The Professional Leaders (PLP) to Phase Out Its Operations

The Professional Leaders Project (PLP) will phase out its operations effective August 31, 2009. Created in 2004, PLP’s mission is “turning leadership over to the next generation.” PLP is the first high-end Talent pool of outstanding volunteer and professional leaders, in their mid-20’s – early 30’s for the American Jewish community. PLP’s impact has been highly acclaimed by key foundations, organizations and top community leaders across the country.

Rhoda M. Weisman, Founding Executive Director, stated, “The Jewish community’s greatest resource is its human capital and in the case of PLP, we have identified, trained and placed Gen Y Talent in top leadership roles across the country. The investment in PLP and its Talent will be a lasting one. We are saddened to phase out the Professional Leaders Project due to today’s economic climate. And, we hope to resume it in the future with the support of the community and our active group of philanthropists.”

PLP has been made possible by the extraordinary vision and support of its co-founders: William M. Davidson (z”l), Michael Steinhardt/The Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life, Eugene & Marcia Applebaum, Charles & Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, Robert P. Aronson and Rhoda M. Weisman, Founding Executive Director.

PLP’s cornerstone leadership initiatives have put Gen Y Talent on the national agenda, and include the biennial national ThinkTank conferences, LiveNetworks, an intensive series of seminars with individual coaching and mentoring, and the prestigious Academic Fellowship, full-tuition scholarships for graduate students and placement in executive-level careers in the Jewish community.

“PLP will continue to live on through its professional and volunteer Talent in new and established organizations. Examples range from Hillel to Jews United for Justice, the Jewish Federation to Hazon, Birthright Israel Next to Moishe House and much more. PLP expanded its initial vision by developing not 500, but 1,000 Talent in 5 years, and becoming a recognized expert on Gen Y Jewish leadership,” said Rhoda M. Weisman.