Leadership Team

  • Avi Hasson
    Chief Executive Officer
    As CEO, Avi charts Start-Up Nation Central's strategy, sets its goals, and oversees execution across multiple teams and verticals. He ensures that the 120-person organization adheres to its mission of being the prime driver and facilitator of Israeli innovation that boosts growth and generates global impact.
  • Giora Shaked
    Chief Business Officer
    Giora leads Start-Up Nation Central’s business activities including Business Development, Sectors Development, Innovation Diplomacy, and Global Partnerships.
  • Noga Shiloach
    Chief Product Officer
    As Chief Product Officer, Noga creates customized and scalable solutions for Start-Up Nation Central’s clients helping them to effectively address their main challenges.
  • Chico Menashe
    Chief Operating Officer
    Chico manages the day-to-day administrative and operational functions of the organization, including overseeing the work of the Finance, HR, Legal, IT, Knowledge Management, and Productions departments.
  • Aliza Tamir
    Chief Marketing Officer
    As the Chief Marketing Officer Aliza is responsible for creating and accelerating the company’s marketing strategy and brand recognition across the globe.
  • Michal Kelman Avital
    VP Philanthropic Partnerships
    Michal leads Start-Up Nation Central’s resource development work, including partner cultivation, retention, and support.
  • Yariv Lotan
    VP Product, Data, Development
    Yariv manages Start-Up Nation Central’s flagship online business innovation platform, Finder, overseeing the work of the Technology & Development, Data & Insights, and Product & Users teams.
  • Jeremie Kletzkine
    VP Business Development
    As VP of Business Development, Jeremie is Start-Up Nation Central’s global ambassador, scouting for business opportunities and partnerships all around the world.
  • Yariv Becher
    VP Innovation Diplomacy
    As VP of Innovation Diplomacy, Yariv manages Start-Up Nation Central’s relations with government partners around the globe, overseeing a team of regional managers with a focus on the U.S., MENA countries, and developing countries.
  • Eliran Elimelech
    VP Ecosystem Development
    Eliran leads Start-Up Nation Central's ecosystem development efforts, overseeing the work of both the locally-focused sector leads and the internationally oriented Global Partnerships teams.
  • Ari Strasberg
    VP Strategy and Chief of Staff
    Ari serves as Start-Up Nation Central’s VP of Strategy, in charge of shaping and implementing its long-term goals in cooperation with the senior management team.
  • Dana Pollak Wasserman
    VP Human resources
    Dana is responsible for all the HR activities of Start-Up Nation Central, including recruitment, training, employee and management development, welfare, and HR strategy.
  • Uri Gabai
    Chief Executive Officer - Start-Up Nation Policy Institute
    Uri is the founding CEO of the Start-Up Nation Policy Institute, a think tank that seeks to provide Israeli decision makers with data-based research and policy recommendations on a range of innovation-related topics.
  • Wendy Singer
    Founder
    Wendy was an integral part of building Start-Up Nation Central’s infrastructure and professional team, and in connecting Israel’s innovation ecosystem with government and business leaders around the world.