A Leadership Transition Rooted in Strength and Continuity

On behalf of the Camp Tawonga Board of Directors, I am writing to share news of a leadership transition that reflects Tawonga’s strength, stability, and deep bench of leadership.

This spring, Becca Meyer, Tawonga’s CEO, will transition into a national leadership role as Chief Impact Officer at  Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC). In this position, Becca will expand her impact across the Jewish camp movement, supporting camps throughout North America — including Tawonga — with strategy, resources, and vision. Becca was selected after a highly competitive national search, and her purview at FJC will span talent, training, grantmaking, research, and network engagement and convening, with responsibility for advancing an ambitious strategy and driving integration and impact across these areas. While we will miss her dearly, Becca’s move is a win for the entire field of Jewish camping, and we look forward to partnering with Becca in her new role!

To ensure continuity and mission alignment, the Board has enthusiastically appointed longtime Tawonga leader Ryley Katz to serve as Interim CEO, effective March 1, 2026.

Ryley brings nearly two decades of leadership in youth development and nonprofit innovation, along with deep institutional knowledge of Camp Tawonga. A lifelong Tawongan, Ryley first came to camp as a camper in the 1990s, later serving as a counselor and unit leader before joining the professional team in 2006. Over the past 19 years, including the last three years as Senior Director of Programs and Innovation, Ryley has played a central role in shaping Tawonga’s programs, partnerships, and long-term strategy, earning deep trust across staff, families, alumni, and community partners.

If you were a camper or parent, like me, between 2006 and 2015, there’s a good chance Ryley helped place you in your bunk, guided your family through the camp experience, or patiently answered questions with empathy and care. Known for her ability to listen deeply, solve complex logistical puzzles, and bring creativity and warmth to everything she does, Ryley has led family camps, camper care, marketing, enrollment, and many of Tawonga’s “down-the-mountain” programs. In her current role, she has overseen all non-summer programming while helping shape Tawonga’s long-term strategy.

Reflecting on this next chapter, Ryley shared, “I am honored to take on this role and to steward this transition alongside an exceptional leadership team. I will deeply miss working day to day with Becca. Our partnership and her wisdom have meant so much to me, and I step into this next chapter with gratitude, confidence, and deep care for the Tawonga community.”

Becca has been part of Tawonga’s year-round team for 18 years, including the past three as CEO — and seven years before that as Camp Director. Brilliant and extraordinarily talented, she fueled Tawonga’s evolution into a year-round organization, pioneered our inclusion work, and inspired generations of summer staff year after year.

As CEO, Becca guided Tawonga through moments of growth, challenge, and change with steady leadership and intention. She strengthened the organization’s long-term sustainability, expanded year-round and family programming, and helped grow Tawonga’s reach to serve more than 1,000 additional children, teens, and families each year, while also helping to close an ambitious $18 million capital campaign.

Many know Becca as the inspiring Tawongan leading Kabbalat Shabbat and Torah services, guiding every participant to feel a soulful, spiritual connection that is core to our mission. She was also a major driver in the creation of the Garden Kitchen, which opened in the 2025 season, bringing to life a farm-to-table culinary program she championed for a decade. Because of Becca’s leadership, Tawonga is strong, healthy, and ready for what’s next, and we are deeply grateful for the lasting impact she leaves on this community.

“Tawonga is and always will be my Jewish home, and leading this organization has been the greatest gift of my career,” Becca said. “While it’s bittersweet to step away from this phenomenal professional team, I do so with complete confidence and deep gratitude, knowing that after decades working in true partnership with Ryley and Aaron, Tawonga is in the very best hands.”

Longtime Tawonga leader Aaron Mandel will continue in his role as Camp Director, where he has led Tawonga’s summer programs with excellence for nearly two decades. With 19 years on Tawonga’s year-round team and 25 summers working at camp, Aaron provides critical continuity and programmatic strength during this transition.

This leadership transition is the result of a collaborative and intentional process led jointly by Becca, Ryley, and the Board of Directors. To support both the interim period and the search for permanent leadership, the Board has formed a Transition Committee that will steward the process thoughtfully and responsibly. Tawonga’s mission, programs, values, safety, and culture remain unchanged.

With a 100th anniversary under our belt, this moment reflects Tawonga’s organizational strength: a visionary CEO stepping into national leadership, a trusted internal leader guiding the organization forward, and a committed board carefully stewarding what comes next. In the months ahead, we look forward to sharing more about opportunities to honor Becca’s leadership and celebrate this next chapter together.

Thank you, as always, for your trust, partnership, and love for Camp Tawonga.

Sincerely,

Lena Brook
President, Board of Directors