- Meet Our Leaders
Soon after arriving in San Francisco from Ukraine, Kira, then 13, and her parents attended a large, joyous Passover Seder for families who had emigrated from the former Soviet Union. The families were receiving help from Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS) to build new lives in the Bay Area. The holiday gathering was one of the many ways that JFCS created a strong, supportive community for the newcomers.
Kira on a hike with her son, Alex, and stepson, Elliott.
That summer, Kira spent two weeks at Camp Tawonga near Yosemite, thanks to a campership scholarship from caring JFCS donors. The experience was pivotal for the adolescent. Despite the happiness of reuniting with her grandparents and uncle, who had emigrated earlier, adjusting to life in the United States was a challenge.
“I returned home with greater confidence and assurance that I would be able to make my way in this new, strange, and wonderful world called America,” she says.
Today, Kira, who was elected to the JFCS Board of Directors in June, is the Chief Innovation Officer at RingCentral, where she has spearheaded pioneering product initiatives. A respected leader and champion for women in tech, Kira is a sought-after speaker, writer, and advisor. She lectures regularly at UC Berkeley, where she earned a degree in computer science and an MBA from the Haas School of Business.
Kira, center, with her parents, Lyudmila and Roman z”l Makagon, celebrate her graduation from UC Berkeley.
“I owe much of my success to my parents’ support and their focus on my education as well as the mentorship of my uncle, Nahum Guzik,” says Kira.
Kira and her husband, Alex Beilin, live on the Peninsula, where they raised two children. They are dedicated supporters of our services for the emigre community, ensuring more families—including those fleeing the ongoing war in Ukraine—can rely on the warm welcome and expert services that helped Kira and her parents years ago.
Kira and her husband, Alex Beilin, enjoy traveling, especially when their sons, Alex and Elliott, can join them.
During the height of the pandemic crisis, moved by how many people were struggling, Kira generously established a no-interest emergency loan fund at JFCS. These loans provided meaningful help to people in great need.
“I believe in helping people become stronger,” says Kira. “Many people can help themselves with the right tools and support, and JFCS offers this help so effectively. JFCS is a pillar of our community.”
We are delighted to welcome Kira to the JFCS board! Kira’s business expertise and strategic, innovative approach will strengthen our essential work on behalf of seniors, children, and families.