Benny Biton Chairman of the Board of Youth Futures and Mayor of Dimona
Benny Biton has served as Chair of the Board of Youth Futures since 2021 and has led the organization to significant successes and growth in complex and challenging times in Israeli society.
Benny Biton has served as Mayor of Dimona since 2013. During his tenure, he has led strategic development initiatives in Dimona and the Eastern Negev, including the advancement of large-scale projects in construction, education, and infrastructure, significant investment in the municipal education system, and the promotion of major tourism and economic development projects. Under his leadership, economic development agreements have been signed with government entities, municipal revenues have increased, and he has worked to expand the local employment base and advance a long-term vision for demographic and economic growth.
In addition, Biton serves as Vice Chair of the Federation of Local Authorities in Israel and as Chair of the Forum of Development Towns in Israel, playing a key role in leading national initiatives to improve public services. As Chair of the Board of Youth Futures, he brings extensive leadership and managerial experience, a deep understanding of the challenges facing Israel’s periphery, and a strong ability to connect local government, national authorities, and civil society in advancing the organization’s mission.
oshe Yarden Entrepreneur , CEO and Owner of Medisims LTD Board Member and Chair of the Finance Committee
Moshe Yarden serves as Chairman of a company specializing in the development manufacturing, and marketing of medical diagnostic equipment operating in international markets. In his role, he leads a profitable and well-established company and brings extensive experience in managing complex systems, business development, global marketing, and leading collaborations with organizations in Israel and abroad. Moshe has a broad engineering and managerial background, including leadership of multidisciplinary R&D projects, patent registration, establishment of manufacturing operations in Israel and overseas, and management of regulatory and technological interfaces. He holds an Executive MBA (EMBA) and a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering with honors.
In recent years, Moshe has been engaged in social initiatives aimed at strengthening Israel’s peripheral regions. Within Youth Futures, he serves as Chair of the Finance Committee, contributing his professional expertise to the development of strategic processes and to strengthening the organization’s financial management.
Dana Zaks, Director of the Jewish Identity and Connections Division, Jewish Agency
Dana Zaks serves as Director of the Jewsih Identity and Connection Division at the
Jewish Agency, where she leads large-scale educational and community programs in Israel
and around the world. In her role, she develops and manages initiatives for young people, including a network of pre-military preparatory schools, educational programs to strengthen Jewish–Israeli identity, projects for National Service Volunteers and IDF veterans, and connection programs linking young people in Israel with Jewish communities worldwide.
Dana has extensive experience in managing educational and international projects, including significant fundraising, leading large teams, and developing partnerships with government ministries, local authorities, and nonprofit organizations. She holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work and is a graduate of the Mandel Leadership Institute for Educational Leadership. Dana began her professional journey at the Jewish Agency through the Youth Futures program, where she served as a Regional Director and played a key role in developing the field of work with parents and families. As a member of the Youth Futures Board of Directors, Dana brings extensive experience in developing and leading educational systems, connecting communities in Israel and around the world, and managing complex partnerships—contributing to the advancement of the organization’s vision and the deepening of its educational and social impact.
Riki August Cohen, Director of Financial Operations Israel, Finance Unit, Jewish Agency Board Member and Member of the Finance Comittee
Riki August Cohen currently serves as Director of Financial Operations in Israel within the Finance Unit of the Jewish Agency. Over the years, she has accumulated extensive managerial experience in the public sector and in the field of philanthropy, including training and supervising teams, developing field programs, and leading significant social and economic projects. Riki is also active on additional boards of directors, including Nativ – the National Center for Identity and Conversion, Olamit, Idod Bank , and Daroma Ltd., and is a member of the steering and founding committee of the Bedouin youth village “Neve Midbar” in Nitzana.
Riki holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Sociology and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA), specializing in Finance and a Master’s degree in Public Administration and Public Policy (MPA). Her broad, multidisciplinary education, alongside professional training programs, enables her to contribute to the board with a deep strategic, managerial, and financial perspective.
Dafna Lev, Former Director of the Municipal Education, Culture, and Community , Tel- Aviv -Yafo Board Member and Member of the Professional Committee
Dafna Lev has held senior executive positions in Israel’s education system, most notably as
Director of the Education, Culture, and Sports Administration of the Tel Aviv–Yafo Municipality, where she was responsible for large-scale systems in the fields of education, culture, community, and sports, managing substantial budgets. Previously, she served as Director of the Central District at the Ministry of Education and as Deputy Head of the Pedagogical Administration, leading policy development processes and the advancement of formal and informal education systems.
Over the years, Dafna has served as a member and chair of public and educational bodies, including Mofet Center and The National Museum Council as well as a director on the boards of cultural and academic institutions. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sciences with a specialization in Genetics, an additional Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and a Master’s degree in Education. Her extensive experience in managing large public systems and in strategic planning contributes significantly to the work of the board of Youth Futures and to the organization’s Professional Committee.
Ilanit Gerblich-Kalir, Vice President International Operations at the Jewish Federation of cleveland Board Member
Ilanit Gerblich-Klair serves as Vice President of External Affairs and Managing Director of the Department of International Operations at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland where she oversees all of the Federation’s programs in Israel and Russia. a
Prior to her current role, she served as Co-Executive Director of AVODAH: The JewishService Corps, where she played a significant role in doubling the organization’s scope of activity, increasing its revenues, and strengthening its public presence. Additional roles she has held include Acting Executive Director of the New Israel Fund and Director of International Relations at the World Union of Progressive Judaism, alongside experience in public diplomacy and working with governmental institutions.h
Ilanit holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree Comparative Politics. As a member of the Board of Youth Futures, she brings extensive international experience in systems management, partnership development, and leadership of philanthropic organization.a
Tzipa Carmon, CEO TC Exports LTD Board Member and Member of the Finance Committee
Tzipa is an entrepreneur and leader in marketing, manufacturing, and international trade. She is the founder and owner of TC Exports Ltd., a company specializing in the production and export of consumer goods to international markets, and has worked for many years to promote Israeli companies on the global stage, with a particular focus on the DIY sector. Over the course of its operations, the company has achieved cumulative exports exceeding a billion dollars and has received multiple export awards.
Tzipa serves as a director on the boards of public and government-owned companies and has long been involved in philanthropic and social initiatives. Among other roles, she has served as Chair of Knafayim Shel Krembo, as a member of the Presidency of Adi Negev, and as a board member and President of the IWF. She currently serves on the boards of Bishvil HaMachar and the Batsheva Dance Company. Tzipa holds an MBA and is a graduate of executive leadership programs in Israel and abroad. She brings to the board of Youth Futures broad business, social, and mangerial experience.
Shelly Saban- CEO of the Jewish Agency Pension Management Fund
Shelly Saban serves as CEO of the Jewish Agency Pension Management Fund and is responsible for managing assets totaling approximately 4 billion NIS, including real estate and financial assets. Previously, she served as Chief Financial Officer of the Jewish Agency Pension Fund and held senior management positions in the Capital Markets, Insurance, and Savings Division of Israel’s Ministry of Finance, where she contributed to shaping policy and regulation in the pension and insurance sectors.
Shelly has extensive experience in managing complex financial systems, corporate governance, supervision, and investments, and regularly participates in audit, budget, and investment committees. She holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and International Relations, and is a graduate of an executive leadership program. Her professional experience brings deep economic, strategic, and managerial insight to the board of Youth Futures.
Lee Gat, Vice President of Strategy, Communications, and Government Relations at Sheba Medical Center
Lee Gat serves as Vice President of Strategy, Government Relations, Public Affairs, and Sustainability at Sheba Medical Center, where she leads large-scale strategic processes at the intersection of the healthcare system, government, and the public. In her role, she is responsible for shaping organizational strategy, managing regulatory and government relations, overseeing spokesperson and communications activities, leading public crisis management, and developing sustainability programs.
Lee brings over two decades of professional experience in strategy, public communications, and government relations in the public and general sectors. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Conflict Research, Management, and Resolution, and contributes her strategic and public-sector expertise to the board of Youth Futures.
Rafi Heumann, Deputy Director European Division, Keren Hayesod
Rafi Heumann serves as Deputy Director of the Europe Region at Keren Hayesod, the national institution responsible for fundraising to reduce social disparities and strengthen Israeli society. Rafi is responsible for resource development and the leadership of international projects across various European countries. He is a lawyer by profession, with extensive experience in the public sector, public diplomacy, and international philanthropy.
Rafi served for six years as a Keren Hayesod emissary in Germany, where he managed the Germany and Austria campaigns and led collaborations with Jewish communities and institutional partners. Previously, he served as a parliamentary advisor in the Knesset and took part in leading legislative processes and committee work. His combined experience in public service and international engagement contributes significantly to the work of the board of Youth Futures.