Prof. Eugene Kandel (BA, MA Hebrew University in Jerusalem; MBA, Ph.D. The University of Chicago) is the Emil Spyer Professor of Economics and Finance at the Hebrew University. Prof. Kandel has published extensively in Finance and Economics.

In 2009-2015 Kandel served as the Head of the National Economic Council and the Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister of Israel, where he advanced many important economic policies and reforms. Between 2015 and 2021, he served as the CEO of Start Up Nation Central, an NGO promoting the Israeli tech innovation sector around the world.

In 2021, Prof. Kandel co-founded the Start-Up Nation Policy Institute, a non-profit dedicated to advancing Israel’s innovation policies, strengthening the ecosystem and making it more impactful on the Israeli economy and society. He serves as the Co-Chairman of SNPI.

In 2023, Prof. Kandel began serving as the Chairman of the Board of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.

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

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.

On September 8, 2012, an entire nation watched as the flag of Israel was raised over the London Paralympics and tears appeared on the face of the emotional young Israeli tennis champion, Noam Gershony. Six years before his gold medal win in wheelchair tennis, Noam was serving as an IDF Apache helicopter pilot.
At the outbreak of the Second Lebanon War, he was severely injured in an operation that brought two helicopters down. Thanks to the initial work of the IDF’s search and rescue unit, the doctors at Rambam Hospital, and Noam’s positive attitude, he not only survived but now serves as an inspiration for people around the world. For many of us, Noam is a symbol of hope, of determination, and of triumph.

ngershony@gmail.com

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.

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.

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.

David Woo is the Founder/CEO of David Woo Unbound, a new global forum devoted to promoting fact-based debates about our
shared future in the intersection between markets, economics and politics. Until 2021, David was the Head of Global Rates, FX, and EM Fixed Income Strategy & Economic Research at Bank of America.

David is known on Wall Street for his bold and out-of-consensus calls that includes the RMB devaluation in 2015 and Trump’s
victory in 2016. Business Insider voted David as one of the 12 smartest people on Wall Street in 2016. David started his career at the International Monetary Fund in Washington D.C.. He received his Ph.D in Economics from Columbia University.

Hemal Purohit is Head of EMEA Derivatives Sales, at Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (Cboe). Based in London, Purohit leads the company’s EMEA Derivatives sales. Purohit is responsible for managing relationships with Cboe’s buy- and sell-side customers across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Prior to joining Cboe, Purohit held various positions at several sell-side banks, including Société Générale, Barclays, Santander and Natixis. He has extensive experience in listed derivative sales, Institutional sales and index volatility trading.

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.

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.

Prakash is a leader in the firm’s pioneering, preeminent and global investment management practice. He is internationally recognized as one of the world’s leading attorneys in the field of private investment funds. Prakash represents the largest and most sophisticated global asset management firms, including many of the marquee names in the industry.

In his storied career, Prakash has advised on hundreds of billions of dollars of private fund formations across a wide variety of strategies, including private equity, hedge and credit.

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 Navot, Head of Global Investments, Meitav Investment House Extensive years of Global Investment management experience on both private and institutional platforms. Successfully lead teams managing HNW accounts, Hedge Funds, Mutual Funds and Pension Funds. Experienced in systematic/quant trading methods as well as fundamental macro investing. Currently Head of Global Investments at Meitav Pension Fund.

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.

Mr. Zeller is a Managing Partner at Sphera Strategy, Founding partner at SpheraTech. He joined Sphera in 2013 as an Equity Research Analyst focusing on the Tech, Consumer, and services industries. Prior to joining us, he was the Equity Research Analyst of Camalia Capital Markets in the years 2010-2013. Nadav earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administraion and Management from The Open University of Israel, Magna Cum Laude.

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.

Leor Shapiro is Managing Director and Global Head of Capital Intelligence within prime services at Jefferies with oversight of Capital Introductions, Strategic Content and Hedge Fund Consulting Services. Mr. Shapiro is responsible for working with both existing and start-up hedge fund managers to help them launch, grow and evolve their businesses as well as help them develop and implement their marketing strategies on a global basis. Mr. Shapiro also serves as co-Head of the Jefferies Woman’s Initiative Network for the Americas and sits on the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Prior to Jefferies, Mr. Shapiro was the Americas Head of Business Consulting at UBS and spent the earlier part of his career allocating to hedge funds with an operational due diligence focus.

Prior to joining CME Group in 2015 Mark had over 20 years of experience trading in Fixed Income derivatives. Most recently heading the Scandinavian and Swiss trading desk at Deutsche Bank and previously at JP Morgan. Mark’s role at CME Group focuses on executing the company’s international growth strategy in rates with emphasis on refining and delivering exchange traded and OTC product to the EMEA region. Mark holds a BSc in Economics and Computing from London School of Economics and Political Science.

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 one of Israel's largest Portfolio management companies, Avi oversees assets under management exceeding 20 billion NIS. This company is a subsidiary of Phoenix Insurance, one of the largest financial groups in Israel. In this capacity, Avi assumes responsibility for all facets of local and global investment management, catering to a diverse array of portfolios with distinct characteristics such as mutual funds, investment insurance policies, and sectorial pension funds.

Leading a team of 20 investment managers and specialists, 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, investment models, and solutions, as well as the construction of portfolios spanning multiple asset 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.

As the head of the Equities Desk at Amitiam, (the largest pension fund in Israel, Adi Heller manages a portfolio of over $15 billion of global and local equities.

In addition, Adi is CIO of Karnit fund, where he manages equities, fixed income, commodities & PE.

With over 20 years of trading and investment experience in global markets, Adi previously managed the global market desk at Meitav Dash and over $20 billion in equities, fixed income and commodities at Migdal Insurance Company. Prior to that, Adi worked as a Market Maker on Wall Street, after completing an MBA in New York

Saar Weintraub's work experience began as a Foreign Exchange Trader at Bank Leumi. He transitioned to Deutsche Bank in 2006, where he was Vice President in Emerging Markets Trading. Saar moved to Barclays in 2009, assuming the role of Director and Head of Israel Onshore Trading. After leaving Barclays in 2014, he joined Yasoor Fund as a Managing Partner, with a focus on EM hedge fund activities. Currently, Saar is the Director of Business Development and Sales at NAV Fund Administration Group.

Saar holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and East Asian Studies from Tel Aviv University and also earned a Higher National Diploma in Chinese Studies from Fudan University. Additionally, Saar has a Master of Arts (MA) in Law from Netanya Academic College.

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.

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.

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).

David Ezra leads product development for derivatives data and analytics at ICE Data Services out of the Tel Aviv office. Prior to that, David spent a decade in London working for several investment banks, including 7 years at Goldman Sachs. David was born in France, and graduated with a statistics degree from Dauphine University in Paris, and a Management degree from Paris Business School ESCP.

Mike Ellis CFA, CA (SA), MBA Director and Chief Investment Officer of Pioneer Wealth Management Originally from South Africa, Mike joined Pioneer in March 2000 after working in the Private Banking & Trust industry in the UK. Mike has over 22 years' experience in dealing with private clients and investment selection merging analytical, accounting and taxation experience to help investors look after their wealth. Mike is a Chartered Accountant, a CFA charter holder and received his MBA from Tel Aviv University & Kellogg Business School. Mike is also an Oxford University Alumni having participated in the Said Business School's Global Investment Risk Management Program. In addition, Mike is a licensed Portfolio Manager by the Israel Securities Authority. Mike serves pro bono as Chairman of the Investment Committee of the South African Zionist Federation (Telfed) and is a member of the Raanana Volunteer Search and Rescue Unit.

Ruben Mamou serves as Expert Sales Energy for EEX and is specialised on exchange trading in EMEA energy markets.

Prior to this, he was heading the coordination of the European Gas sales desk at Powernext Gas Exchange in Paris. In addition to the various roles in the energy exchanges the past 15 years, he was OTC Gas broker for 4 years on European markets, where he contributed to setup the desk and to develop the business strategy with a strong focus on European gas.

Stéphane Eglizeau is Managing Director at Société Générale and EMEA Head of Sales for Prime Services & Clearing, based in Paris. He joined the french bank in 2017 as Global Head of Sales for Professional Trading Groups.

Stéphane previously spent 11 years at ABN AMRO Clearing Bank, where he was latterly Chief Executive Officer for Asia-Pacific, Singapore based.

Before that he spent 7 years at BNP Paribas across numerous positions in Paris and London.
Stéphane is a graduate of the European Business School.

Guy has over 15 years' trading experience during which time he has handled sell side and buy side global investors dealing in Israel.
Guy began his career in 2007 and since 2012 he managed equity trading for international clients at a number of sell – side brokers. He has been head of global client equity trading at IBI Brokerage since 2018.
The responsibility of managing this important gateway to the Israeli market has developed along with the global changes in technology, regulation and the way Israel is perceived by global investors.
As head of global equity trading at IBI Brokerage, Guy brings an innovative approach to market trading and is leading technological changes that are in step with the latest developments in financial services technology.

Guy is an Israel Securities Authority – certified portfolio manager, holds a BA degree in Economics and South East Asia studies and an MBA majoring in Finance, both from Tel-Aviv University.

Shahar is the managing partner of Lucid Capital – The Geek Fund with over $100M AUM in both public and private tech companies, backed by 4 top institutional investors

Before founding Lucid Capital, he served in senior tech positions: Head of Strategy & Business Development for HP-Indigo, Head of Products Division at Cisco Enterprise Division (San Jose,CA);  Director of Product at Stratasys, a leader in 3D printing; and VP Product at the cyber startup AppDome.

Shahar volunteers as a board member for NGOs, is a mentor at the Techstars-Barclays FinTech accelerator and was the youngest member of the Trachtenberg Committee.

Holds a B.Sc in Computer Science and an MBA (both cum laude) from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.