Early in her career, Stephanie Spiegel honed her community building skills. Upon graduating from Florida Atlantic University with a BA in Political Science and a Women's Studies certificate, Stephanie founded Rag Trade: Happy Clothing Co., Miami's first green-conscious clothing exchange. Through her business she learned to build community beyond the bottom-line; this has laid the groundwork for her career in the social sector. She chose the NYU Wagner/Skirball MPA-MA in Hebrew and Judaic Studies program because it allows her to explore and bridge her experience as a social entrepreneur with her passion for the Jewish community. She has worked for Birthright NEXT, the alumni division of Birthright in South Florida, serving first as a volunteer and then as Local Coordinator until the winter of 2011. Concentrating on management in the MPA-MA program, Stephanie aspires to become a leader in the field of engagement and community building in the Jewish world and beyond. She is honored to be a recipient of the Steinberg Fellowship and, as a first-year student, is most looking forward to creating a new network of peers and mentors.