Dr. Mindy Feldman Hecht is a mission-driven nonprofit and academic leader committed to advancing women’s leadership, scholarship, learning and participation within halakhic Jewish life. She served on the Board of Directors of Jofa for eight years, including as Board President, where she helped shape the organization’s strategic direction, led a successful international conference, strengthened governance, and steered its long-term growth and impact.

Mindy brings more than a decade of experience leading equity-centered, community-engaged initiatives at the intersection of public health, research, and social change. She previously served as Program Director of the Office of Community Health at Columbia University, where she built and managed cross-sector partnerships and programs designed to translate academic research into meaningful community benefit.

She holds a doctorate in Applied Exercise Physiology from Teachers College, Columbia University, where her research focused on innovative approaches to improving physical activity and cognitive outcomes in underserved school communities. Mindy earned her BA from Columbia University and her Master of Public Health from the Mailman School of Public Health.

Earlier in her career, she served as Chief Compliance Officer for Uri L’Zedek’s Tav HaYosher (Ethical Seal) restaurant program in New York, advancing ethical labor standards within the kosher food industry. She is also an alumna of Migdal Oz. She lives on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with her husband and children and is an active member of Darkhei Noam, where her commitment to partnership minyanim and inclusive communal leadership is deeply rooted.