Biography
Wayne L. Firestone has held leadership positions in Jewish communal affairs since his undergraduate years at the University of Miami where he was a Hillel activist. Wayne was named executive vice president for the United States in September 2005, a position that enabled him to direct the organization's U.S. operations. He simultaneously served as the staff director of Hillel's Strategic Planning Committee which has developed a five-year plan for the organization. Wayne joined Hillel in a professional capacity in September 2002 when he was appointed executive director of the Israel on Campus Coalition, a partnership of Hillel and the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation that brings together 35 pro-Israel groups working on college campuses.
Wayne has had a lifelong commitment to the safety and security of the State of Israel. In 2001-2002, he served as director of the Israel Regional Office of the Anti-Defamation League. From 1998-2001 he helped to strengthen Israel's high-tech industry as founder and chief executive officer of Silicon Wadinet, Ltd., a firm that helped foster the capitalization and growth of technology companies. He worked in academia from 1995-1998 as an administrator and adjunct lecturer at Technion, the Israel Institute of Technology.
A graduate of the Georgetown University Law Center, Wayne was lead case management associate in complex multinational litigation and negotiations with the prestigious firm Patton, Boggs, LLP, in Washington, D.C. 1990-1994. In that capacity he developed international trade strategies for clients on import-export projects under the U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement.
As an undergraduate at the University of Miami, Wayne studied Judaic Studies and Politics and Public Affairs. He graduated cum laude in 1984 and is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. He spent two semesters at Tel Aviv University. He was a member of the 1985-1986 B'nai B'rith Hillel National Student Secretariat. Wayne is also a proud alumnus of the B'nai Brith Youth Organization (BBYO), serving as founding president of his chapter, Gemora AZA and a regional officer. As a student, he also attened the Alexander Muss High School in Israel program. Wayne was twice named by The Jewish Daily Forward as one of the “Forward 50,” influencers who are making a difference in the way American Jews view the world and themselves. He also currently sits on the Board of the National Associate for Urban Debate Leagues and serves on the Advisory Board of Repair the World, Mazon, PANIM, and El Al Airlines.
Wayne is married to Stephanie Krone Firestone, a foundation professional. They live in Rockville, Maryland and are the proud parents of three daughters.