Brian Pogrund

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As a student at the University of Michigan, Brian won a prestigious grant and launched a startup aimed at helping independent grocery stores compete with big chains. He's been using his energy, passion, and creativity to oversee the growth of innovative companies ever since. He's worked for Grubhub, Whittl and climbed his way up the management ranks at peer-to-peer car-sharing provider Getaround.

Brian's vision extends to causes he cares about in the Jewish community. He has sat on the JUF Jewish Innovators, Visionaries & Entrepreneurs panel to offer advice and insight, served since 2014 on the Visions Young Leadership Board of the Israel Cancer Research Fund, and planned the alumni campaign and events for Rochelle Zell Jewish High School.

Brian deeply values the Jewish institutions that shaped him, including Solomon Schechter Day School, RZJHS and especially Camp Ramah in Wisconsin, which is where he met his wife, Hannah.

AGE:
29

PRIMARY GIG:
Regional Manager, Midwest and West Coast at Getaround

ON THE SIDE:
College football and Michigan Wolverine fanatic. I’ve been riding my stroller/bike or walking to college football games with my dad on Shabbat since I was 6 years old.

RELATIONSHIP STATUS:
Married

A JEW WHO INSPIRES YOU:
At 29 years old, and against the odds, I am lucky enough to have all four of my grandparents alive and living in Chicago! Between them, they've been the presidents of synagogues, board members of companies and Jewish organizations, entrepreneurs, teachers and fantastic parents/grandparents. They've taught us the importance of giving to charity but also donating tremendous time to build, re-build and strengthen organizations that are critical to our community and making the world a better place.

HOW YOU JEW IN CHICAGO:
Maintaining strong relationships that I built at Ramah, SSDS, RZJHS and through observing Shabbat. As I get older and technology gets more ingrained in my life, it can be difficult to disconnect from work. It is important for me to devote 25 hours each week to focus on my family and friends without the distraction of email, Slack, Google Hangouts/conference calls, etc.