Leah Rosenbaum Named JVS CEO

Hadas Bernard, chair of the JVS Board of Trustees, announced that Leah Rosenbaum has been named president and chief executive officer of JVS effective immediately. Rosenbaum had been serving as interim CEO since October 2013.

“It was a unanimous decision by the JVS Board of Trustees,” said Bernard. “Leah has demonstrated outstanding leadership. Her breadth of knowledge about JVS and deep understanding of our community’s needs are unmatched. In addition, her creativity and warmth are inspirational and her strategic vision of the direction JVS should be taking in the coming years resonates with the board and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit (JFMD). She is the right person to take the reins of JVS going forward.”

According to Scott Kaufman, executive director of the JFMD, “Leah is the consummate communal professional and it is always a pleasure to work with her. At JVS Leah is known for her focus on excellent service to their clients and her collaborative leadership style. We look forward to partnering with her on behalf of our Jewish Community.”

Committed to enhancing workforce and economic development, Rosenbaum has spent her professional career making sure people get the support and training needed to achieve self-sufficiency. For nearly 20 years, she served as JVS chief operating officer and oversaw programs to empower people with disabilities, at-risk youth and unemployed workers. She has also developed and expanded programs to help older adults find fulfillment in their lives leading up to and following retirement as well as specialized services for older adults with dementia.

As a passionate advocate for people with disabilities, Rosenbaum has developed and implemented innovative services that facilitate community integration and support the needs and desires of individuals with significant disabilities. Her efforts have made it possible for thousands of people with disabilities to obtain and keep jobs and enjoy life as an integral part of their communities.

For the past 21 years, Rosenbaum has served as a program and administrative consultant for CARF (formerly the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities). In this capacity, she consults with organizations from across the country to help them enhance the quality of rehabilitation and employment services. Additionally, Rosenbaum is the past president of the board of MARO (formerly Michigan Association of Rehabilitation Organizations), the past president of the National Association of Jewish Vocational Service Professionals and has served on several advisory Boards.