St. Pete Jewish Academy
Our Founding Board
Our Founding Board brings together dedicated leaders from across the Tampa Bay Jewish community, united by a shared commitment to building a warm and academically strong Jewish day school in St. Petersburg. Together they provide the guidance and stewardship to carry St. Pete Jewish Academy from vision to open doors in August 2027.
Lisa Eden
Founding Director
- Communications & project management professional with experience at The Jerusalem Post and Israeli startups
- Jewish day school alumna and former Israel Defense Forces instructor
- Recipient of the Heseg Foundation Scholarship
- Board Member, Historic Uptown Neighborhood Association; Lifetime Member, Hadassah
- Community builder and passionate advocate for Jewish education in St. Petersburg
Adam Miller
Co-Founder
- Board-certified orthodontist
- Founder & owner of Orthodontic Associates, serving the Greater Tampa Bay area with four locations
- Proud Jewish day school alumnus, age 2 through 18
- Member, Building Committee, Chabad of South Tampa
- Passionate about strengthening Jewish education and building vibrant Jewish communities for future generations
Liz Sembler
Board Member
- Jewish educator; B.A. Syracuse, M.A. University of South Florida
- Former staff writer, St. Petersburg Times
- WEDU-TV board since 1993 (Chair, 2001–2003)
- Poynter Institute & JTS Davidson School boards
- Academy Prep & Florida Orchestra boards
Deena Sherman
Board Member
- 25+ years in the Jewish nonprofit world
- Former Executive Director, Kellman Brown Academy
- Former Director of Operations, Jewish Federation of Southern NJ
- Currently on Congregation B’nai Israel Sisterhood Board
David Margulies
Board Member
- Senior Wealth Advisor, XML Financial Group
- 30+ years in investment management; formerly Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley
- Yeshiva University graduate, history and Judaic studies
- Past board member, JCC of Northern Virginia and Gesher Jewish Day School
Wendy Miller
Board Member
- National Women’s Philanthropy Board, Jewish Federation of North America
- Leadership Council, Israel Bonds of Maryland
- Past Campaign Chair, Women’s Philanthropy, The Associated (Baltimore)
- Past Board Member & Secretary, Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community Day School
Erin Eichenbaum
Board Member
- St. Petersburg native and alumna of Pinellas Jewish Day School
- Mother of two and a passionate advocate for Jewish education
- Committed to strengthening Jewish life and creating meaningful opportunities for future generations
- Chair of the Development Council for the American Saddlebred Association
Karen Reich
Board Member
- Senior healthcare executive with extensive experience leading complex nonprofit health systems
- Board of Trustees, St. Anthony’s Hospital; former Trustee and Eldercare Committee Chair, Catholic Health Association
- Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and licensed clinical social worker
- Florida State University graduate committed to ethical leadership and nonprofit governance
Mark Teitelbaum
Board Member
- Executive with more than 20 years of experience across technology, telecommunications, and philanthropy
- Expertise in account management, relationship development, sales strategy, and technical solutions
- Former leadership roles with AT&T, EarthLink Business, Truist, Navient, and other organizations
- Committed to using collaboration and innovation to strengthen organizations and communities
Building a warm, close-knit, pluralistic Jewish community where children are known, supported, and challenged.