Denise V. Benmosche, a notable philanthropist currently serves as IIE’s Chair of the Scholar Rescue Fund (SRF) Development Committee and Co-Chair of the Women’s Leadership Committee. As an SRF board member, she has established two SRF Endowment Funds; the Benmosche Woman’s Chair provides ongoing support for female scholars, and the Benmosche Family Chair helps scholars on fellowship bring their families with them. She also founded SRF's Save-a-Scholar campaign, which has helped save the lives and work of over 20 scholars since 2007. Ms. Benmosche’s leadership has enabled SRF to build a legacy to protect threatened scholars and advance academic freedom around the world.
Raised in Venezuela as a daughter of refugees from Europe, Ms. Benmosche grew up during the dictatorship of Perez Jimenez. This experience persuaded her to help endangered scholars and was the catalyst for her future commitment to this worthwhile endeavor.
Ms. Benmosche earned her BA in Spanish and French from Farleigh Dickinson University and received her MAT in Spanish and French from Farleigh Dickinson University. She has been an active leader in several philanthropic organizations, including the American Heart Association, programs to promote breast cancer awareness, and the 92nd Street Y.