New York, March 17, 2025 – The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, the world’s leading Jewish humanitarian organization, announced today that it appointed David Zackon, a seasoned fundraising professional who has served at the organization for more than 18 years, as its new Chief Advancement Officer, effective April 1. Zackon has served with distinction in senior roles in JDC’s Global Resource Development (RD) department during his tenure, building an outstanding track record of transformative resource development, partnership-building, and strong management. His extensive experience working in the social and philanthropic sectors in America, Israel, and the UK have been invaluable to JDC’s successful cultivation of donors at critical times for the Jewish people and Israel.
“We are thrilled David will take on this position, confident in his leadership experience, fundraising prowess, depth of knowledge of JDC, and his vision to bring our resource development operation to the next level at a time when the Jewish world needs so much from our organization,” said JDC President Annie Sandler and JDC CEO Ariel Zwang. “David has been a central player in our response to major crises around the world and has a deep commitment to our work addressing mass vulnerability across the Jewish world and Israel, and to building a strong Jewish future. We look forward to working with him to expand JDC’s supporter ranks and to building on our relationships with existing donors and historic JDC partners.”
During his tenure at JDC, Zackon served as a central address for JDC’s successful navigation of major organizational transitions and global crises, including JDC’s response to multiple wars in Israel, the conflict in Ukraine, and numerous natural disasters around the world. He helped guide the organization’s global resource development operation as an interim leader during the pandemic from 2020-2021 and then again in 2024 as the crisis in Ukraine and war in Israel continued, resulting in more than $190 million in philanthropic funds raised for JDC.
Zackon has successfully secured landmark gifts from individuals, foundations, and the Jewish Federations that have impacted numerous lives around the world. This has included a series of partnerships with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ) to support the neediest Jews in the former Soviet Union, an early childhood initiative for Ethiopian Israelis, the creation of Israel Unlimited to promote inclusion for Israelis with disabilities, a network of cutting-edge Israeli rehabilitation centers for the elderly, and the establishment of Joint Australia.
“I feel honored and proud to be taking on this role at this juncture in Jewish history when JDC’s mission is so relevant and important to so many around the world. My passion for this sacred work — healing those in crisis, building back communities stronger for tomorrow, and fostering a Jewish future that is resilient and proud — is renewed at this time of great challenge and opportunity,” said Zackon. “I look forward to working with JDC’s outstanding Board, our devoted partners and donors, and my exceptional professional colleagues to position JDC for the future and be at the ready to answer the call to serve our people whenever or wherever they are in need. From Israel to Ukraine, from Argentina to Turkey, and so many places in between, we will be there.”
Prior to joining JDC, Zackon served as Campaign Manager at the United Jewish Israel Appeal in London, where as a member of their Senior Management Team he was responsible for their strategic fundraising operation. Originally from London, David holds an MSc from the London School of Economics and is a graduate of the Executive Leadership Program at the Harvard Business School. He resides in Israel with his family.
