Samis Invests in Sephardic History and Research
April 23, 2023
Grantmaking for Jewish Overnight Summer Camps in Washington State
July 17, 2023
| SEATTLE, June 14, 2023 – The Samis Foundation is pleased to welcome Elana Zana and Hart Cole to the Samis Board of Trustees. Elana and Hart join 19 board members in stewarding the resources and strategic grantmaking of the foundation which recently surpassed $118 million in grants awarded since its inception in 1994. Both new trustees bring a wealth of professional experience, expertise, and passion for supporting a vibrant Jewish community. Elana will begin her service by becoming a member of the Samis Finance Committee, Day School Subcommittee, and Experiential Education Subcommittee, while Hart will put his skills to work on the Endowment/Investment Committee and Day School Subcommittee. Elana Zana is Vice President of Legal and Compliance at Navigating Cancer and a former partner at Ogden Murphy Wallace. A Seattle native, she is passionate about the Seattle Jewish community, and has served on the board of the Seattle Hebrew Academy, Sephardic Adventure Camp (and is a former camp director), Congregation Ezra Bessaroth and the Kline Galland Home. She lives in Seattle with her husband Josh and her three children. Elana is a proud graduate of Seattle Hebrew Academy, University of Washington, and Seattle University School of Law. Hart Cole serves as the Senior Vice President, Strategic Market Director – Greater Seattle for Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE: ARE), the largest owner, operator, and developer of mission critical life science laboratory space in North America. Hart is a recent addition to the Seattle community, moving from Los Angeles in 2017. In Seattle, Hart was a founding member of the Giving Circle (administered by the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle) before joining the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle board in 2021. Hart also serves on the Board of the National Association for Industrial and Office Parks (NAIOP) – Washington, the leading organization for real estate owners and developers. Hart graduated from Indiana University Kelley School of Business with a BS in Finance and Real Estate, and holds an MBA from the University of Kentucky, with a focus in finance. He lives on Mercer Island with his wife Karin, and two daughters, Quinn, and Genevieve. “We are thrilled to have Elana and Hart as new trustees of the Samis Foundation” said Eli Genauer, president of the board. “Both Elana and Hart individually bring a much-needed skill set and youthful perspective which will be advantageous to the foundation and their roles as Samis trustees.” To learn more about the Samis Foundation and Board of Trustees, click here. |
| About the Samis Foundation: Founded in 1994 to fulfill the charitable mission and vision of Samuel Israel, the Samis Foundation is Washington State’s largest Jewish philanthropic organization. Since its inception, the Samis Foundation has granted more than $115 million to support intensive, immersive Jewish education for youth in Washington State and strategic initiatives in the State of Israel. Key funding priorities in Washington include Jewish day schools, overnight Jewish summer camps, teen Israel experiences, and youth enrichment and engagement programs. Priority program areas in Israel include support for people on the peripheries of Israeli society and investments in archaeology and wildlife conservation. |
