How did you first get involved with The Associated and why? 

Someone asked. It isthat simple. I got involved many years ago because I wanted to model for my kids that it is important to give back to your community. I volunteered where it was meaningful to me—beginning at the JCC, on various Associated committees and now at Na’aleh: The Hub for Leadership Learning. 

Why did you take on your role as Chair of Na’aleh?  

I took on the role of Chair of Na’aleh because leadership development has had such a profound impact on my own leadership journey. I was fortunate to learn leadership skills from extraordinary community leaders and deepen my leadership learning and Jewish literacy by participating in Na’aleh’s Acharai prgram as well as The Wexner Foundation’s Heritage Program.  

What are your goals for your tenure?  

I firmly believe that creating spaces where lay leaders and professionals can network, problem-solve, and build meaningful relationships is essential to strengthening communal leadership.  

During my tenure as board chair, I hope to continue work with our board and professional team to elevate Na’aleh as a hub for leadership learning and connection.  You can look for expanded offerings, meaningful cohort programs and informative workshops on dealing with civil discourse, board goverance and more—with the goal of empowering leaders to innovate, collaborate and move their organizations forward so together we can build a stronger community. 

The Jewish community is facing many challenges right now. What skills does a leader need today to address what’s going on? 

The challenges facing the Jewish community today require leaders who are courageous, collaborative and deeply grounded in both values and relationships. More than ever, leaders need the ability to listen thoughtfully, engage across differences and create spaces for meaningful dialogue—even when conversations are difficult.  

They also need to be resilient, have emotional intelligence, and be willing to take strategic risks. We need to appreciate that leaders cannot lead alone—we must bring people together, build trust and create a culture where professionals and lay leaders work in true partnership.  

Is there a leader that has made an impact on you. 

The leader who had the most profound impact on me was my father-in-law, Thomas Buergenthal. Tom spent his childhood in concentration camps, witnessing and enduring the unimaginable. He drew on his experiences to foster a lifelong commitment to human rights advocacy on an international scale.   

He always believed in hope and even titled his memoir A Lucky Child. Tom was dedicated to justice and making the world better—he became a renowned scholar, diplomat and judge on the International Court of Justice at the Hague. He taught me that leadership is rooted in integrity, empathy and values, and that it is our obligation to use our voice and experiences to create meaningful change and impact.  

I think about him often and the values he instilled in me, my children and the countless others who had the privilege of learning from him. 

I’m guessing you like to travel. What is the perfect vacation for you?  

I just returned from two weeks in Morocco and Portugal, and the trip was absolutely incredible—I am still thinking about it! For me, the perfect vacation is one that allows me to immerse myself in a place’s culture, history, art and traditions—while also having enough downtime to relax and recharge. 

Where do you want to go next and why? 

This summer, I am looking forward to spending a week in the Hudson Valley with my husband, kids and their partners. My kids are not local, so I treasure when we are able to spend time together.  

What do people not know about Randi Buergenthal? 

I take a pottery class once a week, and I try very hard not to schedule anything including meetings and vacations around my class time! 

You work, volunteer, you’ve raised a family. Advice for other working moms on how to do it all. 

When I master this, I’ll let you know. I think it is a constant struggle that we are all trying to figure out!