Shelly Weiss

Shelly Weiss wants you to be proactive about your health. Professionally, she helps her community as a genetic counselor and regional medical specialist. And with the rest of her time, she volunteers in ways that utilize her expertise. Shelly serves as chairman of the associate board for the Center for Jewish Genetics, promoting awareness and empowerment of hereditary conditions to Ashkenazi Jews.

"While she professionally lives in the world of genetics, educating others to become proactive with their health, she gives her additional free time to make sure that all young Jewish adults know about our screening program," said Taryn Gluskin, Assistant Director of the Center for Jewish Genetics, who nominated Shelly. "I think most people would call it a day, knowing that they are "doing good" through their day job, but not Shelly. She genuinely cares."

Her volunteerism also extends to fellow 2013 honoree Lindsay Avner's organization, Bright Pink, where she serves as an educational/resource contributor, encouraging high-risk women to be proactive about their breast and ovarian health.

Shelly is also a longtime advocate and fundraiser for pancreatic cancer research and support service. And, through programs like Yad B'Yad and Keshet, she has loved volunteering with children and adults with special needs.

Name:
Shelly Weiss

Age:
28

Pays the bills:
Genetic Counselor/Regional Medical Specialist

On the side:
N/A aside from volunteer work!

Relationship status:
Single

Describe yourself in 10 words or less:
Compassionate, ambitious, caring, strong, intelligent, independent, easygoing, hardworking, happy.

Celebrity doppelganger:
Per my Great Aunt, Monica Lewinsky (Thanks Aunt Rose!)

How do you Jew in Chicago?
Current Associate Board Chairman for the Center for Jewish Genetics, promoting education, awareness and empowerment about hereditary conditions in Ashkenazi Jews. Must regard many dear friends who I still get to say I met during my numerous years Camp Chi!

Passions:
Music, travel, art, photography, yoga, running, family, friends, Michigan Football and Chicago Bulls

How do you give back?
Serving as educational resource/contributor for Bright Pink, an incredible organization that provides support and advocacy for young women at high risk of breast and ovarian cancer as well as education for all women to be proactive with their breast and ovarian health. Longtime advocate and fundraiser for pancreatic cancer research and support service. Previous (and much loved!) volunteer work with children and adults with special needs through fantastic local organizations and programs (my favorites being Yad B’Yad (JUF) and Keshet).

Fill in the blank: If time and money were limitless, I would:
Travel, volunteer, do wonderful things for my family and friends, give back to the numerous organizations that have inspired me up to this day, continue my work in cancer prevention (wouldn’t hurt to back it financially!)

Chicago's Jewish community in 10 years:
Thriving, successful and healthy, aware and in control of their of their potential genetic health issues (carrier screening and hereditary cancer)

Me in 10 years:
Happy, continuing to help others through genetic counseling and volunteer work, spending time with family and friends, hoping to have seen some more of the world in the interim and have witnessed a lot of happy moments in mine, my friends’ and family’s lives.