Samantha Kelman

Chief Program Officer, Family Life

Leadership Team

Samantha brings deep operational and leadership experience from across the JCC movement. Most recently, she spent five years as Chief Operating Officer at the Osher Marin JCC. Prior to that, she served for five years as Chief Operating Officer at JCC East Bay, including 11 months as Interim CEO.

Growing up in El Cerrito, Samantha has always been inspired by places where people come together to learn, connect, and feel truly seen. Early on, she discovered that supporting young people, whether in preschool classrooms or mentoring emerging leaders, gave her a sense of purpose that only grew stronger over time. That passion naturally evolved into championing the adults who make transformative experiences possible and building communities where every child and family feels they belong.

Samantha is especially proud of guiding teams through meaningful change, redesigning programs, strengthening culture, and improving systems, and watching people emerge more confident, connected, and ready to lead. Helping others step into their own leadership has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career.

When Samantha’s not immersed in the world of Family Life, you’ll likely find her cheering on the Golden State Warriors or enjoying a quiet escape to one of her favorite Bay Area gems, the Pelican Inn.