Yair Szlak

President and Chief Executive Officer , Federation CJA

Yair is the President & Chief Executive Officer of Federation CJA since May 2019. Prior to being appointed CEO, Yair held the role of Chief Development officer at Federation CJA from 2013 to 2019. He was the Campaign Director at Federation CJA (2007-2013), and the Director of Campaign Operations (2004-2007). Prior to joining the Campaign department, Yair was the Director of the Bronfman Israel Experience Centre (2001-2004), responsible for Israel Experience programs for youth and young adults, including Birthright Israel and March of the Living. 

Yair is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto and with a bachelor’s degree from York University. A lawyer by training, Yair moved to Montreal to pursue a career in the Jewish community, a passion that was ignited after being the recipient of a beautiful gift called Birthright Israel that truly transformed his life and drove him to take a role in the Jewish world. 

He is a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal and was recently honored by birthright Israel as one of 25 alumni out of 900,000 for his work and dedication to the Jewish community. 

Yair is married with two teenage kids.