Our Leadership

President

Executive Director

Yael Eckstein has served on the Board of Directors for IFCJ Canada since 2015. In June 2019, following the unexpected death of her father, Rabbi Eckstein, she succeeded him in his role and became President of IFCJ Canada.

Yael oversees all programs for IFCJ Canada while serving as the international spokesperson for the organization. A tireless advocate of the Jewish people, she has been a frequent and influential voice combatting anti-Semitism. Yael is a hands-on executive, often found greeting olim (immigrants) upon their arrival to Israel, visiting with elderly Holocaust survivors in their homes, or distributing food to those in need.

Based in Israel with her husband and their four children, Yael is a native of Chicago, and was educated at both U.S. and Israeli institutions, including biblical studies at Torat Chesed Seminary in Israel, Jewish and sociology studies at Queens College in New York, and additional study at Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

With over a decade of non-profit experience in multiple roles, Yael has the rare distinction of being a woman leading one of the world’s largest religious charitable organizations.

Jackie started her career with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews of Canada as the Executive Assistant and Stewardship Associate over 10 years ago. During this time she has held progressively senior roles in the areas of donor relations, operations management, and program compliance. She credits the successes of her experience to learning and working with some of the smartest people in the non-profit industry. Jackie has held the position of Executive Director since 2020 and believes that the best experiences happen through being flexible, adaptable, agile and motivated. She lives in Toronto proper along with her dog, Jimmy.

Mark brings more than 40 years of experience building and leading community, national, and international organizations to his role of Chair of the IFCJ Canada Board of Directors. From 2003-2018, Mark passionately served alongside Rabbi Eckstein and Yael Eckstein in many global and national development roles at IFCJ Canada. Mark is currently the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Smile Officer of Operation Smile Canada Foundation. Operation Smile is one of the world’s largest volunteer-delivered global medical charities serving children born with cleft conditions living in low- and middle-income countries.

“One the many things Rabbi Eckstein taught me over the years was to always try my best to ‘raise the bar’ just a wee bit higher, and then some — every day. A small incremental increase in sharing God’s love each day multiplies in ways we can only experience together. No person should ever be without food, shelter, clothing and fellowship.”

Igor Korenzvit immigrated to Canada from Kyiv, Ukraine in 1973 along with his mother and sister. He received a Master’s and a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from Kyiv Polytechnical University. In 1975, Igor was accepted to the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario, and was the first engineer from the Soviet Union accepted without exams because of his technical publications and patents. Igor founded IKOR Inc., and is presently CEO and Chair of the Board of IKOR Group of Companies. Igor has also served on the board of directors of many charitable organizations including the Jewish National Fund, Jewish Vocational Services, Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto, Jewish Immigrant Aid Services, UJA Federation, Canadian Jewish Congress, and Canadian Friends of Tel Aviv University. He is presently Chair of the Jewish Russian Community of Ontario. For his work in the charitable sector, Igor received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Igor lives in Toronto with his wife, Bonnie. They have two children and four grandchildren.

Karen Willson is an accomplished leader with over 30 years’ experience and has recently retired as a Partner at KCI, Canada's leading non-profit consultants. Renowned for her strategic direction to hundreds of charitable organizations, Karen has provided guidance to organizations such as World Vision and The Salvation Army. She has been a sought-after speaker at non-profit conferences and has facilitated strategic planning exercises, board training and visioning exercises for esteemed entities. Karen holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Waterloo, a Public Relations Certificate from Humber College, and holds an Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive (ACFRE) title. She serves on charitable boards for Toronto Youth for Christ and Intriciti Ministries and is a member of Spring Garden Baptist Church.

Robin Van Etten has over 25 years experience in direct response marketing and fundraising. Robin brings extensive experience in non-profit management having held leadership positions at Save the Children and other charities. Robin joined the International Fellowship of Christians & Jews, Inc. (IFCJ US) in 2017 as Vice President of Integrated Fundraising and is now the Global Chief Operating Officer of IFCJ US where she leads the organizational strategy and vision.

Rabbi N. Daniel Korobkin is mara d’asra (senior rabbi) of Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto Congregation. He received his rabbinic ordination from HaRav Yaakov Ruderman zt”l, of Ner Israel Rabbinic College. Rabbi Korobkin has served pulpits in major cities across the United States and holds a Master of Science degree from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory Graduate School. He also received a Master of Arts degree in Medieval Jewish and Islamic Thought from UCLA. Rabbi Korobkin is the translator and annotator of the Feldheim edition of Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi’s Kuzari and is the current president of the Rabbinical Council of America, the largest fraternal order of Orthodox rabbis in North America.

Henry Schnurbach is a strategic business leader with extensive experience in marketing, manufacturing and distribution with both public and private companies. Henry is a crisis management expert and is skilled in sales, financial management and operation efficiencies. He is the President and Founder of Covertech Industries Limited where he oversees sales, production, product development servicing the swimming pool and construction markets across North America. Henry has a Bachelor of Communications Degree from Concordia University and has served as a President/Board member of B’Nai Brith, Simon Wiesenthal Centre, and was Director of Kibbutz Grofit (Child Therapy Academy) in Israel. He lives in Toronto with his family.

Director

Jacob “Jacky” Schimmel co-Chairs UKI Investments the Schimmel family’s investment arm. After graduating in law and philosophy from UCL and King’s College London, Jacob forged his career within the family business and has spent more than 20 years at its forefront. In addition to his business activities, Jacob serves as Chair of a number of Schimmel Family Foundations, including Chairman of The ImagineNations Group, Board Member (and past Vice President) of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Chairman of The United Way IsraelMatan and Trustee of Girl Effect.

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