Photo courtesy of the author.
When I was asked to step into the role of president of Hadassah Long Beach / Orange County, my first response was not certainty. It was reflection.
Taking on leadership in Hadassah is often most about readiness. Readiness shaped by experience, relationships and the quiet accumulation of moments where you learn what responsibility actually asks of you.
My path to the presidency was not linear. I suspect that is true for many women who eventually find themselves in this leadership position. What I hope to offer here is not a formula, but a blueprint rooted in purpose, community and intention.
I did not begin my Hadassah journey with leadership as the goal. Like many members, I came because I believed in the mission. Hadassah fulfills my need to help build a strong Israel and the organization’s commitment to women’s health and social justice align naturally with my professional life as a clinical social worker and educator. Over time, participation became engagement. Engagement became responsibility. Responsibility, eventually, became stewardship.
One of the earliest lessons I learned was the importance of showing up consistently — attending planning committee meetings and taking part in conversations that continued long after the agenda had been addressed. These moments build institutional knowledge but, more important, they build trust. Hadassah leadership is relational leadership. People need to know not only that you are capable, but that you listen, collaborate and follow through.
I also learned that discernment matters. Saying yes thoughtfully is far more important than saying yes often. Along the way, I chose roles that stretched me while still aligning with my skills and values. These included education, mental health advocacy, program development and community building. They were areas where I could contribute meaningfully and learn deeply. Leadership grows best when it is rooted in authenticity.
Understanding how Hadassah functions structurally is another critical piece of preparation. Learning to navigate governance, budgets, reporting lines and the partnership between volunteers and professional staff is not glamorous, but it is essential. Vision without structure falters. Structure without vision stagnates. Effective leadership requires holding both at the same time.
Mentorship played a quiet but powerful role in my development. I learned from women who led with clarity and generosity. They modeled how to ask good questions, disagree without diminishing others and lead without needing to be the loudest voice in the room. They showed me that leadership is less about control and more about cultivation.
There were also seasons of pause in my Hadassah career — times when I stepped back, shifted focus, or recalibrated because my life required it. Family, professional demands and personal growth all shape the arc of leadership. Momentum does not have to be constant to be meaningful. Stepping away does not disqualify you. Often, it prepares you.
When my colleagues began speaking with me about taking on the presidency, I did not ask myself if I felt fully ready. I asked whether I was willing. Willing to listen deeply. Willing to make decisions that would not always be comfortable. Willing to lead the Long Beach / Orange County area with care during moments of change. Willing to invest the time and emotional energy the role deserves.
A Hadassah presidency is not a solo endeavor. It depends on a strong board, shared leadership and trust in the community’s collective wisdom. One of my early priorities has been fostering a board culture grounded in transparency, clarity of roles and mutual respect. When people understand how they contribute, they remain engaged. When they feel valued, they lead.
For those considering taking on the chapter or region presidency, I offer a few additional reflections:
Leadership begins long before the presidency. Pay attention to how you show up now. Be reliable. Be curious. Be generous with your time and attention. These qualities matter more than aspiration.
You do not need to know everything before stepping forward. You need to know how to learn, ask for support and make decisions with integrity.
Honor your own voice. Hadassah needs leaders who bring their authentic selves to the work. Your professional background, lived experience and personal perspective are assets. Leadership is not about fitting a mold. It is about expanding what leadership can look like.
And, finally, return often to the mission. In moments of complexity or challenge, it will steady you. Women’s health equity, Jewish continuity, Zionism and social responsibility are lived commitments, renewed each time someone chooses to lead Hadassah with intention.
Hadassah has shaped me as much as I have served it. If this column helps even one woman to recognize that leadership is not about waiting to be chosen, but rather about realizing her voice, skills and heart are needed and that she is ready to step forward, then it has done what I hoped it would do.
Deborah is a member of the Hadassah Writers’ Circle, a dynamic and diverse writing group for leaders and members to express their thoughts and feelings about all the things Hadassah does to make the world a better place. It’s where they celebrate their personal Hadassah journeys and share their Jewish values, family traditions and interpretations of Jewish texts. Hadassah members are proud of their Zionist mission and their role as keepers of the flame of Jewish values, traditions and beliefs as well as advocating for women’s empowerment and health equity for all. Since 2019, the Hadassah Writers’ Circle has published nearly 800 columns in The Times of Israel Blogs and other Jewish media outlets. Interested in writing? Please contact hwc@hadassah.org.
Dr. Deborah Villanueva, DSW, MSW, LCSW, is president of Hadassah Long Beach / Orange County. Formerly she was the Organizational Vice President and Chair of Hadassah Evolve for Long Beach and Orange County, as well as a board member of the Hadassah Southern California Region. A member of the Hadassah Writers’ Circle, she was recently included in Hadassah’s “2025 Edition of 18 American Zionist Women You Should Know.” Dr. Villanueva is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Long Beach, CA, with over 25 years of experience serving marginalized communities, including Native American and Latinx women. Specializing in perinatal mental health and trauma, she provides culturally sensitive care. Dr. Villanueva holds a graduate degree in Social Work from California State University Northridge and a Doctorate from USC. She is an international speaker on women’s health and human trafficking prevention. She was recognized as Woman of the Year by the Los Angeles County Commission for Women and named Social Worker of the Year in 2024. In 2025, she was awarded HealthCare Hero of the Year by the RISE Summit on Social Determinants of Health and was recognized as one of the 100 Women to KNOW in America. Dr. Villanueva currently serves as Vice President of Education at Temple Beth-El in San Pedro, CA, and is a Councilmember of the Los Angeles County Sexual Assault Council (LAC SAC).