Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund » Business Leadership Council

The BLC is at the Nexus of Leadership, Business and Philanthropy

Matthew Reiff — Thu, 24 May 2012 22:22:45 +0000

On the morning of May 16, 2012, the Business Leadership Council held its annual Business Leadership Breakfast, featuring innovator, investor, and philanthropist Mitch Kapor. Mr. Kapor’s keynote address, “Outsiderness, Success, Giving Back,” described how his Jewish upbringing fed his career and philanthropy. Mitch spoke eloquently about the transformative power of community and the work that he and his wife, Freada, do to foster it. Ultimately, Mitch provides a powerful example of the impact business people can have, not only on the bottom line, but also on society.

Through the BLC, the Federation helps promote that impact in our community. By providing a nexus of leadership, business and philanthropy, the Federation is working collaboratively to solve community challenges and effect social change. We are stepping in front and leading the way to implement innovative funding models and build the capacity of Jewish organizations.

Learn more about the BLC on our website: www.jewishfed.org/blc

Keynote Speech: Outsiderness, Success, Giving Back

Advice for Social Entrepreneurs:

If Mitch Kapor grew up with a smartphone:

Exclusive Interview: Mitch Kapor, Business Leadership Breakfast Keynote Speaker

Matthew Reiff — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:54:47 +0000

This year’s BLC Business Leadership Breakfast keynote speaker is innovator, investor, and philanthropist Mitch Kapor, founder of Lotus Development Corporation and designer of Lotus 1-2-3. Bloomberg’s Ari Levy interviewed Mitch Kapor and Freada Kapor Klein to gain insight into their approach to philanthropy.

Donors to the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund’s 2012 Campaign beginning at $1,000 are invited to register online. Donors under age 30 who apply to the BLC Mentorship Program are invited to register after making a donation of $500 or more.

Jewish Giving and Philanthropy

The Passing of Warren Hellman

No Secret for Investment Success

Our Start as Philanthropists

Advice for Emerging Philanthropists

BLC Recap: Tips for Healthy Brain Aging

Matthew Reiff — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 22:39:31 +0000

By Russell Phillips, PhD & Healthy Brain Aging Event Attendee

Dr. Janice Schwartz, named one of the best doctors in the U.S. for geriatric medicine, moderated a panel of experts on Healthy Brain Aging for our Business Leadership Council. Members of the panel included; Adam Boxer, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Neurology at UCSF, Gregory Tranah, PhD, Scientist, California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, and Kristine Yaffe, MD, Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry, Neurology and Epidemiology at UCSF. The panel discussed the process of what happens to the brain as we age, normal cognitive decline, and the causes of diseases such as Alzheimer’s. The researchers on the panel utilized cognitive assessments, neuro-imaging (PET and MRI), and genetics to evaluate brain aging, and consider risk factors and strategies to prevent cognitive decline.

Since I work in the field as well, I thought I would share several methods you can use to keep your brain youthful and your cognitive function high.

TIPS FOR HEALTHY BRAIN AGING AND PREVENTING COGNITIVE DECLINE:

The consensus is that “use it or lose it” is the phrase to live by.

By developing the core capacities that support cognitive health (for example; the ability to focus on tasks, learn from mistakes, tune into positives, manage stress and develop resilience) brain health can be maintained and even improved.

We have found that training the brain to have a positive outlook helps people better deal with life’s stressors, which can ultimately improve cognitive function and build resilience. Resilience isn’t about ignoring feelings, but rather having the ability to feel pain and anger or confront adversity without becoming paralyzed by it. It won’t make the problems go away, but it may give you a chance to see past them.

Everyone can develop skills to become more resilient by focusing on the positive.

It’s not that you either have it or you don’t. Resilience involves thoughts and actions that can be learned and developed by anyone and is achieved by interacting with the environment using strategies that promote well-being. With help from social policies, community, friends and family, resilience is more likely to occur.

The scientific evidence is clear that a positive outlook, “the hallmark of well-being,” may actually result in resilience, better brain heath, and success instead of success producing happiness.

Positive thinking drives problem solving which in turn, drives outcomes.

Russell Phillips, PhD, is the Director of Research Solutions at Brain Resource, Inc. You can read more about brain health here.

Business leaders volunteer to help the unemployed

Ari — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 22:51:36 +0000

On November 3, volunteers from our Business Leadership Council put their professional expertise to work by coaching clients at Jewish Vocational Service (JVS), a Federation-supported agency. A group of over 20 BLC-ers helped job seekers to refine their interview skills, perfect an “elevator pitch,” and fine-tune resumes and cover letters.

GET A CLOSER LOOK
See what the event was like by clicking on the images below, or reading comments from a volunteer below.

WHAT VOLUNTEERS ARE SAYING:

“I moved to the Bay Area 6 months ago from Chicago and [was] looking for a worthy organization to invest my time and energy to. I think I found it.

“[I] Spent..3 hours doing mock interviews and providing feedback on resumes and cover letters for some of the 10% unemployed at the Jewish Vocational Service of San Francisco.

There are some amazing stories out there. If you are one of those fortunate enough to have a job, I encourage you to get involved in helping out. It will be a rewarding experience for you too!”

-Stephen Kantor, volunteer with the Business Leadership Council

Why is Hollywood Investing in Israeli Creative Content?

Jewish Community Federation — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 00:19:09 +0000

On January 26, the JCF Business Leadership Council presented, Why is Hollywood Investing in Israeli Creative Content? with entertainment industry veterans Howard Gordon, David Israel, Stuart Tenzer, Oded Turgeman, and Scott Siegler. Guests learned about Israeli TV programming and how it is modified to appeal the American market. While cultural differences exist, our appreciation of humor is similar. I am still mystified by how Hollywood deals are done from start to finish and look forward to learning about this topic at a future BLC event.

I’m also eager to hear the thoughts of others who attended the panel discussion or are familiar with the topic. I’ll post the email messages I receive here, but please feel free to comment below.

Special thanks to BLC Steering Committee members Neil Fink and Ina Miller who planned this event.

- Jeanne Miller, Director, Business Leadership Council
& Community Campaign

In a global economy, figuring out how people from different countries and cultures can connect is critical. At this panel, it was interesting to realize the panelists were experts at seeing creative content in Israel that would spark American interest, while understanding those elements that need to be adjusted. They have to be expert because TV and film is a one way medium – get it right or the show fails. But in running companies, we have more chances to see disconnects and fix them. So it’s easier, except that too many companies don’t pay enough attention to getting it right, and things don’t get “fixed”, they just fester. After all, you can turn off a TV show, but that irritating “foreign” co-worker is around day after day…

– Robert Sher, BLC Member and Principal, CEO to CEO

BLC volunteers help job seekers

Ari — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 21:30:44 +0000

Mauri Schwartz helps edit a resume

On Wednesday, January 19, nineteen volunteers from our Business Leadership Council started the year by performing an important mitzvah. During a three hour job-hunting workshop at the Jewish Vocational Service (JVS), our volunteers worked with job-seekers in three specific areas:

Mock Interviews: Conducting one-on-one role play interviews.
Elevator Pitch Blitz: Helping clients perfect a succinct presentation that represents their background, strengths, and goals.
Resume and Cover Letter Critique: Reviewing written materials and provide specific, constructive feedback.

Silvia Morita-Patel, JVS Stewardship & Special Events Manager, thanked our group, writing, “It was a pleasure to work with the BLC this past Wednesday. The event was a huge success and an invaluable opportunity for our clients.”

The response to our call for volunteers was so overwhelming that we reached maximum capacity with just one recruitment email. Those interested in honing their job-search skills or volunteering in the future need not worry – we’re planning to hold similar events soon!

See pictures from the event.
For future opportunities keep an eye on our
community calendar of events.

Fifth Annual BLC Breakfast brings community together

Jewish Community Federation — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:14:28 +0000

Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg addresses BLC Breakfast attendees

More than 275 community leaders turned out Friday, March 5, 2010 for the Business Leadership Council’s Fifth Annual Breakfast. They came to support Federation, to network, and to hear Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, deliver a riveting keynote address.

Mingling in the ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel, guests connected – or reconnected, as the case may be – with one another at what has become a must-attend event. Bruce Taragin, managing director at Blumberg Capital, bumped into San Francisco 49ers legend Harris Barton, who is now managing partner at HRJ capital. “It’s nice to reconnect with some Jewish people in the business world,” Taragin said, adding that this was the fourth BLC breakfast he’d attended. “We haven’t seen each other in years,” Barton added.

In fact, the ballroom was so packed that some guests found themselves a little overwhelmed. “It’s almost like being in a foreign city,” said Jason Chroman, finance director at Streetline Networks, “where there’s a few people I know and so many I don’t.”

Richard M. Rosenberg and Ron Lissak

After a half hour of networking – somewhat akin to speed-dating, given the short time-frame – guests sat down to say ha-motzi, munch on smoked salmon and bagels, and hear the morning’s speakers. Among them were Acting Federation CEO Jennifer Gorovitz, who touched on the important work of Federation, and the need to embrace new ideas as we move forward into our next century of giving. Shortly thereafter, Richard M. Rosenberg, retired chairman and CEO of BankAmerica Corp., received the Business Leadership Award, in recognition of his commitment to Jewish values in his business, civic, and philanthropic endeavors.

Finally, Sheryl Sandberg wowed the crowd with a dynamic and inspiring keynote address that called on all of us to find the places where we can give a little more. “This was a grandslam,” said Lynn Bunim, executive director of external affairs at AT&T and a former vice-chair of the BLC. “From start to finish, the messaging was the perfect integration of philanthropy and business. For the first time, our speaker really wove being a committed Jew and a very successful businesswoman into Jewish philanthropy.”

Sheryl Sandberg and Jim Koshland

Videos of Sheryl Sandberg’s and Richard M. Rosenberg’s speeches and interviews are available at: http://www.sfjcf.org/go/blc2010
Event photos are available at:
http://sfjcf.smugmug.com/BLC/2010-BLC-Breakfast

Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, talks about Facebook behavior

David Spark — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:53:03 +0000

Just before the Business Leadership Council Breakfast at The Four Seasons in San Francisco, David Spark sat down with Facebook COO, Sheryl Sandberg to talk about Facebook, extending their reach beyond Facebook, and how people react on their network to tragedies such as the Haiti earthquake.

Ever wonder what is on the mind of Facebook’s COO?

Joy Powers — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:29:30 +0000

Sheryl Sandberg

This morning, I’m excited to be attending a breakfast featuring a keynote by Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook.

The presentations at the Business Leadership Council‘s 5th Annual Breakfast will be streamed live, and will also be available later for viewing. Regardless if you can join us now or in a year from now, you can watch the speakers and join the discussion at http://livestream.com/sfjcf

The streaming video is provided courtesy of Spark Media Solutions, Omnific Pictures, and LiveStream.

Nominate an outstanding business leader today!

Ari — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:57:13 +0000

Do you know a business professional who should be recognized for leadership in both the business and Jewish communities? If so, you have the opportunity to nominate her/him for the BLC’s 2010 Business Leader Award.

The award will be presented at the Business Leadership Breakfast in early 2010. Last year’s recipient and first person to receive this award, Richard N. Goldman, was recognized for his leadership in the business community, as well as his philanthropic service, visionary problem solving, and innovation in creating solutions for the Jewish community.

So let your choice be heard. Email elizabethl@sfjcf.org before the December 4 deadline with the following information:

Nominee’s complete name
Why is this person being nominated?
Include business leadership qualities, volunteer activities, effectiveness as a role model, and community involvement.
Your complete name and contact information (in case we have questions).

For more information about the 2010 BLC Breakfast, please visit our website.