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Jessica Silver Appointed Chief of Staff
and Vice President of Strategic Initiatives
I am delighted to announce the appointment of Jessica Silver as Chief of Staff and Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, effective January 24, 2022. Her experience building relationships with diverse networks of stakeholders and driving strategic projects to success in municipal government is an exceptional match for the needs of the College-Institute. Jessica impressed everyone she met with her professionalism, compassion, and deep commitment to our work. Filling the role most recently held by Liz Squadron and open since June, we are thrilled to welcome someone with Jessica’s experience and track record to support critical projects at a moment of opportunity for the College-Institute.
Working in close partnership with the President, Jessica will work on a variety of critical projects to create an HUC-JIR for the 21st century, including driving the strategic planning process, strengthening the sacred and respectful culture at HUC-JIR, and developing stronger internal operating processes and procedures. She will supervise all Presidential Office operations and activities and will be actively engaged in building relationships with the President’s cabinet, senior leaders, and other internal constituents; Board of Governors; alumni; donors; external stakeholders in the Reform Jewish community; and civic, social, business, and community organizations.
Jessica comes to HUC-JIR after serving for fifteen years in senior positions in New York City government, most recently as Assistant Comptroller for Public Affairs and Chief of Strategic Operations in the New York City Comptroller’s Office, where she was an Executive Member of Comptroller Scott Stringer’s administration responsible for leading the Public Affairs Bureau, supporting agency-wide management, and implementing special projects throughout the agency. Previously, she served as Director of Strategic Operations in the New York City Comptroller’s Office, acting as strategic advisor and chief project manager to the First Deputy Comptroller, helping to coordinate the agency’s 15 bureaus and 800 employees. Prior to these appointments, she served the Manhattan Borough President’s Office in a variety of increasingly responsible positions. Before entering government, she served as Technical Assistance Advisor at the International Rescue Committee, providing training in organizational development to 35 refugee-led community-based organizations around the United States.
Jessica received her B.A. in History at McGill University, Montreal, Canada, studied at Tel Aviv University during her sophomore year, and received her Master of Social Work from Hunter College, with a concentration in Community Organizing, Planning, and Development. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, she currently resides in Brooklyn with her husband and two dogs.
I would like to express my gratitude to Livia Thompson, who has served as Interim Chief of Staff for the past four months. We have greatly benefited from her leadership of the President's Office during a time of historic challenge and opportunity. Her experience, professionalism, and understanding of our Movement have provided needed support during this critical time of change. We are grateful that she will continue to serve through the onboarding of Jessica Silver, and will be available for support of other projects as needed.
Please join me in welcoming Jessica, who can be reached at jsilver@huc.edu and (212) 824-2233.
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