JEWISHcolorado announced today that after nearly five years, President & CEO Renée Rockford will transition from day-to-day leadership of the organization at the end of 2026. To ensure continuity and maintain momentum, Renée will remain as an advisor to the organization, including assisting with JEWISHcolorado’s Generations Endowment Campaign.
Since assuming leadership, Renée has guided JEWISHcolorado through an extraordinary and challenging period for both the local and global Jewish communities. Under her leadership, the organization mobilized an unprecedented $13 million in emergency support for the Israel Emergency Fund. In the last five years JEWISHcolorado has also experienced significant programmatic and fundraising growth; strengthened community partnerships in Israel and Colorado; enhanced safety and security services for the community; and expanded advocacy work through the Jewish Community Relations Council.
Board Chair Ben Lusher stated, “Renee provided transformational and steady leadership of JEWISHcolorado these past 5 years. We are immensely grateful for her critical work to solidify our financial strength, while also expanding our community partnerships and programming. We are especially appreciative that she will remain connected to JEWISHcolorado’s endowment campaign, even as she steps back from day-to-day leadership at the end of the year.”
In a letter to the Board of Directors, Renée reflected on her experience leading the organization:
“Over these past years, it has been an extraordinary honor to help deepen the relationship between the Jewish communities of Colorado and Israel and to fulfill our shared responsibility and collective commitment to caring for one another. Together, we have navigated moments of heartbreak and resilience, confronted difficult questions about the needs of our community, and worked side by side to build a stronger future. Through it all, I have been continually inspired by the compassion, generosity, and determination that defines this community.”
A search committee led by Board Member Adriane Greenberg, will partner with incoming Board Chair Neil Oberfeld and outgoing Board Chair Ben Lusher, to launch a national search for JEWISHcolorado’s next President and CEO in the near future.