Shira Ruderman

Shira Ruderman is a professional philanthropist and social activist. She serves as the Executive Director of the Ruderman Family Foundation, a private family foundation that invests in three primary areas of focus: advocating for and advancing the inclusion of people with disabilities throughout our society, strengthening the relationship between Israel and the American Jewish community, and modeling the practice of strategic philanthropy worldwide. Shira received an Honorary Doctorate from Haifa University and Brandeis University, and holds an M.A. in Public Policy and a B.A. in Education from Hebrew University. She also served 3 years as a commander in the Intelligence Unit of the Israeli Army. In 2016, both she and Jay were chosen as a pair of the 50 most influential Jews in the world and in 2014 she was chosen as one of 100 most influential women in Israel. Shira serves as a board member of various organizations and associations in Israel and the United States and is currently serving as Chairwoman of the Fulbright Foundation. She represents the new Israeli philanthropy approach which believes in strategic giving, involvement and social entrepreneurship. Lead by a high sense of social commitment, Shira is devoting her personal and professional life to the advancement of a fair and just society in Israel and abroad, as well as strengthening the resilience of the State of Israel. This is done through entrepreneurship, program leadership, philanthropy and promotion of the Foundation’s objectives. Shira is married to Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman Family Foundation, and they currently live in Boston with their four children.