Benefits Data Trust CEO and leadership

Trooper Sanders is CEO of Benefits Data Trust, a nonprofit that uses data, technology, policy change, and direct service to help people tap the more than $60 billion in unclaimed benefits that support critical needs such as food security and healthcare. Trooper brings over 20 years of experience working at the crossroads of business, government, and the nonprofit sector. Before joining BDT, Trooper was a Rockefeller Foundation fellow and worked on the social and economic implications of the global rise of artificial intelligence. For eight years, Trooper ran Wise Whisper, a strategic advisory practice to financial technology startups, philanthropic initiatives, and business leaders. He has also held White House policy staff positions during two administrations. In the nonprofit sector, he led the creation of ventures addressing issues such as the childhood obesity epidemic in the United States, the economic fallout of disasters, and the private sector's role in international development.

He currently serves on the national board of Girl Scouts of USA and the Military Family Research Institute's advisory board. Trooper earned his bachelor’s from the University of Michigan, and holds a Master of Science in Regulation from the London School of Economics, as well as a Master of Law from the University of London.

Elisa Zygmunt is a Deputy Chief of Innovation & Product at Benefits Data Trust and is based in Greater Philadelphia Area. She has worked as Program Coordinator at Carelink Community Support Services. Elisa attended University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice between 2003 and 2005 and Haverford College between 1997 and 2001.

Erika Blumenthal is Chief Operating Officer of Benefits Data Trust (BDT). In this role, she directs the efforts of three key teams who are responsible for operational excellence at BDT, and she is also responsible for improving and developing an efficient and dignified client experience. Erika leads a large team of employees who attract, retain, and grow existing relationships-as well as build new ones-to help BDT connect people to the social safety net for better health and financial security. Erika brings over 20 years of experience in operations management across both multi-state and international programs, as well as six years in education management, teaching, and learning. Prior to joining BDT, she was Vice President of Operations at Kaplan, one of the world’s largest education providers. At Kaplan, Erika was instrumental in scaling operations for many growing business lines including nursing education, virtual simulation, and more. Erika earned her B.A. from La Salle University and has a Ph.D. in German Literature from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.

As Chief Finance and People Officer of Benefits Data Trust, Jared oversees the Finance, Operational Services, Contact Center, Healthcare Innovation, and Human Resources Departments. He brings a wealth of experience in fiscal operations, financial management, administration, and marketing in both for-profit and not-for-profit settings, and he was selected as one of the area’s top CFOs by Philadelphia Business Journal. Most recently, Jared served as Chief Operating Officer of the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers, a nonprofit that works toward uniting the communities of caregivers in Camden and across the nation to improve the well-being of individuals with complex health and social needs-where he was featured as a protagonist in a business case written by Harvard University. Prior to that, he worked for the University of Pennsylvania, first as Director of Administration & Planning for the Wharton Undergraduate Division, and then as Assistant Dean & Executive Director of Finance for Penn Dental Medicine. Additionally, Jared has held roles in brand management at Campbell Soup Company and PepsiCo. He also spent time volunteering with the Peace Corps in Concepción, Paraguay. Jared earned his BS in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and his MBA from Emory University.

Pauline oversees BDT’s Projects, Partnerships, Strategy & Product, Policy, and Communications Departments. She brings over 25 years of experience in federal and local government, philanthropy, and nonprofit policy analysis and advocacy organizations. Prior to joining BDT, Pauline was Executive Vice President of The Institute for College Access & Success. As Senior Advisor to the Mayor of Philadelphia, she partnered with BDT to launch BenePhilly, a city-wide initiative that has now secured hundreds of millions of dollars in benefits for low-income Philadelphians through highly targeted outreach and enrollment assistance and partnerships with community-based organizations. Pauline was also Deputy Director of Health and Human Services at The Pew Charitable Trusts and has served in senior positions at the U.S. Department of Education and the White House National Economic Council and Domestic Policy Council. Pauline earned her BA from Yale University and has a Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

Sang Hoon Lee has spent over 10 years building and leading high-performing teams in the social sector across the country. As Chief of Staff at Benefits Data Trust (BDT), Sang is charged with advancing organizational priorities, advising executives, and coaching departmental leaders. Previously, Sang served as the Senior Director of Development, a critical role leading the rapid growth of BDT's annual revenue from $14MM to nearly $30MM in two years. In that role, Sang led revenue strategy and execution, including creating donor programs, systematizing development operations, and building a high-performing team. Prior to joining BDT, Sang served as Chief Development Officer at LIFT Communities, a national nonprofit that empowers families to break the cycle of poverty, where he led the growth of annual revenue by more than 50%. For nine years prior to LIFT, Sang directed local fundraising efforts at City Year, a national education nonprofit organization, where he held various positions, including Managing Director of Development. Additionally, Sang held investment consulting roles at PNC Financial Services Group and Ameriprise Financial. Sang is a Philadelphia native, alumni of the University of Pennsylvania, and resides in Collingswood, NJ, with his wife and three children.