Karen Berman

Chief Executive Officer

Karen L. Berman was appointed Chief Executive Officer of American Friends of Sheba Medical Center in June 2025. A veteran nonprofit leader, Karen brings more than 25 years of experience in philanthropy, strategy, and executive management, with a strong record of advancing mission-driven organizations in both the United States and Israel.

Prior to joining AFSMC, Karen advised philanthropic institutions and foundations as an independent consultant. Previously, she served as CEO of the American Society of the University of Haifa, where she significantly increased fundraising, launched global capital campaigns, and built the organization’s first U.S.-based endowment. She has also served as CEO of the Youth Renewal Fund, a U.S. nonprofit supporting educational equity for underserved children in Israel, and.

Throughout her career, Karen has led high-impact teams, strengthened organizational infrastructure, and secured transformational gifts to scale operations and deepen impact. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to supporting Israel, advancing Jewish identity, and driving social change.

Karen holds an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and graduated cum laude from Harvard College. She currently serves on the boards of the Jewish Book Council and Eisner and Crane Lake Camps and is a past president and board chair of Congregation Rodeph Sholom.