Mark Kopkin: A Call to Lead

After years of serving in leadership roles on nonprofit boards and committees, Mark Kopkin was deeply engaged in philanthropy—but not deeply fulfilled. That all changed when a friend suggested he take a closer look at Jewish National Fund-USA.

Like many, Mark’s early perception of Jewish National Fund-USA was limited to blue tzedakah boxes (pushkes) and tree planting. “I soon realized how little I knew about what Jewish National Fund-USA does and the vast impact they have across Israel,” Mark says. “Even after five years, I’m still learning.”

Mark was introduced to the organization’s local professionals and started attending meetings where he offered insights drawn from his extensive volunteer experiences. His initiative and passion were quickly noticed, and within a year, he was asked to serve as President of the Atlanta Board of Trustees.

A driven and outcomes-oriented leader, Mark helped establish an executive committee and a succession plan, revitalized affinity groups, and introduced a policy ensuring one-third board turnover every three years. The result was a more dynamic and engaged leadership team, one-third of whom are under the age of 50, a rarity in the world of philanthropy. 

Cultivating next-generation leadership is central to Mark’s vision. “Youth need to know their ideas matter,” he says. “We’re better when we have young energy and fresh perspectives. Sticking with ‘we’ve always done it this way’ doesn’t work anymore.”

Nominated for his commitment to impactful leadership, Mark was selected to participate in Jewish National Fund-USA’s MasterClass Leadership Program, a year-long initiative that trains ten rising-star professionals and ten emerging ambassadors (lay leaders) on public speaking and communications best practices. Through this program, Mark built lasting relationships with volunteers nationwide, expanding his reach beyond Atlanta. “We’re a circle of influence: helping solve local issues, strengthening boards, and collaborating across regions.”

Although his term as president has concluded, Mark has no plans to step away. He remains deeply engaged and will be chairing the upcoming Atlanta Community Mission to Israel in April 2026. As Mark puts it: “My journey with Jewish National Fund-USA is in its early stages, not the end.”

To find a Jewish National Fund-USA chapter in your region, visit jnf.org/inyourarea