YIVO Welcomes New Board Member

The YIVO Institute for Jewish Research is delighted to announce the addition of Ambassador Meryl Frank (ret) to its Board of Directors.

A graduate of Rutgers University (BA) and Yale University (MA, MA, and MPH), Frank is an international champion of women’s leadership, human rights, and political participation. She provides expert advice to women on effective communication, campaigning, constituent relations, and good governance, as well as strategic planning for effective policymaking. She is frequently invited to speak on gender, health, environment, and refugee issues worldwide

Frank is the author of Unearthed: A Lost Actress, a Forbidden Book, and a Search for Life in the Shadow of the Holocaust to be published in April 2023 by Hachette Books and was selected as one of “The Fifty Most Influential Jews in the World” by The Jerusalem Post for her work on behalf of women around the world.

In 2009 President Obama appointed Frank as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

Prior to her appointment as Ambassador, Frank served as the Mayor of Highland Park, New Jersey, for ten years, from January 2000 to January 2010. As mayor, Frank earned a reputation for her innovative approaches and commitment to good government. Under her leadership, Highland Park became New Jersey’s first “Green Community.”

Frank is currently President of Makeda Global Network, an international consulting firm specializing in leadership and media training, messaging, and strategic planning. At MGN, she works with thousands of women worldwide, as diverse as Masaai women in Kenya, women Members of Parliament in Afghanistan, and managers at the Microsoft Corporation.

She has served on the boards of many national and international organizations, including as President of The American Jewish Congress - Women’s Division; Jewish Women International (JWI); Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom (SOSS); Warm Heart Worldwide, and The Connecting Group. In May 2022, President Joe Biden appointed her to the US Holocaust Memorial Museum Council.

Ruth Levine, chair of the YIVO Board, said: “We are delighted to welcome Ambassador Meryl Frank to the YIVO Board. The appointment of Board members like Meryl enables us to continue to build a stellar organization and a Board with diverse and complementary skills. This positions YIVO for a bold future and the ability to fulfill our mission in the best possible way.”

“I grew up hearing about YIVO as a descendant of proud emigrants from Vilna. I have spent many hours in its archives sifting through precious artifacts rescued from the Vilna Ghetto, attending classes and lectures. I am honored to be invited to its Board and support its unique and expanding contribution to Jewish culture,” said Meryl.

For any media inquiries please contact:
Shelly Freeman
Chief of Staff

YIVO

The YIVO Institute for Jewish Research is dedicated to the preservation and study of the history and culture of East European Jewry worldwide. For nearly a century, YIVO has pioneered new forms of Jewish scholarship, research, education, and cultural expression. Our public programs and exhibitions, as well as online and on-site courses, extend our outreach to a global community. The YIVO Archives contains 24 million unique items and YIVO’s Library has over 400,000 volumes—the single largest resource for the study of East European Jewish life in the world. yivo.org / yivo.org/the-whole-story