Jewish Leadership Council appoints interim chief executives

The Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) has appointed two joint interim chief executive officers to take over from Simon Johnson this summer.

Claudia Mendoza and Michelle Janes will be taking on the role at the umbrella group on 23 June and keep their current responsibilities, with support from the JLC’s director of community strategy, David Davidi-Brown.

Mendoza, who joined the JLC in 2011 and is the director of policy and public affairs, said: “It is a tremendous honour to be leading the JLC with Michelle through this difficult period.

“I am hugely proud of our community and my priority will be to magnify and amplify the voices of our members, many of whom are exemplars of the very best of civil society”.

Janes, who is the executive director of the leadership and development division, said: “It is with pride and honour that I am able to bring my varied skills and experience to lead this organisation along with Claudia.”

“Our members are at the heart of all we do and together with them we will strive to strengthen and support the growth and development of our wonderful community,” she added.

Johnson, who announced his intention to step down earlier this year, will remain with the JLC as company secretary and consultant until the end of the year. He has been leading the organisation as chief executive officer for close to seven years.

He said: “I am delighted that Claudia and Michelle have been appointed to act as interim CEOs. They have both been hugely valuable colleagues, well respected amongst the members, in the wider community, and beyond.

“I am thrilled that their talent has been recognised as leaders of the superb JLC team. They will do an outstanding job and will be extremely well supported by director of community strategy, David Davidi-Brown. I am pleased to remain as company secretary of the JLC until the end of the year to ensure the timely handover of JLC’s outstanding governance”.

Jonathan Goldstein, the chairman of the JLC, said he was “delighted” to introduce the new team.

“Having spent considerable time with both Claudia and Michelle, we are of the view that they have the full complement of skills to guide the JLC through these challenging times building on the excellent platform developed by Simon.  The trustees are enthused about the impact this change could make,” he said.

He also thanked Johnson for his “sterling service over the years” and said he had led the organisation “with distinction.”

“We will be sorry to see him go and wish him well for the future,” he added.