JFS is proud to announce that JFS Richmond CEO, Wendy Kreuter, has been named a recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Women Award by the Richmond YWCA.
Wendy is one of nine women in leadership across the Richmond Region recognized for their bold leadership, making change and empowering women in their fields.
Wendy became JFS CEO in 2016 after a successful 12-year career at the Faison Center. During her tenure at Faison, the Center’s facilities expanded to offer new programs and increased classroom options to a rapidly growing student population resulting in the Faison Center campus at Willow Lawn.
Under Wendy’s leadership, JFS has grown in services offered, number of staff, and impact in the community.
Since its founding, JFS has consistently adapted to meet the evolving needs of the community.
-In 2018, JFS partnered with the Federation and Mark and Susan Sisisky to launch the Jewish Care Line, offering support to Jewish individuals and families in crisis.
-During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, JFS continued its services, echoing the leadership of Zipporah Cohen during the 1914 Spanish Flu.
-In 2022, JFS welcomed Ukrainian refugees and expanded its counseling services to include memory assessments.
– The following year, JFS partnered with Beth Sholom Senior Living to create Kirva Hospice, an in-home hospice rooted in Jewish traditions.
– In 2024, JFS celebrated its 175th anniversary, providing nearly 120,000 hours of care and launching new programs, including FAMILIES, a caregiver support initiative for those caring for loved ones with dementia, and services to help foster teens find family-based homes.
-This year, JFS will launch the CAPABLE program sponsored by Beth Sholom, supporting older adults to live independently at home with the help of medical professionals and home repair services.
Please join us in congratulating Wendy on this very well-deserved recognition!
