Marc Swatez Named CEO of Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis

Executive to lead philanthropic non-profit after successful 2021 annual campaign

INDIANAPOLIS (January 11, 2022) - The Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis (JFGI) announced today the appointment of Marc Swatez as the organization’s new CEO.

Swatez stood out to the search committee for his leadership abilities, fundraising experience, collegial attitude and overall successful performance in previous positions. 

Swatez comes to Indianapolis from the Chicago area where he’s had a broad range of Jewish philanthropic experience over the past two decades. He 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. Prior to his role at The ARK, Swatez was executive director for a congregation in Deerfield, Ill. In addition to his leadership and fundraising experience, Swatez has worked in the Jewish educational space from the very beginning. He 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. Swatez earned a B.A. at Drake University and both an M.A. and Ph.D. from Northwestern University.

“Marc has the perfect skill set for this important position and we’re thrilled that he will lead us in Indianapolis,” said Leslie Rubin, president of JFGI’s Board of Directors. “His meaningful experience across the entire spectrum of Jewish institutions will be a tremendous asset to not only the Jewish community but the larger community of Central Indiana.”

Swatez assumed his role as JFGI’s CEO on Monday, Jan. 10, where he will lead, facilitate, develop, and execute an ambitious and innovative strategic plan to drive Jewish community collaboration and cultivation. Development is also one of Swatez’s core competencies as he has helped raise more than $100 million during his professional career with a special emphasis on cultivating major donors and foundations. His arrival also coincides with the culmination of a successful 2021 Annual Campaign, which surpassed its goal of raising more than $4.3 million, the highest total in over a decade.

“My priorities are to increase fundraising efforts, enhance agency relationships and develop more community engagement,” Swatez said. “I plan to continue to engage Jews in larger ways so they can develop a stronger connection to the Jewish community and Israel.”

Security remains a prominent issue facing the Indianapolis Jewish community and Jews worldwide. Swatez intends to combine his experience with JFGI's current efforts, led by community security director Grant Mendenhall, to strengthen community security preparedness.

Swatez also is no stranger to the local Jewish community itself. He is a lifetime Midwesterner and has family with deep roots in Indianapolis. His family members have been longtime Jewish community supporters and have served in past executive leadership roles. He says he is looking forward to being a part of the community.

“The Indianapolis Jewish community is a medium sized one with rich history,” he said. “It offers a close-knit connection that larger Jewish communities don’t have. I am looking forward to guiding the communal agenda with the ways agencies and synagogues work together so that we can continue to grow and propel it into the future.”

 

###

 

About The Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis

The mission of the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis is to promote the vision of a vibrant, engaged, inclusive, and sustainable Jewish community by serving as its central philanthropic, planning, community engagement, and unifying partner. Jewish Family Services, the Social Services Department of the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis, offers a continuum of multi-generational services that enhances the health, well-being, and dignity of families and older adults in our local community. Services are available to persons directly or through a network of community agencies dedicated to the needs of each client, regardless of religion, race, nationality, ethnic group, or income level.

Media Contact:

Andrea Kruszynski, Communications Manager

akruszynski@jfgi.org