Joel Citron: Leading with Legacy and Vision

Joel Citron, Chair of the USC Shoah Foundation – Institute for Visual History and Education Board of Councilors, concluded his distinguished tenure on June 30.

Joel's connection to the Institute is deeply personal. Both his parents and an aunt are Holocaust survivors, with testimonies preserved in the Institute's testimony archive. That legacy has fueled his passionate advocacy for the growth of the collection and his vision for the Institute's role as a global leader in Holocaust remembrance and the fight against antisemitism.

A double USC alumnus, Joel’s journey with the USC Shoah Foundation began years before his service as chair. Under his guidance, the Institute intensified its efforts to combat contemporary antisemitism and preserve the testimonies of survivors. In 2015, he began chairing the Countering Antisemitism Through Testimony advisory committee, an initiative dedicated to addressing the resurgence of antisemitism by building a collection of testimonies that document contemporary survivor accounts used to educate, challenge bias, and promote action. In response to rising global antisemitism, Joel stressed the importance of preserving and sharing Holocaust testimonies to educate future generations and counter hate.

“Today, we are confronted again with the need to remind the world that antisemitism did not begin or end with the Holocaust. As the child of Holocaust survivors, it is unacceptable that Jewish communities the world over continue to be subject to scorn, aggression, and murderous violence.” 

- Joel Citron, Board Chair.

Joel assumed the role of chair of the Board of Councilors in 2022, overseeing the body as it welcomed its new CEO and Finci-Viterbi Chair, Dr. Robert Williams. One year later, following the October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel, the Institute quickly mobilized to begin recording testimonies from survivors. Later that year, Rob and Joel led a delegation to Israel, where they visited the sites of the atrocities and met with wounded soldiers, government officials, survivors, and families of hostages. While in Israel, the Institute announced a new partnership with the National Library of Israel, granting full access to the entire testimony archive to every resident. This partnership marked a crucial step towards the goal of opening the collection on a global scale.

“Joel has been an invaluable partner in advancing the Institute’s purpose and mission during a time of immense global challenges. His unwavering commitment to Holocaust education and personal connection to our work allowed us to quickly respond to current events while laying the foundation for our next 30 years. Joel’s support and insight ensured that our work remains grounded in history while being focused on the future.” 

– Dr. Robert Williams, CEO and Finci-Viterbi Chair, USC Shoah Foundation.

A combination of personal commitment and strategic vision marks Joel's leadership of the board. As a seasoned entrepreneur and investor, he brings decades of executive experience in international finance and corporate leadership to his role. These skills helped the board guide the Institute through a period of ambitious growth and transformation. His dedication ensures that the USC Shoah Foundation continues to honor the memories of Holocaust survivors while adapting to contemporary challenges in education and remembrance.

Since becoming Chair, Joel has been a key partner in supporting Rob’s vision to refocus and elevate the USC Shoah Foundation’s work. During Joel’s tenure as Chair and with his steady support, the Institute experienced significant growth and renewal. The Institute celebrated its 30th anniversary with a successful gala in New York City that raised crucial support for its future and, just as importantly, completed a comprehensive strategic plan to guide the next chapter.

During this time, the Institute also secured a permanent home for its growing presence in Washington, D.C., strategically positioning the organization at the intersection of international diplomacy and national policymaking. This new location now houses the Countering Antisemitism Laboratory, a major initiative dedicated to research, education, and testimony collection that addresses the global rise in antisemitism through data-driven, testimony-based strategies. Fundraising for the endowment also gained impressive momentum, helping to ensure the Institute’s long-term sustainability.

Joel is actively engaged in philanthropy beyond the USC Shoah Foundation. He is the founder of The Institute for Holocaust Research in Sweden and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundation, as well as a board member of the Starfall Education Foundation. His previous roles include President of the Board of Trustees at the Abraham Joshua Heschel School in New York, membership on the Executive Committee of the United Jewish Appeal (UJA) Federation New York, and service on the board of the Birthright Israel Foundation.