JCC Association of North America announced that Jennifer Mamlet, who has served as the organization’s acting president and CEO since April 2024, will step down in July 2025 as Barak Hermann assume the role of president and CEO. Mamlet has led the organization through a period of transformative growth and impact.
Mamlet is a seasoned professional with vast experience both at JCC Association and within the JCC Movement. Before becoming the organization’s acting president and CEO, she served as executive vice president beginning in 2022, leading day-to-day operations and driving strategic growth. Prior to that, she was chief development officer since 2018, during which time she successfully oversaw a more than tenfold increase in philanthropic investment in the JCC Movement since 2017. Mamlet is a former executive director of the JCC of Central New Jersey in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, and a senior vice president of development at the Ad Council. Earlier in her career, she was director of SCOPE (Summer Camp Opportunities Promote Education) at the New York section of the American Camp Association. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and Spanish from Bucknell University and a master’s degree in social work from Columbia University.
“Serving the JCC Movement in this role has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life,” said Jennifer Mamlet, acting president and CEO of JCC Association. “I am deeply proud of all we’ve accomplished together, deepening our investment in leadership, strengthening our ties to Israel, expanding philanthropic partnerships, and laying the groundwork to help our JCCs flourish. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside so many passionate and committed colleagues—professionals and lay leaders alike—whose unwavering dedication to this movement and to advancing Jewish pride, connection, and community has been a constant source of motivation and meaning. For months, we’ve been laying the groundwork for a thoughtful and seamless leadership transition, and I’m incredibly proud to pass the baton to Barak Hermann. I have every confidence that the best days of our movement lie ahead under his extraordinary leadership.”
As JCC Association’s first female CEO, Mamlet broke new ground and set a strong example for leaders in the movement. Over the course of her seven-year tenure, JCC Association experienced a period of meaningful growth, renewed stability, and increased impact in North American Jewish life. Under Mamlet’s leadership, the organization:
- Raised more than $25 million in philanthropic support, directly fueling strategic initiatives and capacity-building across the field
- Spearheaded the launch and continental expansion of ElevatEd, in partnership with Jewish Federations of North America and the Union for Reform Judaism, to expand the educator pipeline and professionalize the field of early childhood Jewish education
- Deepened philanthropic and programmatic partnerships, increasing support for cornerstone initiatives, including JCC Maccabi®, JWB Jewish Chaplains Council®, and the creation of the Martin Pear Israel Fellowship
- Launched a new stakeholder model, redefining how JCC Association engages with the field while fostering stronger JCC Movement-wide collaboration and support.
- Reinvigorated JCC Association’s signature professional gatherings, including the relaunch of JSummit and planning for the return of JCCs of North America Professional Conference (ProCon)
- Advanced the Mit-habrim initiative, a program set to strengthen ties between North American JCCs and Israel and demonstrate solidarity with the country following the horrific attacks of October 7, significantly increasing JCCs’ participation and reaffirming Israel as a pillar in the JCC Movement’s identity and programming.
“Jen has led JCC Association with exceptional vision, steadiness, and heart during a time of challenge, change, and real opportunity,” shares David Wax, JCC Association board chair. “Her legacy will be felt across the field—in the strength of our partnerships, the growth of our professional leadership, and in the revitalized confidence of our movement. On behalf of the board, we are grateful for her service and excited to welcome Barak Hermann to the helm as our next president and CEO.”
As previously announced, Barak Hermann will serve as JCC Association’s next president and CEO, beginning his tenure on July 1, 2025. Hermann recently completed his tenure as the CEO of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore.
“I’m humbled by the opportunity to step into this role and build upon the powerful momentum that Jen and the JCC Association team have created,” said Barak Hermann, JCC Association’s incoming president and CEO. “The JCC Movement is a cornerstone of Jewish life in North America, and I look
forward to elevating our movement of JCCs across the continent and working with our talented professionals, board members, and partners to shape a bold and inspiring future for our Jewish communities.”
JCC Association, in partnership with the JCC Movement, dynamically influences efforts to drive stronger Jewish community, vibrant Jewish life, and intentional and measurable Jewish outcomes in local communities and across the continent. JCCs serve more than 1.5 million people weekly—in person, and online—and drive an economic engine that totals $1.6 billion annually.
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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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