LEADERSHIP

Rachel Stern

Chief Executive Officer

Rachel holds a Masters degrees from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in Jewish Education and Jewish Non-Profit Management. Rachel has worked in the Jewish non-profit world for over twenty years serving Federations, Synagogues, Seminaries and beyond. Rachel most notably served as the first full time Director of Education for the Goldring Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life for over 13 years and then became the Inaugural Director of the Rapoport Center, Chief Strategy and Impact Officer and Executive Vice President for Shalom Austin, and is currently Shalom Austin’s CEO. Rachel and her husband Scott are parents of 4 college students, Gabe, Lainey, Maddie and Charlie.

Click here for Rachel’s full bio.

Sarah Abrahams

JFS Executive Director

Sarah most recently served as the associate commissioner of Family Support Services at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission where she oversaw systems efforts and grant initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for Texas children and families. There, she worked within HHSC and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services managing cross-systems programs and policy coordination efforts, partnering across government agencies, engaging community leaders and coordinating with policy makers.  

Before joining HHSC, Abrahams was a systems improvement analyst with Casey Family Programs, a national operating foundation providing strategic planning, implementation support, technical assistance, and policy analysis targeting child welfare practices on national, state and local levels. She also worked for state and community-based nonprofits focused on parent education and support, women’s health and family economic wellness.  

Abrahams holds a Masters in Public Affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas. 

Nicole Gilger

Chief Financial Officer

Nicole joined Shalom Austin in January 2020 as CFO. Previously, she was VP, Controller of Trellis Company, a large non-profit specializing in assisting student borrowers successfully repay their student loans and promoting access and success in higher education. Prior to moving into the non-profit industry, Nicole’s career was in public accounting, first with PricewaterhouseCoopers where she specialized in audits of mid-sized banking, energy, technology and healthcare companies, and then with DK Partners, when she focused on internal audits and compliance. Nicole has an undergraduate degree in Finance from Texas A&M University and a Master’s in Accountancy from Texas State University. Nicole is also a Certified Public Accountant.