Lead with your values and treasure those around you—we are all in this together.

A longtime leader in the Baltimore Jewish community, Randi brings deep passion for cultivating strong, values-driven leadership. Her past roles include Chair of the Board of the JCC of Greater Baltimore, President of Beth Israel Congregation, and President of the American Marketing Association, Baltimore Chapter. Randi is excited about the next chapter in her leadership journey and the impact that she hopes Na’aleh makes on the Baltimore Jewish Community. Read more about how Randi hopes to impact Na’aleh and leadership in Baltimore.

Is there a moment in your leadership journey that has really shaped how you show up today? 

I became chair of the board of the JCC right before the COVID pandemic hit.  It was such a difficult time for everyone—both personally, professionally and communally.  Nothing could have prepared me for the decisions that needed to be made and the impact every decision would have. I learned so many leadership lessons which I still think about today: Lead with curiosity.  Listen. Surround yourself with experts.  Consider the impact of every action, both for professionals and volunteers. Be flexible. Take calculated risks.  Focus on community. In this most unimaginable situation, I saw the very best in board members, professionals and community leaders.  I value the friendships I still have today as a result of people I didn’t even know at the time saying, “Yes. Whatever you need. I am here to help.”  It continues to inspire me, drive my leadership and I am so grateful. 

What initially drew you to Na’aleh and what has kept you engaged over time? 

I’ve always believed in the power of leadership learning to strengthen our community and transform our organizations. What drew me to Na’aleh was its unique ability to bring leaders together—not only to grow their skills, but also to build the kinds of relationships that last well beyond the program. 

When I completed ACHARAI ten years ago (hard to believe!), I walked away with more than knowledge. I gained connections that continue to shape my leadership journey. In fact, one classmate and I still meet every few months for lunch to share challenges and celebrate successes. 

What keeps me engaged is Na’aleh’s welcoming, inclusive spirit. At a time when our community faces complex challenges, Na’aleh provides the space for leaders to learn from one another, support one another, and become stronger—together. 

What are you most excited about as you step into the role of board chair? 

It is such an exciting time for Na’aleh, as we embark on the next phase of our organizational journey. I am thrilled that Susanna Garfein has become our Executive Director, as she brings a deep passion and wealth of knowledge for leadership engagement, inclusivity and learning. As we move forward, I am excited about Na’aleh celebrating all that we have accomplished and charting a strategic direction for how we can continue to fulfill the mission of our founders—leaders like Shoshana S. Cardin whose passion for leadership has really defined our community and how we engage with each other. 

Why do you think developing leadership in the Jewish community is so critical right now? 

These are challenging times—with the rise of antisemitism and world events impacting how we operate and process information every day. We need to think about how we show up for each other, and how we can maximize the impact and growth of our communal organizations and ensure that they will be both thriving and relevant for the next generation.  It is time for us all to act, and for us to equip ourselves with the leadership skills and mindset to bring diverse people together—all in the name of continuity for our Jewish community. We are all responsible for each other (Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Bazeh)  and Na’aleh can be a catalyst to bring us together to ensure our future. 

If you had to give one piece of advice to someone stepping into a new leadership role, what would it be? 

When I was in my first volunteer leadership role, the outgoing board president gave me a plaque that read:  What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?  To this day, I have the plaque on my desk.  To me, it was the perfect advice for a new leader: Be innovative.  Take risks, just make sure they are calculated.  Failure is okay, if you learn from it.  Be courageous.  Today, I would add:  Lead with your values and treasure those around you—we are all in this together.  And of course, turn to Na’aleh to bolster your leadership skills and connections. 😉