NEW YORK — March 20, 2025: Jewish National Fund-USA proudly announces the appointment of Gary Engel as its new chief marketing officer, effective March 17, 2025. A dynamic leader with an outstanding background in strategic marketing and digital innovation, Engel will lead the organization's ambitious efforts to grow its partner (donor) community to one million supporters over the next decade while supporting its mission to attract 800,000 new residents to Israel’s North and South.
Engel joins Jewish National Fund-USA following an impressive career in senior leadership positions at top-tier media corporations, including Paramount, A+E Networks, and Warner Bros. Discovery. At A+E, he led the marketing analytics department, driving record-breaking audience engagement and growth through data-driven insights. Most recently, as chief marketing officer at FreeCast, he spearheaded unprecedented subscriber growth and engagement, solidifying the company’s position in the competitive streaming landscape.
Engel takes over from outgoing CMO, Jodi Bodner, who will remain with the team in a new role supporting strategic marketing efforts from Israel. As a 20-year veteran of Jewish National Fund-USA, Bodner led the creation and growth of the philanthropy’s award-winning marketing department.
Beyond his professional achievements, Engel has a profound personal connection to Israel and a deep passion for supporting the Jewish homeland. He and his wife, Julie, are proud parents to three daughters, including one who made aliyah in 2023 and currently serves as a combat medic in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as a lone soldier.
Reflecting on his new role, Engel shared: "Throughout my career, my focus has been on using marketing to inspire people to tune in, subscribe, and engage with some of the world’s biggest media brands. But no marketing effort compares to the opportunity to rally people around a cause as important as supporting our land and people of Israel. As a proud Jew and ardent Zionist, joining Jewish National Fund-USA is more than a career move—it’s a deeply personal and purposeful journey."
Jewish National Fund-USA CEO Russell F. Robinson warmly welcomed Engel, stating: "Gary’s extensive expertise in strategic marketing, digital communication, and brand development will significantly enhance our ability to connect with current supporters and inspire a new generation. But what truly sets him apart is his unwavering commitment to our ancestral soil and his passion for Zionist engagement."
As CMO, Engel will oversee Jewish National Fund-USA’s global marketing and communications strategy, spanning a diverse range of initiatives, including Zionist education and engagement, community development in Israel’s North and South, and world-class institutions such as the Alexander Muss High School in Israel, Galilee Culinary Institute, and the upcoming World Zionist Village.
At this pivotal moment for Israel and Jewish communities worldwide, the organization is proud to have Engel at the helm of its marketing and communications efforts, ensuring that Jewish National Fund-USA remains Your Voice in Israel.
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About Jewish National Fund-USA
Jewish National Fund-USA builds a strong, vibrant future for the land and people of Israel through bold initiatives and Zionist education. As a leading philanthropic movement, the organization supports critical environmental and nation-building activities in Israel’s north and south as it develops new communities in the Negev and Galilee, connects the next generation to Israel, and creates infrastructure and programs that support ecology, people with disabilities, and heritage site preservation, all while running a fully accredited study abroad experience through its Alexander Muss High School in Israel. Learn more at jnf.org.
