The Israeli-American Council has named Elan Carr as its new CEO, set to assume duties on Oct. 1. He succeeds Shoham Nicolet, IAC’s co-founder and CEO for the past eight years.
His history with IAC goes back to 2007 and the organization’s roots, as his parents were among the co-founders.
Carr brings a broad range of experience to his new position.
Born and raised in New York City, he studied philosophy and political science at the University of California, Berkeley; and earned his J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law.
From 2003 to 2004, he fought in Iraq as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve, memorably conducting Shabbat and holiday services at Saddam Hussein’s presidential palace in Baghdad.
Carr prosecuted violent felony crimes for more than a decade as a deputy district attorney for Los Angeles County. He prosecuted murders, hate crimes, child molestation and transgressions involving Southern California’s street gangs.
He recently served as U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism from 2019 to 2021.
In May 2021, he joined the Heritage Foundation as a visiting scholar to help combat growing antisemitism.
Pointing to assimilation and hatred against Jews as problems to counter, Carr said that “by combining community engagement and civic activism, youth programs and educational courses, leadership development and Israel advocacy, the IAC is strongly positioned to respond to those challenges and build a vibrant, committed community for generations to come.”
To that end fostering young leaders, he served as international president of the Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) fraternity.
Naty Saidoff, chairman of the IAC board of directors, said the group “could not be more excited that Elan will be leading the IAC. His personal connection to the IAC, profound dedication to the Israeli-American community, commitment to strengthening the ties between the U.S. and Israel, accomplished leadership, and achievements in fighting antisemitism brings to the IAC an exceptional track record and makes him a perfect fit for the role.”