Staff Bios
John Stemen brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the Zeta Beta Tau Foundation's Chief Executive Officer role with over 25 years of involvement in the fraternity. Beginning his journey as president of Omicron Chapter while concurrently serving as Secretary of the Tufts University Interfraternity Council (IFC), Brother Stemen's commitment to ZBT has been unwavering. Following his graduation, he continued to serve the fraternity in various roles, including as a Chapter & Expansion Consultant and later as a Chapter Advisor and Supreme Councilor. Prior to taking his role as CEO, Brother Stemen served on the Zeta Beta Tau Foundation’s Board of Directors, furthering his dedication to the organization's mission and values.
Academically, Brother Stemen holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law, earned in 2006. His professional journey led him through the realms of law practice before transitioning to roles of service within the U.S. Department of State, including positions at the Diplomatic Security Service and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Most recently, he contributed his expertise to Secure Community Network as the Director of Safety and Security at Hillel International, the largest Jewish student nonprofit organization globally.
In his leisure time, Brother Stemen enjoys pursuits such as golfing, despite his self-admitted lack of prowess in the sport, and indulges in his appreciation for fine bourbon. He shares his life's joys with his wife Liran and four children.
Beth Asher is a seasoned professional currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Family Studies from the University of Maryland and a Master of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Georgia State University. Beth has a rich professional background, having held notable positions such as Research Operations Manager at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta/Marcus Autism Center, Programming Director at Jewish Family & Career Services, and Director of Development and Marketing at the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia.
Throughout her career, Beth has been recognized for her leadership and dedication, including being a graduate of Leadership North Fulton and a recipient of the Marilyn Shubin Professional Staff Development Award. Beyond her professional endeavors, Beth is actively engaged in her community, volunteering and serving on boards.
Beth resides in Atlanta with her family, including her loving spouse, two children, and their cherished furry companion. Despite her modesty, Beth's passion for her work and commitment to making a positive impact in her community shine through in all she does.
Sam Locke is a seasoned professional with a diverse background in fundraising and marketing. As the Chief Development Officer, Sam brings extensive experience and a passion for advancing causes that shape our world. Sam holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Indiana University – Bloomington, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Wyoming, and a Master of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary. Additionally, he has attained the CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) designation.
Throughout Sam's career, he has held various leadership positions, each contributing to his expertise in fundraising and advancement. Sam has served in senior fundraising roles at the Presbyterian Mission Agency, Hartford International University for Religion & Peace, Indiana Legal Services, and Bethany Theological Seminary. In each role, Sam played a pivotal role in driving rapid growth, securing resources to support the institution's mission, and honing the organization’s story to connect with supporters.
Having raised nearly a half-billion dollars for the organizations he has supported, Sam has led successful fundraising efforts and cultivated lasting relationships with donors and supporters.
In his free time, Sam enjoys playing golf and tennis, collecting coins, and occasionally serving as a substitute pastor. Sam resides in Carmel, Indiana with his husband Grant, two children Molly and Spencer, and furry companion Ralphie the Blue Heeler.
Akiba Covitz is Executive Director of (in) TOLERANCE. He has previously served as a senior administrator and faculty member at top American universities, and as a senior leader in the world of educational technology. Akiba has led business development processes and strategy at numerous start-ups in the Ed Tech space. He started his career as a professor, winning campus-wide and nationwide teaching awards. Akiba went on to become Associate Dean and a member of the faculty at Harvard Law School. At Harvard, reporting directly to then Dean and now United States Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan, Akiba oversaw the extraordinary expansion of the faculty, after a long period of stagnant growth. He also led multiple fellowships designed to bring more faculty of color into the professorate.
He then served as the founding vice president at edX, a global, open-source MOOC provider and educational disrupter founded by Harvard and MIT, which was later acquired by a publicly traded educational provider. Akiba was brought to Academic Partnerships, an online program management provider, where he was Senior Vice President for Strategic Relationships. He started the business development function at Minerva University, consistently ranked as the most innovative university in the world. Akiba has also served as a senior advisor to such organizations as Entangled Solutions (acquired by Guild) and the Inter-American Development Bank (in the creation of a partnership to accelerate the role of women in technology for the government of Uruguay).
Akiba holds advanced degrees in Political Science (from the University of Pennsylvania, with emphases on Constitutional Law and Middle Eastern Studies) and Law (from the Yale Law School). Dr. Covitz’s undergraduate studies were in classical liberal arts at St. John's College, in Annapolis, Maryland.
Jonathan Levin currently serves as the Director of the Alumni Experience for the Zeta Beta Tau Foundation and the Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity. In this role, he manages the relationships of ZBT Alumni across North America and ensures philanthropy remains a central element of the Alumni Experience.
Jonathan holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has dedicated over two decades to working and volunteering in the nonprofit sector, with roles at Jewish Family Services, Zeta Beta Tau Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Association, and the National Football Foundation. Additionally, Jonathan has been an active Yellow Jacket Committee member of the Fiesta Bowl for 18 years, hosting several national championships and is part of the College Football Playoff.
Jonathan comes from a devoted ZBT family including his late father, Jess S. Levin, Alpha Kappa (University of Wisconsin) 1968, and his two brothers, Adam M. Levin, Alpha Kappa (University of Wisconsin) 2003, and Jason A. Levin, Alpha Kappa (University of Wisconsin) 2006.
During his undergraduate years, Jonathan was a Founding Father of the Alpha Kappa Chapter at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, serving as Chapter President for two terms. He regards his experience in Zeta Beta Tau as one of the most important experiences of his life. Currently, Jonathan lives in Scottsdale, AZ with his wife and children. In his spare time, Jonathan is an avid Wisconsin sports fan and enjoys attending concerts.
Ally Gerstley blends warmth with expertise in her role as Donor Relations Manager. After graduating Cum Laude with a B.A. in English and Jewish Studies from Tulane University in 2018, Ally continued to expand her academic horizons, earning an M.A. in Experiential Education & Jewish Cultural Arts from The George Washington University in 2019. With a breadth of knowhow, Ally has seamlessly transitioned from roles such as Israel Engagement Associate: IACT at Santa Barbara Hillel to Manager of Student Engagement at Hillel 818.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Ally's zest for life shines through her diverse interests. From having a sushi roll named after her at her favorite restaurant to her experiences studying abroad in Prague and Jerusalem, she embodies a spirit of exploration and adventure. In her downtime, she indulges in cooking and baking experiments, delves into gripping true crime podcasts, and savors moments with loved ones.
At the center of Ally's world is her beloved furry companion, Noodle, a four-year-old pup who brings boundless joy and affection into her life.
Jennie Glinzak serves as the Donor Engagement Manager with the Zeta Beta Tau Foundation. Her academic journey reflects her love of nonprofits, with an emphasis on the fine arts and education, having earned a double major in Music Performance, Instrumental Conducting, and Vocal Music Education from Chapman University, followed by a Master's degree in Arts Management from American University.
Jennie's professional trajectory includes impactful positions such as the Development Officer at the Galapagos Conservancy and the Manager, Donor Stewardship at the Natural Resources Defense Council. Notably, she holds certifications in project management from Google and fundraising from UC Davis, highlighting her commitment to constant learning and excellence in her field.
In her extracurricular activities, Jennie's passions extend to homesteading and the art of sewing. An avid seamstress, she creates elaborate, award-winning costumes, showcasing her creativity and craftsmanship. Jennie is supported by her doting husband.