Risa is board member of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, a member of UJA-Federation of New York’s Women’s Philanthropy Executive Board and The Jewish Women’s Foundation, as well as a past president of Great Neck Hadassah.  

In 2002, Risa was honored at The Crystal Ball, DRIF’s Long Island gala, and went on to chair the event in 2004 and 2005.  In 2007, she received the Humanitarian Award from The Interfaith Nutrition Network, and in 2008 she was honored by The Solomon Schechter Day School of Long Island.  Risa is the co-founder of DRIF’s annual D.R.E.a.M.S. in the City fundraiser held in New York City.  She was honored with the Dreams Founders Award in 2009.