(October 21, 2024) — Following an extensive national search that attracted over 500 candidates, BaMidbar’s Board of Directors announced that Whitney Fisch, MSW, has been tapped to be the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer.
Fisch comes to BaMidbar from Hillel at Miami University, where she has served as Executive Director for the past four years. Her leadership has been marked by a commitment to fostering vibrant Jewish life on campus and advocating for Jewish student safety, inclusion, and well-being. Prior to Hillel, she was Director of Health and Wellness at the Milken Community School, a Jewish day school in Los Angeles.
“We are thrilled to welcome Whitney to BaMidbar as our new CEO,” said Alex Fader, Chair of BaMidbar’s Board of Directors.
“Because her career has focused on Jewish teens and young adults, she understands their mental health needs. She also brings a sophisticated perspective on how BaMidbar and the greater Jewish community can meet those needs. The board believes that Whitney brings a brand of energetic and compassionate leadership that is perfect for BaMidbar.”
Fisch will take the reins as BaMidbar’s second CEO, following co-founder Jory Hanselman Mayschak, who successfully led the organization from its founding in 2016 through June 2024, when she voluntarily stepped down.
“I am incredibly honored and excited to join BaMidbar as its next CEO. Providing mental health education, resources, and advocacy for Jewish teens and young adults, and the adults who support them, is more important than ever,” said Fisch upon accepting the position.
BaMidbar’s 2023 strategic plan outlined a path for significant growth, emphasizing educational programming and providing experiential outpatient therapy services in select cities rather than offering residential wilderness therapy programs. Great progress was made in year one, especially in Greater Boston. Fisch, who successfully grew the annual giving at Hillel by nearly 200% over four years, is similarly looking forward to growing BaMidbar’s national reach and impact.
“I am deeply passionate about this work, and I look forward to leading BaMidbar as we scale up our efforts in Boston and elsewhere in the US to make a positive, lasting impact on the well-being of the Jewish community,” Fisch remarked. “It is a privilege to step into this role, and I am eager to begin this new chapter alongside such a dedicated and visionary team.”
Fisch earned a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan, focusing on community organizing and children and youth, and was named a Wexner Field Fellow this past year. This prestigious honor for Jewish professionals provides leadership training and support and access to a powerful network of North America’s top Jewish professionals and lay leaders.
“BaMidbar continues to be an innovative organization whose unique approach to mental health is in high demand,” Fader added.
“With Whitney as the helm, I am excited to see BaMidbar grow and reach more people. I am also deeply thankful for Emily Heeren’s leadership over the past four months. As Interim CEO, she navigated the transition with grace. I look forward to seeing great things from her as she steps back to focus full-time on her role as BaMidbar’s Chief Program Officer.”
Fisch will officially begin on December 2, 2024.