HONORARY COUNCIL
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For 100 years, BBYO has inspired generations of young people to dream big as they carry out a vision for a bright future rooted in the Jewish values of Tikkun Olam—repairing the world. BBYO’s Centennial Honorary Council recognizes BBYO alumni and friends whose extraordinary contributions to the Jewish community, and society at large, exemplify the core principles of our Movement and highlight how bettering the world starts in BBYO.
AZA Alumnus, Northern Region West
The former President of Starbucks Coffee Company International, Howard Behar's career in business spans over 50 years in consumer oriented businesses, most recently as a speaker, advisor, mentor, and bestselling author. His wisdom, generosity, and level of integrity have had a profound impact on thousands of people who have been touched by his example, books, and speaking. For 21 years, Behar led Starbuck’s domestic business as President of North America, and was the founding President of Starbucks International, opening the first store outside of North America in Japan. Howard now serves on the boards of several for-profit and non-profit organizations, including Education Element, iD Tech, The School of Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University. He is on the advisory boards of Anthos Capital, University of Washington Foundation, and a Trustee for The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation. Behar is the author of the book, "It's Not About the Coffee: Leadership Principles from a Life at Starbucks."
AZA Alumnus, Central Region West
Marc Benioff is the founder, chair, and CEO of Salesforce. and owner of Time Magazine. Benioff was named “Innovator of the Decade” by Forbes and is recognized as one of the World’s 25 Greatest Leaders by Fortune, and one of the 10 Best-Performing CEOs by Harvard Business Review. For his leadership on equality, Benioff has been honored by GLAAD, the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative and Variety Magazine with its EmPOWerment Award. He is the founder of the Salesforce Foundation.
BBG Alumna, Northern Region West
Rabbi Angela Buchdahl is an inspiring spiritual leader, scholar, and advocate for inclusivity and diversity within the Jewish community. Born in Seoul, South Korea, and adopted by an American Jewish family, she embodies the rich tapestry of global Jewish identity. With a deep passion for Judaism and a commitment to social justice, Rabbi Buchdahl has become a trailblazer in her field. She has been actively involved in addressing issues such as racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and immigrant rights, emphasizing the Jewish values of compassion, equality, and tikkun olam (repairing the world). Rabbi Angela Buchdahl's remarkable journey and her dedication to building inclusive communities have made her a beloved figure within the Jewish community and beyond.
AZA Alumnus, Keystone Mountain Region
Mark Cuban is an American businessman, film producer, investor, philanthropist and television personality, and the former owner of the Dallas Mavericks NBA team. Cuban has been one of the main sharks on the hit show "Shark Tank" since 2011, and is the author of "How to Win at the Sport of Business." In 1995, Cuban founded Broadcast.com, a service that streamed audio over the Internet and allowed listeners to access live programming online, selling it to Yahoo for $5.6B just four years later. Since this time, he has invested and plays an active role in dozens of other successful start-ups and ventures. Cuban gives back to the communities that promoted his success through The Mark Cuban Foundation. A native of Pittsburgh, Cuban lives in Dallas with wife Tiffany and their three children.
BBG Alumna, Keystone Mountain
Jean Chatzky is the CEO and founder of HerMoney.com and host of the podcast HerMoney With Jean Chatzky. The financial editor of NBC Today for 25 years and the Financial Ambassador for AARP, she appears frequently on CNN, MSNBC and was a recurring guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show. She is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal and best-selling author. Her latest book is ""Women with Money: The Judgment-Free Guide to Creating the Joyful, Less Stressed, Purposeful (and Yes, Rich) Life You Deserve.""An in-demand motivational speaker and fierce advocate for financial literacy, in 2015, she partnered with the PwC Charitable Foundation and Time for Kids to launch Your $, an in-school magazine that reaches two million school children each month.
BBG Alumna, Texoma
Karen is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of the Neiman Marcus Group, one of the world’s leading luxury and fashion retailers. Katz led the company, and its 15,000 associates, through its digital transformation. She currently serves on a number of public company boards, including Humana, Under Armour, Casper Sleep, and The Real Real. She is an advisor to a host of entrepreneurs, helping them think about strategy and leadership in the companies they have founded. Katz is also the Chairman of the shoe company, StreetTrend, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Perot Museum of Nature and Science.
AZA Alumnus, Central Region East
Stanley C. Middleman is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Freedom MortgageCorporation, the nation's sixth largest mortgagelender, headquartered in Boca Raton, FL. Freedom Mortgage has been in businesssince 1990, offering wholesale, retail, commercial, correspondent and servicingoperations.
Chair, BBYO Centennial and Granddaughter of Anita M. Perlman
Ruth Perlman is a Vice Chair of BBYO’s International Board of Directors and Chair of its Centennial Celebration. A graduate of Northwestern, she is an accomplished actress and singer who has worked professionally Off Broadway and across the U.S. She feels most blessed to sing for the elderly at nursing homes and senior centers, in addition to performing in concerts and charity events. Currently, she is an Executive Vice President of the Perlman Family Foundation founded by Anita and Louis Perlman and a Director on the Board of Beber Camp. Ruth is the proud mother of Emily, Jack, and Alec.
The HAVI Group, LP and Son of Anita M. Perlman
Theodore F. Perlman is the founder of The HAVI Group LP. In 1974, Mr. Perlman and business partner Bob Rocque founded the Perlman-Rocque Company, which was the forerunner of The HAVI Group LP, a company that grew to over 10,000 employees worldwide. His business and philanthropic recognitions include the Silver Fox Award from McDonald’s Corporation for outstanding contributions to the McDonald’s system; the Anti-Defamation League of Chicago Community Leadership Award; the Jewish United Fund Julius Rosenwald Award; and many others. He currently serves on the International Board of Ronald McDonald House Charities. He and his wife, Harriette, have three children and nine grandchildren.
Are you a member of BBYO’s proud alumni community? Sign up here to receive early access to BBYO’s new Alumni Association digital portal. The platform will launch in May 2024 and will allow you to explore Alumni Spotlights featuring members of our Movement throughout history, reconnect with BBYO friends, and grow your personal and professional network. Click here to learn more.