Yehudis Gottesfeld

Raised in Rockland County, New York, Yehudis Gottesfeld grew up as one of six children. From an early age she was taught the value of education and hard work by her mother, a physical therapist, and her father, an actuary.

Throughout her life, Yehudis has overcome adversity. Her younger brother, Eli, was born with a heart defect, requiring multiple surgeries and a heart transplant, and died from cancer at the age of seventeen. Yehudis learned independence at a young age as her parents frequently travelled for Eli’s care. She worked throughout high school and put herself through college, working and earning academic scholarships, all while spending her nights studying for her courses in hospitals by Eli’s side. Her experiences led her to volunteer her time helping others with similar challenges through multiple charities.

Yehudis graduated high school at the top of her class and then attended Rockland Community College. She later transferred to The City College of New York, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering with a concentration in Nuclear Engineering.