David Katz is Director of Strategic Partnerships and Philanthropic Initiatives, West Coast at Shalom Hartman Institute of North America, where his work focuses on partnerships and growth on the West Coast.

Prior to joining Hartman, David spent a decade with Hillel on campus, most recently as the Executive Director of Hillel 818 in  Los Angeles, and previously as the Assistant Director of the Hillel Jewish University Center in Pittsburgh. He earned his M.A. in Jewish Professional Studies from the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership and has a B.A. in Medieval and Renaissance Literature from The Ohio State University. He is a graduate of the Hartman Fellowship for Hillel Professionals, which he credits with helping Hillel 818 create an award-winning strategy to engage students on campus, particularly the Persian, Russian and Israeli student populations.

David and his wife, Rabbi Amanda Russell,  recently relocated to San Francisco. In his free time David enjoys exploring local art museums with his young daughter, and is looking forward to getting to know Golden Gate Park and all the amazing museums the Bay Area has to offer.