1. To create a generation of leaders who know how to work across political divides from a young age.
2. To extend MIT’s cutting-edge technological education to communities who could not previously access it.
3. To promote STEM education and tech-sector leadership among women and minority groups in Palestine and Israel.
4. To inspire our alumni to create and shape a more just society.
Adi Soffer Teeni is the General Manager of Facebook Israel. She joined Facebook Israel in 2014 to build and grow the company’s Israeli office. Soffer Teeni began her career in 1997 as the CEO of Wall Street Israel, an international school of English. In 2001, she became CEO of Kidum Group, the country’s largest private education company. In 2008, she was appointed as General Manager of 888.com.She is a member of the Board of Directors of Unistream, MEET, Shecodes and Yozmot Atid, and is part of the advisory board for “KamaTach”.. Soffer Teeni holds a bachelor’s degree in Law from Tel Aviv University and an MBA from the university’s Kellogg-Recanati International Executive MBA program.
Assaf is a serial entrepreneur who builds and runs complex, value-driven organizations. After co-founding MEET, Assaf founded several startups and social ventures to modernize the automotive industry space. Currently, Assaf serves on the board of Colmobil Corp, Israel’s largest car importer, distributor and retailer ($3B sales), In parallel, Assaf is also the Co-Founder of Mint Kitchen, a new Fast-Casual Israeli food concept in New York, and helped launch Future Mobility Israel - a think tank + policy lobby group with a vision to eliminate Israel's traffic and congestion.
Rafiq Masri is a Palestinian-American entrepreneur. Rafiq is an experienced CEO and Founder in the information technology industry. Rafiq serves as the chairman of Palestinian Economic Development Foundation (PalEco), and is on the board of Alliance for Middle East Peace (ALLMEP), World Venture Group (WVG), and Search for Common Ground. Rafiq completed post graduate studies in business and software engineering at both Harvard and George Mason University. Rafiq is committed to efforts to build and support the Palestinian economy as a paramount requirement to any future peace and stability.
Yohanan is a co-founder of Simpo
(previously ActionBar), a start-up that allows product managers quickly integrate different tools and non-core features into their apps without using development resources. He holds a B.A. in Business Administration and Network Science from IDC Herzliya. After graduating from MEET in 2006, he came back as a coordinator and business instructor.
Gigi is a founding partner of NFX (www.nfx.com), a $150m leading seed venture firm in Silicon Valley and Israel. He is a founder and investor in many technology start ups such as Playtika, Kenshoo, Plarium, MyHeritage, Optimove, Houseparty, R2Net, SimilarWeb, NanoRep, Replay Technology, SpaceApe, inceptionVR and others. Gigi serves on the Supervisory Board of Bertelsmann as well as on the EMEA client advisory council of Facebook.
Anat is the co-founder and CEO of Ukko Inc., a biotech startup backed by top-tier Silicon Valley VCs which is solving food allergies and sensitivities. Previously, Anat was an Investment Partner at Innovation Endeavors, a venture firm backed by Alphabet’s Eric Schmidt. Anat also worked for Israel’s State Attorney, on Capitol Hill and with the World Bank. She received her PhD from MIT, an MPA from Columbia University and a law degree from Hebrew University.
Shayma is VP of Marketing at HQ, a startup mobility company. Holding both her M.Sc and B.Sc. from the Technion in Haifa. Shayma was a consultant at theBoston Consulting Grou, and held various positions at the VC company NFX. After graduating from MEET in 2008, she came back to MEET as an instructor during the 2016 Summer Program.
Subhi was Born and raised in Jerusalem
he left to pursue his B.Sc in Computer Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology. After graduating from MEET in 2008, he
has since been involved with several startups. Most recently he's been heading the engineering team at Codecov. Subhi came back to MEET as a CS instructor for Y2 during the 2018 Summer Program.
Wael is of Lebanese and Palestinian descent. Currently the Head of Data at WhatsApp, Wael previously worked for Senator Hillary Clinton in DC. He worked for 9 years as a Senior Quantitative Analyst and Engineer for Google Ads, and a year as Data Lead for Emerging Experiences at YouTube. Currently, he advises startups and works with a number of non-profits. Some issues he cares a lot about are diversity, education, and female empowerment. Wael currently resides in the Bay Area with his wife Vivian and their son Ziad.
Yaron Binur is a three-time founder who innovates in technology, education, and social change. He is a co-founder and currently the Chairman of the Board of MEET. Yaron co-founded two startups: Up2 and Redbeacon; the latter, a home-services marketplace, was acquired by Home Depot in 2012. He launched his career at Google after graduating from MIT in 2005.
Born and raised in Nazareth, Mrs. Younis holds a B.Sc. Degree in civil engineering from the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology. Together with her husband founded “Alpha Omega Ltd.” Currently, she is serving as board member in multiple NGO’s that promote her belief in the 3E’s – Education, Employment & Entrepreneurship. Mrs. Younis’ aspiration is to promote entrepreneurship among the younger generation, encouraging them to pursue their dreams for a brighter tomorrow. In turn, she believes, this would have a great impact on Nazareth. It would transform this diverse city into a modern and technological place. Reem and Imad have three children: Dima, Jude and Nada.
Yaniv has international experience in the fields of education and social change, managing NGOs with large budgets that work on challenging the Israeli-Palestinian status quo through on the ground projects that aim at trade despair and frustration with partnership and hope.
Yaniv is also the father of Tav, Guy and Matar. He is married to Galia, a fellow educator and social activist who works at the bilingual school Bridge over the Valley in Kafr Qara. The two live in Kibbutz Ein HaShofet.
Mustafa Hussein leads MEET’s highly selective recruitment process and student program. Under his leadership, MEET consistently recruits a deeply diverse and talented applicant pool comprised of the region’s top students and young leaders. Mustafa co-developed and implements MEET’s Deeper Understanding curricula. Mustafa is qualified as a Computer Graphics Engineer, and previously worked for the Children Cancer Unit at Hadassah, Ein Karem Hospital. Beyond MEET, Mustafa’s interests include photography and graphic design.
Ada works closely with MEET’s CEO to manage financial, administrative, logistical, and legal responsibilities which allows MEET to run effectively and efficiently. Ada has experience in the Israeli high-tech world and has previously worked at G.ho.st, an Israeli-Palestinian joint-venture start-up, among others. Ada has a B.A. from Brandeis University. Outside of MEET, Ada enjoys hiking and baking.
Dana is MEET's Director of Impact, working on demonstrating MEET's impact and implementing new programs for MEET alumni focused on building, measuring and communicating impact.
Dana is a biomed professional. Before joining MEET She filled senior positions in the bio-med/medical device industry as product and clinical trials manager. She is a Biomedical Engineer and an MBA graduate.
Anat has worked in the educational non-profit sector for over ten years. She has worked on developing and implementing leadership programs for youth and young adults. She now works to enhance our alumni's leadership and professional development, as well as developing our HR protocols and needs.
In her spare time she plays xbox and volunteers with queer communities.
Veronica was born and raised in Bethlehem. After working multiple jobs, she is now a Psychology student in Al-Quds Open University.
The focus of her role is bringing the MEET alumni community together, and take the Alumni Network to the next level, professionally.
Veronica's goals include making an impact and helping raise awareness of Mental Health, as well as gender equality. She is passionate about social and systemic change and helping others.
She appreciates a good cup of coffee and loves to spend time with her pets - yes, plural.
A long time social entrepreneur turned professional consultant and fundraiser, Keren Zehavi has gained extensive experience of over 17 years in philanthropy, communications and strategic organizational development with the non-profit worlds in the US and Israel.
Keren speaks four languages – English, Hebrew, French and Polish, has two kids and resides in Tel Aviv, Israel. When not working or driving her kids around, Keren enjoys art, running and reading.
Yulia is in charge of MEET’s grant writing program, as well as cultivating foundation relationships.
Yulia brings a multifaceted experience in the non-profit sector. She has previously served in R&D, project management, and grant operations roles at a variety of organizations.
Yulia was born in Saint-Petersburg, and currently resides in Tel Aviv with her family. She is a world traveler, and an explorer at heart, always on the lookout for new places and new people. She loves art, sports, and reading.
Mykel, who has lived in Lebanon, Zambia, the UK, and Burundi, moved to Jerusalem in 2018 to be with his partner. He works closely with the RD and Educational teams to ensure that MEET is well represented on all public platforms in order that we might reach those who are best suited to our program, and maintain an ongoing relationship with our alumni and supporters.
Mykel has a BA and MA in Applied Drama, and co-founded a theatre company in 2014 which raises awareness of Modern Day Slavery. He is passionate about social justice, nature, art, and his dog, Don.
Layan joined MEET in 2020 as Computer Science Instructor, and later on as a Student Program Coordinator. Currently she is managing Salesforce processing, analyzing and reporting data, also building evaluation plans and reports for the different programs at MEET. She finished her BS.c. in Industrial Engineering and Management majoring in Information System at the Technion.
Abdelrahman "Abed" Abu Rmeileh manages all aspects of MEET's logistics needs. Abed is a multi-lingual Palestinian from Jerusalem, and holds an M.A. in Business and Economics from Eastern Mediterranean University in Cyprus. He has extensive procurement and logistics experience acquired at local and international companies and non-profits, and a strong background in finance, business, economics, and management. He is also the brother of one of MEET's alumni, and possibly Chelsea FC's biggest supporter.
Iky made aliyah in 2016 after living both in the United States and Mexico. Having recently finished his Master’s degree in Non-Profit Management at the Hebrew University, Iky is very active in local and national politics. He started working with MEET as a USAID compliance officer, helping MEET with the various requirements that the position brings, and now supports the RD team. His hobbies include playing bass guitar and drums, video games and cooking.
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Lour started her position at MEET in 2018 as a student program coordinator, and has been working as a team lead for the past 3 years. Currently she is leading the Year 2 team. She is also currently a board member of AWE - Arab Women Entrepreneurs.Lour has a Bachelor degree in Psychology and a Bachelor degree in English Language and Literature, as well as a Master's degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Haifa.
Lilach worked as a Student Program Coordinator in the Nazareth Hub, before taking on the responsibility of managing MEET's recruitment process, and now she leads the Year 1 team. She possesses a lot of meaningful experience in group training, production, and education through volunteering as a counsellor in a developing leadership and conflict resolution skills program. Lilach enjoys reading books, theatre, and good jokes.
After graduating from the program in 2012, Uriel Came back to work in MEET in 2017 as a Student Program Coordinator, and he now leads the Student Recruitment team. Wanting to give back to the program, and giving the students the same tools and process he went through as a student. Going through this experience Uriel decided to do his BA at the Hebrew University in Education and Political Science.
Andrei graduated from Earlham with a BA in Non-Profit Management and International Studies in 2019, after which he discovered his passion for transformative education. Andrei was heavily involved in the admissions process at his University and volunteered at ARDC and other educational organizations before joining MEET as a Student Program Coordinator.
During his free time, Andrei loves reading, singing, and playing the piano.
Gisele was born and raised in Brazil and moved to Jerusalem in 2017.
She has taken part in a Youth Movement all her life, and after graduating in Sociology, Anthropology, and Political Science from Pontifical Catholic University of Sao Paulo. She is finishing her Master's degree at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Education, focusing on Gender Studies.
For her, home is where her cat is, and where people are willing to defy the social order to change the world.
From a young age Siwar joined every science and math related competition she heard of. She later joined MEET as a student, and graduated from the program in 2021. She later gave back to the organization by volunteering as an Entrepreneurship Teaching Assistant before becoming a Student Program Coordinator. She is dedicated to giving the students the same positive experience that she was given.
Art and painting are therapy.
Passionate about nurturing understanding and leadership within her community, Dana actively participated in numerous multi-national programs fostering dialogue throughout high school. She is committed to positive change, and is continuing her journey as a Student Program Coordinator at MEET, supporting the next generation of change-makers.
Dana spends her free time making music or building Lego sets. Surprise - she is also a MEET alumna!
Sari was an active member of his school council, and had a huge input into curricular and extracurricular activities. He graduated from the MEET student program in 2021, and has served as a Teaching Assistant, before joining the student coordinator team.
He loves to sing, and often blows the MEET community away with his voice at our Talent Shows.
Aseel is a MEET Alumna, of the class of 2021. Right after she graduated she couldn’t wait to come back and contribute to the program, so she volunteered as a Computer Science Teacher Assistant. During her senior year at school she was a Model United Nations instructor.
You can always find Aseel holding a cup of coffee while playing a Taylor Swift song. When you meet her, strike up a conversation about Hermione Granger, Mermaids, and Vampires.
Hiba graduated from MEET in 2021, and served as a Teaching Assistant, before joining the Student Program Team; first as a Student Program Coordinator, and then as a Recruitment Coordinator.
She is a keen sports woman, and coaches a girls soccer team, and is also training to be a boxing referee. Interestingly, her hands are so small that she's not allowed to play the cello.
Ella joined MEET as Partnerships and Communications Coordinator in 2023, working to highlight the organization's impact and support both CSR and RD program needs.
She brings with her previous experience in project management, fundraising, and organizing for a variety of social initiatives in the non-profit sector as well as freelance op-ed writing.
Ella was born in New Zealand and currently resides in Haifa where she is active in both peace and feminist movements. In her free time, she is an avid painter and loves exploring nature and new places.
Sophie grew up in Alabama, and in August 2018 started pursuing her B.Sc in Biological engineering and Computer Science. At the end of 2019 Sophie became the MEET student coordinator at MISTI
Aya graduated from Tel Aviv University with Executive MA in Educational Management & Leadership. Her BE.D.F.A is in Film studies and she worked in the film industry as a Film Editor for ten years before joining MEET. Starting out as a Student Program Coordinator, she has taken on the role of Head of Curriculum, with the intention of elevating the standards of our Student Program.
Currently, a Ph.D. student at Haifa University, hoping to bring dialogue and participatory leadership into the educational systems. Aya was a board member of Amutat Midburn and a volunteer in its production team every year since 2015.
Loai graduated from MEET in 2017 and has been involved with MEET ever since; From serving as a teacher assistant, to an instructor of CS, he is now leading the Computer Science curriculum with all its operations; mentoring and training leads, instructors and TAs to deliver a curriculum he has been working on for several years.
Loai is currently following his passions, studying Digital Games in Cologne, Germany; Whilst working on several other projects including start-ups and serious games.
Lyel's expertise lie at the intersection of technology and social impact. He holds degrees in Physics and Political Science from MIT, and an advanced degree in Business, Media + Technology, and Education from NYU. He is currently Visiting Faculty and the Head of the Public Interest Technology Studio at Cornell Tech. He joined MEET in 2018 to lead the development of MEETx, and has gone on to help redesign our CS curriculum and Instructor training, and mentor a number of Y3 startups. He continues to work closely with the Education team on our pedagogy strategy.
Malak grew up in Nazareth. She graduated from MEET in 2018 and continued to be a part of the program as a Teacher Assistant and later on as a Coordinator, a Team Lead and a Mentor. Malak is currently studying Computer Science and Cognitive Science at the Hebrew University. She also finished a 1.5 year internship in Bussiness Development and stategy in Ukko (biotech startup). Malak is passionate about utlizing technology to change and rebuild the systems that we are part of.
Roni spent her childhood in England and moved to Jerusalem in 2012. Upon returning, she graduated from MEET in 2014 and proceeded to become a Teaching Assistant, and later a Coordinator in the organization. Roni participated in several volunteering frameworks in different communities in the region and is currently finishing her degree in Law and Cognitive & Brain Science in the Hebrew University.
She may or may not hold the world record for most times re-watching Sherlock.
For our Article 46 Certification, see here
For our 2021 Certification of Proper Management, see here
(R.A.)’s Equivalency Determination certification see here
MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI) is MIT’s pioneering international education program. Rooted in the Mens et Manus tradition, MISTI matches MIT students with tailored internship, research and teaching opportunities abroad. We also facilitate international faculty collaborations and develop partnerships with leading companies, research institutes and universities around the world.
Since 2004, MIT has been a key founding partner in critical ways, providing MEET with access to volunteer instructors, a pool of international mentors who assist in drafting and updating our educational curriculum, and direct funding.
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