Co-CEO of Jewish Leadership Council to join newly merged Kisharon Langdon

The co-chief executive of the Jewish Leadership Council is leaving the organisation.

Michelle Janes is taking up the new role of chief transformation officer at the recently merged JLC member Kisharon Langdon from November, responsible for the transition programme to ensure the newly merged organisations come together as one unified entity.

Janes joined the JLC’s leadership development division Lead in 2017, becoming its executive director in 2018, and co-chief executive of the wider JLC alongside Claudia Mendoza in 2020.

Claudia will be assuming the role of chief executive and the JLC will be recruiting for a new senior role to fill some of the areas that Michelle has led on. Claudia has been with the JLC for over a decade and for much of that time led on policy and public affairs within the organisation.

Keith Black, chair of the Jewish Leadership Council said: “Michelle has been an exceptional colleague to work with and has made a significant impact not just on the JLC but on the community in general. I will personally greatly miss her valued advice and her deep experience of communal issues and individuals! Claudia is a hugely impressive leader who will provide stability, vision and drive to take the JLC forward.”

Richard Franklin, chief executive of Kisharon Langdon said: “Integral to the successful and effective merger within our timeline will be high calibre resource to enable this.  Michelle Janes brings with her a demonstrable track record of skills and talents rarely afforded and we are delighted to welcome her to our dynamic team.”

Claudia Mendoza, chief executive of the Jewish Leadership Council said: “I’m proud of the innovative leadership Michelle and I have modelled. Together we have strengthened the JLC, focusing on everything from policies and procedures to improved membership offering and office culture.

“Kisharon Langdon will find that they have chosen a dedicated and talented community professional who will deliver fantastic results. I am honoured to take up the role of CEO of the JLC and delighted that I will be working closely with Michelle in her new role.”

Michelle Janes, outgoing co-chief executive of the Jewish Leadership Council said: “It is a privilege to hold leadership roles within our community and my time at the JLC has enabled me to work together with exceptional people including my co-CEO Claudia.

“She is a skilled and committed leader with all the qualities necessary to take the organisation forward into its next stage of development.  I am hugely excited to be working in the Kisharon Langdon team at this pivotal moment and look forward to enabling the very best for the organisation and community in my new role.”