OUR BOARD

Jessica Markowitz

Sister, best friend, and mentor are just a few words to explain my relationship with my dearest brother Josh.

Since birth we were laughing, playing, and loving every moment with each other. Many thought of us as the “ideal” sibling relationship - learning from each other, understanding each other, and being there for each other. Josh was my everything and I miss him every moment.

Currently, I am working at Humanitix - a nonprofit ticketing platform donating 100% of their profits to charity. A concept my brother would have loved as it is disrupting the industry and making change through the social enterprise concept.

In honor of my brother my life motto is to be real and live life like it’s short because it is.

Lori Markowitz

Lori is the proud mom of her amazing son Josh and beautiful daughter Jessica.

The best son any mom could ask for, Josh is Lori's hero and inspiration. Josh was incredibly humble, kind and thoughtful always concerned with humanity. He was an agent of change and Lori cherishes every day she shared with Josh.

Lori earned her B.A. in International Business Administration from the American University of Paris and is a graduate of the University of Washington Evans School of Public Affairs where she earned her MPA. Lori was the recipient of the 2005 Daniel J. Evans Leadership Award given to a graduating student who has had a record of innovative leadership and public service during their time at the Evans School and selected as the 2015 “Compassion Champion” for Parent Map Magazine Superheroes, Champions for Washington State.

Lori founded the Youth Ambassador program in 2008 during the Seattle Seeds of Compassion conference with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. She has been engaged locally and globally with NGOs for over twenty years. Through the inspiration of His Holiness the Dalia Lama the Youth Ambassador program has touched the lives of many youth throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Lori is additionally working on a women economic empowerment project in Rwanda providing educational and entrepreneurship opportunities for women and girls.

Stephen Markowitz

Stephen is the very sad father of Josh, our beautiful first born child. I miss him everyday. 

I was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa and  was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to study medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand. 

In 1985 I emigrated to the US and completed further studies and my residency training in anesthesia in Boston where Lori and I met. Following my training I worked for short periods all over the United States before deciding to settle in Seattle. We have lived in the Leschi neighborhood since 1992. 

I became the Medical Director of the Seattle Surgery Center and remained at its helm for nearly 30 years.

It is our hope that in his honor the Josh Fund will help to add a little light and some magic sound to our world.

Mark Dawson

I am a retired financial services executive and have known the Markowitz family for almost 30 years. I have a philanthropic passion for supporting students who face obstacles to becoming educated and fulfilling their potential. I am honored to join The Josh Fund as it initiates its effort to nurture the artistic talent of young musicians. I am an avid cyclist, frequently riding with Josh’s dad Stephen.

Melissa swensrud

I am Josh’s youngest Auntie. This boy stole my heart the day he was born and always will have my heart. Josh and I had a special relationship, we were there for each other in dark times and happy times. Josh and I were the jokesters of the family always finding ways to bring laughs at every family event. My three sons always will and always have thought of Josh as the role model of the family, the oldest cousin, the hero.

Josh and I shared a love for living life to its fullest.

I am a passionate dog mom of two beautiful Leonbergers and previously worked in politics as a lobbyist in DC.

Andrea Kalin

I’m Josh’s elder Auntie. He was my buddha baby. Big, squishy, with gorgeous round eyes, rubber tire wrists and lots of Zen. As he grew, he kept us honest and real, and earned the respect of being our family’s guardian and an old soul, ever alert, grounded and fearless in sharing observations and insights far more mature than his years. 

Josh and I were passionate about the superpowers of art and we shared creative energies and interests. Because of Josh my musical taste was expanded, and my appreciation enriched for different styles and types of music and sound.

In addition to my coveted role as “Auntie Mommy”, I am an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker known for crafting character-driven and visually rich documentaries. I’m also the Creative Director and the founder of Spark Media, a Washington, DC-based company dedicated to producing programs with a social conscience. I view the medium of cinema as an empathy machine; a vehicle to showcase stories and people we ought to see, and voices we need to hear. Collaboration is always at the center of my work, and similarly it was the core beat of Josh’s efforts.

Grateful to have had the opportunity to coordinate Josh’s first gigs in the music industry; as an intern at an audio post house and as an apprentice to a seasoned film composer. Honored to be a Board member of The Josh Fund and to play a part in continuing Josh’s commitment to uplifting artists, creating new outlets for talent and fostering spaces for fellow musicians to create from a place of purpose. 

Julian Novais

Josh was one of my best friends. I met Josh through Seattle sports at a young age but developed a strong bond through middle school and high school. Josh and I connected especially through our deep love for Atlanta based hip-hop. Throughout the years Josh and I kept in contact while Josh lived in LA and I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area. While we both lived in California, we spent many weekends and days together that were filled with joy, laughter, music and dancing.

I was always inspired by Josh. Josh had a passion and drive to make a career out of music, something that takes perseverance, determination, endurance and patience. I also admired Josh’s uncanny ability to connect folks and create friendships beyond himself. 

I am honored to have the opportunity to help carry Josh’s spirit forward through The Josh Fund.

Noah Belkhous

I met Josh my sophomore year of college when he came to visit friends from Seattle at Santa Clara. We were both independent young guys with the highest ambitions and understood each other from the get go. We always talked about the things that counted and a great friendship came out of that. From countless music festivals to random nights just relaxing I am blessed to have many amazing memories with Josh and I will cherish them forever.

In 2017 we started FMF Events and did our first event in San Francisco. Seeing him on stage was something special. His music touched so many people and he was only just getting started. We went on to do countless events and even helped put a festival together in Hawaii. The plans we made moving forward will not be forgotten and I am honored to be a part of The Josh Fund to help see his dreams become reality.

Currently I live in Seattle where I help run Green Water Labs and A Priori Entertainment.

Gali Russell

I met Josh in the 6th grade and we’ve been making fun of each other ever since. We went on to start our neighborhood basketball team, the Gucci Skrillaz. Josh taught me so much about life, sports, politics and showed me so much about his world of music and artists. Josh was more than a friend, he was like an older brother to me, and I will miss him forever. Everytime I think of Josh I can't help but smile and laugh, because that's what he was always doing. The world needs more of that energy, and I hope the Josh Fund can help bring it.

My day is job is running HyperChange a YouTube channel about technology stocks and startups. My passions are investing, making beats (inspired by Josh), and spending time with family and friends.

Mireille Levenstein

I am a cousin to Lori, Josh’ mom, and I live in Johannesburg. Despite the great distance between us and having never lived on the same continent, our families have always had a special connection. We have always admired the Markowitz family whose deep sense of social justice and philanthropic activities are inspiring. The work done by the Markowitz family in Rwanda uplifting women is testament to that.

I am a wife and a mother to 2 sons and I am also the Chief Financial Officer of Long4Life Ltd, a company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. I am a graduate of the University of the Witwatersrand and have served on the board of a number of large corporates in South Africa in financial and corporate finance roles. I am also involved in a number of South African community and charitable organizations, currently serving on the board of Gesher, a local COVID community relief fund.

It is a real honor to be a Board member of The Josh Fund and play a part in preserving Josh’s legacy.

Laura VElkers

I work as Director of Ethics & Compliance at Starbucks. I started my Starbucks career in Retail Operations in 1992 after spending 12 years in Human Resources. In my HR role I led a global team of Learning & Development professionals supporting the entry of Starbucks into 18 different international markets.   

I hold an undergraduate degree and master’s in business administration, both from the University of Washington.

I became friends with the Markowitz family through my husband who cycles with Josh’s father, Stephen.

I was born in Los Angeles and went to high school when glam rock was a big scene in Hollywood and so was the hair. I then moved to Seattle during the height of grunge. An early music memory is when my parents would play their 8-track tapes of artists such as Elton John and Earth, Wind & Fire. These experiences left me appreciating a wide variety of music and most importantly, the impact music plays in our lives.  

FIL Markowitz

Fil is the VIP of our board and our family. Josh adopted Fil in 2018 and Fil became pivotal to his life and joy. Fil was Josh’s right hand man in life and through it all.

Fil continues to bring light into our family as we go through the loss of Josh. He has been adopted by Josh’s parents and reminds us of the beautiful and funky spirit of our beloved Josh.