Supporting Ambassadorship Through Sport

The start of a generational shift in Jewish sports representation.

Sport as a Pathway to Ambassadorship

Sports enables people of all ages to represent themselves, their people, and their community. AJA seeks to allow members of the Jewish community, for so long underrepresented in sport, to build bridges and fight antisemitism through the pursuit of athletic accomplishment.

Meet Our Selection Committee

  • Donna Orender

    Donna Orender—accomplished professional basketball player and sports executive. Formerly president of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), and senior vice president of the PGA. Currently, Orender is the founder and CEO of Orender Unlimited, a Jacksonville, FL based advisory and consultancy firm. She travels the world as a motivational speaker and advocating for the empowerment of women and young girls through her non-profit organization Generation W.

  • Mark Wilf

    Mark Wilf is an American businessman who is the owner/president of the Minnesota Vikings, and owner/chairman of Orlando City SC. He served as National Campaign Chairman for the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) and was elected Chair of their Board of Trustees in 2018. In 2022, he was elected Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency.

  • Joel Mael

    Joel Mael was a co-founder of the investment and merchant banking firm of Tallwood Associates in 1990. He serves on the boards of some local and national Jewish charities.

    Mr. Mael had been the Vice Chairman of the Miami Marlins baseball team from 2002 until 2017 when the team was sold. He was involved in all aspects of the business and baseball operations and helps formulate all strategic and financial planning. Prior to joining the Marlins, Mael worked with the Montreal Expos organization, as a financial advisor, for three years.