American Friends of Shalva - Chief Executive Officer

Shalva—the Israel Association for the Care and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities—provides transformative care for individuals with disabilities while empowering their families and advancing full social inclusion. Founded in 1990 by Malki and Kalman Samuels, Shalva grew out of their personal journey raising their son, Yossi, who was left blind, deaf, and severely disabled as an infant. Facing firsthand the isolation, uncertainty, and lack of support available to families of children with disabilities, they set out to create an organization where no family would have to navigate those challenges alone.

What began as a small after-school program serving eight children has grown into a nationally recognized organization supporting thousands of individuals from infancy through adulthood across all sectors of Israeli society. Working in close partnership with multiple Israeli government ministries and supported by a global network of philanthropic partners, Shalva has developed a comprehensive model of care that integrates leading-edge therapies, inclusive educational frameworks, social and recreational programming, employment training, and independent living support—alongside essential respite and guidance for families. Its state-of-the-art Shalva National Center in Jerusalem serves as a hub for innovation in disability care, rehabilitation, research, and professional training, setting new standards in the field and advancing inclusion efforts in Israel and beyond.

Shalva delivers a continuum of innovative programs designed to support individuals with disabilities and their families throughout every stage of life:

·        Continuum of Care (Birth–21): Comprehensive, wraparound services supporting children with disabilities at every developmental stage, with integrated family support and inclusion at the core.

·        Early Intervention (Birth–18 months): Multidisciplinary therapies for infants paired with hands-on parent guidance to promote early developmental milestones.

·        Rehabilitative Day Care (Ages 1–3): Therapeutic, child-centered programs combining education, therapy, and family support to advance cognitive and physical development.

·        Inclusive Preschool (Ages 4–6): An integrated educational and therapeutic setting where children with and without disabilities learn together, preparing for mainstream school placement.

·        After-School Programs (Ages 6–21): Daily social, recreational, and life-skills programming that fosters independence and community inclusion.

·        Respite Care (Ages 6–21): Overnight and weekend programs that build independence while providing critical relief and support to families.

·        Adult Group Living: Residential and community-based living opportunities promote independence, dignity, and meaningful participation in community life.

·        Summer Camps: Inclusive day and overnight camp experiences offering recreation, social engagement, and community integration.

Shalva continues to expand its impact through several major strategic initiatives. The Shalva Sharabi Family Center in Ashkelon, created in partnership with Eli Sharabi and named in memory of his wife and daughters, who were murdered on October 7, will extend Shalva's proven model of care to southern Israel, providing comprehensive diagnostic, therapeutic, family support, and trauma-response services to individuals with disabilities and others affected by the ongoing impact of war.

At the same time, Shalva is undertaking a major capital project to build a new center in Alon Shvut, expanding access to its programs and services for families throughout the Gush Etzion region.

Beyond expanding its direct services, Shalva is also investing in the future of the field through the Shalva Institute, which shares the organization's expertise through research, training, and professional development for practitioners around the world.

American Friends of Shalva advances this mission in the United States by raising awareness and critical philanthropic support to sustain and expand Shalva’s impact.

To learn more about Shalva, please visit: https://www.shalva.org/about-shalva/.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will serve as the senior executive of American Friends of Shalva, leading the organization's strategy, fundraising, operations, and external engagement in the United States. The CEO will work closely with the U.S. Board of Directors and Shalva's leadership in Israel to strengthen awareness, deepen philanthropic support, and advance the organization's impact.

American Friends of Shalva currently raises approximately $8.5 million annually. Building on this strong foundation, the CEO will have the opportunity to lead American Friends through a significant period of growth driven by Shalva's expanding programs and capital initiatives in Israel. With major initiatives underway, including the Shalva Sharabi Family Center in Ashkelon, a new center in Alon Shvut, and additional major capital opportunities on the horizon, the CEO will broaden the organization's national fundraising presence beyond New York and Florida, deepen donor relationships, expand foundation partnerships, build organizational capacity, and lead major fundraising initiatives in support of Shalva's continued growth.

The ideal candidate will be an entrepreneurial, externally facing leader with a track record of growing organizations, cultivating major donors, and building high-performing teams. They will bring strong strategic and operational leadership, exceptional relationship-building skills, and the ability to translate vision into measurable results.

·        Develop and execute a clear, ambitious growth strategy aligned with Shalva Israel’s mission and priorities.

·        Create annual plans and budgets; monitor progress toward strategic goals and impact metrics.

·        Serve as a key ambassador for Shalva in the U.S., raising visibility and strengthening brand positioning.

·        Collaborate closely with Shalva Israel’s leadership and fundraising teams to ensure alignment and transparency.

·        Build and lead a high-performing, mission-driven team capable of scaling organizational reach and results.

·        Establish clear processes, performance expectations, and accountability systems.

·        Oversee day-to-day operations, including HR, compliance, and operational efficiency.

·        Design and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy, including major gifts, foundation engagement, federations, and events.

·        Cultivate and maintain relationships with donors, foundations, and community partners to expand the Shalva donor base.

·        Represent Shalva at events, conferences, and public forums to enhance visibility and engagement.

·        Collaborate with Israel-based resource development team to drive backend fundraising operations, including CRM, grant writing, and reporting.

·        Partner with the Board of Directors to ensure strong governance, fiscal responsibility, and mission alignment.

·        Prepare clear, insightful reports and presentations for Board meetings.

·        Support Board members in their fundraising and advocacy efforts.

·        Work closely with leadership to cultivate and recruit new board members.

·        Update and implement governance policies and procedures to ensure the Board operates in accordance with best practices.

·        Ensure sound financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, and monitoring of organizational resources.

·        Maintain compliance with all legal, regulatory, and ethical standards for nonprofit operations and fundraising.

·        Work closely with the Board Finance Committee and auditors to ensure transparency and fiscal accountability.

·        Passion and excitement for Shalva’s mission.

·        Deep understanding of the North American Jewish philanthropic landscape and familiarity with Jewish community structures.

·        Ability to thrive in a lean, entrepreneurial, and dynamic environment.

·        Demonstrated success in developing and implementing strategic plans with measurable goals and outcomes.

·        A track record in fundraising, across major gifts, planned giving, events, and foundation funding, with experience closing six- and seven-figure gifts.

·        Strong leadership and management skills, including the ability to inspire, influence, and hold teams accountable to high standards.

·        Exceptional communication skills - written and verbal - with the ability to engage diverse audiences effectively.

·        Comfort leveraging data and technology to drive results; knowledge of Salesforce preferred.

·        Experience working with Israeli-based organizations preferred; Hebrew language proficiency preferred.

·        Experience with budgeting and financial oversight.

·        Willingness to travel nationally and to Israel.

American Friends of Shalva offers a competitive and comprehensive compensation package for this role. The salary range is $300,000 - $350,000. The benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, flexible paid time off, as well as a generous retirement plan.

If you are interested in this position, please click here. All applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of their application.

This position description is based upon material provided by American Friends of Shalva, an equal opportunity employer.