Our mission is to empower Jewish professionals and allies to confront and reduce antisemitism in their nonprofit workplaces - not through blame or fear, but through education, dialogue, connection, and collective action. 

Recent data paint a stark picture: More than one-third of Jewish professionals have considered leaving their jobs because of their experience as a Jew in the workplace. 41% report discomfort or risk of being visibly Jewish in nonprofit conference and industry-wide settings. Almost 40% of respondents say they have witnessed antisemitic rhetoric or behavior at work, and the majority report their organizations lack the policies or tools to address antisemitism meaningfully.

We know that antisemitism, like other forms of hate, feeds on societal divisions, instability, and the erosion of shared democratic values. In today’s world, it is more important than ever that we meet concerns around antisemitism not with division or destruction, but with courage and a commitment to growth. We see ourselves as part of a broader effort to strengthen society against forces that seek to divide, and fortify the nonprofit sector’s collective capacity to drive meaningful change. Creating more inclusive environments for Jewish professionals enhances the nonprofit sector’s ability to fulfill its mission of serving diverse communities with integrity and compassion. 

Our Strategy: Building Strength Through Knowledge, Connection, and Collective Action Blue Compass is the only central hub for Jewish professionals in secular nonprofits. We are a place to find community, sharpen skills, and take action against workplace antisemitism. Our strategies focus on four pillars: education, advocacy, support, and connection, all rooted in the belief that fostering understanding and constructive dialogue can strengthen the nonprofit sector and reduce division. At the core of our work are two anchor programs: The Hub and Compass Connect.

• The Hub: A Trusted Resource for Education, Advocacy, and Constructive Dialogue.

  The Hub is our dynamic, evolving resource library curated in response to what members need. It brings together best-in-class tools, training, and timely guidance to help individuals and organizations understand, recognize, and respond to antisemitism in professional settings. At its core, the Hub promotes the idea that reducing divisiveness and building bridges within organizations is essential to addressing antisemitism and strengthening the fabric of nonprofit work. We amplify existing work by partnering with other organizations while incubating new ideas and materials to address emerging gaps. Whether helping navigate internal tensions or external crises, The Hub fosters environments where nuanced conversations can happen and where Jewish professionals don’t have to choose between silence and conflict. 

• Compass Connect: Strength in Community and Shared Understanding 

  Compass Connect is the heart of our member network. It’s where professionals and affiliate groups build relationships, swap knowledge, and co-create solutions rooted in empathy, accountability, and shared purpose. Affiliate groups join Compass Connect at various stages of development, ranging from early grassroots projects to established nonprofits. In return, they gain access to a broader ecosystem, practical resources, in-person convenings, and shared leadership opportunities. 

We believe that nonprofits play a vital role in meeting society’s most pressing needs. Our goal is to strengthen and fortify the sector by ensuring it truly lives up to its values of inclusion and equity for all. We aim to create an environment where Jews in nonprofits can thrive, be supported, and connect to share best practices on how to meet this moment and challenges yet to come.  

Project Director Bio:

​As the Founding Executive Director of Blue Compass, Sharon Leslie is dedicated to building a vibrant network for Jewish professionals working in secular nonprofits, creating space for connection, bridge-building, and collective impact. Blue Compass represents the convergence of Sharon’s values and professional path—a space where Jewish identity, service, and systems-level change intersect. 

In addition to her role at Blue Compass, Sharon serves as a consultant for several nonprofits and sits on the board of American Jewish World Service (AJWS). She is an advocate for cross-sector collaboration rooted in Jewish values. 

Before launching Blue Compass, Sharon held leadership roles at the intersection of health, equity, and community building. She founded and ran several initiatives, including the Cancer Rehabilitation Program at Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Survivorship Partners, and Vaxvolunteers.org. She worked in humanitarian research through the Johns Hopkins Center for Humanitarian Health and serves as a strategic nonprofit consultant specializing in building mission-driven organizations and driving impactful change. 

Sharon holds a BA from the University of Rochester, a Master of Science in Physical Therapy and Doctor of Physical Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis, and an MPH from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.