Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Kryshka.
Jennifer, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have been a feminist since childhood, even though I didn’t have the language for what I experienced until I was in college taking Women’s Studies classes, which is when my whole world really changed. I learned so much and met the most amazing women who shared my passion for social justice and wanted to make a real difference. Together with three of my friends and classmates, we co-founded a chapter of Feminist Majority at UCF, and I was co-president for four years.
After I graduated, I knew I wanted to find a career that was focused on social justice or advocacy in some way, and eventually, I found a graduate program in Nonprofit Management at FAU which felt like the right path for me. I started working for the Jewish Federation of Broward County and I’ve been working in the Jewish community ever since. Simultaneously, I was volunteering for Planned Parenthood and other reproductive rights organizations, which I continue to support even now. One of my good friends, who I met in graduate school, was involved with JWF, and when the then director was looking for someone to oversee their grantmaking process, my friend encouraged me to apply. I was hired in 2014, and since then, I have held several positions at JWF. I became CEO in January 2019, and I say with all sincerity that I have never loved a job or an organization more.
Has it been a smooth road?
I feel very grateful to be where I am today, and I owe a lot of my success to the support of friends and colleagues who encouraged me when I doubted my abilities or knowledge. When my friend first suggested I apply for the position with JWF, my immediate reaction was, I am not qualified for this role and don’t really know much about philanthropy. She pushed me to apply and convinced me I had relevant experience and could learn whatever I didn’t know, and she was right. Women constantly struggle with impostor syndrome and too often lack the self-confidence needed to negotiate a higher salary or apply for jobs where they don’t have 100% of the criteria listed. Women need to support each other and mentor other women whenever they can.
We’d love to hear more about your foundation.
Jewish Women’s Foundation of the Greater Palm Beaches (JWF) is a feminist social change foundation dedicated to advancing the status of women and girls in the US and Israel, which we accomplish through strategic grantmaking, advocacy and education, and leadership development. Many things set JWF apart, including our focus on social change – long term, systemic change – rather than direct service support.
Another way JWF is unique is our inclusive grantmaking process. Women who want to deeply invest in our mission can become trustees, which is a financial commitment for three years and allows them to sit on our committees, including the Grants Committee. Trustees have the ability to read proposals, interview organizations, and decide what projects their dollars support, which is very meaningful and a unique feature of our foundation.
The women who are involved with, and attracted to, JWF is the most generous, passionate, smart, thoughtful people who care deeply about improving opportunities for other women and girls and are willing to devote their time as well as their dollars to creating change.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I think Palm Beach County and the greater Palm Beach area is a wonderful place to be, full of philanthropic individuals and families who invest in the community and want to see it thrive.
Pricing:
- Trustee membership is a commitment of $6,000, which can be paid over 3 years
- Trustee membership for women 40 and younger is $3,000, payable over 3 years
Contact Info:
- Address: 500 S. Australian Ave., 5th Floor
West Palm Beach, FL 33401 - Website: jwfpalmbeach.org
- Phone: (561) 275-2200
- Email: info@jwfpalmbeach.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jwf_palmbeach/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/jwfpalmbeach
Image Credit:
Tracey Benson
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