Jon talks with Matthew Lester, President, Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, and Dennis Bernard, President, United Jewish Fund. They talk about leadership, mentorship, and the power of giving back. They also discuss how Matthew and Dennis balance their community responsibility with family responsibility and running their own businesses. Matthew B. Lester Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Princeton Enterprises, L.L.C. In 1994, Matthew B. Lester founded Princeton Enterprises, L.L.C., a privately held real estate acquisition, development, and property management company based in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. To date, Princeton’s portfolio consists of over 150 properties with an aggregate value in excess of $1 billion and operates nearly 25,000 apartment units, office, industrial, storage, and other commercial facilities located in fifteen states and Canada. Over the years, Mr. Lester has been personally involved in numerous community service programs by devoting his time and financial assistance to countless organizations that support the health, education, and economic well-being of those experiencing hardships. Mr. Lester is the current President of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit and Co-Chair of the Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign. He is a Board Member for the American Joint Distribution Committee (JDC); a member of the Collections Committee for the Detroit Institute of Arts; and a member of the Greater Detroit Campaign Leadership Council for the University of Michigan. Mr. Lester is a former President of the Jewish Senior Life of Metropolitan Detroit and has formerly served as a Board Member for Kadima; BBYO; the Detroit Maccabi Committee; the Jewish Fund; Forgotten Harvest; and the Jewish News Foundation. In addition to holding those positions, Mr. Lester has also served as a Board Member and Chairman for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra; a Chairman of the Financial Oversight Committee for the Jewish Community Center of Detroit; a past Advisor to the Executive Director for YAD EZRA; and a past member of the Sherman Campaign and Blumenstein Leadership Groups. Over the past 20 years, Mr. Lester has led numerous mission trips to Israel, Ethiopia, Hungary, Poland, and Cuba. Mr. Lester graduated from the University of Michigan in 1987 with a bachelor's degree in history and from the University of Southern California in 1990 with a law degree. After graduation, Mr. Lester joined the law firm of Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer & Weiss, P.C., and developed prominent litigation and real estate practice. While engaged in the practice of law, Mr. Lester initiated his real estate investment career and made his first successful acquisition. He has lectured on real estate finance at the University of Michigan; has appeared as a real estate valuation witness, and has served as a court-appointed receiver for numerous lenders. Mr. Lester is the former President of the Apartment Association of Michigan. Mr. Lester was a past recipient of the Frank A. Wetsman Young Leadership Award; the Jewish Senior Life Award of Excellence; and a former Honoree of the Year for YAD EZRA. He has been nationally recognized in Multifamily Executive; Apartment Finance Today; National Real Estate Investor; NPR – All Things Considered; and Crain’s Business Detroit; as well as receiving recognition for the American Board of Trial Advocates Award and the Midwest Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame. Mr. Lester has been a guest speaker or panel member for Apartment Finance Today; Multifamily Executive; Detroit Commercial Real Estate Summit; Marcus & Millichap Southeast Multifamily Forum; and many other speaking events. In his personal time, Mr. Lester enjoys a variety of activities with his wife and children; particularly spending time at the family farm located in Northern Michigan. Dennis S. Bernard Founder and President of Bernard Financial Group and Bernard Financial Servicing Group Dennis Bernard is the founder and President of Bernard Financial Group