Growing up in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio, Nancy Krent was exposed to a very strong sense of Jewish community from a young age. Both of Nancy’s parents were deeply involved in the Federation, their synagogue and the broader Jewish community of Cleveland, and they encouraged her to get involved as well. In the Hebrew high school Nancy attended, her mom taught a course called “Jewish Community of Cleveland”, in which you had to volunteer at Jewish agencies throughout the city. This was where Nancy was initially introduced to philanthropy.

When she moved to Chicago, Nancy began working for Hodges, Loizzi, Eisenhammer, Rodick and Kohn, a law firm that specializes in representing schools and other public bodies. In her over thirty years as an attorney, Nancy’s work gave her a better understanding of the organizations that serve our communities. She carries that knowledge into JWF’s work supporting the organizations that aid the needs of so many women and girls.

For Nancy, JWF is more than just a philanthropic organization, it’s a community of dedicated women who aim to create lasting social change.

JWF offers Nancy a meaningful way to channel her passion for protecting at-risk communities, while living out the Jewish and philanthropic values that have shaped her identity. For her, there is no separation between giving and living Jewishly: they are one and the same.

What sets JWF apart, in Nancy’s eyes, is its emphasis on engagement. It is not just about writing a check, it is about showing up, asking hard questions, being willing to learn, and working collaboratively to drive impact. The foundation empowers women to be active participants in the change they want to see.

As a leader within JWF, Nancy is especially passionate about fostering a culture of empowerment. Her goal is to inspire others to bring their full selves to their work, so they, in turn, can uplift the next generation of Jewish women and girls.