Contact Our Leadership
Susan Lapidus, Director
Email: susan@mgsdii.org
Susan is the Founding Director of the Initiative, following a year as Executive Director at the U.S.-Israel Center at University of California, San Diego. She brings to her role a strong background in non-profit leadership and a knowledge and love of Israel. As Director, she coordinates and produces the center’s deep multi-faceted education about Israel, manages its diverse offerings of public events, and works in a myriad of ways to bring modern Israel to campuses across San Diego County. Her professional career includes 20 years of extensive experience in development with positions at the United Jewish Federation and Jewish Family Service, as well as in advocacy and the private sector.
Susan is a native of New York and graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.S. in Journalism, spending a year at Tel Aviv University. She maintains close ties to Israel through friends and family around the country, and through her professional work.
Hilary Taylor, Program Manager
Email: hilary@mgsdii.org
Hilary is the Program Manager where she is responsible for program management and implementing all logistical details associated with outreach and events for the MGSDII.
Hilary joins the team after spending over 20 years at nonprofits as well as international and American universities, serving students, university staff and faculty, and the wider community. She leverages her strategic mindset and relationship-building skills to expand and enhance academic enrichment programs. As MGSDII Program Manager, Hilary streamlines program operations and facilitates partnerships, to further MGSDII’s goal of providing intentional space for scholarly conversations and learnings about Israel.
Hilary’s career in higher education has focused on collaborating with CSUSM faculty and staff, university admissions and financial aid offices nationwide, international educational partners, and mentors of foster youth pursuing higher education. She attended Haverford College and has an MA in Education with a Concentration in Counseling from SDSU and an MA in French from Middlebury College.