Comings & Goings on the Leading Edge Team
A grateful farewell to Ilana Aisen
In 2016, JPro was in an era of transition, and brought in Ilana Aisen as CEO. Ilana refined and bolstered JPro’s identity, expanded and developed its team, and shepherded the organization into an important and successful hub of growth, connection, and community for Jewish communal professionals. She became known in the field for her wisdom, insight, creativity, and powerful ability to inspire and build community across the full range of Jewish communal organizations.
Together with Gali Cooks, Ilana had the vision, the mission-focus, and the humility to lead JPro into a new era by becoming one organization with Leading Edge at the beginning of 2025. Over the past year, her leadership as part of the Leading Edge executive team has been immensely valuable. Her voice and vision were vital parts of making JPro25 the largest and most inspirational JPro conference ever. Her influence within the team, as we came together and learned what it meant to continue this work as one, was crucial, in delightful ways. Her leadership legacy, and the values and identity of JPro, are now forever part of what Leading Edge will carry into the future.
As of this month, Ilana is departing from the Leading Edge team to open an exciting new professional chapter as a consultant and coach. She will continue to be a fierce advocate for the people and organizations that power the Jewish communal field and support Leading Edge in various ways. She can be reached at ilana@ilanaaisenconsulting.com.
Welcome (Non-Interimly) Robb Lippitt!
In fall 2024, Leading Edge was on the precipice of immense change. We were readying ourselves to join forces with JPro, we were about to embark upon a strategic planning process, and we were in the midst of growth and expansion. That’s when we brought on Robb Lippitt as Interim COO. With his record of success and experience spanning for-profit business and Jewish communal philanthropic and lay leadership, Robb has brought incredible insight, decisive clarity, and strategic focus to Leading Edge. He successfully led our 2025 strategic planning process, and now we are proud to announce that Robb has taken on a new and non-interim role: Chief Strategy Officer at Leading Edge.
The word “interim” implies that there should be an antonym called “outerim.” Alas for the caprice of English, no such word exists, so we can only say to Robb: Welcome (again) to Leading Edge, now as a “stam” (regular) member of the Leading Edge executive team!
Meet Our New Team Members
Last month, we announced that Aviva Jacobs would be joining us at Leading Edge as Chief Impact Officer, and she has officially begun! There are also several other team members who have recently joined the Leading Edge team.
Here (alphabetically) are four new team members to meet (including Robb, because he has been interim up to now), among the amazing people who are Leading Edge:
Jill Brownstein, Manager, Advancement Operations
What does a “great place to work” mean to you?
It means a place where people are excited about the work and mission of the organization and colleagues genuinely care about each other.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
It never hurts to ask.
Aviva Jacobs, Chief Impact Officer
What’s something you’re excited about right now?
I'm excited about the questions that I hear Jewish nonprofits asking themselves about how to raise the bar when it comes to talent practices! (And I'm excited about the uptick in professional women's soccer around the world! Go USWNT!)
What’s a work lesson you’ve had to learn the hard way?
If your people/team only like you and you have a good relationship with them, but you are not a value-add to their work as a coach and effective manager, then a strong relationship can only get you so far.
Robb Lippitt, Chief Strategy Officer
What’s a work lesson you’ve had to learn the hard way?
Not empowering others to grow and learn by delegating work is damaging to yourself, the other person, and ultimately, the organization, even where that work could potentially be done better yourself or there will be a learning curve.
What's one thing that can instantly make your day better?
Hearing a quote from The Princess Bride.
Meagan Pollack, Director, Conferences & Events
What’s something you’re excited about right now?
I'm really excited about the next big conference for the field. The convening will be attendee centric and feature several days of deep learning, connection, wellness resets, inspiration, and joy! We can't wait to tell the Jewish nonprofit community more about it (soon!).
What’s your favorite place to travel?
My family travels to the southern Caribbean often to escape the cold weather in New England. We are avid adventure seekers and have enjoyed off-roading in the jungle, sailing, scuba diving, zip-lining, water skiing, and paddle boarding. We'd love to add surfing to the list after a few lessons!
About the Author
Leading Edge mobilizes Jewish organizations to become places where great people deliver great impact.
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