Beth Gendler, who has been the executive director at NCJW Minnesota for nearly a decade, announced Wednesday that she’ll be leaving her position. NCJW Minnesota has posted its executive director job online and expects to name its new leader later this spring.
“This is super exciting time for NCJW to find the right person to help lead us from strength to strength,” Gendler said.
“We are deeply grateful for the legacy that Beth leaves behind,” said Lynn Lederman, NCJW Minnesota President and Board Chair. “Beth is a fantastic leader, and we wish her all the best as she embarks on a new role in the community.”
Gendler didn’t say what that new role was yet. “Processes and timelines are important and we’re all going to respect those.”
Gendler first got involved with NCJW St. Paul in 2000 as a board member, before becoming the executive director of NCJW Minneapolis. She said one of her early goals was to merge the two organizations to the current NCJW Minnesota, which was created on June 13, 2016.
“It was a way to build exponential power,” Gendler said. “One is bigger than one plus one.”
Gendler said she had a hard time saying what her biggest accomplishment was.
“It’s hard for me to take credit for anything as a personal accomplishment because the whole organization, board, and leadership is intricately involved, “ she said. But she did cite the Muslim and Jewish women policy collaborative and the current campaign to end period poverty in Minnesota as programs she’s excited about.
“Working alongside the powerful, passionate, and progressive NCJW leaders, staff, and advocates has been an honor and a privilege,” Gendler said. “I am truly excited about NCJW Minnesota’s search for its next leader. From change and uncertainty, innovation and opportunity will arise. I’m looking forward to continuing to partner with NCJW in my new role, and to working with NCJW advocates to expand the social justice ecosystem in our state.”
