Miriam Bensky joined JUFJ in 2026 as the Senior Director of Development, where she leads fundraising strategy and donor engagement to advance JUFJ’s work for justice and equity in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Before joining JUFJ, she served in senior fundraising leadership roles at HIAS, where she helped secure multi-year foundation and government support for refugee protection programs across more than 20 countries. Her career also includes almost a decade at the World Bank, strengthening legislatures in Southern and East Africa, and leading a capital campaign at the Union for Reform Judaism in the Pacific Northwest.

Throughout her more than two decades  in nonprofit development and social impact, Miriam has built partnerships with foundations, major donors, governments, and community leaders to support meaningful social change. She is passionate about connecting people’s values with opportunities to create a more just and inclusive society. Miriam holds a master’s degree in Development Studies from the University of Sussex and bachelors’ degrees from the University of Washington. She lives in Takoma Park, MD, with her husband, two children and pup Olive Oyl.

Miriam uses she/her/hers pronouns.