JCC Association of North America is proud to announce the nomination of Felicia “Lisie” Gottdenker as the next chair of its Board of Directors. Her election—along with the full slate of officers who will serve with her—will be confirmed, per the bylaws, by a vote at a meeting of members in 2026. She will succeed current board chair David Wax, whose dedicated leadership has helped guide the JCC Movement through a time of meaningful growth and change.
Gottdenker’s engagement in the JCC Movement began when her children attended early childhood education programming at the JCC of Wyoming Valley in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, now known as the Friedman JCC. Since then, her connection to Jewish Community Centers and Camps (JCCs) has evolved into a lifelong commitment to Jewish communal life and leadership. In 2004, Gottdenker was new to the board of the Bender JCC of Greater Washington in Rockville, Maryland, when it hosted the JCC Maccabi Games®. Watching the community come together for the event showed her the power and influence of Jewish peoplehood, deepening her connection to the JCC Movement and inspiring her to engage beyond her local community.
In the years since, Gottdenker has distinguished herself as a committed lay leader in the wider Jewish community and has been recognized for her extensive service in numerous organizations. She has been a dedicated member of JCC Association’s board since 2012 and currently serves as the vice chair. Gottdenker also has participated as a member of the executive, governance, and JCC Maccabi® committees, and served on the search committee that selected Barak Hermann as JCC Association’s incoming president and CEO. Notably, Lisie chaired JSummit 2024, a significant gathering of JCC Movement leaders, after the event was postponed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“For over 25 years, Lisie has been a passionate advocate for the power and potential of Jewish Community Centers,” said David Wax, the current chair of the board. “Her leadership, insight, counsel, and unwavering dedication have helped strengthen our movement at every level. As we continue to build a stronger, more vibrant Jewish future, I have every confidence that she will bring the same vision, partnership, and purpose to her new role.”
Reflecting on this new chapter, Gottdenker said: “What makes this nomination so exciting is stepping into leadership alongside our new CEO, Barak Hermann, who comes from within the movement and understands what it will take to lead us forward. I look forward to working together in deep partnership with him and our lay and professional leaders to help the JCC Movement take its rightful place as the influencer in North America that it really is.” She continued, “To me, this role is about partnership: partnership with the Board, our professionals in the field, our funders, and every JCC. Only together can we build a stronger, more vibrant future for our communities.”
Gottdenker brings more than 25 years of JCC Movement leadership experience to her role as chair, and in addition to her work with JCC Association, she served for 15 years on the board of the Bender JCC of Greater Washington, including a term as chair, which ended in 2017. In recognition of her extensive volunteer leadership, Lisie was honored with the Sondra D. Bender Community Leadership Award during Jewish Women International’s Women to Watch Leadership Weekend in 2022 and has served on JWI’s board. Lisie has also served on the board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and is on the steering committee of the Giving Network under the Aspen Community Foundation. She also is a member of Global Jewry’s leadership council.
“Lisie not only brings tremendous experience and heart to this role but also a deep belief in the power of collective leadership,” shared Barak Hermann, incoming president and CEO of JCC Association. “Her unwavering commitment to the JCC Movement and her ability to bring people together make her an ideal partner as we embark on this next chapter of growth, resilience, and renewed purpose.”
Jennifer Mamlet, acting president and CEO of JCC Association, said: “It has been a joy and privilege to work alongside Lisie over the past six years, especially during her inspiring leadership of JSummit. Lisie leads with heart, vision, and a deep commitment to empowering lay leaders. She models what it means to be a true partner to the professional team, and her presence elevates every space she enters. I can’t wait to see the impact she and Barak will have together as they help shape the next chapter of our movement.”
A native of Miami, Florida, Lisie graduated from Syracuse University and spent 12 years as a buyer for Macy’s and Coach Leatherware. She and her husband, Michael, have three children, Ellie, Noah, and Olivia.
As JCC Association rolls out its Stakeholder Partnership that renews and rededicates the relationship between it and each of the JCCs in its network, Gottdenker shared, “We are looking to be in the best possible partnership with the entire movement—one grounded in mutuality and shared purpose. When everyone participates in a true two-way relationship, we collectively strengthen Jewish life and ensure a vibrant, successful movement across North America.”
JCC Association looks forward to a future shaped by Gottdenker’s commitment to partnership and her enduring belief in the power of Jewish community.
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About JCC Association of North America
JCC Association of North America leads the JCC Movement, the most expansive and inclusive platform for Jewish life in the U.S. and Canada, which comprises more than 170 Jewish Community Centers and Jewish Community Camps (JCCs). By virtue of its size and scope—serving more than 1.5 million people weekly, in person, and online—and with guidance and support from JCC Association, the JCC Movement dynamically influences efforts to create Jewish community, vibrant Jewish life, and intentional and measurable Jewish outcomes in local communities and across the continent. Learn more at JCCA.org or on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).
Please note that JCC Association of North America should not be referred to as JCCA or the JCC Association but initially as JCC Association of North America and as JCC Association in subsequent references.
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