Mr. Andrew Abir has served as Deputy Governor of the Bank of Israel since February 2020. He was appointed Deputy Governor by the Israeli Government, on the recommendation of the Governor of the Bank of Israel, in accordance with the Bank of Israel Law, 5770–2010.

Mr. Abir also serves as a member of the Bank of Israel’s Monetary Committee and Supervisory Council.

Prior to his appointment as Deputy Governor, Mr. Abir served as the Director of the Markets Department in the Bank of Israel.

Mr. Abir has been at the central bank since 1987, initially in the Office of the Governor, and then moving to the Markets Department in 1992.

Mr. Abir earned a BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Oxford University, and an MBA from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Mr. Ittai Ben-Zeev was born in 1975. He is the TASE CEO since January 2017.
Prior to joining TASE, Mr. Ben-Zeev served as Executive Vice President, Head of Capital Markets Division, Bank Leumi and was also a member of the Bank's Management (2013 - 2016).
Between the years 2010 - 2013 he was the Deputy Head of Capital Markets Division in Bank Leumi and during 2007 - 2010 Mr. Ben-Zeev managed the Forex and Derivatives Dealing Room of the Bank.
Previously, he served as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch Israel, as well as Merrill Lynch Technology Group in London.

Natalie Raz is the CEO of the Israel Hedge Funds Association since June 2022. The role of the IHFA is to represent and promote the common interests of the hedge fund industry with Governmental bodies in Israel and assist with regulatory reforms to provide recommendations for best practices of the industry in Israel; to provide access to professional information, and to broaden and deepen the market and public knowledge about Israel's hedge fund industry.

Natalie holds an Investment Advisor license and brings profound professional knowledge and more than 20 years of experience in the Israeli capital market. Throughout her carrier, she held numerous key positions in Banks and investment houses, including as a CEO of a subsidiary of an Israeli public company that specialized in the origination, structuring, and marketing of Alternative Investments. Natalie served in multiple management positions at Excellence Investment House, led the issuance of the first Excellence ETNs, and headed the Alternative Investments desk there. Natalie holds BA and MBA in Business Administration - majoring in Finance from Ono Academic College.

Natalie Raz
natalie@ihfa.co.il
Tel: +972-54-6430800

Chemi is a Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Pitango Venture Capital. Since inception, Pitango invested some $3 Billion in a diversified portfolio of 300 technology driven companies. Pitango manages three parallel funds: Pitango Growth, Pitango First (seed and early stage) and Pitango HealthTech. Chemi actively serve as a board member at several Pitango portfolio companies among them are Taboola.com (NASDAQ: TBLA), Via Transportation, Masterschool and Venn, to mention a few. Chemi has accumulated years of experience as an investor and a board member in many companies, several of which became publicly traded on NASDAQ and NYSE. Among them are Aladdin, AudioCodes, Orckit Communications, VocalTec and Koor Industries. He served on the board of directors of Teva Pharmaceuticals. In 2020 he joined the Ethics & Sustainability Committee at GEOX.

After serving as a pilot in the Israeli Air Force for 10 years, Chemi started his career at IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries) Engineering department. Later, he held managerial positions in the software industry at DSI. He began his career in the VC world in 1992 as founder and CEO of MOFET Israel Technology Fund, then listed on TASE (Tel Aviv Stock Exchange). He co-founded and chaired IVA (Israel Venture Association), today known as IATI (Israeli Advanced Technology Industries association).

Chemi also serves as Chairman of the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1996 by his late father, Israel 8th Prime Minister and 9th President of the State of Israel, Shimon Peres. The Peres Center is advancing peace building and co-existence projects and activities. The Center fosters entrepreneurship and innovation to strengthen Israel’s tech economy and leverage it as a platform for regional and international collaboration. In 2018 the Peres Center Launched the Israeli Innovation Center as part the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation. Chemi is an active participant in the areas of not-for profit enterprises. In 2013 he was instrumental is the foundation of Social Finance Israel (SFI) and served as board member for 10 years, and he co-founded Israel Solidarity Relief Fund during Covid 19.

Chemi holds a B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering and Management, and an MBA from Tel Aviv University.

In 2023 he published his first book: My Israel - 70 Faces of the Land.

Izhar Shay, former Minister of Science & Technology, is a high-tech entrepreneur and VC investor. He is a co-founder at the Next October initiative.

Izhar Shay is a Venture Partner with Disruptive AI, an early stage deep-tech VC focused on AI investments. Shay is the Chairman of Kendago, a leading digital marketing group, and he is actively involved with a number of innovative companies as an advisor, board member, and mentor for CEOs and entrepreneurs.

Mr. Segev has over 20 years of experience in M&A and alternative investments. He is the founder and CEO of Liquant Asset Management, a firm that specializes in hedge fund investment strategies and in investing in technology companies. Prior to his return to Israel in 2014, Lior was the COO and then CEO of Lyxor Asset Management in New York, the alternative investment management arm of Societe Generale. Mr. Segev also held the position of General Counsel at Lyxor and prior to that at Societe Generale Asset Management. He practiced law with the law firm of Sidely Austin in New York with focus on mergers and acquisitions and alternative investments. Lior is a graduate of NYU Law School (LL.M), Cardiff Law School (LL.B, 1st in Class) and the Israeli Naval Academy (1st in Class). Mr. Segev is an investor in and a board member of several technology companies. He is also one of the founders and is a board member of the Israeli Hedge Fund Association (IHFA) and a board member of Migdalor, the Israeli Naval Academy Alumni Association.

Max has spent nearly two decades advising emerging hedge fund managers on all aspects of launching investment management businesses. With a market-leading practice, Max represents both emerging and established investment managers in the formation and structuring of hedge funds, private equity funds and investment management entities.

Max also advises family offices and private foundations on a wide range of matters, including structuring, operational issues and philanthropic giving.

In addition, Max represents clients in cross-border matters involving Israel and the United States. Fluent in Hebrew, Max has represented international clients making investments in Israel, and has worked with Israeli investment managers on structuring and launching funds that are open to U.S. and international investors. He is also co-founder of the Israel Hedge Funds Association, Israel’s industry association for hedge fund managers.

Prior to joining Akin, Max served as chair of the emerging managers practice, co-chair of the family office practice, as well as co-chair of the Israel practice at another major law firm. He was previously the chief operating officer and in-house counsel to a family office and private foundation.

Lior Shimonovich is the Head of Israel Institutional Sales at Jefferies.

In his role, Lior manages the relationships with the Israel’s largest pension & provident funds, asset managers and hedge funds as well as supports the public equity effort related to Israeli and Israeli-related companies.

Prior to joining Jefferies, Lior was part of the debt capital markets and structured finance teams at RBS.  Mr. Shimonovich graduated from George Washington University with a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering finishing Magna Cum Laude.  Mr. Shimonovich is fluent in Hebrew and spends a considerable amount of time in Israel.

Mr. Dreyfuss is the CEO of Eden Funds—Eden Alpha and Eden Discovery. He oversees business development, operations, and investor relations. Mr. Dreyfuss also serves as a board member of the Israeli Hedge funds Association(IHFA). Before joining the General Partner, Mr. Dreyfuss served as the VP of business development of Floresta Holdings, a UK-based company that developed renewable energy projects in Brazil and Indonesia. Mr. Dreyfuss holds a B.Sc. degree in Electrical Engineering and an MBA degree Summa Cum Laude; both degrees are from the Technion—Israel's Institute of Technology.

Paul Dex's role at TMX is Head of European Business Development, Equity Trading. Paul looks after current TSX equity trading clients, as well as identifying and building relationships with potential new trading partners. Paul works in a dedicated team based in the UK and Asia who represent the whole of the TMX Group outside of Canada, principally selling Equities, F&O, and TMX's comprehensive data offering.

Paul has spent 30 years in Financial Services in The City of London, working in various roles.

Paul started his career at the London International Financial Futures Exchange, heading the International Sales Team. Paul moved across to brokerage at Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (SEB) as their Global Head of Sales and

Marketing, leading three teams of brokers across three countries. He subsequently moved to BNY Mellon, where he headed Customer and Relationship Management across EMEA. In the last eight years Paul has held two further global Business Development roles at leading software vendors Fidessa and FIS respectively

Paul is a qualified Coach and Counsellor and in his spare time works to support and help individuals and couples

Harel Gillon is Co-CEO of Oppenheimer Israel, one of the largest global brokerage and investment banking house in Israel, having served in this position since 2005. Oppenheimer Israel’s clients include the country’s leading financial institutions, among them insurance companies, investment houses and hedge funds. Harel has managed the subsidiary of parent company Oppenheimer & Co. inc through corporate changes relating to its sale from CIBC in 2008 and through the Global Financial Crisis. He has over 25 years of experience in capital markets, previously working in a range of sales and trading roles. Harel holds an MBA from IDC Herzliya and had previously served in the Intelligence Unit within the Israeli defence forces.

Galit has experience of over 15 years in senior roles within the investment management field, especially in Global Credit.

For the past 5 years, Galit has been working at Menora Mivtachim Insurance, one of Israel's leading Insurance and Pension funds. As the Head of Global Credit, Galit manages a credit portfolio valued at over 20 billion NIS, consisting of Fixed Income and Private Debt. Her responsibilities include developing global credit strategies, allocating assets, and constructing portfolios across various asset classes.

Prior to joining Menora, Galit held the position of Head of Fixed Income at Amitim Pension Funds. Earlier in her career, she managed a global Nostro portfolio at Mizrahi Tefahot Bank.

Galit holds an MSc in Finance and Accounting from Tel Aviv University.

Maya has over 15 years of experience in various roles in management specials in the global markets both on the buy and sell side.
MBA in business Specialize in finance.

Since 2016 I am the head of the global fixed income at Migdal Insurance one of the largest institutional investors in Israel that manages over $100 bill. AUM.

The responsibilities include all aspects of management of the global credit portfolio from Managing the team, allocation, analysis, trading, and investment strategies all with the ability to identify attractive assets, work under pressure, quick decision making, Creativity, High motivation, and ability to engage other on varies liquid credit asset.

With my years of experience, I have developed relationships with leading world and Israeli institutions.
Having a successful track record of overperformance. managing over 20billion NIS.

Previous experience includes different investment management as of P.M of Mutual Funds participating in investment committees Managing investment strategies from allocation, analysis Compliance with regulatory requirements.

I have established professional global credit brokerage departments to provide and identified clients' needs providing investment ideas and solutions for market different conditions all for leading institutions while maintaining high professionalism.

Devorah leads the ICE Fixed Income and Data Services strategy and business development efforts for the Middle East and North Africa. Prior to this role, Devorah was a specialist for the ICE derivatives solution services and focused on the Eastern and Central European regions. Devorah worked in capital markets in the United States before making Aliyah and is fluent in multiple languages.

Ofir has vast experience managing multi-billion global investments in leading Israeli institutional platforms.

Prior to Caspa, he was the head of global equity and fixed income at Meitav Pension and Provident Funds, head of Global investments at Menora Pension Fund, and head of global mutual funds at Excellence.

Ofir is well-known in the global financial industry and is regularly participating in professional investment panels. He is also a lecturer at the Israeli Financial Institute.

He brings in deep knowledge and expertise in financial markets for both institutional and retail portfolios.

Eran has over 20 years of trading and Investing experience in Global Markets. At the last 10 years Eran is the Head of Global Markets at Harel Insurance Company, one of the largest Insurance & Pension Company in Israel. As a Head of Global Markets, Eran manage a portfolio of over 20 Bill USD in both Equity & Fixed Income. Prior to Harel, Eran worked as a Portfolio Manager at Migdal Insurance Company, Eran was in charge of the Global Fixed Income investment at Migdal. Earlier in his career, Eran was the Head of trading desk at Matrix A.B.C , a private trading company. Eran holds a BA in economics from Bear -Sheva University and MBA from TLV University.

Sarju Gudka is Director, EMEA Derivatives Sales, at Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (Cboe). Based in London, Gudka is responsible for managing relationships with Cboe’s buy- and sell-side customers across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

In this role, Gudka identifies opportunities to raise awareness of Cboe’s products and marketplace by providing education and observations about European and U.S. listed derivatives markets. Additionally, Gudka helps develop new products and refine existing products. He is also responsible for developing coverage in new regional jurisdictions, whilst strengthening relationships with partners across the industry.

Previously, Gudka built and managed a profitable emerging market delta-1 trading business at a Tier 1 investment bank, running the global EM and EMEA linear derivative books, with mandates on index, single stock and basket financing, cash/futures and listing arbitrage, special situations and proprietary risk taking.

Gudka holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from University College London.

Boaz Warshavsky is the Founder & CEO at Objective, an analysis firm focusing on alternative investment funds. Boaz leads a team of professional & experienced analysts, manages the risk management department and business strategy. Boaz is an expert in performing investment analysis and a popular speaker in the field of alternatives, where he presents trends and forecasts in the field. Former to establishing Objective, Boaz served as Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of International Investments in the Provident Funds and Institutions Department at “Psagot Investment House”. Working daily with these investors, Boaz realized the necessity of alternative investments analyses, which ignited the spark for Objective.

Objective is the leading analysis firm for alternative investments funds in Israel. Objective performs pre-investment analyses and ongoing monitoring throughout the investment lifecycle, reporting to the investor on a yearly basis. The analysis is performed for all types of alternative funds in Israel and worldwide.

Avi possesses over two decades of experience in various senior roles within the investment management industry in Israel, encompassing both buy-side and sell-side operations.

Currently serving as the Chief Investment Officer at Gilad Pension Fund for the Religious employees LTD. , Avi oversees assets under management exceeding 11.5 billion NIS. In this capacity, Avi assumes responsibility for all facets of local and global , Private and Public investment management .

Avi spearheads the Investment department's activities, which encompass analyzing, trading, and allocating funds across a range of liquid and alternative assets as well as local and foreign investment vehicles. Moreover, Avi is entrusted with the development of assets allocation strategies.

Avi's professional journey encompasses two decades of employment in prominent positions within Israel's largest financial institutions, including banks, insurance companies, and investment houses. He holds an MBA in finance from The Academic College for Management, complemented by a BA in economics and finance from the same institution.

Uri has over 20 years of team management and business development experience, and vast experience in High Frequency Trading and Derivatives market making.

Trying to create for Win Win situations and finding new ways to increase revenues and capital efficiency. Uri joined Barak Capital and soon took on a managerial role heading the market-making team, with direct responsibility of the business development, revenues, building relationships, and developing new markets.

Uri communicates daily with exchanges, brokers, banks, vendors, advisors, quants and competitors enjoying getting to know each of his contacts very well. Committed to excellence and the delivery of consistent results Uri has a MSc in financial mathematics from Bar-Ilan University.

Prior to joining Community Fund, Ariel helped to build Exigent Capital’s Israeli special situations investment practice and led several investment transactions in cooperation with York Capital.

Prior to joining Exigent, Ariel advised on some of Israel’s most notable restructuring processes, and spent three years with Jefferies’ TMT investment banking group in New York, where he focused on Restructuring and M&A. Before moving to the US, he spent 3 years in a visual technology unit in the Israeli Intelligence Force.

Ariel holds a BSE in Operations Research and Financial Engineering from Princeton University.

Ariel has more than 20 years of experience as an analyst and fund manager in global investment management. Ariel is a co-founder of Gilboa Fund of Funds, Limited Partnership, an Israeli based investment vehicle launched in 2014, dedicated to investments in Israeli Investment Funds and Investment Managers. He is also a founding member of the Israeli Hedge Fund Association. Prior to Gilboa, Ariel was the managing partner at Alpha Global, a long/short global equity hedge fund. Before that Ariel was the managing partner of Tamir Fishman Equity Opportunity Fund, an Israeli based long-short value oriented hedge fund, a senior analyst focused on deep fundamental analysis of global equities at Alverstoke Capital, a New York based hedge fund which specialized in applying a private equity approach to public markets, and an analyst and portfolio manager at Evergreen Investment Management, where he oversaw equity and fixed income investments for clients through managed accounts. Ariel received an MBA, Magna Cum Laude, from New York University, Stern School of Business (2003-2005). And a B.A, Magna Cum Laude, in Business and Economics from the Hebrew University (1996-1999).

Josh Lipman joined Sphera in 2014 and is Head of Research across the Tech and Israeli fund. He has more than 15 years experience investing across global markets. Prior to joining Sphera, Josh was an equity analyst at Citi in London for 3 years covering Telecoms, Travel and Leisure. Before that he received an ACA accounting qualification at PwC in London working in audit, tax and research. Josh gained a 1st Class BsC in Psychology from University College London.

Founder and managing partner at KAI Capital since 2015. Previously, Mr. Gluska was the founder and CEO of Heatsense Energy, an engineering services company specializing in energy efficiency. Mr. Gluska is a former intelligence officer in 8200, and hold a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Tel Aviv University (with Honors).

Group. Granite Alternative Group was established in 2013 and manages a Hedge Fund and several large SMAs. Uri joined Granite inancial Instruments as the head of the trading desk in 2004. Previously he spent four years working as a Market Maker in listed U.S. Equity and Index Options at Bear Wagner in New York. Uri holds a B.A. in Economics from Penn State University (U.S.A), and an M.B.A in finance from Bar Ilan University (Israel).

Managing Director at iFunds Capital, Israel’s premier platform connecting the wealth channels with top-tier private markets and hedge fund managers. With a distinguished career spanning finance, private equity, business operations, and technology, Dani has held senior leadership roles in both finance and tech sectors. He has held both executive and  board positions in several financial and tech companies.