Director of Pears Foundation is first Brit to win young philanthropy award

The director of the London-based Pears Foundation has been honoured with a funders award in Tel Aviv.

Amy Braier, who has been described by Sir Trevor Pears as “quiet and humble,” this week became the first British winner of the Jewish Funders Network (JFN) JJ Greenberg Memorial Award, which honours young foundation professionals.

Braier was recognised for her work in grant-making and “demonstrating extraordinary leadership in Jewish philanthropy”.

Sir Trevor, who chairs the foundation, said: “When Amy started over 10 years ago we were still in the early years of developing a strategy and structure. She built the professional infrastructure and identified some of the key areas that we would ultimately pursue in terms of our grant-making priorities.”

He added: “Amy’s contribution is immeasurable. I am so glad it has been recognised in this way, as her quiet and humble manner means she rarely receives the accolades that she very much deserves.”

Sally Berkovic, chief executive of Rothschild Foundation (Hanadiv) Europe, said: “Amy embodies grace, intelligence, and thoughtful Jewish values. I have seen her challenge ‘accepted wisdoms’ and provoke discussion in a constructive way that demonstrates that she is not subject to peer pressure.”

Berkovic added that she admitted Braier’s “ability to do this in the most unassuming and modest way, which suggests a strong inner sense of self and a quiet confidence”.

Braier oversees the Foundation’s grant-making and operations, leads on its Holocaust education and higher education work, helps to establish the University College London Centre for Holocaust Education, the Pears Institute for the Study of Antisemitism and the UK Task Force on issues relating to Arab citizens of Israel.

She has a first-class degree in Classics from the University of Cambridge and a professional background in policy and public affairs at the Parliamentary Committee against Anti-Semitism and the Greater London Authority. She has also been a trustee of Limmud and Holocaust Memorial Day.