STAFF
Allison Wexler
Executive Director
Allison joined Tucson Jewish Free Loan in 2020. She stewarded TJFL and our borrowers through the pandemic and contributed to significant organizational growth. Since she started, Allison has tripled the amount of funds TJFL loans out to our community. She’s also active in the International Association of Jewish Free Loans (IAJFL). She chaired the Small Agency Group in 2021-2022 and went on to chair the annual conference in Las Vegas in 2023. Most recently, Allison joined IAJFL’s board of directors as Secretary. In addition to her TJFL and IAJFL responsibilities, Allison is also engaged in her local Tucson community. She’s a member of the Jewish Community Relations Council as well as the Treasurer for the Tucson chapter of National Charity League.
Allison earned her M.Ed. from University of Illinois at Chicago in 1998, and her Bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University Newhouse School of Communications in 1991. Allison and her husband Mike made Tucson their home in 1998. They’ve raised three daughters and adopted a menagerie of rescue pets. A passionate animal advocate, Allison supports elephant conservation efforts and companion animal welfare both locally, and abroad. Allison brings her unique brand of enthusiasm to Tucson Jewish Free Loan, inspiring deeper community engagement, and expanding the ability to provide interest-free financial assistance to those in need.
Teresa Matheson
Loan Manager
Teresa has worked at Banner-University Medical Center and Tucson Medical Center, with over 25 years in the Health Information field. She has also been actively involved in her own non-profit organization, Fighting Chance Mentors, helping to provide needed resources to students in underserved communities and to Tucson’s homeless community.
Teresa is actively involved in the Clayton Matheson Memorial Scholarship which provides scholarships to U of A engineering students, and Donate Life Arizona. Teresa is excited to be working with Tucson Jewish Free Loan to continue serving the greater Tucson Community.
Teresa enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends and is most proud of raising three wonderful children.
LEADERSHIP
Katie Filous Malka
President of the Board
Katie Filous Malka became a partner at criminal defense firm Ferguson Hill Filous, PLLC, in Tucson, Arizona in January of 2022. Prior to founding her own firm, Katie was a felony trial attorney and supervisor at the Pima County Public Defender’s Office for four years, where she honed her skills in all types of felony cases, including murder, driving under the influence, drugs for sale, gun crimes, aggravated assault, domestic violence, child abuse, and theft/robbery. Before moving to Arizona, she served as an attorney at the Federal Public Defender for the Eastern District of Virginia, a legal fellow for the Ford Foundation and Georgetown University Women’s Law and Public Policy program, and a consultant for the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. Katie graduated from DePaul University College of Law magna cum laude. While in law school, Katie was the editor-in-chief of the DePaul Journal of Women, Gender, and the Law. She was also a recipient of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois award, the Cudahy scholarship for public service, and served as a judicial extern on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. Prior to law school, Katie graduated magna cum laude with her M.A. from Loyola University Chicago and summa cum laude with her B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh. She has been a member of the New York Bar since 2016 and a member of the Arizona State Bar since 2018.
Katie’s reputation for skillful litigation, honesty, and the utmost care in serving her clients brings excellence to her criminal defense practice. She is passionate about advocating for the fair treatment of all people, challenging injustice in all of its forms, and providing vigorous representation for all of her clients. In her spare time, Katie loves spending time with her family, including her son and her 4 dogs, getting outside, cooking, and enjoying all Tucson has to offer.
Phil Bregman
Immediate Past President
Phil Bregman is an educator, entrepreneur and community volunteer. He is a graduate of the University of Arizona College of Education, Magna Cum Laude and holds a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education. He has served as the Executive Director of the Leroy D. Kendis Child Care Center, which provided care of children between the ages of 6 weeks and 5 years. He also has served as President of Congregation Anshei Israel, President of the Handmaker Foundation and he currently serves as the President of Tucson Jewish Free Loan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging and a member of the board of The Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona. Mr. Bregman is a Founder of Kino College and the current Director of Operations.
Scott Stovall is a Vice President with National Bank of Arizona. Scott has held VP positions in commercial and real estate finance with Chase, Alliance Bank and Bank of the West in the Tucson, Phoenix and Albuquerque markets as well as previous principal and CFO of Metro Title Agency of Arizona prior to joining National Bank in 2016. Scott’s undergraduate studies were at the University of Arizona and he holds a Master of International Management from The American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird) focusing on International Political Economy and International Studies.
Lori Lundberg Leung
Director
Lori relocated to Tucson in 2005 after graduating Summa Cum Laude from Michigan State University College of Law. She first worked as a law clerk for now retired Superior Court Judge Leslie Miller, and
then took a position as a prosecutor with the Pima County Attorney's Office. After prosecuting numerous misdemeanor as well as felony drug and property cases, Lori decided to start her own law practice. She focused on appellate work, primarily in the area of termination of parental rights. A believer in the power of alternative dispute resolution, Lori participated in Mediation training through the Arizona Attorney General's office and served as a volunteer mediator for civil rights cases. She placed her legal work on hold to raise her daughter Genevieve, and has since focused her energies volunteering in the community. Currently, Lori serves as Fundraising Director for the Catalina School District Foundation Board, where she also leads the Teacher of the Year award program. She is in the process of restarting her legal practice and looks forward to further serving the community as a member of the Loan Committee and Free Loan Board.
Monica Rosenbaum
Director
Monica Rosenbaum Bergman has worked for a JCC for the last 28 years, and currently serves the Tucson JCC as the Senior Director of Operations. Monica oversees the member and user experience for over 5000 individuals daily. In addition, Monica is tasked with the oversight, creation and implementation of all new hire on-boarding, continued training and development, scholarships, and an array of other projects including a key role in the Tucson JCC’s strategic plan for the next 5 years around community partnerships.
As the child of a mother left to raise four children (ages 10months- 10 years) after the sudden passing of her father, Monica’s mother needed financial support and assistance to keep her children social and happy during summer break.
Their local JCC stepped up along with JCFS and stepped in to provide scholarship for the three older children to attend summer camp. It has been Monica’s passion and driving force since to repay what was awarded to her and her family and to make sure no child is without an amazing summer and childcare experience like the one, she was afforded.
Monica attended a certificate program in School Age Child Care from a partnership program with Cornell University and recently completed a Certificate in Jewish Leadership with Spertus Institute for Jewish Leadership and Northwestern University. Monica is a former JCC Association Merrin Teen Fellow, past participant and presenter at ACA Tri-State Camp Conference & JCC Association regional conferences. Monica is a mom of two elementary aged girls living in the Catalina Foothills area.
Dani Bregman
Director
Dani is a licensed social worker at Southern Arizona Health Care Veterans Affairs (SAVAHCS). Growing up in Central America, Dani is fluent in Spanish including reading and writing. She graduated from Arizona State University Summa Cum Lade with a Bachelor of Social Work and went on to earn her Master of Social Work. Advocacy and social justice are Dani’s passion, and this is evidenced in her work. Her team has been nationally recognized for their work with veterans experiencing homelessness and complex medical issues. Prior to becoming a social worker, Dani was a stay-at-home mother, and served in leadership roles on school family and faculty boards. Dani also served as co-chair The Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona’s Young Women’s Cabinet as well as member and co-chair JFSA’s Social Action Committee. Dani has experience as an Undergraduate Research Assistant with a demonstrated history of working in the nonprofit industry. She is skilled in Case Management, Behavioral Health, Nonprofit Organizations, Coaching, Sales, and Event Management.
Jon Bialis
Director
Jon, originally from Southern California, journeyed to Tucson to pursue his education at the University of Arizona. After falling in love with the vibe of Tucson, he decided to establish it as his permanent home. Together with his wife, he is an active parent of two teenage sons. Whenever possible, Jon enjoys hiking and immersing himself in the beauty of nature.
Throughout his career, Jon has taken on several different roles, from software project management to call center management. Currently, he is working as a stock and options trader, leveraging 25 years of experience in the financial sector.
Jon's passion lies in helping others. He is actively involved in Tucson's local community, through volunteering with numerous organizations, including Jr. El Tour, school organizations, and various other passion projects. He is a strong advocate for the creation of opportunities that extend beyond the basic necessities for children and families. He recognizes the importance of providing kids with opportunities that are often out of reach due to financial constraints.
Jon's affiliation with Social Venture Partners has led him to the discovery of Tucson Jewish Free Loan, an organization that resonates with his values and goals. His ambition is effecting meaningful change and contributing to the development of a stronger Tucson community.
