When 21 out of 25 graduate students from Israel coming to New York City to meet with nonprofit leaders are women, it seems only natural that they’d request to learn from women.
Hadassah delivered.
On Friday, March 21, students from the Mandel MBA in Social Leadership program at Ben-Gurion University, as part of their capstone course, met with Hadassah CEO Ellen Finkelstein and National Vice President Michelle Hubertus for a discussion about both Hadassah and corporate social responsibility. The gathering took place at Deutsche Bank, where Hubertus serves as managing director and global head of strategic initiatives.
In New York, the students were meant to apply the knowledge they gained along their academic journeys in real-world, international contexts through a series of visits and consultations at several nonprofits. The goal of this capstone experience is to prepare them to become effective leaders in social impact management.
“I learned from the meeting with Hadassah women the importance of being connected and loyal to the mission, which serves as my North Star,” said student Chen Rachel Avrahami. “This will help me understand how to act in every future decision and to be focused on the organization's mission as originally stated. The insights gained from this meeting reinforced my commitment to the core values and objectives of the organization, providing a clear framework for navigating challenges and making meaningful contributions.”
Hubertus presented on Deutsche Bank’s impact as a social leader, including through its sustainability strategy and green bonds and social bonds that positively impact the environment and disadvantaged communities.
She spoke about Hadassah’s history, volunteer and staff structure, US and Israel programs and fundraising efforts to support Hadassah hospitals and Youth Aliyah villages. Hubertus also talked about her responsibilities as a former national treasurer, where she oversaw the budget and helped manage the endowment, and her current position as national vice president, helping set Hadassah strategy and policy.
“It was a privilege meeting the Mandel scholars and sharing my work in social leadership in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors,” said Hubertus. “The students asked smart, insightful questions and are so clearly passionate about the value of social good and mission-focused work.”
Finkelstein spoke of her transition from the corporate world to nonprofits and why Hadassah is the right fit for her. She highlighted how more than 100 years after Hadassah’s founding, Henrietta Szold’s vision and legacy of building a better world continue.
Student Michal Manheimer said, “During an exploration of New York, I encountered a remarkable feminine force — a generational legacy spanning nearly a century. This profound influence, originating in the United States, resonated deeply with my life, transcending the geographical boundaries of Israel.”
The students, part of the Mandel MBA in Social Leadership’s 13th cohort, come from all over Israel and from different demographic backgrounds, including groups that have been underrepresented in previous cohorts, such as Bedouin and Ethiopian students.
“It’s an important reminder that the nonprofit professionals rising through the sector are truly dedicated to impact and results and to creating a better world,” said Hubertus. “There is no shortage of need around the world today, particularly in Israel and the US, and I am hopeful about the future leaders, like the Mandel scholars, who will make change happen!”
