Son of Chicago Jewish Federation leader to succeed dad
Lonnie Nasatir, set to take over Jewish United Fund, has served as the ADL’s Regional Director in Greater Chicago/Upper Midwest area for 12 years
Chicago’s Jewish federation has chosen the son of its current top executive to be his successor.
Lonnie Nasatir has been named president-elect of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, the fundraising umbrella announced Wednesday. He will succeed Steven B. Nasatir, his father and the longtime JUF/Federation president.
Lonnie Nasatir, who will take over the role on July 1, 2019, has served as the Anti-Defamation League’s Regional Director of the Greater Chicago/Upper Midwest area since 2005. He is a former prosecutor and served in various state government posts before joining the ADL.
“We are absolutely delighted with the stellar qualifications Lonnie brings to this role,” said Michael H. Zaransky, immediate past chairman of the federation and chair of its search committee, in a statement. “With an exceptional track record as a community leader, Lonnie will bring extraordinary vision, energy and commitment to bear in leading this Federation and our Chicago Jewish community.”
“We interviewed dozens of exceptional candidates, and were thrilled with the caliber of leadership represented,” said Lester Crown, a leading local philanthropist and member of the search committee. “Lonnie was simply the best of the best.”
The federation has distributed nearly $7 billion to charitable causes since Steven Nasatir, the longest-serving CEO of any Jewish federation, took the job in 1979. According to Bloomberg, it is the largest social service agency in Illinois.
