Alex Fisher, the chief programming officer of the Minnesota JCC, was named as one of 15 members of the newest cohort of the Wexner Field Fellowship (WFF). The fellowship is organized by The Wexner Foundation, in partnership with the Jim Joseph Foundation.
The incoming WFF Class 10 includes two Israeli Americans, including one working specifically on behalf of the large population of Israeli Americans living in the U.S. There were additional Israeli Americans in the applicant pool. Consistent with trends identified in Jewish life since Oct. 7, the cohort also includes professionals who entered Jewish communal work yearning to now serve the Jewish Community, a trend that was reflected in the total applicant pool as well.
“Alex is a thoughtful and creative leader who consistently elevates our programming and our partnerships,” said Minnesota JCC CEO Stephanie Chauss. “His focus on innovation, collaboration, and strengthening Jewish and Israel programming at the J has helped shape experiences that are relevant, inclusive, and deeply rooted in Jewish values. Alex brings vision, passion, and heart to everything he does, and this recognition by the Wexner Field Fellowship is incredibly well deserved.”
For three years, these talented professionals will benefit from intense leadership and Jewish learning, especially during twice-yearly immersive institutes, a hallmark of Wexner programs. Select leadership faculty, coaches, and Wexner staff serve as a unique team eager to support, mentor and prepare Fellows to tackle the complex challenges facing them and the Jewish community.
This class will join The Wexner Foundation’s vast network of more than 3,000 professional and volunteer leaders in North America and Israel, including the 30 other outstanding professionals who are currently in the Field Fellowship Program, as well as 115 Field Fellow Alumni.
The other members of this year’s cohort are:
- Michal Eskenazi Becker: Chief Impact and Planning Officer, Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville, Nashville, TN
- Debra Drang: Director, Educational Excellence, Prizmah: Center for Jewish Day Schools, Silver Spring, MD
- Dov Emerson: Associate Head of School, Ben Porat Yosef, Bergenfield, NJ
- Jenna Fields: Chief Regional Officer, Sharsheret, Los Angeles, CA
- Joel Frankel: Senior Director, Community Capacity, Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, North Bethesda, MD
- Beatrice Gurwitz: Executive Director, Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum, Chevy Chase, MD
- Naomi Lamb: Chief Executive Officer, OSU Hillel, Columbus, OH
- Sarah Norton: Assistant Vice President, Growth & Engagement Initiatives, Union for Reform Judaism, San Diego, CA
- Alexis Offen: Executive Director, 14th Street Y, New York, NY
- Daniella Pressner: Head of School, Akiva School, Nashville, TN
- Brandon Rattiner: Senior Director, JCRC, JEWISHcolorado, Denver, CO
- Aya Shechter: Chief Programming Officer, Israeli American Council, Westlake Village, CA
- Courtney Weinstein: Senior Vice President, Financial Resource Development, UJA-Federation of New York, Brooklyn, NY
- Sarit Wishnevski: Executive Director, Kavod v’Nichum, Maplewood, NJ
The Wexner Foundation has more than 30 years of experience developing excellence in Jewish professionals and volunteer leaders in North America. The Wexner Field Fellowship was created in 2013 in partnership with the Jim Joseph Foundation to focus on developing promising Jewish professionals’ leadership skills while enveloping them in a rich network of Jewish colleagues. This is the last class of Fellows selected in partnership with the Jim Joseph Foundation. These professionals were selected based on their past accomplishments, career trajectory, and the role they will play as one of the 15 fellows in the diverse cohort of Jewish professionals, which serves as a microcosm of the Jewish community.
“Today’s Jewish leaders will need a reservoir of courage, a cadre of wise colleagues and a reimagined set of scenarios for a vibrant and secure Jewish People tomorrow,” said Rabbi B. Elka Abrahamson, President of The Wexner Foundation. “The decision to develop and support established Jewish professionals was well considered and so well received. We are all growing, at every stage of our leadership, and this cohort is ready to fully embrace new ideas and will benefit tremendously from all this special Wexner initiative offers.
As with previous classes, both the legacy organizations in the Jewish community and more focused initiatives are represented, with professionals from local Jewish federations, JCCs, Hillels and day schools, and those serving niche populations or promoting narrow causes. Each professional in the cohort is at a point in their career where this kind of investment in their leadership can help them achieve the change they wish to make. To get more info about each Fellow, please click here.
“The Class 10 cohort is a powerful combination of veterans of the Jewish nonprofit sector and professionals just now joining this field,” said Barry Finestone, President and CEO of the Jim Joseph Foundation. “The tragedy of October 7th was a profound moment that inspired many of the professionals new to the field to help build a brighter, stronger Jewish future. The Wexner Field Fellowship brings these Jewish leaders together, with the promise to instill in them the talent and knowledge to make a deeply positive impact in Jewish communities around the country.”
As part of this three-year intensive professional development program, Wexner Field Fellows:
- Become part of a selective cohort of lifelong professional learners.
- Learn with amazing leadership teachers and Jewish educators.
- Receive one-on-one professional coaching, Jewish learning, and funds toward customized professional development opportunities.
- Develop a nuanced appreciation for the diversity of the North American Jewish community.
- Focus on developing strengths in adaptive leadership, negotiation, difficult conversations, mindful communication, and other crucial leadership skills.
