- Meet Our Leaders
“My parents taught my sisters and me the importance of building a strong Jewish community and helping those in need,” says Ron Zeff, who was elected to Jewish Family and Children’s Services’ Board of Directors last June. “They were devoted to the local Denver community and to Israel.”
Ron Zeff and his wife, Kendal Friedman, with their family.
Ron grew up in the real estate business in Colorado, learning firsthand from his father, a respected developer and community leader. He moved to the Bay Area for college and, after earning his MBA, entered the local real estate field, where he quickly acquired a reputation for pioneering deals. Building on his success, Ron established his own real estate investment management firm, Carmel Partners. As the chief executive officer, he has guided the San Francisco-based firm’s growth into a nationally recognized trailblazer in multifamily development.
Beyond his professional achievements, Ron has carried forward the caring values instilled by his parents and taught them to his four sons. Over the years, he has shared his wisdom with numerous nonprofit boards and committees and contributed generously to causes important to his family, including JFCS. In appreciation for his compassion and visionary leadership, he has received many distinguished professional and philanthropic awards.
For Ron, serving on the JFCS Board of Directors has been an opportunity to deepen his involvement in building a resilient Jewish community. As a father and business leader, he values JFCS’ role as our community’s safety net.
When Ron learned about the once-in-a-century project to build a new, state-of-the-art Holocaust Center for all of Northern California, he graciously offered Carmel Partners’ assistance. The firm’s exceptional expertise has been integral to the project’s successful progress to date, and their guidance and support will be a crucial asset in this historic communal effort to advance learning the lessons of the past and to strengthen the Jewish Community for the future, with a special emphasis on youth and our next generations.
“What JFCS is doing to lead curriculum development and combat antisemitism in California is so important—especially now,” he says.
Ron’s knowledge, strategic perspective, and dedication to our community will strengthen JFCS’ work, particularly as we prepare to enter our 175th year of service. We are grateful for his steadfast commitment to creating a better world.