Anita G. Zucker earned a Bachelor of Arts in education from the University of Florida in 1972 followed by a Master of Education in educational administration and supervision from the University of North Florida in 1978. She began her career as an elementary educator, excelling in that role for 10 years before her husband, Jerry Zucker, founded The InterTech Group, Inc. where he served as the company’s chief executive officer for many years. One of the largest private companies in the United States, The InterTech Group and its affiliates operate in a diverse array of industries and are substantial investors in several public companies in addition to those they own.
Starting off as the director of community relations for The InterTech Group in 1982, Ms. Zucker became the chair and chief executive officer following her husband’s passing in 2008. She also served as the governor of the Hudson’s Bay Company, which Mr. Zucker had acquired back in 2006, following Mr. Zucker’s death. Soon after Mr. Zucker’s passing, Ms. Zucker oversaw the sale of the company to NRDC Equity Partners. An expert in people management, networking, and engagement, she now works alongside her son, Jonathan, who took over as chief executive officer in 2022. Ms. Zucker is still active as the chair of The InterTech Group and is leaving a legacy as an engaged leader who placed emphasis on helping her employees thrive and feel cared for and gave back to her community.
Attributing much of her success to the incredible people that surround her, Ms. Zucker is deeply grateful to her family and her colleagues. She is particularly proud that the development of her business acumen has allowed her to give back to educational institutions and her local community. A daughter of Holocaust survivors, she notes that she strives to live her life by the Jewish principle of “tikkun olam,” which is Hebrew for “repair of the world.” A member of the board of trustees at the University of Florida, she is currently the board chair of the University of Florida Foundation and is past chair of the capital campaign for the university. Her work with the University of Florida contributed to the inception of the Tri-County Cradle to Career Collaborative, an organization she founded and currently chairs, which strives to ensure children excel through all steps of their life and education.
Currently active with president’s initiative committees at Clemson University, the College of Charleston and Yeshiva University, Ms. Zucker also serves as the chair of the neurosciences advisory board for the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and previously chaired the MUSC Foundation. She has also spent time as the chair of the board of governors at the School of Business of the College of Charleston and the South Carolina Network of Business Partners for Education. A member of the Trident Public Education Foundation and the South Carolina Business-Education Partnership for Excellence in Education, Ms. Zucker is additionally chair of the Area Commission, the governing board of Trident Technical College.
Outside of education, Ms. Zucker helped to found the Tiffany Circle-Charleston, a national women’s association of the American Red Cross, and serves on the chairman’s council for the American Red Cross as well. A past chair of the citizens advisory committee for the Hollings Cancer Center, she has also previously served as the president for the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of Charleston, Trident United Way, the boards of the Coastal Community Foundation and the Charleston Jewish Federation. Above everything, Ms. Zucker would advise young and aspiring professionals to learn everything that they can, continue to learn throughout their lives, and never be afraid to speak up.
For her excellence, Ms. Zucker has received honorary doctorates from a number of institutions, including the Medical University of South Carolina, Clemson University, The Citadel, the College of Charleston, the University of South Carolina, Johnson and Wales University, Claflin University and Yeshiva University. Other accolades to her name include the Council for Advancement and Support of Education Award, the Joseph P. Riley Leadership Award from the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Malcolm D. Haven Award from the Community Foundation, the Wilkins Award for Excellence in Civic Leadership, and an annual business award from the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce. Furthermore, Ms. Zucker was presented with the National Award for Lions of Judah by the Jewish Federations of North America and the inaugural Light Unto the Nations Award by the Charleston Jewish Federation, which was in recognition of both Mr. and Ms. Zucker.
Ms. Zucker has been inducted into the Order of the Palmetto by Gov. David Beasley and named a South Carolina ambassador for the economic development of Charleston County by Gov. Sanford. Her alma mater, the University of Florida, has also recognized her with the Distinguished Alumnus Award and the President’s Award. Among her most recent accolades are the 2018 Ellis Island Medal of Honor from the Ellis Island Honors Society, the 2019 James L. Fisher Distinguished Service Award, the 2019 Ernst & Young Lifetime Achievement Award, and the 2022 President’s Call to Service Award.