~March 26, 2014 

The Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver is pleased to announce the appointment of Ezra S. Shanken as its new Chief Executive Officer. Shanken will begin his tenure later this spring.* The search was conducted in collaboration with the JFNA Mandel Center for Leadership Excellence.

Shanken is an experienced leader in the Jewish communal world, and brings tremendous experience in Next Gen engagement with proven success in creating, developing and managing groundbreaking initiatives and organizations.

He has served as director of Emerging Leaders & Philanthropists (ELP) at UJA-Federation of New York for the past three years. ELP is the Federation system’s largest young leadership department. Previously, he was the senior manager at the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado. Shanken was also a founder of E-3 Events, a Denver-wide Jewish organization that bridges popular culture and Jewish values.

Shanken received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Economics from the University of Hartford and did graduate work in nonprofit management at Regis University.

“We are pleased to welcome Ezra Shanken as the new CEO,” said Diane Switzer, Board Chair. “Ezra, a third-generation Jewish professional, impressed the search committee with his passion for working with community leaders and organizations to strengthen our community. Through his work in Denver and New York with next generation leaders and philanthropists, Ezra has wide experience in engaging young adults and fundraising. We look forward to working with Ezra to further grow and engage our community.”

Bill Levine, Search Committee Chair, said, "The Search Committee was very pleased with the range and depth of the candidate pool. The committee is satisfied that Ezra Shanken is not only the best candidate available, but brings to Vancouver extreme dedication to his work, high energy and proven ability. The committee thanks the Mandel Center for its professional and expert assistance.”

Shanken told the Federation he was honored to be selected. “It is a privilege to head back west to continue my Federation journey in a community that has shown such an exceptional commitment to the emergence of the next generation of leaders,” he said. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help shape a caring and inspired future for the Vancouver Jewish community and our greater Continental system.”
 
The JFNA Mandel Center for Leadership Excellence provides a full range of Federation executive talent acquisition and transition services. During the last two years, the Mandel Center has helped 30 Federations secure new executive leadership.

*Shanken's start date is subject to obtaining Canadian immigration clearance which may take up to 12 weeks.