IMPORTANT JFS LEADERSHIP UPDATE
Jewish Family Service of San Diego Announces the July 2025 retirement of CEO Michael Hopkins, names COO Dana Toppel as CEO Designate
Jewish Family Service of San Diego Announces the July 2025 retirement of CEO Michael Hopkins, names COO Dana Toppel as CEO Designate
Chief Executive Officer
Michael Hopkins has made an indelible impact on JFS and the San Diego community since he began his tenure as CEO of Jewish Family Service in 2012. Michael has always focused on the needs of vulnerable community members who are often left out or left behind—children and families, older adults, the unhoused, asylum seekers and refugees.
Under his leadership, JFS expanded their headquarters in Kearny Mesa to create the Joan & Irwin Jacobs Campus, enabling the agency to increase and centralize services. Other notable accomplishments include the creation of the Center for Jewish Care that assists Jewish community members who are experiencing trauma, grief or financial challenges; facilitating JFS’s leadership in the development of the San Diego Rapid Response Network and its Migrant Shelter Services for people seeking asylum that JFS operates, now regarded as a national model; operating six Safe Parking Lots in San Diego, Encinitas, and Vista for people sheltering in their vehicles; and leading the nonprofit through its Centennial Celebration and Campaign, to sustain the future of the organization.
Michael has been a Jewish Communal professional for over 45 years, strengthening communities across the country. Prior to JFS, Michael served as Executive Director of Nehirim, a national Jewish LGBTQ organization, and CEO of Jewish Community Center MetroWest, one of the largest JCCs in the country located just outside of New York City. Michael has also worked in the Jewish communities of Pittsburgh, PA, Columbus, OH, Tucson, AZ, and Richmond, VA.
Michael has a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Yeshiva University. He is a Board Member of the Network of Jewish Human Service Associations and of the San Diego County Continuum of Care, which addresses homelessness in San Diego.
After many years of service to JFS, Michael announced his plans to retire in Summer 2025.
CEO Designate/Chief Operating Officer
As Chief Operating Officer, Dana Toppel provides overall leadership for the impact-driven, multi-service organization with the bold vision of building a stronger, healthier, more resilient San Diego. Dana joined JFS in 2009 as director of older adult services, served as the divisional director of clinical services in addition to the chief program officer prior to assuming the role of chief operating officer in 2015.
With almost two decades of experience working with a variety of populations in both direct service and management capacities, Dana has a proven track record of program development, revenue generation, change management and leading strategic, innovative, high-impact organizations. Prior to joining the JFS team, Dana worked as a director, consultant, and therapist for the San Diego LGBT Community Center, University of California at San Diego, and San Diego Youth & Community Services.
Dana is dedicated to advancing equity and participates in local, regional, and national conversations to advance efforts related to inclusive leadership, professional training, and ensuring access to opportunity for all. Currently she also serves as Chair of San Diego for Every Child, as a Commissioner on the California Commission of Aging and is the Founder of Make Work Work For Moms.
In 2016, Dana was recognized as one of San Diego’s “100 Most Influential Leaders”, as an “SD Metro Mover and Shaker”, and by Assemblywoman Shirley Weber as a “79th Assembly District Woman of the Year”. In March of 2019, she was recognized by Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins as a Women’s History Month Honoree.
A native of Madison, Wisconsin, Toppel holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and a master’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in business administration from San Diego State University. She is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of California.
Chief Financial Officer
As Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Bernadette oversees the fiscal integrity of JFS and Charitable Adult Rides & Services (CARS). With more than 30 years of experience in finance, primarily in the education sector, Bernadette brings the expertise and a passion for serving the community. She has worked for Grossmont/Cuyamaca Community College District, Southwest Community College District, and the LA County Office of Education. Formerly she was with the Pasadena Unified School District, where she was the Chief Business Officer and was integral in developing the strategic direction and managing the finances of the school district.
In 2023, Bernadette was named CFO of The Year in the nonprofit sector by the San Diego Business Journal.
Originally from Belize, Bernadette is an SDSU alum and holds a master’s degree in business administration, certification from the California Association of School Business Officials for Chief Business Officers, serves as an adviser to the board of Optimist Club International, Belize Branch, serves on the board of a charter school, and is chair of the CFO cohort for the Network of Jewish Human Services Agencies (NJHSA).
Chief Advancement Officer
As Chief Advancement Officer, Tanya oversees the Development, Marketing, and Volunteer Engagement Teams at JFS. She works closely with all departments to enhance our relationships with supporters, stakeholders, and our community. Tanya joined JFS from Lifeline Community Services where she served as the Chief Development Officer, overseeing the private fundraising, volunteer program, and internal and external marketing and communications efforts for the 50-year-old, $16MM human service organization.
Tanya is a non-profit professional with decades of experience in fundraising, communications, and marketing. Prior to her tenure at Lifeline, Tanya served as the Chief Development and Communications Officer at JCCA, a $110M child welfare agency in New York City. Prior to that, Tanya was the Director of Development at the Hebrew Free Loan Society in New York. Tanya began her development career at UJA-Federation of New York. Before her work in the non-profit sector, Tanya worked in account management at various advertising agencies in New York City.
Tanya earned her Master in Public Administration from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and her Bachelor’s degree from Williams College.
Tanya sits on the board of the Hebrew Free Loan San Diego and North County Philanthropy Council.
Chief Program and Impact Officer
As Chief Program and Impact Officer, Shreya supports program team leaders in tackling complex challenges in our community, including homelessness, food insecurity, raising a family, and aging with dignity. Shreya also serves as the executive sponsor of JFS’s Diversity and Belonging Council.
Shreya’s professional experience has focused on addressing social determinants of health with empathy and hope. Combining expertise in public health programming with skills in finance, operations, and external relations, she continuously seeks innovative ways to improve community health by engaging with community members in a dignified, person-centered manner.
Prior to joining JFS, Shreya served as Chief Operating Officer at Mission Driven Finance, a startup impact investing firm focused on advancing economic opportunity. She has also held positions at Kaiser Permanente as Finance Director for Hospital and Health Plan Operations and Senior Community Benefit Manager in the Public Affairs Department.
In the community, Shreya is the board Secretary for MAAC and previously served as Treasurer at Catalyst of San Diego and Imperial Counties. She is a LEAD San Diego graduate and a former member of the Carmel Valley Community Planning Board. Shreya holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Organizational Studies from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and a Master’s in Public Health from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Chief Strategy Officer
As Chief Strategy Officer, Sarah excels in purpose-driven leadership and is passionate about helping people work together in radically inclusive, creative, and collaborative ways.
Prior to joining JFS, Sarah worked as a leadership coach, team facilitator, and strategic consultant for several international organizations including American Cancer Society, Everytown for Gun Safety, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Johns Hopkins University, Open Society Foundations, Planned Parenthood, and Save the Children, among others.
Sarah earned her Bachelor of Arts in Politics from Princeton University, a Master of Arts in Public Health from Columbia University, and a Master of Arts in International Affairs from Columbia University. Sarah currently serves on the advisory board for the Orpheus Orchestra and the Museum of Us. She is also certified as a Co-Active Coach and CTI Certified Professional.
