The Joint Retirement Board for Conservative Judaism (JRB) warmly welcomes Elina D. Babadzhanova as its new Chief Executive Officer. Elina succeeds Mitchell J. Smilowitz, who is retiring after 20 years in the position.
“It’s hard to imagine a better fit for the JRB than Elina,” explained JRB Board Chair Rabbi Michael B. Greenbaum, Ed.D. “She not only brings a wealth of experience working with 403(b) retirement plans; she knows the Joint Retirement Board intimately, having served as our Senior Financial Advisor during her tenure at both CAPTRUST and Cammack Retirement Group.”
Elina brings more than two decades of experience in the retirement plan industry, with a strong focus on nonprofit and mission-driven organizations. Most recently, as a Senior Financial Advisor at CAPTRUST, she advised plan sponsors on all aspects of fiduciary governance, from investment strategy and plan design to compliance and participant engagement, while building lasting partnerships with Boards and Investment Committees.
Elina’s relationship with the JRB spans nearly 15 years. Through her leadership at both Cammack Retirement Group and CAPTRUST, she has worked closely with the JRB Board and staff, contributing to many of the strategic and operational milestones that shape the plan today.
She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Baruch College and earned her Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation in 2010.
Rabbi Felipe Goodman, Chair of both the Investment Review Committee and the CEO Search Committee, added: “Elina has a clear understanding of what matters most to the JRB — helping our participants retire with dignity and confidence. I look forward to bringing her skills to the JRB full-time.”
The Board welcomes Elina with great enthusiasm and full confidence in her ability to lead the JRB forward.
July 2025