The SF-Based Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund Appoints Nicolas Elsishans as CFO
San Francisco, CA – On April 10, 2023, the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund (the Federation) announced the appointment of Nicolas Elsishans as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective May 8, 2023.
“On behalf of the Federation and the Jewish community, I am delighted to welcome Nicolas to the team,” said CEO Joy Sisisky. “His deep experience and commitment to advancing our work make him the perfect partner as we build a center for Jewish philanthropy to meet the needs of our 21st-century Jewish communities.”
After a national search led by Heidrick and Struggles with active involvement from the Federation board and lay leaders, Nicolas emerged as the top candidate and his appointment completes the Federation's executive team as they embark on the first year of their strategic plan.
“I am inspired to support and guide philanthropists to create the greatest good with their resources,” said Elsishans. “I have spent an entire career bringing deeply held community values to affect maximum practical impact.”
Elsishans comes with more than two decades of experience as a Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer in some of the largest and most complex nonprofit organizations in the Bay Area. At Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, Nicolas managed the organization's $75-95 million operating budget and oversaw a team of 150 employees. He was instrumental in implementing two five-year strategic plans during his tenure and worked closely with the CEO to achieve the organization's goals. As Chief Financial Officer for the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, he oversaw the museums’ $68 million annual operating budget and the foundation’s invested assets of $260 million. He is also Board Treasurer of the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra.
Nicolas is a graduate of the University of Southern California and Middlebury College and holds both an M.M. in Music and an M.B.A. in Finance and Accounting.
Federation Chief Operating Officer (COO) Tanya Shadoan added, "Nicolas’s vast knowledge and extensive financial expertise will be invaluable as we progress toward achieving our goals, and I am certain his presence will elevate our collective performance to new heights."
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The Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund harnesses innovation, collaboration, and investment to shape diverse and dynamic Bay Area Jewish communities where people find a meaningful connection to Judaism and one other; and where we work together to better lives and communities locally, in Israel, and around the world. Learn more at jewishfed.org.
