Jonathan Greenblatt is an American entrepreneur, social innovator, and the sixth National Director and CEO of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), an organization dedicated to combating antisemitism, racism, and all forms of hate. Since assuming leadership in 2015, Greenblatt has transformed the ADL into a forward-thinking organization, actively working to promote justice, fair treatment, and the dignity of all people. His work in advocacy, social innovation, and leadership has earned him recognition as one of the most influential voices in the fight against hate and bigotry.
Key Information
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Jonathan Greenblatt |
| Date of Birth | November 21, 1970 |
| Age | 54 (as of 2025) |
| Place of Birth | Trumbull, Connecticut, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Jewish |
| Marital Status | Not publicly disclosed |
| Children | Not publicly disclosed |
| Languages | English, conversational Hebrew |
| Education | B.A. – Tufts University
M.B.A. – Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University |
| Occupation | CEO, Anti-Defamation League (ADL) |
| Years Active | 1995–present |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed |
| Known For | Leading the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) |
| Social Media Presence | Active on LinkedIn, Twitter |
| Interests | Social impact, community service, innovation, and reading |
| Favorite Book | Not publicly disclosed, but known for his interest in social justice literature |
| Leadership Style | Inclusive, innovative, social change-focused |
| Hobbies | Traveling, Public Speaking, Reading, Writing |
| Favorite Quote | “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” – Edmund Burke |
| Residence | Los Angeles, California |
| Philanthropy Involvement | Involved in several initiatives supporting education, poverty alleviation, and racial justice |
| Religious Affiliation | Jewish (Reform Judaism) |
Early Life and Education
Jonathan Greenblatt was born on November 21, 1970, in Trumbull, Connecticut, to a Conservative Jewish family. Growing up, he experienced the values of community service, social justice, and inclusivity. These early influences would become the foundation of his future endeavors.
Greenblatt graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tufts University in 1992, where he developed a keen interest in social impact and entrepreneurship. He further pursued his academic aspirations by earning an MBA from the prestigious Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, where he honed his skills in leadership and business strategy.
Entrepreneurship and Career Beginnings
Before entering the nonprofit world, Greenblatt had a diverse career that spanned entrepreneurship, corporate leadership, and social impact.
In 2001, he co-founded Ethos Water, a company with a unique mission to help provide clean drinking water to communities in need. Ethos Water’s business model was built on the premise that every bottle sold would contribute to clean water projects in developing countries. In 2005, Ethos Water was acquired by Starbucks, propelling Greenblatt into the world of corporate leadership. As Vice President of Global Consumer Products at Starbucks, Greenblatt expanded the company’s socially responsible initiatives and products, including the Ethos Water brand, which continues to be sold today.
Public Service and the Obama Administration
Greenblatt’s passion for social innovation led him to work in government. In 2011, he was appointed as a Special Assistant to President Barack Obama, where he served as the Director of the Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation. In this role, Greenblatt was instrumental in advancing public-private partnerships aimed at improving the effectiveness of social programs, especially those related to education, poverty alleviation, and community development.
Leadership of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
In 2015, Jonathan Greenblatt took the helm of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), an organization founded in 1913 to combat antisemitism and all forms of hate. Under his leadership, the ADL has grown in both its scope and its impact. Greenblatt’s leadership has been marked by a deep commitment to modernizing the ADL’s operations and mission, ensuring that the organization remains a relevant force in the fight against modern-day extremism.
During his tenure, the ADL expanded its focus beyond antisemitism to address a wide range of social justice issues, including racism, homophobia, Islamophobia, and online extremism. Greenblatt has been a vocal advocate for hate crime legislation and civil rights protections, and he has led the ADL in developing innovative programs to counter hate speech and promote inclusivity in schools, workplaces, and communities.
The ADL has also played a leading role in legal advocacy, filing lawsuits against extremist groups and hate speech. Greenblatt’s leadership has been pivotal in ensuring that the ADL not only responds to hate in real-time but also works proactively to create policies that promote equity, justice, and peace.
Recognition and Impact
In recognition of his impactful leadership, Time Magazine included Jonathan Greenblatt in its prestigious TIME 100 list of the world’s most influential people in 2025. His efforts in fighting hate and promoting social justice have earned him accolades from various sectors, including civil rights organizations, lawmakers, and the public at large.
Greenblatt’s work has been focused not just on addressing hate in its most visible forms, but on creating structural change that can prevent hate and discrimination from taking root in the first place. He has emphasized the importance of inclusive education, media literacy, and public awareness campaigns to tackle hate from all angles.
Personal Life and Values
Throughout his career, Jonathan Greenblatt has remained grounded in his values of integrity, empathy, and service to others. While he keeps his personal life relatively private, it is clear that his commitment to social change is deeply rooted in his faith and his desire to make the world a better place for future generations.
Greenblatt has often spoken about the importance of community and collaboration in the fight against hate. His leadership style is inclusive, relying on the collective effort of individuals, organizations, and communities to create meaningful change.
Interesting Facts About Jonathan Greenblatt
- Pioneering Social Entrepreneur: Jonathan co-founded Ethos Water, a company designed to help provide clean water to underserved communities. The company was later acquired by Starbucks in 2005, and it remains a part of Starbucks’ socially responsible initiatives.
- Government Service: Greenblatt worked in the Obama Administration as a Special Assistant to the President and as the Director of the Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, where he helped lead initiatives focused on tackling poverty and improving civic engagement.
- ADL Leadership: As the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) since 2015, he has expanded its mission to address not only antisemitism but also racism, homophobia, extremism, and hate speech in all forms.
- Recognition for Impact: In 2025, Greenblatt was named to TIME’s 100 Most Influential People list, highlighting his efforts in fighting hate and promoting social justice globally.
- Founder of Social Innovation: Jonathan’s work in social innovation has inspired a new generation of leaders and activists to use business models and technology to solve social issues.
- Advocacy for Inclusivity: Under his leadership, the ADL has been at the forefront of advocacy for policies aimed at creating inclusive communities, including filing lawsuits against extremist groups and fighting for civil rights protections.
- Mentor for Social Entrepreneurs: As an experienced entrepreneur, Greenblatt has mentored several emerging social entrepreneurs, providing guidance on how to scale social impact ventures.
- Advocate for Online Safety: He has focused much of his efforts on addressing online hate and cyberbullying, supporting legislation to curb hate speech on digital platforms.
- Philanthropic Efforts: Greenblatt has supported numerous philanthropic causes, including those related to education, women’s empowerment, and social justice.
- Global Perspective: Greenblatt’s diverse career path, from founding a company to serving in the U.S. government and leading an influential nonprofit, has provided him with a unique global perspective on issues of social justice and equality.
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