The Board of Directors of Jewish Family Services (JFS) is delighted to announce the appointment of Tanja Demajo to the position of CEO effective September 3, 2019.
Tanja’s appointment follows an extensive months-long process conducted by the Search Committee of the Board, which was composed of Shirley Barnett, Bruce Cohen, Peter Hotz, Judith Cohen, Jody Dales and Bill Kaplan. They had an excellent selection of candidates to review and Tanja distinguished herself among them.
Tanja brings impressive credentials and a deep awareness of the challenges facing JFS, our stakeholders and clients. Having started professionally as a medical doctor, Tanja has developed her career in health and social services and held several key leadership positions in non-profits, including the founding of the Centre for Youth in Serbia. Most recently she has been serving as JFS Director of Family and Adult Resources, managing complex programs in Case Management, Food Security and Housing, where she led a highly successful transformation of the department.
She is respected as an influential leader with a proven ability to work closely with staff and key stakeholders of JFS. Through innovative thinking and skilful analysis, Tanja has achieved organizational goals and addressed the changing dynamics of our community. Her work in establishing and maintaining strategic partnerships, her knowledge of issues facing low income community members, as well as her ability to develop, manage, and evaluate programs and services will be invaluable to JFS in the years ahead.
“The JFS Board is gratified to unanimously select Tanja as the next CEO. Tanja’s passion for supporting the most vulnerable in our community, combined with her deep knowledge of JFS, its strengths and challenges, make her an ideal fit to lead us going forward. We believe that JFS will advance into its next phase of growth under her leadership with renewed energy and a continued adherence to our vision and values. Tanja’s strategic vision will reinvigorate JFS and enhance our ability to provide opportunities to members of our community. We are fortunate to have such a knowledgeable compassionate leader on our team,” said Bill Kaplan, Board Chair of JFS.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead JFS through an exciting next phase. JFS is on the path of transforming programs to address emerging community needs and a changing demographic. Looking ahead, strategic planning, community partnerships and creative approaches will be essential in ensuring that JFS continues to serve our community in the most compassionate and effective way that we can,” said Tanja Demajo, CEO of JFS.
For further enquiries, please contact Jolene Robinson, Manager of Marketing and Communications at Jewish Family Services, at [email protected] or 604.226.2246.