Meet Shana Erenberg, co-founder and CEO of Libenu. Shana is an alum of the Board Member Institute, which was the reimagined signature program of Boardified (powered by Leading Edge) and the premier volunteer leadership development program for board members of Jewish communal organizations. Shana shares her perspective on navigating current challenges with empathy, passion, and determination, and reflects on how her Leading Edge experience has shaped her views on the future of Jewish nonprofit leadership.

Alumni Spotlight conversations may be edited and condensed.

What do you think are the most critical leadership qualities needed to navigate the unique challenges and opportunities within Jewish nonprofit organizations right now?

In the dynamic landscape of Jewish nonprofit organizations, the most critical leadership qualities necessary to navigate current challenges and opportunities include empathy, passion, and determination. Empathy is essential for leaders to genuinely connect with and understand the diverse needs of their community members, enabling them to tailor initiatives that resonate deeply. Passion fuels the commitment to the organization's mission, inspiring both staff and volunteers to strive towards shared goals. Determination helps leaders persist through obstacles and drive impactful changes. Additionally, a philosophy of inclusion ensures that all voices are heard and valued, fostering a culture of respect that strengthens community bonds. Vision is also crucial, as it allows leaders to anticipate future trends and opportunities, guiding their organizations toward sustainable growth and innovation. Together, these qualities form a robust foundation for effective leadership in the unique and evolving context of Jewish nonprofit organizations.

How do you see the future of Jewish nonprofit leadership evolving? How has your Leading Edge program experience influenced your perspective on this?

The future of Jewish nonprofit leadership is poised for a transformative evolution, emphasizing the cultivation of the next generation of leaders who are deeply committed to the Jewish community. My experience with Libenu has reinforced the critical importance of mentorship in this evolution. By providing robust mentorship opportunities, we can equip emerging leaders with the necessary skills and insights to navigate and innovate within the sector. These programs have shown me that mentorship not only bridges generational gaps but also infuses fresh perspectives and vitality into the community. This hands-on guidance ensures that new leaders are not only well-prepared to tackle current challenges but are also inspired to uphold and evolve the community's values. As such, mentorship will be a cornerstone in nurturing a resilient and visionary leadership pipeline that is crucial for the thriving future of Jewish nonprofit organizations.

Which initiatives or projects have you undertaken in your current role that have been inspired or influenced by participating in your Leading Edge leadership program?

Participating in the Leading Edge Employee Engagement Survey with subsequent feedback and workshops has notably enhanced Libenu’s team dynamics and improved communication. Inspired by the program's focus on strong team cohesion, we introduced regular team-building activities that have boosted morale and improved our collective ability to tackle complex projects. Additionally, we transformed our weekly meetings from mere informational gatherings to interactive sessions that encourage open idea sharing and collective problem-solving. These adaptations have not only fostered a more collaborative and engaged team environment but also led to more innovative and effective project outcomes, truly reflecting the valuable insights and strategies gained from Leading Edge.

What’s one piece of advice you would offer to someone who is considering joining a Leading Edge leadership program?

Joining a Leading Edge program can be a transformative experience for both you and your organization, and my advice to anyone considering it is to fully embrace the opportunity with openness and readiness to implement change. These programs offer access to insightful consultants who are experts in their fields, covering highly relevant topics that can profoundly impact your organization's effectiveness. You will receive thoughtful feedback that is both constructive and tailored to advance your mission. Engaging actively and applying the insights gained will allow you to enhance not just your leadership skills but also your organization's strategic direction and operational efficiency. The experience can be a significant catalyst for growth and innovation, so approach it with enthusiasm and a commitment to translate learning into action.

Meet Shana Erenberg, CEO of Libenu. Shana is an alum of the Board Member Institute, which was the reimagined signature program of Boardified (powered by Leading Edge) and the premier volunteer leadership development program for board members of Jewish communal organizations.

Alumni Spotlight: Shana Erenberg

Meet some of the dynamic leaders engaging with Leading Edge and transforming the community.

Alumni

Meet Alexandra Corwin, Executive Director of Ammud: The Jews of Color Torah Academy. She is an alum of the CEO Onboarding program, the predecessor to Leading Executives, a training program by Leading Edge for senior-most organizational leaders. Alexandra discusses how the connections she made through the CEO Onboarding program have helped build stronger professional relationships and collaborations within the Jewish nonprofit sector. She also shares valuable advice for prospective participants, emphasizing the thoughtful design and warmth of the Leading Edge programs.

How have your Leading Edge cohort connections helped you build stronger professional relationships and collaborations within the sector?

One of the reasons I joined CEO Onboarding was to establish deep connections in the Jewish nonprofit ecosystem. Jewish nonprofit leaders work so hard, and it can often be difficult to carve out the time to connect with one another on challenges, joys, and new ideas that will move our work forward. CEO Onboarding offered dedicated time to not only learn together but also connect with one another. The curation of how we spent our time together during the program was the perfect recipe for creating long-term relationships in the sector. 

My first piece of advice would be to definitely apply! There is deep thought and quality weaved into all aspects of Leading Edge programs. Not only that, staff and facilitators have a warmth and kindness to them that elevate the programming. After you’ve done the program, I’d encourage you to maintain the relationships you started in the program. In addition, set time aside time quarterly to review the leadership curriculum you were first introduced to. Although the weekly Parsha does not change, we as readers change, hence new Jewish wisdom is birthed every time we read it. Similarly, your leadership is always changing and growing based on new experiences, so reviewing the Leading Edge material again at future points will bring new insights to your leadership journey. 

Meet Alexandra Corwin, Executive Director of Ammud: The Jews of Color Torah Academy. She is an alum of the CEO Onboarding program, the predecessor to Leading Executives, a training program by Leading Edge for senior-most organizational leaders.

Alumni Spotlight: Alexandra Corwin

Meet Melissa Chapman, CEO of JCC East Bay. She is an alum of the CEO Onboarding program, the predecessor to Leading Executives, a training program by Leading Edge for senior-most organizational leaders. Participants learn dynamic leadership practices, receive personalized feedback to accelerate their growth, and connect with a peer cohort for ongoing support after the program ends. Melissa discusses the importance of strength, resiliency, and authenticity, as well as the power of coaching and maintaining a strong network of trusted colleagues. 

Strength, resiliency, and authenticity. It is also imperative to have a strong network of trusted colleagues to help stave off deep isolation and loneliness. My CEO onboarding cohort still stays in touch, be it through celebrating each other's wins or meeting to work through a challenge. 

I am incredibly concerned about what the Jewish communal landscape will look like post-October 7th. Leaders were already exhausted after Covid, and are now facing unprecedented challenges in redefining what Jewish community looks like and our role within it. I believe if there is ONE organization best positioned to help us discover the future of Jewish Communal Leadership, it is Leading Edge!

How has something you learned in the Leading Edge program helped make a real difference at your organization? Share an example.

The power of coaching. I was always a bit averse to the idea of a coach until I was offered one through my CEO Onboarding program. Dena (Schoenfeld) was incredible at guiding me through the process of choosing the right fit, and was SPOT ON in helping me find the perfect fit. The experience was powerful and transformational. My board and staff all noticed the shift in my behaviors and approaches. I have continued to work with my coach, even 2 years after the program completion!

DO IT! There are so many quantitative AND qualitative reasons. Leadership can be lonely and isolating. With the support of Leading Edge, it doesn't have to be!

Meet Melissa Chapman, CEO of JCC East Bay. She is an alum of the CEO Onboarding program, the predecessor to Leading Executives, a training program by Leading Edge for senior-most organizational leaders.

Alumni Spotlight: Melissa Chapman

Meet Gary Hoberman, board secretary at Midwest Refuah Health Center. Gary is an alum of the Board Member Institute, which was the reimagined signature program of Boardified (powered by Leading Edge) and the premier volunteer leadership development program for board members of Jewish communal organizations. Gary shares his insights on essential leadership qualities for Jewish nonprofits, and the evolving future of leadership. He also discusses challenges faced, the importance of strong governance, and the value of cohort connections.

Honesty, transparency, and being proactive.

The future of Jewish nonprofit leadership will be challenging. Far more thought and effort appears necessary to cultivate and then engage the next generation to step forward, but this can be mitigated if current leaders see succession, and not just immediate succession, as a primary goal of leadership. Leading Edge involvement has made me more cognizant of finding young leadership gems and nurturing their involvement through empowerment.  

Strong governance is the first thing that comes to mind. I've previously been on a number of "macher"-driven boards. Many thrived. Some didn't. The current board has significant federal oversight and the benefit of strong governance, something focused on at Leading Edge, and it is paying off.  

Can you describe a specific leadership challenge you faced after completing the Leading Edge program and how you applied the knowledge and skills gained to address it?

There was a serious conflict of interest concern that arose. My Leading Edge background gave me the confidence to raise it, have the parties acknowledge it and thereby enable the board to transparently deal with it. 

I was just asked to be part of the CEO review committee by the organization that suggested I take the program. Also, in general, I expect, sometimes demand, greater board structure and leadership transparency.  

Meet Gary Hoberman, board secretary at Midwest Refuah Health Center. Gary is an alum of the Board Member Institute, the reimagined signature program of Boardified (powered by Leading Edge), and the premier volunteer leadership development program for board members of Jewish communal organizations.

Alumni Spotlight: Gary Hoberman

In our new Alumni Spotlight series, we’re excited to elevate the voices and experiences of our leadership programs alumni. We hope to share and celebrate their diverse paths and leadership experiences as agents of change, and inspire our community and the Jewish nonprofit field at large.  

Meet Mackenzie Marcus, board chair at Ekar Farm. Mackenzie is an alum of Leading Partners, which is designed to strengthen the working relationships between CEOs and board chairs. Through her commitment and passion, Mackenzie has developed essential skills, enabling her to lead with confidence and clarity. From implementing a robust succession plan to fostering a culture of honest communication and collaboration within her organization, Mackenzie's leadership style has transformed, driving Ekar Farm's mission forward. 

Kindness, and not just niceness, but also knowing how to be honest and direct about what your community and organization is experiencing, so that others can learn and grow alongside you. 

I also believe that accountability is critical, and that includes being accountable to your own needs and those of your team.

When I attended the Leading Edge program, I would have said that Jewish leadership will evolve into a more open-tent environment where leaders of all denominations and movements work together for a similar mission. Now, I am not sure how or what that would look like, but I do think it's important that Jewish leaders use their voices so that others don't speak for our community. 

So much of our work happens over email, and yet no work is accomplished over email. The Leading Edge program helped [Jason Plotkin, Executive Director] and me to set up a system away from email where we can work effectively together. And that doesn't mean we always meet in person, either. Communication systems where you can have difficult conversations and be honest are important to accomplish mission goals. 

We have a succession plan! And we're sharing insights with our incoming board chair who has already improved our workflow from a list of tasks/report outs to collaboration, discussion and engagement. Leading Edge reinvigorated what we already had.

I am a young leader and had previously relied on my “good people skills” to make decisions. Leading Edge and the individual coaching gave me the skills to be more pragmatic about my leadership style and how to move forward productively, not just in collaboration. 

I feel more confident in my board chair role and more comfortable managing people in my professional life. 

DO IT. You'll notice their bits of wisdom stick with you. 

Meet Mackenzie Marcus, board chair at Ekar Farm. Mackenzie is an alum of Leading Partners, which is designed to strengthen the working relationships between CEOs and board chairs.

Leading Edge Alumni Spotlight, Mackenzie Marcus

This week, 40 outstanding board members from across North America and Israel in Cohort 7 of the Board Member Institute conclude their six-month learning journey with an in-person gathering about leading change into the future. We are excited to welcome them into the Leading Edge alumni community. 

We asked five cohort members to reflect on their experiences in the program, and what they will take forward into their governance work in the future.

Learn more about the Board Member Institute >>

Participants look back as the seventh cohort of the premiere board leadership development program in the Jewish nonprofit sector concludes.

Five Board Members Reflect on Their Experience in the Board Member Institute

News and insights on leadership, talent, and culture in the Jewish community

Blog: Leading Edge

News and Ideas | Leading Edge

News & Ideas

Culture

Executives

Leadership

The best of what the Leading Edge team is learning about culture, executives, and boards.

What We're Learning

Book reviews on leadership, talent, and culture.

Books

Meet the people driving change at Leading Edge. Together, we're shaping the future of Jewish nonprofit leadership.