The Jewish Board CEO to step down

The leader of one of New York City’s largest social services nonprofits is stepping down.

David Rivel plans to step down as CEO of The Jewish Board by the end of June 2020 after joining the organization in 2011 as part of a planned transition of leadership. A replacement has yet to be named for Rivel, whose tenure has been marked by an increase of fundraising and the addition of $75 million in additional programming to the nonprofit, which has more than $200 million in assets. 

“I am choosing to leave at this moment simply because I want to slow down a little,” he said. “I am lucky to have led three wonderful – and very different – organizations over the past 25 years, but I do not intend to be a full-time CEO for another organization.” 

Rivel previously served as the executive director of the City Parks Foundation, a position he assumed in 2001, before coming to The Jewish Board. Before that, he was president of the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music for six years.

The Jewish Board has more than 75 locations across New York City and in Westchester County, delivering a wide variety of social services including mental and behavioral health, supportive housing and homeless shelters. Rivel for his part has had influence beyond The Jewish Board itself, which has earned him spots on lists of the most influential New Yorkers, including the #44 spot on the 2018 NYN Media Nonprofit Power 100 and #97 on the 2018 City & State New York City Power 100.

While he has set a date for his departure, Rivel said that he could stay on beyond June 2020 if more time is needed to ensure a smooth transition of leadership for the nonprofit. He has also expressed interest in serving on a temporary basis as the leader of other nonprofits, especially those that face similar to those that he dealt with in his current position. The changes he made at The Jewish Board were both practical like reducing the number of people reporting to any one manager and more symbolic, such as changing the name of the 175-year-old organization formerly known as the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services. 

“David Rivel’s impact and achievements over the past eight years have been remarkable,” said David Edelson, president of the Board of Trustees. “David has brought vision, management excellence, and heart to The Jewish Board.”

The original version of this article misstated David Edelson's title.