Business leaders launch national network

A network for Australia’s most senior Jewish business leaders is launching in the wake of the devastating Bondi attack, with a focus on uniting Jewish executives, entrepreneurs and changemakers.

The Jewish Executives Organisation (JEO) has been established by Jewish businessman Daniel Willis, who is the founder and CEO of advertising agency Claxon, along with respected community leader Rabbi Adi Cohen, with applications now open for chapters on the Gold Coast, Sydney and Melbourne.

The pair had been quietly establishing the not-for-profit organisation since July last year ahead of a planned launch later this year, but following the events in Bondi they have brought that forward, believing it’s more important than ever that Jewish business leaders have a place to come together and connect.

“What happened on the shores of our most famous beach is beyond heartbreaking and sadly, was the culmination of two years of totally unchecked antisemitism in Australia,” Willis said.

“Australians broadly have responded in the most uplifting way and we’re incredibly grateful for that, but I also think it’s stirred a powerful mindset shift among the Jewish community, particularly non-practising Jews.”

Rabbi Cohen said Bondi has forced us to “consciously take a look at ourselves and acknowledge what it means to be Jewish – by faith, upbringing or simply as a cultural Jew”.

“We want JEO to be a small part of how the Australian Jewish business community looks forward after the challenges of the last two years,” he said.

Drawing inspiration from other powerful global networks such as Young Presidents’ Organisation and Entrepreneurs Organisation, JEO aims to scale nationally before a planned international expansion.

With only one chapter per city, and only 20 founding members per chapter – scaling to a maximum of 50 – JEO will become a who’s who of the Australian Jewish business community.

Chapters will meet monthly, focusing on professional development with keynote speakers, confidential peer forums and community impact projects, such as fundraising.

“JEO’s purpose is to give Australia’s Jewish business leaders a space where business excellence and cultural identity can coexist without religion defining the experience,” Willis said.

“JEO is not a religious organisation, it’s a professional one.”

Willis will serve as the organisation’s founding president, steering JEO’s strategic growth and expansion, while Rabbi Cohen will serve as founding values and ethics adviser, ensuring the not for profit is guided by strong ethical principles and a values-led approach to leadership and decision making.