The Jewish Community Foundation (JCF) has recently added three new trustees, Ben Abelson, Lindsay Fineman and Miles Ross, to its board of trustees.
Abelson is a portfolio manager and senior analyst at American Century Investments. He also has a background in mergers and acquisitions in the energy and utility industries. He is a former Chair of J-LEAD, the Foundation’s young adult giving circle, and served on the investment committee of the Jewish Federation of Baltimore.
“The Foundation plays such a critical role in funding a wide range of needs for our broad KC Jewish community that might otherwise not be met,” Abelson said. “I think of the Foundation as a critical financial support structure for the entire community.”
As a trustee, Abelson hopes “to be able to continue the legacy of excellence JCF has had in maintaining and growing its investment pool to best aid our community.”
Abelson will serve on the Foundation’s Investment Committee.
Fineman is a proud professional volunteer and has been an active leader of the Jewish Federation for many years, both in Kansas City and Chicago, and Jewish Federations of North America. She is a past chair of the J-LEAD program, the current chair of JCF’s Flo Harris Foundation and a member of JCF’s Grants Committee.
“JCF makes such a tremendous difference in Kansas City because not only does it encourage current or potential donor advised fund holders to proactively and intentionally prioritize philanthropy in their daily lives, but it also provides the tools, resources and wealth of knowledge that its fundholders often need to maximize the impact their donations can make,” she said.
“Throughout my volunteer work at JCF, I’ve been so thankful to see the way our foundation has been able to pivot in times of hardship and crisis,” Fineman continued. “When times are hard, JCF responds — and it can only do so because the board of trustees helps ensure that funds are allocated effectively to meet both current and future needs; encourages people to reinvest in our community to help sustain it; maintains a strong commitment to Jewish values while it supports both Jewish and general community nonprofits; and educates future philanthropic community leaders.”
Ross is retired from positions as partner at CBIZ CPAs and as senior executive at WageWorks (now Health Equity). He is a current board member and past treasurer of Congregation Beth Shalom, past alumni chairman of Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity at Mizzou, and is a volunteer counselor in the AARP’s Tax-Aide program.
“The Foundation educates and innovates with programs that maximize the tax benefits of charitable giving,” Ross said. “It plays a crucial role in sustaining the Jewish organizations that support our community today and into the future.”
As a JCF trustee, Ross wants “to help the community understand JCF’s role in supporting our Jewish organizations today and sustaining them for generations to come.”
Ross will serve on the Foundation’s audit committee.
As part of the Jewish Community Foundation Board of Trustees, Abelson, Fineman and Ross will represent JCF in the community, help guide the Foundation’s policies and decision-making and provide financial and administrative oversight of the Foundation’s assets. More information about the Jewish Community Foundation and how it serves the community is available by contacting Josh Stein at (913) 327-8121 or .
