Karyn Ullman to Become Federation Chief Philanthropy Officer
(May 12, 2022) – The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston is pleased to announce that Karyn Ullman will take on the role of Chief Philanthropy Officer beginning on May 23. She joins the Federation after 16 years at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston’s (UTHealth) Office of Development where she played an integral role in the university’s first comprehensive campaign.
Most recently, Ullman held the role of Senior Director of Development at UT Health where she co-led a team responsible for raising $15 million annually, and where she herself 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 that 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,” shared Karyn.
In her new role, Ullman will be 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 healthcare and higher education, that will help enhance the work of the Federation as we look to expand our support of the Houston Jewish community,” said Federation CEO Renée Wizig-Barrios.
Ullman will work alongside Federation Senior Vice President of Major Gifts Suzanne Jacobson and the rest of the professional staff team to maximize total financial resource development.
She is a graduate of the University of Kansas. Ullman is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and holds a Leadership Institute for Nonprofit Executives (LINE) certificate from Rice University.
Ullman and her husband, Jonathan Taibel, and two children live in Houston.