Wendy Aronson, our new YAD Director of Strategic Expansion & Engagement, began her life’s journey at the end of the Oregon Trail. Now she’s embarking on a slightly less arduous but no less thrilling adventure—no covered wagon required.

Though you won’t find it on her résumé, Wendy’s first job was her sister’s paper route, which she took over when said sis tired of it after a week. It was all uphill (on her bike) from there, with stints as a Young Judaea Camp counselor in California, New York, and Wisconsin, followed by her first full-time job for CU-Boulder Hillel.

Wendy went on the work for the Colorado Agency for Jewish Education, the Boulder JCC, and the Foundation for Jewish Camp, to name a few. Most recently, she was the executive director of Judaism Your Way, which she led through a period of transformation and growth.

With a Master’s in Jewish communal service from the Hornstein Program at Brandeis University and a Master’s in Jewish education from Hebrew College, Wendy brings a wealth of experience—and an obvious dedication to the Jewish community—to the YAD team. This reporter is delighted to report that Wendy also brings a secret talent to Jco: namely, a love for community theater. She’s performed in two Inspire Creative productions: Annie, at the Denver JCC, and in Guys and Dolls, at the Newman Center at Denver University. Inquiring minds will be forgiven for speculating wildly on her roles*: Annie herself? She has the gorgeous curls for it. Surely not Sergeant Sarah Brown. Maybe Miss Adelaide?

We might never know, but one thing we can be sure of: luck was a lady on our side when we found Wendy.

When she’s not sequestered in her home office (our resident RoomRater@ratemyzoomroom gives her a solid 8), Wendy and her partner Aaron spend their time enjoying their two rambunctious kids, Ravi and Beau.   

*In actual fact, Wendy was a Hot Box Dancer in Guys and Dolls and in Annie, she was in the chorus, which meant she played a Rockette, a maid in Daddy Warbuck’s mansion, and Frances Perkins, FDR’s secretary of labor. Not simultaneously—that would be quite an act.