Staff
Staff & Consultants
Abby Stamelman Hocky
Executive Director
Abby Stamelman Hocky is the Executive Director of Interfaith Philadelphia, a role she has held since the organization’s inception in January 2004. Abby has a special interest in collaborative models of social change and the vital role that faith and culture play in building a stronger, more inclusive society.
Abby came to Interfaith Philadelphia after working in intergroup relations and public policy for over two decades at the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Philadelphia. Her work as Associate Executive Director and Director of Interreligious Relations entailed striving to enhance interfaith understanding, resolve issues among religious groups, and developing numerous models for dialogue – especially among Muslims, Christians, and Jews.
In 2024, Abby was appointed to serve on the City of Philadelphia, Faith-Based Roundtable by Mayor Cherelle Parker. She also served on the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Judicial Selection and Retention Commission (2022-2024).
Abby has been a Technical Advisor to non-profits in the West Philadelphia Economic Recovery Coalition program and serves as a member of NewCORE, (the New Conversation on Race and Ethnicity).
She participated in the FBI Citizens Academy training and is a recipient of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations Award. In 2025-16 she served on the Police Oversight Board under then-Mayor Michael Nutter.
Abby received her BA from Lafayette College and her MSW from Yeshiva University’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work. She is a member of Congregation Beth Am Israel and Or Zarua.
Sara Zebovitz
Associate Director
A Philadelphia native, Sara moved back to the region during the COVID-19 pandemic with a passion for the upbuilding of her hometown as a true city of brotherly love, and a passion for soft pretzels. Sara most recently lived in Israel as a member of an urban kibbutz, or commune. During her time overseas, she worked in informal education with Israeli and North American youth to create a more just, inclusive, and unified society.
Sara discovered the strength of Interfaith Philadelphia as a participant in the first cohort of Interfaith Philadelphia’s Visionary Women program, a program close to her heart. She is honored to help the organization continue to offer this type of meaningful programming.
Sara previously served as the Director of Habonim Dror North America, a Jewish youth movement that focuses on a sense of responsibility and social justice through a Jewish lens. She also served as the Founding Director of the American Zionist Youth Council, an organization that brings together Jewish youth from across the religious and political spectrum. Sara views bridge building as essential to creating the society of which we dream. She is a member of the 2023 Association of Fundraising Professionals Leadership Institute cohort, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Ameinu.
When away from her desk, Sara is most often cooking, crocheting, or cheering on the Philadelphia sports teams.
Marilyn Berberich
Youth Initiative Consultant
Marilyn first connected with Interfaith Philadelphia through the Walking the Walk program for teens, initially as a mentor and then as a Group Leader. Working with high school youth turned out to be an ideal role; she was energized and inspired by the opportunities to build bridges and nurture friendships across many faith traditions. Although each year’s journey took its own unique path, each iteration of Walking the Walk was mind opening and heart opening.
Most of Marilyn’s career was in education where she was first a classroom teacher, then an elementary school counselor, and later a student teaching supervisor. She earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Education at Millersville University and her Master’s Degree in School Counseling at West Chester University. Her favorite pastimes include participating in a book club and a cookbook club, doing all kinds of puzzles, geocaching, and hiking at Tyler Arboretum.
Cat D’Angelo
Development Associate
Cat serves as the Development Associate for Interfaith Philadelphia. She holds a Bachelor’s in Education from St. John’s University and a Master’s in Social Work from Rutgers University. In between her undergraduate and graduate studies, Cat pursued a year of service with the Center for FaithJustice where she worked with youth and young adults encouraging them to put their faith into action.
Cat believes in the power of relationships and has witnessed first hand the impact that building intentional community has when addressing social injustices. She is passionate about education, racial and economic justice, and legislative reform. Cat is excited to be returning to Interfaith after serving as a development intern in summer 2021, and is looking forward to continuing strengthening bonds, and advancing Interfaith’s mission throughout the greater Philadelphia area.
In her free time, you can find Cat traveling, taking photographs, and playing with her chocolate lab Micah.
Asheq Fazlullah
Director, Leadership Institute of Interfaith Philadelphia
At Interfaith Philadelphia, Asheq helps develop and deliver programming, while expanding the organization’s reach via partnerships. Programming includes efforts to increase religious literacy and help develop dialogue skills. Partnerships include local congregations as well as national institutions like Interfaith America. His involvement with Interfaith Philadelphia started in 2017 with the Walking the Walk program followed by 3 years on the Board and Diversity Committee. More recently as a consultant and lastly as staff from the summer 2022.
Asheq serves with Campus Ministry at Villanova University in the role of Muslim Student Advisor and Affiliate Advisor with the Interfaith Center at Swarthmore College and the IMPACT Center at Bryn Mawr College. He has taken Graduate coursework in Theology and Ministry at Villanova University and is working towards a Master of Arts in Interreligious Studies at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace (formerly Hartford Seminary).
Asheq serves on the Board of Interfaith Alignment, an online community sharing contemplative spiritual practices. Additionally, he has served as a Public Speaker for the Delaware Valley Speakers Bureau, the local affiliate of the Islamic Networks Groups (ING). In this capacity, he has given nearly a hundred presentations on Islam and Muslim Americans at a variety of venues including faith groups, public schools, private schools, universities, senior centers, law enforcement and local civic organizations, across the Greater Delaware Valley. Previously, Asheq has served on the Executive Committee of CAIR-Philadelphia, the Board of Muslims Serve and the Board of the Main Line Muslim Society.
Before beginning work in religious life and pastoral care, Asheq worked in institutional finance analyzing, managing and trading Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities (CMBS) in Boston, Hartford and New York; most recently as a Senior Vice President for Real Estate Derivatives trading at KBC Financial Products. He earned a B.S. in economics from Penn State, University Park and is a graduate of Conestoga Senior High School in Berwyn, PA.
Rev. Jay Gardner, DMin
Zones of Peace Coordinator
Jay has an ongoing interest in building bridges and making connections. He has worked in congregational ministry and in the biotech industry for many years. He seeks opportunities to bring unlikely partners into dialogue with each other. He currently serves as the pastor of the historic Mount Zion Baptist Church in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia. Previously, he served for 20 years at the White Rock Baptist Church as the minister to youth and children. There he worked with the Walking the Walk initiative and developed an out-of-school science program bringing together graduate scientists to work with children of the community. Children and families of different faiths came together to study and learn about the world around us through scientific discovery.
Jay has participated in conversations around science and religion and then sought further study and work to bring Christians and Muslims into authentic conversation asking, “Can Muslims and Christians move beyond tolerance and engagement to embrace and pray together?”
Jay earned his B.A. in biology from the University of California, Berkeley, Master of divinity at Princeton Theological seminary and Doctor of Ministry at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School.
Bronwen Henry
Director of Curricular Innovation
Bronwen develops and facilitates workshops and trainings for the Leadership Institute including the Foundations Live Certificate in Interfaith Leadership. She came into involvement at Interfaith Philadelphia through Encountering Others Faiths and the Visionary Women program.
She has spent much of her career in the faith sector in content development, leadership training, small group facilitation, and event planning. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Bronwen received a Bachelor’s of Science in Education from Bryn Athyn College and a certificate in Social Impact Strategy from UPenn. In addition to her work at Interfaith Philadelphia, she is also a contemplative painter and studying to be a Mindfulness Meditation Teacher. She lives in Montgomery County with her family.
Rev. John B. Hougen, PhD
Art of Interfaith Understanding Coordinator
Rev. John B. Hougen, PhD is an ordained pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and serves Interfaith Philadelphia in two capacities. He is Coordinator of Zones of Peace, an initiative of the Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia. Zones of Peace honors and supports exemplary congregations, schools, and organizations that address the root causes of violence and build communities of mutual respect and compassion. In addition, John is the agency’s program leader for The Art of Interfaith Understanding, utilizing the resources of the Philadelphia Museum of Art to enhance spirituality and further interfaith understanding through encounters with art from the world’s religions.
John began his association with Interfaith Philadelphia in 2007 as a co-convener of the Administrative Group of the Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia. As the Religious Leaders Council’s response to the region’s violence grew, he assumed chairmanship of the Zones of Peace Steering Committee, and since 2013 has coordinated the initiative.
John holds a BA in Sociology from Luther College (Iowa), a Master of Divinity Degree from Harvard Divinity School, and a PhD in Religion and Literature from the University of Virginia. His career has included parish ministry, university chaplaincy, adjunct teaching in university and seminary settings, and regional ELCA campus ministry administration. In these capacities he has consistently emphasized addressing social issues, mining the arts for spiritual experiences and insights, worship, and pastoral care. His publications include four books, hymn texts, and many articles.
John is an enthusiastic volunteer docent at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and at home enjoys writing, painting, photography, cheering for UVA and Philadelphia sports teams, and time with family and friends. He lives in Elkins Park with his spouse, E. Marcia Hougen. They are the parents of two adult children, Melissa and Marcus (Ronicka), and the grandparents of Aubrey and Rylie.
Rev. Edward Livingston
Director of Religious Community Initiatives
Edward Livingston holds a Master of Divinity degree from The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (now United Lutheran Seminary) and studied Globalization and Ecumenism at the World Council of Churches in Geneva, Switzerland.
He has over a decade of experience in local and national interfaith community organizing with the Direct Action Research Training Network and Faith in Action (formerly PICO National Network). Edward also served on the Executive Committee of the Philadelphia Association and as Consistory Vice Moderator to the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference of the United Church of Christ.
Edward is drawn to this work out of a commitment to equity — that we should all have access to be our best selves in community, and that all people are made in the image and likeness of God. Edward currently serves as Pastor of Dryland United Church of Christ in Nazareth. He is happily married to the Reverend Emily Ann Garcia Livingston.
Kes Messinger
Visionary Women Consultant
Kes Messinger began her connection with Interfaith Philadelphia as a participant with Visionary Women in 2019. She is excited to build on the success of VW as organizer and facilitator and help see it continue in the years to come.
Kes brings together her experience as a Hillel program director at UNC, 7 summers at Brandeis Collegiate Institute working with young international Jewish adults in experiential spiritual practices, her roots in the Unitarian Church and her facilitation with the Burning Man community art project, Talk To God.
When not moonlighting as an amateur pickleball player, Kes works as a florist.
Mary-Anne Smith
Communications Director
With extensive experience in nonprofit marketing, communications, and fundraising, Mary-Anne’s work is rooted in the belief that faith calls each person to a greater purpose to bring about the common good.
Throughout her career, Mary-Anne has worked with social service agencies, faith centers, educational institutions, and cultural organizations in the Philadelphia and New York City regions.
Before joining Interfaith Philadelphia, Mary-Anne was a fundraiser for Foundation Academies, a highly successful charter school in Trenton, NJ. She served as the marketing director for Cranaleith Spiritual Center, a non-profit retreat and conference center led by the Sisters of Mercy. She was also the director of marketing communications for the Urban Affairs Coalition.
A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where she majored in art and art history, Mary-Anne received her Master’s degree in Arts Administration from Columbia University.
She resides in Bucks County with her husband (Ryan Harris, Esq.), son (Ian Harris, 5th Grade), and Bergamasco Shepherd (Phife).
Fueled by coffee and frequently found gardening, Mary-Anne is dedicated to using her skills and talents to make the world a better place.
Rebecca Watson
Office Manager
Rebecca has been the Office Manager of Interfaith Philadelphia since 2004. She has a degree in computer science and extensive working experience with prominent Hispanics in the Philadelphia Latino community, as well as with the Jewish community through her years of employment at the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Philadelphia.
Rebecca and her husband Hector live in SW Philadelphia with their chihuahua, Mia.
Leadership Institute Facilitation Team
Nzinga El-Mekki Abdullah-Aziz
Facilitator
Nzinga El-Mekki Abdullah-Aziz
Facilitator
Nzinga El-Mekki Abdullah-Aziz spent her childhood growing up between Qum, Iran and Philadelphia, PA. She later attended Jami’at uz-Zahra (Women’s’ Islamic Theological Seminary) in Qum, Iran, from 1993-1997. Nzinga is a graduate of Drexel University, holding a Master of Science degree in Nursing Education and has worked as a registered nurse for nearly twenty years, primarily in the Community Health setting.
She is certified in Hospice and Palliative Care, currently employed as a Hospice Nurse Navigator and pursuing training as an End-of-Life doula. As a mother of two, her interests are grounded in the spiritual and physical wellness of human beings. Nzinga is involved in various activities and projects and enjoys spending time with others who recognize the richness and depth of our interwoven tapestry.
Barbara Hirsh
Facilitator
Barbara Hirsh
Facilitator
Barbara Hirsh is a retired sociologist who spends her time advising nonprofit organizations as a member of Volunteer Executive Consultants; engaging in multi-faith and multi-generational dialogue through Interfaith Philadelphia; and serving as a member of the board of directors of Hillel at Temple University.
In her nearly four decades of work in the nonprofit sector, Barbara served as Director of the Department of Jewish Life and Learning at the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia; Dean of Academic Administration and Director of Campus Chaplaincy Training at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College; and Associate Director of Hillel of Greater Philadelphia, among other positions. Earlier volunteer work included serving on the board of the Lower Merion Library System, and as Board Chair of SHALVA, an organization devoted to addressing domestic violence.
Scott Klepach
Facilitator
Scott Klepach
Facilitator
Scott Klepach has worked for years as a chaplain (hospital, hospice, and bereavement coordination), pastor, writer/communicator, teacher, and spiritual director/companion. He first earned BA and MA degrees in English from Central Washington University and taught composition and writing for several higher education institutions while writing for various local and regional publications. He received his M.Div from Claremont School of Theology, after which he completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education for chaplaincy, a graduate certificate in thanatology (death, dying, and grief), and a certification in spiritual direction. Scott was born and raised in south central Washington state and lives near Yakima today.
He began to study sacred texts and different religions and spiritualities growing up and in college, and that fascination and passion for people and ideas continues to grow. He has been active for years with a local interfaith group and more recently with Interfaith America and Interfaith Philadelphia. He is married and has two teenagers and two dogs, a Sheltie and a rescue cattle dog/Red Heeler. He loves family, coffee, traveling, jogging, singing, writing, television and films, cooking and trying new food, reading, good conversations, and puns.
Rev. Dr. Grace Song
Facilitator
Rev. Dr. Grace Song
Facilitator
Grace Song is an ordained Won Buddhist Kyomunim, meditation teacher, and advocate of interfaith dialogue. She serves as the Chair of the Won Buddhist Studies Department at the Won Institute of Graduate Studies. In 2020, she was appointed to the Philadelphia Mayor’s Commission on Faith-Based and Interfaith Affairs. Additionally, she’s a member of the Steering Committee for the Won Buddhism at the United Nations Office and sits on the board of The Society for Buddhist-Christian Studies.
Grace’s spiritual training began in Philadelphia at the Won Institute. She then relocated to Korea to study with several senior Won Buddhist teachers. After a decade in Korea, Grace chose to move back to the US and join the Won Institute faculty. In the subsequent fifteen years, she has traveled to many countries to present and lead workshops and retreats on interfaith dialogue, social justice, mindfulness in education, and spiritual practice in daily life.
Grace holds a Ph.D. in Won Buddhist Studies from Wonkwang University, an MA in East Asian Philosophy from Seoul National University, and a BA in Religious Studies from the University of Toronto. She has led monthly meditation sessions for The Institute of Korean Studies at Penn State University and meditation retreats at the Won Dharma Center, Claverack NY. Her research interests include Women in Buddhism and the intersection of Buddhism with social justice. Her recent publication, From Courtesan to Wŏn Buddhist Teacher: The Life of Yi Ch’ŏngch’un, explores the life of one of the first female disciples of Won Buddhism. Her writings and online teachings have been featured in Tricycle: The Buddhist Review Magazine and Buddhistdoor Global.
She is committed to embodying the truth of interconnection and invests her time putting into practice her belief that renewing society starts with renewing our inner lives.
Interns
Jessica Ramos
Intern
Jessica Ramos
Intern
An advanced standing master’s in social work student from the University of Pennsylvania, Jessica Ramos is delighted to intern with the Interfaith Philadelphia team. With experience in youth casework, advocacy, and medical social work, Jessica is excited to transition to macro social work within a non-profit environment. Jessica is interested in the end-to-end lifecycle of public policy, educational outreach initiatives, grant writing, securing grant funding, and learning about legislative change to enact policies that benefit the community. She hopes to use her clinical, macro, and Interfaith experience to work alongside communities and organizations to support an environment of inclusion, understanding, and diversity. Outside of school, Jessica enjoys staying active, exploring Philadelphia, and spending time with her loved ones.
