The Power Of Giving Back

<p>Jon talks with Matthew Lester, President, Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, and Dennis Bernard, President, United Jewish Fund. They talk about leadership, mentorship, and the power of giving back. They also discuss how Matthew and Dennis balance their community responsibility with family responsibility and running their own businesses.</p> <p>Matthew B. Lester<br /> Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Princeton Enterprises, L.L.C.</p> <p>In 1994, Matthew B. Lester founded Princeton Enterprises, L.L.C., a privately held real estate acquisition, development, and property management company based in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. To date, Princeton’s portfolio consists of over 150 properties with an aggregate value in excess of $1 billion and operates nearly 25,000 apartment units, office, industrial, storage, and other commercial facilities located in fifteen states and Canada.</p> <p>Over the years, Mr. Lester has been personally involved in numerous community service programs by devoting his time and financial assistance to countless organizations that support the health, education, and economic well-being of those experiencing hardships. Mr. Lester is the current President of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit and Co-Chair of the Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign. He is a Board Member for the American Joint Distribution Committee (JDC); a member of the Collections Committee for the Detroit Institute of Arts; and a member of the Greater Detroit Campaign Leadership Council for the University of Michigan.</p> <p>Mr. Lester is a former President of the Jewish Senior Life of Metropolitan Detroit and has formerly served as a Board Member for Kadima; BBYO; the Detroit Maccabi Committee; the Jewish Fund; Forgotten Harvest; and the Jewish News Foundation. In addition to holding those positions, Mr. Lester has also served as a Board Member and Chairman for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra; a Chairman of the Financial Oversight Committee for the Jewish Community Center of Detroit; a past Advisor to the E