When asked to describe himself, Neil Katz will say that he is a connector — he loves people. High energy. Driven. Good at solving problems. All traits that have served him well during his extensive career in both the commercial real estate business and as an entrepreneurial investor.

These are also traits that have proven effective in other aspects of his life, not just his business career. These characteristics have helped him take on numerous leadership positions in the community in his quest to “make a difference”.

For this Baltimore native (OK … not technically … his family moved here when he was two), Neil has been changing lives since the late 70’s as president of his B’nai B’rith Chapter, Chesapeake AZA, in his school and then president of his fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Pi, at the University of Delaware in the early ‘80s. Upon graduation, this self-declared workaholic began a successful real estate career, but after a couple years, he realized something was missing.

His Journey Begins “Big”

“I was working 12+ hours a day, and I enjoyed my work, yet I instinctively knew that I needed something else in my life,” he recalls. So, he contacted the Jewish Big Brother & Big Sister League through what was then Jewish Family Services (now Jewish Community Services).

Soon he was a ‘Big’ to Joe, a young 8-year-old boy who had lost his father, hanging out with him every weekend going to sporting events, playing games, or whatever. That commitment — which was supposed to last two years — lasted until Joe turned 18 and went off to college.

Joe is now 45, married and his two kids of his own. They remain very close and recently helped Joe and his family celebrate their oldest son’s Bar Mitzvah. “I am so proud of the man Joe has become”.

“We changed each other’s lives,” he adds. “And for me, in particular, it put my life in perspective and gave it meaning.”

That spurred a lifetime of giving back, having since sat on more than 25 boards, one-half in the Jewish community and the balance focused primarily in the education and business/entrepreneurship arenas. It also meant becoming more active in The Associated.

“Marcy Kolodny, who chaired Big Brother Big Sister League at the time, suggested I join Young Leadership Council at The Associated. I’ve been active with The Associated ever since — and have loved every minute of it. I get to work with awesome people that are part of an awesome organization that is truly making a difference.”

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The Associated Contributors are writers from The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore.