on-one consulting, marketing materials and incentive grants for participating organizations.

The goals of the Bushman Community Endowment program are to build public awareness of the power of bequests and endowments and to train a cadre of planned giving ambassadors for our Jewish community who have not only the knowledge and experience in developing planned gifts, but who have realized a genuine interest and belief in the value of integrating planned giving into a successful fund-raising program.

The Bushman Community Endowment program is integral to the Foundation fulfilling its mission to serve as the focal point for planned giving and enhance and promote the continuity of the Jewish community through a broad range of innovative and charitable programs.
To e-mail Diane directly, please click here.

Kevin Taylor, Chief Financial Officer

Kevin Taylor, CPA, has been with the Foundation since September 2000. Kevin has over twenty years accounting experience, primarily in non-profit management. Kevin's duties include supervision of the daily accounting functions, financial reporting and administration of investment activity.

In addition, Kevin is the lead staff member working with the Investment Committee in monitoring the Foundation’s invested funds. He is also the point person for guiding all gifts of alternative assets, such as real estate and closely-held stocks, through the gift acceptance process.

To e-mail Kevin directly, please click here.

Beatrice Fine, Director of Funder Services and Education

Beatrice's primary area of responsibility is grant making. She creates funding partnerships between non-profit agencies and donors, matching a funder's areas of interest with the community organization's needs. Beatrice oversees the governance and facilitates the entire grant making from the Foundation's Community Legacy Fund, Supporting Foundations and a variety of special funds run by advisory committees, including the Menorah Women's Foundation and J-LEAD. Prior to joining the Jewish Community Foundation staff in March of 2007, she spent ten years as the Director of Cultural Arts at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City where she oversaw the opening of the Lewis and Shirley White Theatre in 2005. In addition to her arts management background, she has extensive experience in donor relations and grant writing.

Beatrice Fine earned her BA in dramatic literature and criticism from Washington University, St. Louis, where she graduated magna cum laude. In addition, she holds a MA from Indiana University. Beatrice is originally from Sewanee, Tennessee.

To e-mail Beatrice directly, please click here.

Roberta Pollack, Staff Accountant

Roberta Pollack has been with the Jewish Community Foundation since September 2004. In her capacity as staff accountant, she processes grants, account receivables, expenses, and assists the Foundation’s Chief Financial Officer, Kevin Taylor. You may call her directly to make a grant recommendation from your donor advised fund. Roberta earned her B.A.E. from Arizona State University and has lived in Kansas City for 15 years.

To e-mail Roberta directly, please click here.

Marty Sorensen, Executive Assistant

Marty Sorensen joined the Foundation staff in April, 2005. She provides administrative support for the Executive Director, Lauren Hoopes.

In addition, Marty coordinates communications with the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee.

To e-mail Marty directly, please click here.

Brooke Klonsky, Administrative/Communications Assistant

Brooke has been with the Jewish Community Foundation since July of 2007. Her responsibilities include maintenance of the Foundation's website, in-house publishing and graphic design needs, and providing administrative support for Beatrice Fine, Director of Funder Services and Education. Brooke was educated at the University of Kansas, earning her B.A. in English.

To e-mail Brooke directly, please click here.