Laura Zajac Kleinhandler, Co-Chair

Ms. Laura Zajac Kleinhandler is a member of the Gephardt Institute National Council. She had a fulfilling career as a Prenatal and Pediatric Genetic Counselor at NYU-Langone Medical Center and Bellevue Hospital. 

She spent 17 years at home, raising her three daughters and engaging in numerous philanthropic endeavors, before returning to work at Lescale Maternal Fetal Medicine Practice. Ms. Kleinhandler served on the Board of Directors of the UJA-Federation of New York, and previously served as chair of UJA-Federation of New York’s Westchester Women’s Philanthropy campaign. She is currently a member of the Executive Committee and acts as liaison as the chair of the advisory board of JTeen Leadership. 

She has been an active board member of Westchester Jewish Community Services since 2004 and has served as chair of its Program Services Committee. Ms. Kleinhandler has been a member of the Nedivot Women’s Impact Philanthropy group in Westchester for 11 years. Ms. Kleinhandler was recognized by the UJA-Federation of New York in 2010 with the Martha Selig Young Leadership Award and was honored by Westchester Jewish Community Services at their annual gala in 2012. She is actively involved with both BCRF and the Breast Cancer Alliance. 

Ms. Kleinhandler graduated from Washington University in St. Louis and received her master’s degree in Genetic Counseling from Northwestern University. Ms. Kleinhandler lives in Rye Brook, NY with her husband and their youngest daughter. Their eldest daughter is a 2020 graduate from Washington University and was a proud member of the Civic Scholars Program.