Dona Standel is a leadership enthusiast, program design expert, life-long learner, and mom to three. She is committed to creating spaces and building communities that foster curiosity, belonging, connection, and — joy! After 16 years in San Francisco, she now lives in Ventura County. Dona has about 20 years of experience working with the Jewish nonprofit sector focusing on development, leadership, education, and governance. She is an alumna of the inaugural cohort of Voices for Good, JFNA’s NextGen Fellowship, Federation Fellows, the Federation’s Culture of Belonging Lab, and graduated from the Zelikow School of Hebrew Union College with a Master’s of Science in Organizational Leadership.
Learn More About Dona
Where did you grow up?
The San Fernando Valley, Southern California, like totally.
What is your favorite dessert?
Bread pudding
What’s one thing you own that you should really throw out?
Old electronics.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A nurse.
What’s the most used app on your phone? (Be honest!)
Spotify.
What’s your favorite movie?
My Cousin Vinny.
Keva or kavanah?
Keva, right now. As an “elder millennial” who didn’t attend summer camp, religious school, or temple growing up, and is now thrown into this moment of Jewish life, and approaching the “sandwich generation”, I have all the kavanah in the world with no keva. Right now, in this chapter, I am seeking keva to carry out my kavanah, and I imagine this will continue to shift over time.
If you could only celebrate one Jewish holiday, which one would it be?
Havdalah.
What’s the best thing a student has ever said to you?
You made Sunday mornings fun because you let us lead and believed in us.
What’s your favorite part about being a Jewish educator?
Watching the journey unfold.
