Renee Wizig-Barrios

President & CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Houston

Renée Wizig-Barrios serves as President & CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston.

A native Houstonian, Wizig-Barrios joined the Federation after more than two and a half decades rising through leadership positions in Texas nonprofits. Most recently, she served as the Senior Vice President & Chief Philanthropy Officer for the Greater Houston Community Foundation (GHCF).

In addition to helping shift GHCF to become a true hub of philanthropy in the Greater Houston area, Wizig-Barrios’ accomplishments as a senior leader there include assisting in nearly tripling the foundation’s assets; guiding the foundation’s disaster response fundraising and allocation efforts following multiple disasters; and building private/public partnerships to address complex community needs. She also developed the vision for the nationally recognized GHFC Next Gen Institute and Center for Family Philanthropy. Wizig-Barrios also previously held the position of Lead Organizer for The Metropolitan Organization. She began her career as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Nicaragua.

The Federation’s work falls into three strategic pillars: fund development and resource allocation; collaborative network initiatives and incubator; and community connections; Wizig-Barrios serves as its lead ambassador as she works to fulfill the Federation’s core role as the connector, innovator, convener, and funder of the Jewish community.

Wizig-Barrios has an extensive work history focused on community organizing and individual and community philanthropy. She is known for initiating growth and enacting transformative change. With a background in fundraising, leadership development, community engagement, cross-cultural partnerships, and grantmaking, Wizig-Barrios has been a frequent speaker for leading local and national philanthropic associations and audiences.

Wizig-Barrios is a summa cum laude graduate of Washington University in St. Louis. She and her husband, Alvaro Barrios, have lived in Houston for more than 20 years and have two children, Avi and Alana. They are members of Congregation Beth Israel.