After immigrating from Russia in 1992, Ilya went on to serve honorably in the United States Armed Forces for over eight years, including deployments to Korea, Germany, and Iraq. He began his work in the Jewish community as an educator at Sinai Academy, later serving as director of Jewish programs at Kings Bay Y and project manager for Limmud FSU USA. He went on to lead Hillel at Baruch College, which expanded its reach to nine campuses. He is also an adjunct English professor at Baruch and John Jay Colleges.

Abby Knopp returned to UJA in the role of managing director of the Network Department in 2019 after spending 15 years working in UJA partner organizations. Abby began her Jewish nonprofit career as a planning executive at the Commission on Jewish Identity and Renewal (the current Jewish Life Department at UJA). Her portfolio included overseas work in Israel and the Former Soviet Union. Subsequently, Abby moved on to executive roles at the Foundation for Jewish Camp and The Jewish Education Project. Abby lives on the Upper West Side with her husband, has three grown sons, and craves the time she spends with her two granddaughters.