Meet The Team
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Mindy Freedman is an innovative philanthropist who is in constant pursuit of creating sustainable social change. A long-time proponent of the power of collaborative giving, Mindy founded The SAM Initiative—a giving circle comprised of philanthropic women who passionately pool their charitable dollars to fund and support programs committed to driving social change and promoting non-profit sustainability.
Mindy created the SAM Initiative with the belief that we have more impact together than we have alone. For the past ten years she has continuously pushed the envelope to creatively adapt, reshape, and expand philanthropy to meet the changing needs of her Los Angeles community. Through this engaged approach, her work continues to inspire others to fund, support and build momentum for sustainable social change.
An expert in micro-lending programs, Mindy spent several years early in her career in Latin America consulting with NGO's and the U.S. Agency for International Development. She returned her focus to the United States where she applied her expertise in strategic planning, implementation, innovation, and executive coaching to individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations.
Named a 2023 Leader of Influence: Nonprofit & Philanthropy by the Los Angeles Business Journal, Mindy is also a Trustee at the Jewish Community Foundation in Los Angeles. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs and Spanish from the University of Colorado, and a Masters in Public Administration in International Development and Spanish from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two children.
To contact Mindy Freedman please email mindy@saminitiative.org
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Naomi serves as Vice President of the Center for Designed Philanthropy at the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles. In this role, she oversees development and implementation of The Foundation’s grant programs, works with major fund holders, and philanthropic advising services to individuals and families. Each year, Naomi and her team facilitate more than $20 million in philanthropic dollars to community organizations locally, nationally and in Israel.
Naomi brings extensive experience in program development and management, grantmaking, and relationship building to this role. Naomi joined The Foundation in 2009 with a background in direct social services and fundraising. She has guided hundreds of donors on a diverse range of philanthropic topics with her expertise in engaging next generations in philanthropy, multi-gen giving, charitable mission & vision development, and giving interest-area issues such as early childhood development, economic development in Israel, and the Jewish nonprofit landscape in Los Angeles.
Naomi earned her Masters in Social Work with a concentration in Community Organizing, Planning and Administration from the University of Southern California, and her Bachelor of Arts in Human Development from UC San Diego. She is a Certified 21/64 Philanthropic Advisor.
To contact Naomi Strongin please email nstrongin@jewishfoundationla.org
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A skilled nonprofit, special events and communications manager, Michelle Ohayon is director of operations for The SAM Initiative. Knowing the tremendous impact that collaborative giving makes in the community, Michelle is fervidly committed to SAM’s mission. Joining SAM in 2016, she has helped the organization grow immensely from granting $250,000 to the Los Angeles community to now over $3 million.
Prior to her work with SAM, Michelle planned corporate travel and events in the entertainment and beauty industries. She worked for O.P.I. Products Inc in North Hollywood for over six years.
Michelle's personal philanthropic passion includes providing support and tools for neurodiverse children and young adults to prepare them for adulthood. With her passion for special needs social justice, she is immersed in the autism community, where she promotes the respect and inclusion of children and adults on the autism spectrum.
Michelle was born and raised in the Bay Area. She graduated from The University of Arizona in 2005 with a degree in Communications. Michelle moved back to Arizona after thirteen years in Los Angeles. In her spare time, she enjoys golfing, working out and traveling.
For more information about SAM please email michelle@saminitiative.org
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Laurie Bahar has devoted much of her adult life to philanthropy, and local civic and non-profit work. After having kids and leaving her full-time career in the retail business, Laurie went to work with other members of her Encino community on turning their neighborhood, public elementary school into the gem that it became. She stayed committed to Lanai Road School throughout her sons’ elementary school tenures, running the school’s booster club which raised several hundred thousand dollars a year to help pay for programming, facilities, and extra staff.
Laurie deepened her philanthropic work at The Sherwood Foundation, which was started by her grandparents to not only give back to the community but also to instill the same sense of philanthropy in future generations of their family. Laurie eventually stepped in at the helm and continues to serve as the foundation president.
In 2019, Laurie joined The SAM Initiative as a member and immediately loved the collaborative giving model, working with like-minded women to give back to the community and make a tangible difference in the lives of local residents. After actively volunteering with SAM for a few years, she joined the leadership team in 2022 and now serves as Director of Member Engagement.
Laurie was born and raised in Los Angeles and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison earning a degree in journalism. She and her husband Ron are empty nesters in Encino but consider themselves very lucky that their two grown sons live nearby, and they see them often.
Please contact laurie@saminitiative.org for all educational or volunteer event information.
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Charlotte Friedman serves as a Program Officer with the Center for Designed Philanthropy at the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles. In this role, Charlotte manages grant programs focused on the Jewish and larger communities in Los Angeles, and provides philanthropic advising services to The Foundation’s community of donors. Her expertise spans the Jewish nonprofit landscape and combatting antisemitism to early childhood development, at-risk youth initiatives and social justice efforts.
Charlotte came to The Foundation from the Downtown Women’s Center, where she helped raise millions of dollars for programs that support and empower women experiencing homelessness. She has worked to advance social and environmental justice throughout her career. At The Foundation, Charlotte leverages her experience in fundraising, grantmaking, community organizing, and program development to help nonprofits grow and succeed and to advise donors on impactful giving strategies.
Charlotte earned her master's in social work with a concentration in community organizing, planning, and administration from the University of Southern California, and her bachelor's degree in women and gender studies and environmental studies from Bates College. She is a Certified 21/64 Philanthropic Advisor.
Please contact cfriedman@jewishfoundationla.org for all nonprofit inquiries.