Jewish Federations of North America are proud to announce the incoming Officers of the Board of Trustees, including Dena Baronkay Rashes as National Campaign Chair, David B. Golder as Treasurer, and Ann Pava as Secretary. 

 

"We are thrilled to welcome Dena, David, and Ann into their new leadership roles,” said Gary H. Torgow, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Jewish Federations of North America. “Each of these exceptional leaders brings a profound depth of experience, a proven track record of service, and a visionary commitment to the Jewish people. At a time when our communal needs are more pressing than ever, their collective expertise and passion will be vital in guiding our work forward and strengthening Jewish life across North America and around the world." 

 

Dena Baronkay Rashes, immediate-past Treasurer, was elected as National Campaign Chair. She previously served as Jewish Federations of North America’s Secretary and as Chair of the Lay Leadership Development Committee.  

 

Dena succeeds David Heller, who served as Campaign Chair from 2023-2026. In this role, she will oversee Jewish Federations’ efforts to drive philanthropic growth and enhance local fundraising efforts across 141 Federations. Dena steps into the role during a period of continued growth and impact across Jewish Federations, who raised nearly $1 billion in emergency support for Israel after October 7 and who have simultaneously continued to deepen investments within North America as Federations lead efforts to protect communities and address rising antisemitism at the local level.  

 

A dedicated and deeply involved member of Boston’s Jewish community, she was awarded the 2026 Circle of Excellence Leadership Award by Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Boston (CJP). This honor recognizes volunteer leaders who demonstrate exceptional leadership, vision, and dedication to the local and global Jewish community. Dena has also served as the immediate-past Co-Chair of CJP’s Cynthia and Leo Shulman Acharai Leadership Program and as the immediate-past Secretary of the CJP Board of Directors. Over a decade of Federation board service, Dena served as Chair of the Committee on Development, Co-Chair of the Annual Campaign, and Co-Chair of the Bridge to the Future Campaign. Outside of her Federation roles, Dena is a Board member of Hillel at Stanford and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), where she has served on several standing committees of the Board and held multiple leadership roles. 

 

David B. Golder, immediate-past Secretary, was elected as Treasurer of Jewish Federations of North America’s Board of Trustees. He formerly served as Secretary and previously chaired the Domestic Policy and Government Affairs Council. 

 

David has served the Jewish community of Chicago in numerous lay leadership roles, most recently as Chair of the Board of Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago (JUF). Other past roles include Board member of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) Chicago. He is the former Founder and President of Lightfall Interactive Media and currently manages family investment strategy as Managing Partner of Golder Investment Management, LLC. 

 

A dedicated philanthropist, David is the Vice President and Treasurer of the Golder Family Foundation and is active on numerous boards, including: serving as the former Chair of the Board of Trustees of Drake University in Des Moines, IA; as the former Chair of the Board of Directors of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie, IL; and as a member of committees for the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago and the Illinois Venture Capital Association. David is also a Past President of Temple Jeremiah in Northfield, IL. 

 

Ann Pava was elected Secretary of the Board of Trustees. She also currently serves as the Chair of Jewish Federations of North America’s Community Relations Subcommittee and previously served as Co-Chair of the Jewish Life Committee, Chair of National Women’s Philanthropy (NWP), and Chair of the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts. In addition to her Federation leadership roles, Ann is a past Chair of Prizmah, the Center for Jewish Day Schools, and is an active leader in her home community of Hartford, CT. 

 

As President of Micah Philanthropies, Ann’s work is guided by the Jewish values “to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” She and her husband, Jeremy, are PJ Library Alliance Partners, co-founded the Jewish Free Loan of Greater Hartford, and Co-Chaired the Jewish Federation of North America’s 2021 General Assembly. She is a recipient of ADL’s Torch of Liberty Award, as well as Jewish Federations of North America’s Kipnes-Wilson/Friedland Award for outstanding women philanthropists and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s Lay Leadership Award for Excellence in Jewish Education. In 2024, Ann was honored with the esteemed title of Chavera, by Rabbi Kenneth Brander, President and Rosh HaYeshiva of Ohr Torah Stone, for her outstanding leadership and her commitment to applying Torah wisdom in service of Klal Israel. 

 

Dena, David, and Ann join current Officers Gary H. Torgow, Jeffrey A. Schoenfeld (Vice Chair), and Julie B. Platt (Immediate Past Chair).