U.S. Office Staff (Washington, D.C.)
Sam Witkin — Executive Director
witkins@projectinterchange.org
Prior to joining PI in May 2008, Sam served as National Affairs Director of the Investigative Project on Terrorism. Formerly, he was the President of Tel Aviv University: American Council, leading all fund-raising and educational activities in the US. He also spent twelve years with AIPAC, serving as Southwest Regional Director in Texas, and then Senior Regional Director in Los Angeles.
Ida Singelenberg — United States Programs Director
singelenbergi@projectinterchange.org
After working for El Al as Director of Marketing and Sales and as an international tour operator, Ida was the Director of Travel for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, organizing and operating global educational journeys. Most recently, she was Missions Director for the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, developing unique adventures in Israel and launching the Jewish Civilizations of the World programs.
Nisha A. Shrier — International Programs Director
shriern@projectinterchange.org
After obtaining her undergraduate (University of Rochester) and Master’s Degree in International Relations (London School of Economics), Nisha worked for the New York State Legislature and the American Jewish Committee’s Office of Governmental Affairs. While overseas with her husband, a US diplomat, Nisha worked as an Embassy program officer, managed a $1.2 million/year Employees Association, ran a small business, established two Community schools and headed a fundraising campaign for a Chinese orphanage. She also assisted the American Jewish Committee with Board Missions to China.
Veronica Machtey — Assistant Director, International Programs
machteyv@projectinterchange.org
Veronica holds a JD from the University of Cordoba in Argentina and Master’s Degrees in Corporate Law and Nonprofit Management. She has served as a consultant for the Argentinean government and as an adviser to several nonprofit organizations, and was a member of the Young Diplomatic Corps of the World Jewish Congress. Veronica moved to the United States in 2007 and worked for the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies before joining Project Interchange. She is fluent in English, French and Spanish.
Patrick Ryan Morris — Senior Program Associate, United States Programs
morrisp@projectinterchange.org
Patrick is a graduate of the Edmund G. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. Prior to joining PI, he worked for The Clinton Group -a political campaign communications firm- and for the Project for Internal Displacement at the Brookings Institution.
Amit Katzir — Communications (U.S.)
katzira@projectinterchange.org
Amit holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from UC Davis and UC San Diego. He previously worked for the US Foreign Commercial Service in Singapore, the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, and various international trade consultancies, specializing in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. He recently edited and contributed to a forthcoming University of California textbook on international economic development.
Israel Office Staff (Jerusalem)
Tzippi Barnea — Associate Director and Project Interchange Director
Since 1983, Tzippi has worked for AJC and Project Interchange (since 1992). She lives in Kibbutz Yavne, a model for religious kibbutzim, located near ancient Yavne where the Sanhedrin was moved after the fall of Jerusalem. She also lived in the Philadelphia area before returning to Israel in 1984.
Yael Avnon — Program Coordinator
Prior to coming to PI over three years ago, Yael worked as a coordinator at the Ministry of Education and a content manager for the Unit of Experimental Schools. A third-generation Israeli, Avnon was born in Kibbutz Merchavia in the Jezreel Valley.
Myra Clark-Siegel — Communications (Israel)
Myra Clark-Siegel is a seasoned media consultant and communications professional, with nearly 20 years of experience in the Jewish, Israeli, and domestic American public affairs and media relations arenas. You’ve seen Myra’s expertise at work ranging from Israel’s 60th anniversary celebration, which drew more than 60,000 participants to the National Mall in Washington, DC, to coverage on a host of issues by every major national television network, cable outlet, and newspaper. In addition to her extensive work with media and grassroots outreach in the United States, Myra has worked with the media in Jerusalem, Israel and Asmara, Eritrea (in the Horn of Africa).
For general inquiries, please email pi@projectinterchange.org.
