JEWISHcolorado, Colorado’s largest philanthropic organization solely focused on supporting the state’s Jewish community, named Renée Rockford as its next President & CEO. Rockford, formerly JEWISHcolorado’s Chief Advancement Officer, has been serving as interim President & CEO since November.
Search Committee head and JEWISHcolorado Vice-Chair Ben Lusher said, “We conducted an extensive and comprehensive eight-month search that included 62 applicants, ten first round interviews, and three finalists. We appreciate the many people who expressed interest in this role, and we are delighted to select Renée as the organization’s next leader.” Rockford becomes the first woman in the organization’s more than 75-year history to serve as non-interim President & CEO.
Rockford, a Colorado native, joined JEWISHcolorado in May 2021 after two decades in fundraising and communications in private education and foundation work. A daughter of a Holocaust survivor, she is the author of the award-winning book, The Triumphant Spirit, profiling the lives of nearly 100 survivors who came to the U.S. She has just returned from the first leg of this year’s Joyce Zeff Israel Study Tour accompanying 65 students to Poland before the trip continues in Israel for four more weeks.
Said Board of Directors Chair Rob Kaufmann, “JEWISHcolorado could not be better positioned to continue our vital and relevant work of convening, connecting, and building our Jewish community, and advocating for and enriching the lives of the Jewish people here at home and around the world.”
“I am honored to have stepped into this role and now to have the opportunity to continue as President & CEO. I am indebted to Chair Rob Kaufmann and Vice-Chair Ben Lusher for their tremendous amount of work, support, and guidance through this process,” said Rockford. “And it is a privilege to partner with our dedicated Board of Directors, generous donors, community partners, and host of lay leaders who so passionately work to build community for today and for future generations.”
“Also, I am extraordinarily grateful to the professional staff at JEWISHcolorado and delighted to be able to work with and lead a group of people so dedicated to supporting and growing Jewish life in Colorado,” said Rockford.