Advisory Council
- Georges Bergès - Chair
- Georges is currently the National Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations at ORT America, one of the largest non-governmental education and training organizations in the world. Prior to joining ORT America, Georges was the Director of Development at Progressive States Network. A seasoned nonprofit administrator, he brings extensive knowledge and experience in fundraising, communications and event management. Georges holds a B.A. from the University of California, Santa Cruz along with an M.A. in Diplomacy & International Relations and an M.P.A. in Management of Non-profits from Seton Hall University.
- Amy Richards
- After graduating cum laude from Barnard College, Amy co-founded the Third Wave Foundation, a national organization for young feminist activists. She currently runs the foremost feminist lecture agency: Soapbox Inc. Amy has appeared in and written for Oprah, CNN, The Nation, LA Times, and many more. She has written several books, including Manifesta: Young Women, Feminism, and the Future and is the voice behind “Ask Amy”, an online advice column. Amy serves on the board of Ms. Magazine, Sadie Nash Leadership Program, Chicken & Egg Productions, feminist.com and Fair Fund.
- Ben Wyskida
- Ben has over 10 years of experience as a publicist, activist, communications strategist and writer. He is currently at The Atlantic Philanthropies, working on communications and media strategy. Prior to this, Ben worked at The Nation Magazine, the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights and Design for Social Impact. He has led campaigns for Planned Parenthood, Environmental Defense, and the Buy Fresh, Buy Local Campaign, which helped build the market for locally grown and produced foods in over 77 regions nationwide. Ben maintains a consulting practice; he lives in NYC with his boyfriend and their dog, Óskar.
- Meridith Egyes
- Meridith is currently the Executive Director of The Young Presidents' Organization's Metro New York Chapter. Previously, Meridith worked as a senior event planner for both not-for-profit and for-profit organizations including The Rockefeller University, UJA-Federation of New York and E*Trade Financial. She is involved in several charities - most recently joining the Advisory Council at the Sex Workers Project of the Urban Justice Center. Meridith graduated from the Park School of Communications at Ithaca College and currently resides in New York City.
- Suzanne B. Seltzer
- Suzanne is a partner of Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer LLP, in charge of the New York office. She is a founding member of the NY Anti-Trafficking Network, and currently sits on its Steering Committee. Suzanne is a primary author and editor of “Immigration Relief for Crime Victims: The U Visa Manual”, and all three editions of “Identification and Legal Advocacy for Trafficking Victims”. Suzanne is included several New York City and nationwide “Best Lawyers” lists. A magna cum laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Suzanne received her J.D. from Georgetown Law Center cum laude.
- Adriana Kertzer
- Adriana is currently pursuing an M.A. in decorative arts and design studies at The Parsons School of Design. She has worked as a curatorial fellow at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, and was the coordinator of Semana Carlos Motta, a weeklong symposium about Brazilian designer Carlos Motta. Adriana earned her B.A. magna cum laude from Brown University and J.D. from Georgetown Law Center. As a corporate lawyer, she was part of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett’s Latin America team. She is the first woman to serve on the board of IBRADEMP – Instituto Brasileiro de Direito Empresarial.
- Mindy Sontag
- Mindy is a mother, trained educator, and native New Yorker who hopes to bring her collaborative attitude and unique skill set to the Advisory Council of SWP. Mindy is a graduate of Queens College in New York, where she received a B.A. in elementary school education and an M.A. in elementary reading. She taught first through six grades in the Bronx for several years. Mindy is married with three children; for the past 25 years she lived in Westchester County, but recently moved to Manhattan with her husband.
- Lisa Caldes
- Lisa Caldes is a social worker with New York Harm Reduction Educators (NYHRE) in New York City. There she engages in outreach, advocacy, and counseling with clients dealing with issues related to substance use, incarceration, and sex work. Lisa holds an M.S.W. from Hunter College with a focus in Community Organizing, Planning and Development. Born and raised in Canada, she received a B.A. from Concordia University in Montreal with a major in Women's Studies and Sexuality Studies. Lisa has been involved in feminist organizing for more than a decade, working with community-based organizations and supporting trans and queer struggles for liberation.