Regional Director of Development, Mid-Atlantic and New England
Hadassah

Hadassah – 2025 Impact Report

Hadassah's Mission

Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, is a philanthropic membership organization dedicated to inspiring a deep commitment to the land, people, and future of Israel through its support of world-class medical care, groundbreaking research, and youth development. The organization empowers individuals through education, advocacy, leadership opportunities, and personal fulfillment.

Hadassah's Vision

Hadassah envisions a world in which its leadership strengthens connections to Israel while advancing healing and justice globally. Through initiatives that foster Jewish identity among American youth, promote a shared society in Israel, and advocate for women's health equity in the United States, Hadassah remains committed to creating meaningful and lasting change.

Hadassah's Promise

Hadassah is committed to connecting and empowering Jewish women to effect positive change through leadership development, advocacy, and community engagement. The organization provides individuals with the resources, opportunities, and support needed to become influential leaders and advocates. Throughout its history, Hadassah has worked to break barriers, build bridges across communities, combat antisemitism, amplify underrepresented voices, and advance medical breakthroughs with global impact.

Through the continued support of its members, donors, and male Associates, Hadassah strengthens its position as a women-led organization dedicated to advancing healthcare, fostering leadership, and creating a more equitable and compassionate world.

Ellen Finkelstein
CEO

---

Ellen is the CEO of Hadassah, where she partners with Hadassah’s National President to advance the organization’s mission, strengthen its global impact and lead its next phase of growth. In her role, she is focused on building organizational capacity, deepening stakeholder engagement and driving strategic initiatives that expand Hadassah’s reach and influence in the U.S., Israel and worldwide.

An accomplished professional and Jewish communal leader, Ellen brings deep expertise in strategy, development and organizational leadership, with a strong record of turning vision into measurable results.

Before joining Hadassah, Ellen served as Chief Strategy Officer in the Office of Institutional Advancement at Yeshiva University, where she helped shape institutional growth and outreach across advancement, alumni engagement, events, community engagement and marketing communications. Earlier in her career, she held leadership roles in both consulting and the Jewish nonprofit sector, including at Accenture and several major community organizations.

A graduate of the University of Virginia, Ellen is the proud mother of three adult sons and an avid hiker and college basketball fan.

Julie Pareles
National Director of Development

---

Julie Pareles leads Hadassah’s national team of fundraisers which builds major and principal gifts support throughout the US through collaboration with volunteer leadership. She has supported Hadassah’s strategy and fundraising efforts for 10+ years, closing leadership gifts while bringing vision and innovative approaches to her high-performing team. She has decades of capacity-building experience from her roles as Director of Development for NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering; as Senior Philanthropy Officer for Boys & Girls Clubs of America and as Executive Director of Blue Ocean Institute.

Julie earned a BA in Psychology from Cornell University and an MA in Communications from Indiana University.

Steven J. Mark
Chief Development Officer

---

Steven Mark leads a team of philanthropy professionals who collaborate with volunteer leaders around the country to raise funds to support the work of the Hadassah Medical Organization in Jerusalem and Hadassah’s two Youth Aliyah Villages. Steven brings to Hadassah years of experience in securing major gifts, leading successful capital campaigns and dramatically increasing individual donations. His previous development roles were at Hunter College, New York Medical College, and most recently StartCare, an addiction-recovery and behavioral healthcare provider, where he was Chief Development Officer.

Steven earned a BS in Exercise Physiology from Hofstra University and an MSW, with a certificate in Jewish Communal Service from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University.

• Build a personal portfolio of major donor prospects and donors in NYC and NJ area.  Work collaboratively with volunteer leadership and partner as appropriate to build the portfolio and support volunteer outreach efforts.
   
• Actively contribute to building a principal gifts pipeline in the northeast and serve as a thought partner to the National Director of Development regarding departmental opportunities, needs and processes.
   
• Manage two seasoned Directors of Development raising gifts of $25K+ and two newly appointed Associate Directors of Development raising gifts of $5K-$25K. In close coordination with the National Director of Development, share the organization’s priorities and needs and build a collaborative, supportive culture. Provide portfolio building, pipeline, problem-solving and strategy support, and offer the staff opportunities for learning and professional development.
   
• Maintain knowledge of Hadassah and its gift and recognition policies.
   
• Work with staff and volunteers to ensure the fundraising success of regional events to engage major donors and build new prospects.
   
• Provide reporting, projections and budget input as requested. Handle special projects requested by the National Director. Submit donor contact and fundraising activity reports as required, input donor activity info into database, and ensure all fundraisers in the region are doing the same.
   
• Work collaboratively with Hadassah’s Israeli colleagues on proposals, donor strategies and donor visits.
   
• Maintain effective communications with area and national volunteers and staff.
   
• Other duties and special projects as requested.

• BA plus 7-10 years major and principal gifts experience, fundraising management experience, diplomacy, problem-solving and organizational skills.
   
• Ability and proven track record of directly and independently soliciting and closing major and principal gifts and engaging leadership when appropriate.
   
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills including strong diplomatic skills.
   
• Experience working with volunteers at all levels, as well as training and partnering with them for individual donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
   
• Database and computer literacy, Salesforce experience preferred.
   
• Brings a learning mindset and knowledge of development best practices.
   
• Responsive to deadlines and able to carry out multiple assignments with efficiency.

• Ability to work independently in a hybrid/remote environment, as well as with teams.
   
• Knowledge and familiarity with the Metro Jewish community and the Jewish philanthropic communities in the Northeast.
   
• Regional (est. 25%) and local travel, including some evening and weekend and occasional national and international travel.