Biography

Wayne L. Firestone, 43, 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. In November 2006, Wayne was 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.

Wayne is married to Stephanie Krone Firestone, a foundation professional. They live in Rockville, Maryland and are the proud parents of three daughters.