Seeds of Peace is proud to present the Honorable Jay T. Snyder with special recognition at our 2025 Benefit Dinner.
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Jay Snyder has an expansive career in philanthropy, public service, and business, working throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
In 2009, Jay Snyder founded the Open Hands Initiative (OHI), a nonprofit organization dedicated to public diplomacy. Connecting young leaders and communities across the developing world, OHI has conducted people-to-people exchange programs in Colombia, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Myanmar, and Syria, fostering mutual understanding and cooperation in the areas of journalism, women’s entrepreneurship, health equity, conflict resolution, and disability rights.
Among Jay Snyder’s many nonprofit activities, he serves on the USC Center for Public Diplomacy Advisory Board and the Beatrice Snyder Foundation, which supports a diverse range of cultural and educational charities, including the Clinton Foundation, Global Health Corps, NYU Langone, and The Public Theater. He served as the Co-President of the American Friends of the London Philharmonia Orchestra. Jay Snyder also supports refugee work as a National Council member of Welcome.US.
Jay Snyder has served in both federal and state government appointments. President Clinton named him U.S. Representative to the 55th United Nations General Assembly. Jay Snyder was also selected to be a member of the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy and most recently was nominated to serve on the newly formed Commission on Reform and Modernization of the Department of State. In service to his home state, Jay Snyder was appointed as a Commissioner on the New York State Commission on Public Authority Reform in June 2005, as established by Governor George E. Pataki.
Jay Snyder is also Principal of HBJ Investments, SL Ventures, and Butternut Partners, firms specializing in private and venture capital investments. He serves as a Consultant and an Observer to the board on numerous startups and growth-phase companies. Previously, he enjoyed a 17-year career as an executive at Biocraft Laboratories. Jay Snyder is married to Tracy Maxwell Snyder, and they have three sons.