THE K'ILU COMPANY ANNOUNCES DR. DOUG WINKELSTEIN AS INAUGURAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Leadership milestone marks a new phase of growth for the Chicago-based organization reimagining Jewish education through immersive storytelling
Chicago, IL – The K’ilu Company, a Chicago-based internationally-recognized nonprofit dedicated to reimagining Jewish education through immersive theater and imaginative play, is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Doug Winkelstein as its first Executive Director.
This appointment represents a significant milestone in the organization’s evolution, as K’ilu continues to expand its reach across Chicago and North America through innovative school and family programming, educator training, and its emerging digital platform of resources, K’iluClassroom.
In his role as Executive Director, Winkelstein will work closely with Founder and CEO Jonathan Shmidt Chapman and Associate Artistic Director Jordan Zelvin to translate vision into organizational strategy, helping to build the infrastructure needed to sustain and scale K’ilu’s work. He will oversee strategic planning, strengthen partnerships, and support the continued growth of the organization’s programs for children, families, and educators.
“Doug brings a rare combination of strategic leadership, educational expertise, and creative sensibility,” said Chapman. “As K’ilu enters this next phase of growth, his leadership will allow us to build the systems and partnerships needed to significantly expand our impact.”
Dr. Winkelstein is an educator, theater-maker, and organizational leader with nearly two decades of experience across education, nonprofit leadership, and the arts. He most recently served as Assistant Vice President of Jewish Education at Jewish United Fund of Chicago (JUF), where he oversaw a wide-ranging portfolio of initiatives designed to strengthen Jewish learning across the region. His work included managing complex program portfolios and cultivating partnerships with educators, institutions, and funders.
“I’m honored to join The K’ilu Company at such an exciting moment,” said Winkelstein. “K’ilu’s work is both deeply creative and deeply needed—inviting children and families to step inside Jewish tradition in ways that are joyful, meaningful, and lasting. I’m excited to help build the organizational capacity that will allow this work to reach more communities in powerful ways.”
Prior to his role at JUF, Winkelstein served as Director of Learning and Development at BBYO amongst other roles, where he led national leadership initiatives and supported large-scale program design and execution. He began his career as a middle school teacher, a foundation that continues to inform his collaborative and relationship-driven leadership style.
A lifelong theater artist, Winkelstein is the Founder and former Artistic Director of the Margate Players Theater Company and previously served on the board of Whim Theater Company in Chicago. He serves as adjunct faculty at Gratz College and holds a Doctorate in Education Leadership.
The addition of an Executive Director marks a key step in K’ilu’s strategic growth, as the organization continues to deepen its local presence in Chicago while expanding national partnerships. With programs like Ark Adventures—an immersive theatrical experience for young children and families—and the forthcoming K’iluClassroom platform for educators, K’ilu is building a new model for early Jewish learning grounded in play, imagination, and participatory storytelling.
About The K’ilu Company
The K’ilu Company creates immersive theatrical experiences and educator tools that invite children and families inside Jewish stories—k’ilu, as if they were there. Through play, participatory storytelling, and imagination, K’ilu brings Jewish tradition to life in joyful and meaningful ways for early childhood and K–2 learners. Rooted in Chicago and working across North America, the organization partners with educators and institutions to build creative capacity and reimagine the landscape of Jewish education.