DENVER, Colorado – (April 14, 2015)— JEWISHcolorado’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce that President and Chief Executive Officer Doug Seserman will lead the organization for up to five additional years. Seserman’s contract was renewed for a two year period beginning July 1, 2015, with a three-year extension option following those two years.

“We feel fortunate to have a leader with so much creative vision, commitment, and courage at the helm of our organization,” said Board of Directors Chair Amy Toltz-Miller. “Doug achieved a number of notable accomplishments over the last thirteen years, and I’m looking forward to what the future holds under his direction.”

Seserman has successfully led the organization through both prosperous and difficult economic times. He achieved record fundraising results prior to the economic downturn in 2008-2009. His leadership also helped stabilize the Annual Campaign at $10+ million and more than double Endowment and Planned Giving assets to over $55 million post downturn.   Seserman has been instrumental in establishing community “mobilization” as one of the organization’s core competencies.  He guided the community through several Israel Emergency Campaigns as well as a 2013 Colorado Flood Relief Fund that raised more than $600,000 from 1200 donors, half of whom live outside of Colorado.  Recently, Seserman secured an unprecedented legacy gift of $5 million dollars from philanthropist, Joyce Zeff.

Seserman has also been broadly acknowledged for leading the strategic planning effort called Reimagining Federation for the 21^st Century.  This initiative culminated with a rebranding effort and a change to the organization’s name from the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado to JEWISHcolorado. The overriding goal of this process was to broaden the appeal and relevance of JEWISHcolorado, particularly among the next generation of donors.

Most recently, Seserman was recognized by the Jewish Daily Forward as one of the 50 most impactful Jewish Americans in 2014.  He was the only Federation executive on the “Forward 50,” among a list of notable names that included U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, U.S. Congressman Jared Polis, and actress Scarlett Johansson.

“I’m honored that the Board of Directors has entrusted me to continue leading this vital organization.  My goal is to further strengthen JEWISHcolorado and enable the broader Colorado Jewish community to be everything it can be,” Seserman said.

About JEWISHcolorado

Founded in 1946, JEWISHcolorado, formerly known as Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado, is the umbrella community organization inspired by the collective responsibility to build and sustain Jewish life in Colorado, Israel, and around the world.  Its mission is to secure, steward, and share philanthropic and human resources in support of vibrant Jewish life as well as to mobilize the community in times of need.  JEWISHcolorado is a proud member of the Jewish Federations of North America, which is among the top ten charities on the continent. JEWISHcolorado raises and distributes funds in support of a wide variety of programs and partner organizations both locally and globally. Last year, JEWISHcolorado’s Annual Campaign raised $10.7 million and the Endowment and Planned Giving arm houses more than $55 million in long term assets for individuals, agencies and synagogues in the community.  For more information, visit www.JEWISHcolorado.org