The board of directors of Hillel of San Diego is delighted to welcome Karen Parry, who has worked in key development and education roles, as Executive Director of Hillel of San Diego.

Karen was selected after a national search and competitive selection process from a strong field of Jewish leaders.
“Karen Parry’s track record of community building and financial resource development, her natural talent and her passion for Jewish life make her an ideal leader,” said Todd Kirschen, Hillel of San Diego’s President.

Karen is currently Development Director for the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle where she oversees fundraising and marketing strategy. During her three years of leadership, the Federation’s campaign grew 8% in total dollars and 17% in total donors. Previously, she served as Education Director at Temple Adat Shalom in Poway, and she got her start in Jewish youth engagement as the Teen Director, JCC Maccabi Games Delegation Head, and Assistant Camp Jaycee Director at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center.

Karen earned a coveted spot in the national Wexner Field Fellowship, a prestigious executive leadership program for emerging leaders in Jewish communal service. She was also named a JCCA Merrin Teen Professionals Fellow and served on URJ’s Community of Practice in Congregational Education. Karen was honored as a 2012 Woman of Valor at the San Diego Jewish Arts Festival.

Hillel of San Diego represents a homecoming for Karen, who earned her undergraduate degree at UC San Diego, and where she participated in Hillel. She earned a master’s degree in education at NYU.

“I remember my Hillel experience as a student at UCSD with joy,” Parry said. “Now more than ever, Hillel is a critical force in ensuring our collective Jewish future. I look forward to leading this remarkable organization and supporting the Jewish journeys of the next generation of college students in San Diego.”

A native of San Diego, Karen returns to her roots with her family – her toddler daughter, Emily, her husband, T.J., and their beagle, Percy.

Friends of Hillel of San Diego are invited to an October virtual gathering in the Sukkah to meet Karen and her family. Click here to pre-register to receive information about this special event.

Hillel of San Diego encourages students of all backgrounds to form deep, personal connections to Jewish life, learning and Israel. It operates Hillel at UC San Diego, Hillel at SDSU, and Hillel at University of San Diego.