At the Jewish Funders Network Conference, currently taking place in Los Angeles, Charlene Seidle was honored as 2013 recipient of the J.J. Greenberg Memorial Award. Charlene is Senior Vice President of the Jewish Community Foundation (San Diego) and Executive Director and Vice President of the Leichtag Foundation. Charlene works with families and private foundations to develop philanthropic strategies and turn their visions for impact into action. Charlene also serves on the board of the Jewish Funders Network.

In her role at the Leichtag Foundation, Charlene oversees philanthropic strategies, operations and opportunities, building strong partnerships with organizations in San Diego’s North County and Jerusalem. Dedicated to supporting renewal and addressing social and economic gaps in Jerusalem, Charlene cultivates programs that promote quality of life and workforce development. According to Jim Farley, President and CEO of the Leichtag Foundation, “Charlene’s creative vision, leadership, and intense commitment to justice are gifts to our local and global communities.  She has been the principal designer and architect of our strategic initiatives in Jerusalem that serve to uniquely honor the Leichtag legacy. In every way she has brought importance to, and respect for, our work.”

The J.J. Greenberg Memorial Award was established in 2002 to honor foundation professionals age 40 and under who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership in the field of Jewish philanthropy. Created and endowed as a memorial to Jonathan Joseph Greenberg, who served as executive director of the Steinhardt Foundation/Jewish Life Network (JLN) from its inception in 1995, this award recognizes one individual annually who has exemplified the highest of Jewish values and the relentless pursuit of excellence in all aspects of life.