Meet the Schusterman Fellows: Hindy Poupko

  • Team Schusterman

January 24, 2016

  • Schusterman Fellowship
  • Schusterman Leadership

Over the course of 18 months, 24 outstanding Jewish professionals will engage in a customized professional development journey as part of the Schusterman Fellowship. The Fellows come from across the U.S., Europe, Israel and Australia, and they work inside and outside of the Jewish sector.

Meet Hindy Poupko below!

Hindy Poupko is the Managing Director of the Commission on the Jewish People at UJA-Federation of New York. Prior to her current role, Hindy served as the Managing Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of New York and as Executive Director of the Council of Young Jewish Presidents, a network of over 40 young professional organizations. Previously, Hindy was a Senior Associate at Brand Sphere, a political consulting firm, where she worked on the Hillary Clinton for President Campaign. Prior to that, she served as a communications intern for Hon. Cory Booker, Mayor of Newark, NJ.

Hindy has a Masters degree in Public Policy and Israel Studies from New York University and is a Wexner Graduate Fellow alum. She earned her B.A. at Stern College for Women (Yeshiva University) and was subsequently chosen as a Yeshiva University Presidential Fellow. In November 2012, Hindy was named to the Forward’s list of the 50 most influential Jews in America.

1. What is the greatest piece of leadership advice you have received and do you use it?

Trust your instincts. I use this advice every day.

2. Who is a leader, living or dead, who you admire most and why?

My grandfather. He risked his life to visit Jewish communities in the former Soviet Union before everyone was doing it.

3. How does your Jewish identity affect your leadership?

My Jewish identity is the reason why I work in this field. I imagine that if I didn't identify Jewishly, I would likely have ended up working in politics. My leadership style however is informed by my personality and upbringing, not my "Jewish identity" per se. I don't stop myself in middle of the day and say, "what would Moses do?" I am much more likely to say, "what would my father or mother do?"

The Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation is proud to empower emerging leaders to explore their values, identity and new ways to strengthen their communities. We believe that as we work together to repair the world, it is important to share our diverse experiences and perspectives along the way. We encourage the expression of personal thoughts and reflections here on the Schusterman blog. Each post reflects solely the opinion of its author and does not necessarily represent the views of the Foundation, its partner organizations or all program participants.