Celebrating 30 Years of Idealist! Discover where we’ve been, and where we’re going.

Our Team

Image of Ami Dar

Ami Dar

Executive Director

As I say on this page, I started Idealist in 1995, and I am still here. In addition to what's on that page, two things I am proud to share are this conversation that TED invited me to have early last year with the Palestinian peace activist Ali Abu Awwad, and this graduation speech I gave back in 2011 where I spoke about my mother and about everything she taught me.

Image of Matthew Chavez

Matthew Chavez

Senior Producer

Inspired by Idealist’s mission after Ami Dar's talk at Creative Mornings, Matthew Chavez joined the team as a Senior Producer. In this role, he creates compelling videos, organizes engaging events, and facilitates impactful community initiatives. All aimed at furthering Idealist’s goal of fostering a more connected, supported, dignified world.

Outside of Idealist, Matthew is an NYC-based artist, educator, and author, known for his innovative participatory public installations like Subway Therapy, an acclaimed work that garnered him the Brendan Gill Prize from the Municipal Art Society of New York and the Demos Transforming America Award.

Driven by a passion for empowering others, Matthew co-founded Listening Lab, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering social connections and personal growth through the practice of listening. Listening Lab develops transformative educational programs and public works designed to uplift communities.

He has many hobbies and interests including backpacking, traveling, people watching, video games, political/philosophical discourse, sewing, climbing, podcasting, and volunteering. Occasionally, you can find him in parks around NYC moonlighting as a surprise game show host.

Liz Nellis

Director of Special Projects

After using Idealist as a volunteer, job seeker, hirer, and Idealist Days participant, I'm thrilled to join the Idealist team! As Director of Special Projects, I support the Executive Director and team on a range of initiatives aimed at fostering more connected, engaged communities. With a background in NYC-based philanthropy and nonprofit consulting, I spend much of my time listening, project managing, and elevating the great work of those around me.

Outside of work, I’m a huge fan of giving circles (which help groups of people pool their funds and collectively donate to great causes), block parties, Prospect Park, and the musings and guitar strums of my two-year-old.