Marc Swatez comes to Indianapolis from the Chicago area where he’s had a broad range of Jewish philanthropic experiences over the past two decades. He most recently served as the longtime CEO of The ARK, a large, community-funded agency which provides medical, legal and social services for Chicagoland Jews in need. \

Indiana Connections: Father-in-law grew up here; two kids went to Indiana University; and he still has extended family in Indianapolis.

Lifelong Midwesterner: Born and raised in Minnesota, earned a B.A. at Drake University in Iowa and both an M.A. and Ph.D. from Northwestern University in Illinois.

Experience in all Three Jewish Movements: Grew up Conservative; worked for Reform congregations in Illinois and Virginia; family is currently modern Orthodox.

Passion for Israel: Spent a year of college in Israel with his girlfriend, now wife; son was in the Israeli army and now works for Israeli government.

Education Background: Worked as a Jewish educator for the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond, Va., and also teaches at Spertus Institute in Chicago where he is a faculty member in the Master of Arts in Jewish Professional Studies program.

Claims to Fame:

• Met Ezer Weizman when he was 11 years old
• Collects 1930s Mickey Mouse items
• First generation American on moms’ side and maternal grandparents were Holocaust survivors
• Has a rescue Beagle named Daisy