Ian Katsnelson
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Ian has long been a champion of the Jewish community in Chicago and Israel.
During college in Urbana-Champaign, he sought to foster a thriving and secure environment for the Jewish student community, and to counter antisemitism at the university.
When the Illinois Student Government proposed a resolution that supported divestment from Israel, Ian--a leader of the pro-Israel campus group, IlliniPAC--took a stand against it.
Upon graduation, when he discovered that this level of Jewish advocacy wasn't available at his workplace-a pharmaceutical research and development company-Ian was instrumental in fostering a networking group for his Jewish colleagues.
Ian continues to advocate on behalf of a safe and democratic Israel, serving on Israel Policy Forum's Atid, which pursues a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and CityPAC, a political action committee that aims to strengthen U.S.-Israel relations.
AGE:
23
PRONOUNS:
he/him/his
PRIMARY GIG:
Clinical Trial Operations at AbbVie
ON THE SIDE:
Volunteering!
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 10 WORDS OR LESS:
Passionate, proud Jew who infuses Judaism into everyday life.
HOW YOU JEW IN CHICAGO:
JUF's YLD! LEADS is the best thing to happen for young Jewish adults like me in Chicago. :)
WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN THE LAST 10 YEARS:
Helping to start AbbVie's Jewish Resource Committee; one of the first Jewish employee groups at a Fortune 100 and inviting JUF to educate the company on antisemitism.
YOUR BEST PIECE OF ADVICE:
Don't let yesterday take up too much of today. - Will Rogers
