Michael Gantcher

Biography

Mike has been a member of BJ since 2001. He is the founder and CEO of First Spark Philanthropy, a seed philanthropy company that provides risk capital to non profit organizations for pilot programs to test new and innovative approaches to social issues. Mike’s previous work includes RS Metrics, a data firm that analyzes satellite imagery, real estate for the NYC Housing Partnership and the Related Companies, and institutional equity sales for Lehman Brothers, Oppenheimer & Co. and Madison Williams. He received a B.A. in Urban Studies from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Mike has extensive non-profit board leadership experience including The Doe Fund, Inc., his alma mater, HWS, Brooklyn CitySquash and BJ. Mike and his wife Christina, an active former board member, live in Brooklyn and have two sons, Billy and Ben, who were also active BJ Hebrew School members.