Announcing the Recipient of the 2020 Judith Chapman Memorial Women’s Leadership Award

The Federation is thrilled to announce that Nancy Grand is the recipient of the Judith Chapman Memorial Women’s Leadership Award for 2020. In memory of Judith Chapman, an esteemed volunteer leader, friend, and member of our Jewish community, this award honors a woman who exemplifies significant and sustained volunteer leadership, and who values her Jewish identity and the importance of tzedakah in her life. Nancy will be formally honored at a virtual community celebration to be held later this year.

“Nancy radiates joy in all her community work. She is warm and down to earth with a strong vision for creating and nurturing both compassionate communities and meaningful Jewish life. She turns challenges into opportunities and rolls up her sleeves to dive in deep in order to get us all to a better place.”

~ Sue Diamond, Chapman Selection Committee Chair

“Nancy is an authentic and accessible leader who has been a mentor and inspiration. She makes leadership look easy. I remember once asking her how she does it and she told me it takes lots of preparation and practice. That taught me about the value of humility and hard work."

~ Jan C. Reicher, Executive Director, Byer Square, San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living

Nancy Grand relocated to San Francisco from Detroit, MI in 2004. In Detroit, she chaired the local Federation’s Annual Campaign for a record three years. Upon moving to San Francisco, Nancy joined the Board of the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund, serving as Campaign Vice-Chair for the 2005 and 2006 campaigns and Co-Chair of the Annual Campaign in 2009. She also served as President of the Federation’s Board of Trustees from 2011 to 2013.

Additionally, Ms. Grand has served on the Board of the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco as Development Chair and Vice President, and currently sits on the Executive Committee of Family House.

Nationally, Nancy is on the Executive Committee of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), currently acting as the Senior Vice President and Chair of the Second Century Campaign. She is also previously served as the Board Nominating Committee Chair, Resource Development Chair, and Board Engagement Chair.

Ms. Grand has taught mathematics, designed and implemented computer software, and instructed the Dale Carnegie Course in public speaking and human relations.

She and her husband, Stephen Grand, have two children, Russ and Lauren, and are proud grandparents of Alexis, Riley, and Jack.

Together, Stephen and Nancy’s philanthropy encompasses the local and global Jewish communities, as well as cancer research, alternative and renewable energy sources, the arts, job training for the homeless, and science and medicine—often stepping up to make the groundbreaking gift that allows a new, big idea to become a reality. A few examples include:

• The Weizmann Institute of Science National Center of Personalized Medicine, which is creating one medical breakthrough after another.
• The Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, which researches alternative energy sources and where Nobel Prize-winning research happened to create a medication that saved Stephen’s life.
• Family House, which provides temporary lodging to low-income families of pediatric cancer patients.
• And JDC’s Beit Grand Jewish Cultural Center, the first JCC in Odessa, Ukraine, which has been credited for the renewal of Jewish life in the city and across the former Soviet Union.

The best way to sum up Nancy’s devotion to the Jewish community is through her own words: “At the end of every day, you can say that what you did made a difference and gives you purpose.”

Learn more about Judith Chapman, or contact Robyn Carmel for further information.