Eric Zoberman

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It's hard to tell where Eric Zoberman's professional life leaves off and his philanthropic life begins; he melds the two seamlessly. Eric began his professional career focused on politics. He worked on Barack Obama's presidential campaign and then became a director in the "Rock the Vote" campaign, motivating young people to register to vote. He later spent time at the United Way of Chicago as the director for volunteer services. Most recently, he took the leap and followed his entrepreneurial spirit, joining the launch of Percent Pledge as president.

Percent Pledge -- recently named one of the "50 Chicago Startups to Watch in 2019" by Built in Chicago -- makes giving to charity easier and more transparent for individuals and helps companies build a habit of giving into their employee experience, company culture and brand identity.

AGE:
34

PRIMARY GIG:
President, Percent Pledge

ON THE SIDE:
Donor-facing philanthropic advisor, helping donors across the giving spectrum tell their unique “story of philanthropy.”

RELATIONSHIP STATUS:
Married, with a son (3) and a daughter (1)

SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME:
To honor my Holocaust survivor grandparents, I traveled independently to their pre-war hometown in Poland.

HOW YOU JEW IN CHICAGO:
My children are enrolled in a Jewish school and I can often be found at events supporting Jewish-driven organizations, such as the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, JUF and the Anti-Defamation League. “Jewish values” are my primary consideration when identifying charities to support, how to conduct business and how to raise children.

IF TIME AND MONEY WERE LIMITLESS, I WOULD:
Have at least one conversation with a citizen of each of the world’s nations.