Our Team
Joel Obermayer,
Executive Director
Joel Obermayer is founder and executive director of Widen the Circle and a director of the Obermayer Foundation. He is a son of Arthur S. Obermayer and Judith Obermayer, founders of the Obermayer Awards and the Obermayer Foundation.
Joel believes that community-based history projects have the power to change minds and attitudes. By remembering those who have been marginalized or subjected to injustice, these projects help communities both reconcile with the past and address bigotry in current times. He founded Widen the Circle in 2019, a time of growing racism, anti-Semitism, and right-wing extremism, to amplify and enhance this work, and to bring together the people engaging in it to share ideas, approaches, and mutual support.
His background is in journalism, education, and social innovation consulting. He has reported for a range of newspapers and for National Public Radio. He has also served as a management consultant and project leader working with organizations focused on social innovation, ranging from hospital networks to state education associations. More recently, he has been a software product manager, guiding the development of educational software products for Harvard Business Publishing, the commercial unit of Harvard Business School.
Joel holds master’s degrees in Technology Innovation in Education from Harvard University and in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.
Rebecca Richards-Kramer,
Director, Programs and Operations
Rebecca Richards-Kramer directs all program logistics, including the Obermayer Awards; all systems and processes; and human resources as director of programs and operations for Widen the Circle. She plays a major role in budgeting, planning, and organization.
She has experience with nonprofit startups working for social good, and she is experienced in international nonprofit work, particularly in Africa. Rebecca previously lived in Kampala, Uganda, where most recently she oversaw all operations for Brass for Africa, an international nonprofit that uses music to engage with disadvantaged children and young people. At Brass for Africa, she worked with both community-based organizations and international NGOs to create new partnerships and build the program. During her three years as Country Manager, program engagement increased from 150 participants to more than 1,000.
Rebecca holds a master of arts degree in law and diplomacy from The Fletcher School at Tufts University, focused on international human rights and development. She did her undergraduate work at Eckerd College, where she earned bachelor of arts degrees in international relations and global affairs, and in French. A highlight of her time at Eckerd, she says, was taking a course on “Memory, Madness, and Desire” with Elie Wiesel.
Craig Bystrynski,
Editorial Director
Craig Bystrynski works on content, editorial, and marketing projects for Widen the Circle. He helps us tell the stories that inspire us—stories of important grassroots work and the people doing that work in Germany and the US.
Craig has an extensive background in journalism. He has been editor-in-chief or editorial director of eight magazine titles and two newspapers, including serving as lead editor on five magazine launches. He has launched and worked on a dozen websites and a wealth of social media accounts. Immediately prior to coming to Widen the Circle, he served as vice president of content and marketing for a media company focused on schools and parents.
Bryan Fellbusch,
German Operations Manager
Bryan Fellbusch is an expert in developing experiential learning programs and educational tours in Germany, particularly those that relate to German-Jewish history. A native New Yorker of German background who has been based in Berlin since 2009, Bryan has acted as program manager and guide for tours that focus on sites related to the history of the Jewish community in Berlin, Potsdam, and Dresden. He has also overseen tours focused on important sites in Eastern, Central, and Northwestern Europe. Aside from his work with Widen the Circle, Bryan is currently the operations director of the Jüdisches Zentrum Synagoge Fraenkelufer in Kreuzberg and lead organizer of its extensive cultural programing, including the artist fellowship LABA Berlin. Bryan previously studied economics at New York University and European History at Humboldt University in Berlin and the University of Vienna.
Megan Fowler,
Development Manager
Megan Fowler manages fundraising and community development for Widen the Circle. She is an experienced nonprofit and cause-related fundraising manager, and brings professionalism and passion to Widen the Circle.
Megan holds undergraduate degrees in anthropology and international relations from the University of Maine and a master’s of political science from the University of Southern New Hampshire.
Lena Senoner,
Community Coordinator
Lena Senoner, Widen the Circle’s Community Coordinator, is based in Berlin and works with our Network in Germany.
She plays a key role in producing two major events: The Summer Forum, a three-day conference held in Berlin each May or June for Widen the Circle Network members and others interested in using history to combat bigotry; and the Winter Forum, a series of online gatherings for the same audience, held each year in January.
She also coordinates monthly online discussions on topics relating to remembrance work and fighting prejudice in Germany.
Lena holds undergraduate degrees in history and economics, a master’s degree in history from the Goethe University in Frankfurt, and is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Potsdam.
Kristin Böschen,
Social Media Coordinator
Kristin Böschen handles Widen the Circle’s social media presence, in both English and German. Currently, our social media channels include Instagram and Facebook, as well as LinkedIn.
Kristin previously served as director of communications for a German startup focused on affordable housing. She holds a bachelor’s degree in German studies and psychology from the University of Bielefeld and a master’s degree in literature and comparative literature from Freie Universität Berlin. A native German speaker, she is fluent in English and Spanish, and also speaks Italian.
Dan Fleshler,
Public Relations
Dan Fleshler handles US public relations and works on planning and coordinating online events for Widen the Circle. A communications professional based in New York City, Dan for many years handled publicity for the Obermayer Awards, working to create coverage for the ceremony as well as for the winners—publicity that serves both as an acknowledgment of their work and an aid in gathering support for their endeavors.
He holds a Master’s of Fine Arts from the Iowa University Writer’s Workshop and bachelor’s degree from Harvard University.
Heike Kähler,
Awardee Liaison
Heike Kähler is based on Berlin and helps coordinate the Obermayer Awards ceremony. She serves as a liaison with award winners, to help them navigate the process and prepare for the ceremony at the Berlin Parliament.
She also handles much of the English/German translation for Widen the Circle publications, forms, and internet content.