Renée Wizig-Barrios has been tapped as the new president and CEO of the philanthropic organization, which looks to ensure Jewish continuity, and provides for Jews in Houston and around the world through its programming, according to the organization’s website.
“The federation serves as a connector, innovator, convener, and funder for our Jewish Community,” the organization’s Board Chair Ben Samuels said in an Oct. 13 announcement. “With the guidance of our lay leaders, along with the partnership and engagement of our great community, I am confident that Renée will use her strategic vision and leadership to take our organization and the Houston Jewish Community to new heights.”
Wizig-Barrios comes to the leadership position after more than two and a half decades in leadership positions in Texas nonprofits, including more than a decade at the Greater Houston Community Foundation, where she served as senior vice president and chief philanthropy officer, according to the announcement. She also worked as a community organizer for both The Metropolitan Organization in Houston and similar community-based organizations in Austin and El Paso.
“As a parent of children raised in this community, the importance of fulfilling our obligations l’dor vador,—from generation to generation—is paramount,” Wizig-Barrios said in the announcement. “I look forward to guiding the Jewish Federation as it grows and adapts to meet the needs of our evolving and diverse Jewish community.”
