Hadassah, The Women Zionist Organization of America, has announced the appointment of Ellen Finkelstein as its new chief executive officer and executive director. Beginning her tenure on January 6, 2025, Finkelstein will lead the nation’s largest Jewish women’s organization, which boasts nearly 300,000 members, donors, and supporters, alongside a professional team of 200 staff members.
Finkelstein brings extensive experience in Jewish communal leadership to Hadassah, following her impactful tenure at Yeshiva University (YU) as chief strategy officer in the Office of Institutional Advancement. At YU, she oversaw critical areas such as annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, alumni engagement, and philanthropic communications.
National President of Hadassah Carol Ann Schwartz expressed her enthusiasm about Finkelstein’s appointment, stating, “I and the rest of Hadassah leadership team are delighted to welcome Ellen, a proven leader with extensive experience in Jewish communal work and an outstanding track record in institutional advancement. She is the perfect person to work with us to build on Hadassah’s accomplishments, increase its impact globally, and lead the organization into the future.”
Finkelstein, a lifelong advocate for Jewish causes, shared her excitement about joining the organization. “As a Jewish woman and a Zionist, there is no place I would rather be than at Hadassah,” she said. “With its commitment to Israel, its dedication to fighting antisemitism, its determination to improve healthcare for women and children, and its mission to stay on the front line of medical advancement, Hadassah is playing a vital role in bringing the Jewish community together and helping us focus on what is important. I couldn’t be prouder to have this opportunity.”
At Yeshiva University, Finkelstein’s leadership was marked by record-breaking achievements. She was pivotal in raising over $90 million in a single year, the highest in the university’s history, and secured multiple seven-figure gifts. Her strategic initiatives also resulted in a 27% increase in the annual fund and a 16% expansion of the donor base. She established new corporate- and foundation-giving departments, launched the YU Parents’ Council to build a pipeline of major donors, and boosted the annual gala’s net proceeds by 25%.
Before her time at YU, Finkelstein honed her strategic and project management skills at Accenture Consulting, where she advised Fortune 500 clients. She later served as director of marketing at Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Northern New Jersey.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Finkelstein graduated from the University of Virginia. She continues to live in New Jersey, where she enjoys hiking and cheering on college basketball teams. She is also the proud mother of three adult sons.
Hadassah’s leadership anticipates that Finkelstein’s expertise and vision will help the organization further its mission of supporting Israel, combating antisemitism, advancing healthcare, and fostering innovation in medical research.