Meet our Senior Professional Staff
We pride ourselves on our personal service. Each of us are ready to assist you in fulfilling your own philanthropic goals and vision.
Ellen Weiss MBA, CFRE
Executive Director
Ellen joined TOP Jewish Foundation in 2016. She graduated with an MBA in Finance from New York University and a BA, cum laude, from Brandeis University. Ellen is a trustee and past President of Temple Ahavat Shalom in Palm Harbor, FL and serves as Chair of its Endowment and member of its Investment Committees. She is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and a trustee of Charitable Gift Planners of Tampa Bay. Prior to TOP, Ellen worked in Development and Advocacy for The Children’s Heart Foundation and in Marketing for IBM. She is passionate about building a strong financial base for the Jewish community so that it may thrive for generations to come.
Elyse Hyman
Director of Philanthropy
Elyse joined TOP Jewish Foundation in 2023. She graduated from Brandeis University with an MA in Jewish Communal Service and from University of South Florida with a BA in Political Science. She has more than 30 years of Jewish nonprofit experience in the Boston area. Previously, she worked for Combined Jewish Philanthropies, Temple Beth Avodah and Jewish Big Brother Big Sisters of Greater Boston. Returning to her roots in central Florida, Elyse enjoys building a culture of philanthropy throughout the Jewish community.
Maurice Hart
Controller
Maurice joined TOP Jewish Foundation in 2016. He graduated with a BCOM in Accounting from the University of Cape Town. His areas of expertise include managing accounting operations, analytical problem resolution, regulatory compliance, internal controls, process improvement and GAAP accounting principles. Prior to joining TOP, Maurice worked for the Jewish Federation of Florida’s Gulf Coast and several accounting firms, both in the nonprofit and for-profit arenas, in Florida and in his native South Africa.
Hayley Garron
Development Assistant
Hayley is a recent graduate from USF where she studied Marketing & Sales under the MUMA College of Business. She was born and raised in Tampa and is passionate about prolonging Jewish life. Hayley is a graduate of JFNA’s Changemakers Fellowship Program and currently serves as a member of on the Changemakers Leadership Committee.