Leadership Initiative for Established Professionals (ages 37 - 50)

WEXNER FIELD FELLOWSHIP

Leadership development for established Jewish communal professionals in the field (ages 37 - 50)

The Wexner Field Fellowship provides opportunities for growth to promising Jewish professionals who plan to continue to pursue careers as leaders in the North American Jewish community.

Through the Wexner Field Fellowship, Jewish professional leaders are provided coaching, Jewish learning, and professional development funds. This cohort-based program will deepen these professionals' leadership skills alongside a rich network of colleagues for this three-year program and the rest of their career.

Eligibility requirements will be changing for WFF Class 9 in 2024. Please click here to be notified about future application cycles and eligibility requirements.

Program Overview

Through this three-year intensive professional development program Field Fellows will:

  • Participate in six cohort-based institutes (or virtual equivalent if necessary) on leadership and Jewish issues with skilled leadership teachers and peer Jewish educators.
  • Receive one-on-one professional coaching and Jewish learning, along with access to funds toward customized professional development opportunities.
  • Become part of The Wexner Foundation’s network of 3,000 professional and volunteer leaders in the North American Jewish Community and in Israel.
  • Connect with their fellowship cohort remotely between institutes to network, share concerns and for peer-consultations.
  • Develop a nuanced appreciation for the diversity of the North American Jewish community.
  • Focus on developing strengths in adaptive leadership, effective communication, difficult conversations, negotiation and other crucial leadership skills.
  • Connect with members of The Wexner Foundation’s alumni community.

Staff

Dara Katzner, Program Coordinator
Ruthie Warshenbrot, Director

Benefits & Expectations

Field Fellows will:

  • Participate in all Fellowship-sponsored programs totaling approximately eight days of travel (six business days) per year for three years and ensure that there will be no conflicts with these programs. Fellows will attend two Institutes annually (a Spring Institute around March and a Fall Institute around September). The Wexner Foundation covers all expenses for program participation.
    • Should we be unable to meet in person due to COVID-19, Fellows will be expected to join Virtual Institutes on the originally scheduled dates with up to 4 hours of additional Zoom time per month in order to build trust within the cohort. Exact timing will be determined based on Fellow availability but with an expectation that Fellows will prioritize these virtual meetings.
  • Commit to work full-time at a North American Jewish communal organization for all three years of the Fellowship Program and three years beyond (six years total).
  • Select a professional coach from a roster of approved professional coaches to work with one-on-one on an ongoing basis. The coach will partner with Field Fellows and will meet 15-20 times a year for three years to help them reach their potential.
  • Work with a Jewish educator 12-15 times a year for three years to help expand their Jewish understanding based on their unique needs or participate in an immersive experience for the equivalent amount of time.
  • Benefit from access to a pool of funds (approximately $5,000 per fellow per year) for additional learning and growth. These funds can be used on Foundation-approved professional development opportunities and associated travel and accommodations. Field Fellows will be reimbursed for these expenses.
  • Must submit a personal W-9 (signed and dated in the current year) to The Wexner Foundation after they have been accepted. The Wexner Foundation cannot give tax advice. Some opportunities which are reimbursed may incur taxes.

Eligibility 

Re-Applicants
If you have applied to any of The Wexner Foundation’s programs in the past, you are welcome to re-apply with an entirely new application. Because we are creating a cohort, each applicant pool results in different selections and re-applications are considered independently from past applications. If you applied to the Wexner Field Fellowship last year, you are not eligible to apply again this year unless it is your last year of eligibility.

To apply for the Wexner Field Fellowship, all eligibility requirements must be met. Please note there are no exceptions to the eligibility requirements listed below. A new class will be selected each year, so you may be eligible to apply in the future if you are not currently eligible.

The Wexner Foundation is focused on the health and safety of our community. Guided by public health and medical professionals on our COVID Advisory Committee, the Foundation requires all incoming participants in Wexner programs to be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination according to the CDC. All applicants must submit proof of up-to-date vaccination before a finalist interview. If you have questions or concerns about this vaccination policy, please contact Dara Katzner at dkatzner@wexner.net.

WFF applicants:

  • Are based in North America and employed full-time by one Jewish communal organization
  • Have been employed full-time at their current organization for at least one year by March 1, 2025
  • Were born between March 2, 1974 and March 1, 1988 (ages 37-50 on March 1, 2025)
  • Cannot apply two years in a row unless it is their last year of eligibility
  • Have at least five years of post-baccalaureate full-time work or volunteer experience
  • Are a citizen of the United States, Canada or Mexico, or have documentation that allows them to work in that country
  • Receive the written support of the Executive Director and Board President of their current organization for full participation in the Fellowship Program (a letter of support will be provided for those invited to complete the full application)
  • Will provide proof of up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination (according to the CDC) before a finalist interview

All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply, irrespective of denominational affiliation, gender, racial or ethnic origin, disability or sexual orientation.

Alumni Offerings

Opportunities to learn, connect, and exercise leadership do not end with the active fellowship. Through the Wexner Professional Leadership Programs Alumni Network, alumni of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship/Davidson Scholars Program and Wexner Field Fellowship (as well as eventual alumni of the new fellowship for emerging leaders) are invited and encouraged to participate in, and contribute to, our alumni network and community.

LEARN MORE ›

Meet Our Alumni and Fellows

History & Partnerships

The Wexner Field Fellowship was created in 2013 in partnership with the Jim Joseph Foundation to focus on developing promising Jewish professionals’ leadership skills while enveloping them in a rich network of Jewish professionals. Through in-person, intensive conferences and virtual meetings, Wexner Field Fellows are exposed to Jewish educational and professional growth opportunities while addressing their unique needs of career progress.

Fellows are selected based on their past accomplishments, current motivation and engagement, and the exceptional attributes they will contribute to the cohort of 15 Jewish professionals of which they will be a part.