JCC Chicago Appoints Melissa Chapman As Inaugural Chief Impact Officer
Chicago, IL (April 10, 2025) — JCC Chicago is proud to announce that Melissa Chapman has been appointed as the first Chief Impact Officer in the agency’s more than 120-year history.
Raised in Chicago, Melissa has focused her career in the Jewish non-profit sector. She served in various roles with the mission and campaign divisions at Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago before taking leadership roles at the Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region and Jewish Federation of San Diego. Her most recent role as CEO of Jewish Community Center of the East Bay in California involved designing and leading a $100MM community campus expansion project.
“JCC Chicago is the largest Jewish Community Center in North America with a strong affiliation with the Jewish Federation of Chicago. Melissa brings a robust background and skill set that will position the agency well to scale our impact in collaboration with donors, stakeholders and partners,” says Addie Goodman, President and CEO.
Melissa will oversee the agency’s external relations departments, including fundraising, marketing and customer experience, and will lead agency innovation projects and new initiatives. “I couldn’t be more excited to return to my hometown of Chicago and the JCC spaces I loved and grew up in. I’m thrilled to be joining such a dynamic and dedicated team and look forward to supporting the joy and light JCC Chicago brings to the community each and every day,” says Chapman.
Stuart Hochwert, JCC Chicago Board Chair adds, “I’m thrilled to collaborate with Melissa once again as she steps into her new role. A thriving JCC depends on a strong community, a dedicated board of directors, exceptional staff, and outstanding senior leadership. At JCC Chicago, we are fortunate to have all of these elements in place, and Melissa’s leadership will further strengthen our ability to grow and serve our community.”
Melissa will begin her new position in Chicago on August 1 with her first trip to Camp Chi, JCC Chicago’s overnight camp in Wisconsin, the largest Jewish overnight camp in the country.
For More Information Contact:
Karen Goodman Minter
kgoodmanminter@jccchicago.org
847-946-6069
About JCC Chicago:
JCC Chicago works to ensure a vibrant, thriving and connected community through meaningful and impactful programs inspired by Jewish and human values. The largest Jewish community center in North America, JCC Chicago serves tens of thousands of children, teens, adults, seniors and families through an array of award-winning, life-enriching programs, services and experiences. To learn more, visit www.jccchicago.org.