About Our CEO

Ariel Zwang

Ariel Zwang is CEO of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), the leading global Jewish humanitarian organization. Ariel took the helm of JDC in January 2021, and has since led JDC’s hundreds of professionals, operating in 70 countries, in their response to the Ukraine conflict and refugee crisis; the ongoing pandemic; a security crisis in Israel; and their work bolstering global Jewish life and leaders.

Ariel was CEO of Safe Horizon — one of America’s leading social service agencies — for twelve years. She previously served as Executive Director of New York Cares, New York City’s largest volunteering organization, and was a White House Fellow. Ariel began her career with Morgan Stanley and the Boston Consulting Group.

Ariel has held numerous Jewish community leadership positions, underscoring her commitment to Jewish practice, pluralism, and the diversity of Jewish life. She most recently served as Vice President of Congregation B’nai Jeshurun in Manhattan. She has been named to several “Top 50” lists of Jewish influencers and non-profit experts.

Ariel holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in Applied Mathematics from Harvard College. She and her husband reside in New York and have two young adult daughters.