Federation names new chief Philanthropy officer

Karyn Ullman will become the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston’s chief Philanthropy officer beginning Monday, May 23. She joins the Federation after 16 years at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston’s Office of Development, where she performed an integral role in the university’s first comprehensive campaign.

Most recently, Ullman was senior director of Development at UTHealth where she co-led a team whose responsibility was to raise $15 million annually, and where she was responsible for raising $4 million annually.

A native Houstonian and member of Congregation Beth Israel, Ullman is excited to begin working as a Jewish communal professional.

“It is exciting and humbling to know I have the opportunity to combine my professional expertise to advance the mission and legacy of an organization and community that is so deeply meaningful and personal,” said Ullman.

In her new position, Ullman is responsible for leading strategic philanthropy for the organization, including determining approaches to staffing and data, as well as donor cultivation and engagement.

“We are thrilled for Karyn to join our team. She brings a wealth of experience in fundraising, primarily in health care and higher education, that helps enhance the work of the Federation as we look to expand our support of the Houston Jewish community,” said Renée Wizig-Barrios, Federation CEO.

Ullman works alongside Suzanne Jacobson, Federation senior vice president of Major Gifts, and the rest of the professional staff team to maximize total financial resource development.

Ullman is a graduate of the University of Kansas. She is a certified fundraising executive and holds a Leadership Institute for Nonprofit Executives certificate from Rice University.

Ullman and her husband, Jonathan Taibel, and two children live in Houston.