Posted by Jamie Grossman, JF&CS Board President
On behalf of the JF&CS Board of Directors, I would like to announce some very important news. Earlier this month, the Board accepted Rimma Zelfand's resignation as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and she will be stepping down from her role in February. In light of this development, I want to share with you the Board's plan to ensure a smooth transition and maintain the strength of our organization.
Rimma's Impressive Tenure
First, I would like to express the Board's thanks to Rimma for her passionate dedication to advancing the JF&CS mission and for her many accomplishments during her tenure as CEO. Rimma has served as a role model for her peers in Greater Boston's non-profit community, and Rimma and JF&CS have been recognized as one of The Commonwealth Institute's Top 100 Women-Led Businesses for the past four years. While inspiring efforts to deepen JF&CS's impact through greater program integration and focus, Rimma has also championed collaboration with dozens of partner agencies across Eastern Massachusetts, extending our reach and expanding our capacity to meet the needs of those we serve.
Carl Zack Will Serve as Interim CEO
I also want to announce that Carl Zack has been appointed Interim CEO and will be leading our agency as we conduct our search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer. Most recently, Carl served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at 2Life Communities (formerly Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly). Carl has also served as President of the Hebrew Rehabilitation Center, Merrimack Valley Hospital, and Somerville Hospital. From 2002-2006, Carl served as COO at JF&CS and is remembered fondly by many staff members who had the pleasure of working with him. Please welcome Carl back during this time of transition.
In the coming months, I will be appointing a search committee to identify our next CEO and will engage a search firm to lead this process. As the process evolves, we will remain in communication with you, our family of supporters and friends, and we look forward to welcoming a new CEO in the coming year.
Our Mission Continues
In the meantime, we will continue to pursue a mission that has endured for more than 150 years, helping people from all walks of life build a strong foundation for well-being across the lifespan. Working together, more than 400 JF&CS employees and 2,000 volunteers now serve over 14,000 people every year. Through more than 40 high-quality programs, we are meeting the needs of new parents and their children, older adults and family caregivers, children and adults with disabilities, and people experiencing poverty, hunger, or domestic abuse.
As we enter this time of transition, I am confident that JF&CS will continue to move from strength to strength, with an unwavering commitment to its enduring mission.
