Jewish Family Services assists many people in our community thanks to the hard work and support of both its staff and board of directors. Recently, several dedicated volunteers were tapped to serve as board officers, along with six new members joining the JFS board of directors.
These individuals bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to guide JFS, which will celebrate its 120th anniversary in 2022.
Lara Pabst is leading the JFS board as its president. A managing partner with Krigel & Krigel, Pabst and two partners took over ownership of the law firm from her aunt and uncle, Sandy and Erlene Krigel.
Born and raised in Kansas City, Pabst has been a JFS Board Member since 2014 and served as vice president. Pabst also worked on JFS’ strategic plan with former JFS Board President Fay Balk.
Pabst has strong family ties to JFS.
“I have three female past presidents in my family - my grandmother, Peggy Krigel, my aunt Erlene Krigel and a cousin, Sevi Krigel, are/were past presidents. That's how I got interested in JFS in the first place,” Pabst said. “I love that JFS helps people in need. We are boots on the ground, offering direct help to people who need a little boost to get life back on track.”
In addition to her involvement with JFS, Pabst is a board trustee for the Jewish Community Foundation. He and her husband Ben are the proud parents of three children.
Other JFS officers serving with Pabst include Ken Schifman and Jane Sosland, vice presidents; Courtney Landy, secretary; Jeff Stolper, treasurer and Kelly Somberg, as immediate past president.
“We are fortunate to have a wealth of dedicated volunteers serving on our Board, helping to steer us through some of the more challenging years in JFS history,” said Don Goldman, JFS CEO and Executive Director. “Lara steps in as president with a long family history of service to JFS.”
JFS extends its thanks to Sam Goller and Fay Balk, who completed their terms on the board of directors.
New board members include Michelle Cole, Josia Taylor, Brett Parker, Janice Pinson, Katie McGurk and Christopher Johnson. Continuing board members include Jeff Bell, Erin Berger, Aaron Blaser, Kristen Fromm, Jenny Isenberg, Julie Levine, Noah Slabotsky and Alice Wasson-Megerman.
“I'm proud of the work we do and am especially proud of the exceptional team that makes up JFS staff,” Pabst said. “We are so lucky to have such smart, motivated people working at JFS,” she said.
