Liya has over a decade of experience working in development within higher education and the Jewish non-profit sector. Prior to joining HATC, Liya worked at Columbia University as Senior Associate Director where she managed a team and was responsible for all fundraising efforts from Columbia’s undergraduate recent alumni. Before working at Columbia, Liya served as Associate Director of the Annual Campaign at the Jewish Community Project of Lower Manhattan, where she worked closely with the Board of Directors and Development Committee to achieve the organization’s fundraising goals. Liya began her career in development during her time as a student at Brandeis University, where she worked in different roles within Brandeis’ Department of Institutional Advancement. 

Liya holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from Brandeis University and Masters of Science in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University. 

Liya was born in Jerusalem, Israel and grew up abroad, living in Ethiopia, Swaziland, Myanmar, and Italy. She moved to the United States to attend Brandeis University. Liya currently lives in Tenafly, NJ with her husband, Ross, and two young children, Levi and Rafael.