This summer, we're shining a light on alumni of Leading Executives. Designed for the senior-most leaders of their organizations, Leading Executives offers a transformative experience rooted in dynamic learning, personalized feedback, and peer support. Participants gain tools to lead more effectively, build self-awareness, and navigate the complexities of leadership with greater clarity, confidence, and resilience.

Through these spotlights, we’re celebrating the leaders who have completed the program and continue to shape the Jewish nonprofit sector in powerful ways. Their stories reflect the deep impact of the program — not just on individual leaders, but on the organizations and communities they serve.

Meet SooJi Min-Maranda, Executive Director at ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal. She is an alum of the CEO Onboarding program, the predecessor to Leading Executives. Sooji brings a deep commitment to justice, inclusion, and community to her leadership in the Jewish nonprofit sector. In this spotlight, she shares how leading in this space allows her to fully live her values and how her experience with Leading Edge helped her strengthen the relationships and support systems essential to bold, values-driven leadership.

Alumni Spotlight conversations may be edited and condensed.

What inspired you to step into a leadership role in the Jewish nonprofit sector?

I had been running secular nonprofits for about eight years when I decided to make the move to the Jewish nonprofit sector. This is because as an adult convert to Judaism with a non-Jewish partner, I soon realized that it is extremely difficult to be Jewish alone. When I discovered that there is a parallel nonprofit universe in the Jewish sector, I realized that I could live my faith and values proudly and boldly and still do what I enjoy most, which is helping individuals and communities thrive through servant leadership.

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

Jewish organizations need to focus on creating an environment where all who identify as Jews can thrive, feel secure, and safe. This is particularly crucial given the current climate of polarization, rising antisemitism, and growing threats to pluralism in the United States. However, our response shouldn't be to isolate ourselves. Instead, we need to embody and actively promote core Jewish values, especially those that emphasize the sanctity of all life and the imperative to heal the world. It's vital that we share the beauty and joy of Judaism with the broader world, fostering understanding and connection. Moreover, we must build partnerships with other marginalized communities, recognizing that our struggles and futures are interconnected. This involves working on overcoming our fears to engage more openly with the world around us. The future of Jewish organizations lies not just in preservation, but in active engagement and alliance-building towards a more just world.

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

The Leading Edge community is invaluable to me on two levels. First, it's a network of peers navigating similar adaptive and technical challenges in our turbulent sector. This shared experience creates a powerful support system. Second, Leading Edge itself serves as a trusted, independent resource that nurtures and guides our sector. It's not just an organization or a program; it's a community of people committed to strengthening Jewish nonprofit leadership. For me, Leading Edge embodies both peer support and professional guidance, making it an essential part of my leadership journey.

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

Say what you need! And say it again and again. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you truly need to thrive.