Uniting Abilities, Inspiring Possibilities

Eva Cowen brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her role as a member of the board of directors for Linclusion. With a career spanning over two decades as the Director of Inclusion at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington in Rockville, Maryland, Eva has been a tireless advocate for promoting diversity and inclusion. During her tenure, Eva coordinated, facilitated, and oversaw the inclusion of people with disabilities into all Center programs and activities, including classes, sports leagues, summer camps, winter and spring programs, sports and fitness programs, lectures, concerts, festivals, and other activities. She has presented and consulted nationally and internationally on best practices for inclusion, demonstrating her commitment to fostering inclusive environments beyond her local community. Eva's passion for inclusion extends to her leadership role at Camp JCC, where she has been part of the leadership team for 38 consecutive summers. She has overseen the full inclusion of children with a complete range of disabilities and currently runs the summer program for teens and young adults with multiple disabilities. At the JCC, Eva also coordinated the annual Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Dinner of Champions, a fundraiser for special needs programs, and raised over 1.2 million dollars during her tenure. Her impact extends beyond the JCC, as she has served on the Maryland State Developmental Disabilities Council for 10 years and contributed to organizations such as the Sunflower Bakery, Makom, and the Federation of Greater Washington’s Inclusion Committee. Eva's consulting work for various organizations, including the National Inclusion Project, The Jewish Community Centers Association, and The Bender Jewish Community Center, reflects her dedication to advancing inclusion practices on a broader scale. Eva's personal connection to disability advocacy, with an older brother who has autism, has fueled her commitment to ensuring that individuals with disabilities live happy, fulfilled, and productive lives. Her work has been recognized with several awards from parent advocacy groups, the JCC of Greater Washington, The Association of Jewish Center Professionals, the American Camp Association, and The Jewish Federation of Washington. Eva is a firm believer in the power of teamwork, acknowledging both successes and challenges, embracing failure, and turning obstacles into opportunities. Her unwavering dedication and inclusive leadership make her an invaluable asset to Linclusion and the broader community.

Drew Sussberg’s extensive professional background and leadership skills bring invaluable strategic insight and a fresh perspective to Linclusion's board of directors. Drew is a dedicated professional with over two decades of experience at Motion Recruitment, where he has excelled in overseeing and operating the NYC region, specializing in servicing clients hiring engineers for both full-time and contracting services. A proud graduate of Indiana University, Drew brings a wealth of expertise and a commitment to excellence in his field. Beyond his professional achievements, Drew finds fulfillment in his role as a spouse and parent. He, along with his wife and twin daughters, call the vibrant Upper East Side of NYC home. However, it's Linclusion's mission, not just Drew's, that drives him. As a parent of children with special needs, Drew is deeply passionate about promoting inclusion and diversity in both professional and personal spheres. Drew's dedication to inclusivity stems from his own experiences at Camp Samoset in Casco, ME, where he spent 11 years as both a camper and counselor. It was there that he met Stephen and many others, creating a lifetime of memories, connections, and experiences. Drew and Stephen were even bunk mates, forging a bond that continues to inspire Drew's commitment to ensuring that all children have the opportunity to create lasting connections and meaningful experiences, regardless of their background or abilities.

Michael Trager, Vice President of Development at Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), brings his extensive experience in development and a passion for helping others to the board of directors. Michael works closely with the FARE Board of Directors, Board of Governors, and major donors to create philanthropic partnerships aimed at driving solutions for food allergic individuals and families. In addition to his work in development, Michael oversees Corporate Health relationships focused on partnerships with pharmaceutical, biotech, and health companies supporting those in need. With over fifteen years in Development, Michael previously worked at UJA-Federation of New York and the Mount Sinai Health System. He studied politics at Ithaca College, where he and Stephen attended together, and currently resides in New York with his wife and three daughters.

With over 25 years of dedicated experience in special education, Ronnie Kessler brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role on the Board of Directors. Her diverse background includes serving as a paraprofessional, teacher, extended school year director, administrator, and most recently, Assistant Director of Student Services in the MetroWest area. Throughout her career, Ronnie has been a passionate advocate for the inclusion of students with special needs both in the classroom and the community. Her commitment to creating inclusive environments has been a driving force in her professional endeavors. Beyond her work in special education, Ronnie has a lifelong passion for camping. Having spent 18 summers at Camp Young Judaea as a camper, counselor, and administrator, she deeply understands the transformative power of the camp experience. Ronnie is excited to be part of Linclusion, where she can combine her expertise in special education with her love for camping to help children of all abilities experience the joy and lasting friendships of summer camp.