ANNIE Sandler
Extending Opportunities ~ Changing Lives
vision & purpose
“I must do what I can.”
Annie Sandler believes each act of kindness and every gesture of generosity has the power to help heal our fractured world. Through her dedicated work in developing and serving Jewish communities globally, she has come to deeply appreciate the inherent dignity and worth of every individual. Her vision is to contribute to building a world where everyone can thrive and opportunities are created. Guided by the values of charity, relationship, and deeply felt appreciation, Annie is committed to making a difference.
"Seeing an injustice or a need I am able to address compels me. I can't look away. I must do what I can."
— ANNIE SANDLER
In every role, Annie Sandler’s views are filtered through the lens of a world traveler whose site visits to Israel, Romania, Greece, Bulgaria, Haiti, Ethiopia, Hungary, India, the FSU (Former Soviet Union), Poland, Manila and other locales have shaped her perspectives on her deeply held responsibility for Jewish peoplehood. Her work on the boards of national Jewish agencies such as the JDC (American Joint Distribution Committee—The Joint), Myers-JDC Brookdale Institute, Hadassah Brandeis Institute, and the National Women’s Philanthropy Board of JFNA, has provided her profound actionable insights, obtained through intense field work. Seeing, touching and feeling the needs of people is imperative to understanding. From helping set Israeli policy during her eight years as chairperson of the Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute, the premier applied social research institute in Israel, to building the Jewish Camp Be’Yahad (Together) in Bucharest, and serving as the President of the JDC, the leading global Jewish humanitarian organization, Sandler is laser-focused on investigating the needs of the Jewish community, extending opportunities and changing lives.
A WORLD TRAVELER’S PERSPECTIVE
Field Work
aMERICAN JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE
Annie Sandler was named JDC (American Joint Distribution Committee) President in 2024. Founded in 1914, JDC — the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee or “The Joint” — is the leading Jewish humanitarian organization, working in 70 countries to lift lives and strengthen communities. From rescuing Jews in danger, providing aid to vulnerable Jews, developing innovative solutions to Israel’s most complex social challenges, to cultivating a Jewish future, and leading the Jewish community’s response to crises, for over 100 years, the JDC has put the timeless Jewish value of mutual responsibility into action, making the organization essential to the survival of millions of people and the advancement of Jewish life across the globe.
“We are fortunate to have someone as passionate as Annie to take the role of JDC President. Her love of our global work, her leadership in so many roles over the years, her time in the field—all are truly extraordinary!” said JDC CEO Ariel Zwang.
Sandler’s extensive portfolio at JDC includes past Vice President, Board Engagement co-chair; Annual Board Fund co-chair; chair of the Ralph Goldman Fellowship; Resource Development Committee; Human Resources Committee; Global Planning Committee; Africa-Asia Committee; Executive Committee; Nominating Committee, and CEO Search Committee.
pRESIDENT OF THE jdc
In addition to her extensive work with the JDC and Myers-JDC Brookdale Institute, Annie Sandler serves on the Board of the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies, the Commonwealth of Virginia Commission to Combat Antisemitism, and is a Fellow of the Hadassah-Brandeis Institute, where she was a founder and President. She has been deeply involved with the Jewish Federation system over the years, especially in roles with JFNA’s National Women’s Philanthropy, as a Lion of Judah, and one of the first recipients of the Kipnis-Wilson Friedland Award. Sandler previously served on the Board of the New York Choreographic Institute, worked with BBYO Panim, and was a founder of Project Healthy Minds.
In her home community of Virginia Beach, Annie has held leadership and volunteer positions with the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Hebrew Academy of Tidewater (now Strelitz International Academy), the Simon Family JCC, The Sandler Family Foundation, Chrysler Museum, Norfolk Chapter of Woman’s America ORT, supported Richmond Ballet’s Minds in Motion, and was a founding member of the Sandler Center for Performing Arts Foundation. Annie was a recipient of the Virginia Beach Education Association’s Whole Village Award, named one of the Influential Women of Virginia, and was a Medal of Honor Recipient from the Federation of Jewish Communities of Romania.
Championing positive OUTCOMES
service
Annie's husband and life partner, philanthropist and global Jewish community leader, Art Sandler, has been an inspiration to Annie's work. “Art is the strongest example I have of passion and dedication,” says Sandler. “He stands behind everything he asks of others. He’s all action, few words.”
Annie lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia with husband Art and has four adult children, Leyla, Jessica, Max, and Dylan, and four grandchildren.
Partner in life, adventure & service
ON THE HOMEFRONT
