San Francisco-based UpStart has named Aaron Katler, a seasoned executive with a proven track record at both startup and established Jewish organizations, as the organization’s new CEO.

For the last three years, Aaron served as Director of Special Projects and a Senior Philanthropic Advisor at the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Sonoma and Marin Counties. His major focus was on developing and implementing innovative strategies to engage veteran and emerging philanthropists. Prior to his work at JCF, Aaron served as BBYO’s Chief Field Officer, where he developed aggressive strategies for rapid growth in participation and impact, and enhanced a robust network of 80 staff, 400+ chapters, and 800+ volunteers. In 1995, Aaron founded Endangered Spirit, a successful Jewish eco-tourism business that led environmental education trips throughout the United States, Central and South America.