Executive director of the American Jewish Committee (AJC), David Harris has headed the international think tank since 1990. Harris dedicated his life to communal work that includes: monitoring Jewish communities, combating antisemitism, advancing diplomatic standing, promoting international human rights, inter-religious and interethnic understanding. Although reluctant to take credit when it is due, it is his optimistic attitude that continues to help local communities and by extension, the world.

Bill Rhodes, senior vice chairman of Citigroup Inc., is setting up a $10 million international economics center at Brown University’s Watson Institute to honor the institution that served as a starting point for his long and successful career. Rhodes, who has gained an international reputation in finance thanks to his work managing debt crises in countries with developing or unstable economies, serves on various boards and works with a number of charities. Despite the time he already devotes to a long list of causes, Rhodes plans to serve as a mentor at the eponymously named international economics center because as Rhodes says, “The most important thing you can do in life is mentor.”

Jet-setting actress, philanthropist and author Stacy Cohen melds her areas of expertise in her recently released cookbook The Kosher Billionaire’s Secret Recipe. This kosher cookbook is like no other as it combines contemporary, health conscious fare that reflects a global influence Cohen has picked up along the way during her travels. Her philanthropic endeavors include the San Francisco based Jewish Family and Children’s Services and Israeli-based Jewish education in Hebron at Beit Romano, where she and her husband, Mouli, build the Cohen Library in honor of her father-in-law.

It was a chance visit to Israel in 1966 that influenced Urs Felber’s entire future. On this visit he not only made important business contacts but he met his future wife, Aviva. Instantly Felber fell in love with the country, and while he chose to remain in Swizerland, that first trip created what would become a lifelong relationship with Israel. Tel Aviv University remains close to the family as Aviva’s alma mater and the recipient of a $1 million gift, creating the Aviva and Urs Felber Plaza on campus. Felber also sits on the university’s board of directors. Aside from his philanthropic work in Israel, Felber is the co-founder and co-president of the French Friends of the Tel Aviv Museum and supports the annual Verbier Festival in Switzerland.

Louise Sunshine is best known as the real estate agent who reshaped the business with fine art and design when her own company, The Sunshine Group launched. Prior to finding her niche in real estate, which she found while working for Donald Trump, Sunshine sat on boards and worked with the Democratic National Committee. Recently, Sunshine has joined with New York University’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies to establish the Judith A. Banham Scholarship Fund, which will provide an annual award to one outstanding student at the New York University’s Real Estate Institute.

“We have to change our priorities, and we have to take care of our planet,” says Tal Ronen, president and CEO of Global Transformation Group, which was started three years ago to affect change before 2012, and move the world towards sustainability. “Sustainability means much more than green; it’s about waking up in the morning and not doing anything to damage the future of our children.” While Ronen –a self-styled international expert and enabler in critical thinking, strategic management and global and social transformation; admits he doesn’t have all the answers, he is adamant about asking questions and bringing together corporations, communities and individuals to find them.

“I always participate in everything I do, I don’t just give money…if I give big money, I want to be involved,” says Joel Tauber. The 72-year-old Detroit philanthropist and head of manufacturing empire Tauber Enterprises annually donates a seven-figure sum to organizations including his alma mater, the University of Michigan, the United Jewish Communities, Tel Aviv University and the Detroit Zoological Society. Tauber also actively works to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through membership in the American Jewish Committee, the Middle East Strategy Group of the Aspen Institute and as president of the Campaign for the American Leadership in the Middle East.

Growing up in the rough neighborhood of East New York in Brooklyn, Larry Simon has worked hard his whole life to achieve what he has today. Turning 65 in July, Simon’s priority list has shifted—while family will always reign supreme, philanthropy will be moving up the list. Currently Simon serves as vice chairman of the Ivy Assent management Corp., a company he founded, but hopes to concentrate his time as chairman of the board at the Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in New York.

Marisa Gobuty knows what she wants and is on her way to getting just that. The 18-year-old currently juggles academia, athletics and her faith, by working hard and dreaming big. Playing basketball internationally at 15 with Israel’s age group team, Gobuty is now pre-med at Syracuse University with hopes to lead her team to the NCAA championship and pursue a professional career in the WMBA. All her aspirations do not revolve around basketball, as she also wants to attend medical school to become a surgeon and serve in the Israeli army.

As executive director of the Global Friends of the Loewenstein Rehabilitation Center Foundation, Irena Leshinksy hopes to bridge and bring in funding from Russia and America. The Loewenstein Rehabilitation Center is known as the largest and best facility for rehabilitative therapy in the Middle East and has the highest success rate in the world for bringing people back from unconsciousness. Although successful, the facility can still grow through fundraising and Leshinksy hopes to help Lowenstein on its way by attracting donors to help purchase new equipment for the center.