- Meet Our Leaders
Jim Shapiro is currently a Vice President of the JFCS Board of Directors. He has been a passionate supporter and advocate of JFCS ever since he and his wife, Sally, walked into JFCS’ Parents Place in 1992 to request some help with their baby. Jim has contributed to JFCS in a multitude of capacities from chairing the Fammy Awards Gala to serving on the Finance Committee. As Jim states, “Whatever JFCS asks of me, I say YES!”
Tell us a bit about the community you grew up in and your background.
I’ve always been quite connected and enriched by Jewish traditions throughout my life. I grew up in San Diego in a very strong and cohesive Jewish community. It was definitely a close and supportive environment, and I have fond memories of it. I’m still very close to one of my best friends from childhood whose father was our Rabbi, and who is now a Rabbi himself in Jerusalem.
After high school I went off to the East Coast, first graduating from Princeton then working as a banker in New York City. I returned to California to attend business school at Stanford. That is where I met my wife, Sally, and we were married in 1988. After another stint in New York City we settled in San Francisco for good. Since 2000, I’ve been working in venture capital focusing on funding medical device companies that make things like implants and medical equipment.
How did you first get involved with JFCS?
A former Board member asked me to consider a gift to the organization 24 years ago. I was already familiar with JFCS back then since my wife and I had utilized JFCS’ Parents Place; my oldest son refused to nurse as an infant and we got coaching. The advice worked and Parents Place immediately won our hearts. We also used the babysitting job listings back when listings were pinned up on bulletin boards.
What motivated you to join the Board?
I would say that JFCS’ service model motivated me. Clients don’t just get short-term help, they get a case manager who will work with them to problem solve and come up with a plan, so that they have the tools to succeed. It’s a hand-up, not a hand-out.
How do you encourage others to become involved with JFCS?
Besides the great community and people, JFCS’ business model is like few not-for-profit organizations. A donation to JFCS is really getting used effectively because of the mixed model between fee and non-fee services. It means that the services have to be good enough to compete with profit generating businesses, but they have to be delivered economically enough to cover those who can’t pay for the full cost.
Tell us about your hobbies and your family
My wife, Sally and I have been married for 27 years. I’m a parent of four children, ranging in age from 17 to 24 years old—don’t get me started talking about my lovely children! I’m also on the Board of Directors at Temple Emanu-El, in San Francisco. And I’m a woodworker; I make 18th Century furniture reproductions.
Anything else you would like to add?
Working with JFCS is very gratifying and my involvement is an important part of my life, and Sally’s life too. I feel that being a board member means that you truly need to love the place that you are serving and, without a doubt, I can say that about JFCS. I’m hoping to never leave.