Leading Edge, a collaboration of foundations and federations formed to help build a talent pipeline for our sector, knows that organizations are the sum of their people, and like people, they must constantly reflect on their cultures in order to be their best selves. Organizational growth is a practice, not a destination.

Traditional Jewish organizations are struggling to attract and retain new talent. Some have steep hierarchies and bureaucratic cultures, little autonomy for junior and mid-level staff to take risks and feel ownership over their work, limited career advancement, and low salary levels compared to jobs outside the sector. Many rising professionals are willing to take on challenging roles, but not in organizations with rigid cultures that lack collaboration, innovation and autonomy. The most visionary leaders strive for connectivity, open communication, and collaboration in both life and work.

Leading Edge established its Leading Places to Work program to support Jewish nonprofit as they create great workplaces. In February 2016, Leading Edge is launching a pilot employee engagement survey in partnership with Hay Group, in order to form a baseline understanding of what is and is not working in the Jewish nonprofit sector. 55 organizations from across the Jewish community, and nearly 5,000 employees, will take part in this pilot survey.

This webinar discusses the Leading Places to Work initiative and the survey pilot with Caren Yanis, President of Crown Family Philanthropies and Chair of the Leading Places to Work Task Force, and Gali Cooks, Executive Director of Leading Edge.