Team
DeserTech Manager
Sivan Cohen Shachari
For the past 15 years, Sivan has been involved in community and educational development in many formal and informal arenas, out of the agenda that processes of leadership and leadership design are an engine for social change in the Israeli society. In her role as DeserTech Manager, she is involved in the development of the desert technologies ecosystem. In her previous positions, she worked at Bina organization, leading the gap year program. She was also a teacher and led teams in various settings. In addition, Sivan was involved in the establishment of many communities in the Negev and led policy change initiatives in the areas of regional development. Sivan holds a bachelor's degree from Ben Gurion University of the Negev and lives in the Negev for the past 12 years.
International Ecosystem Development
Sinai Gohar Barak
Sinai is the ecosystem development manager of the DeserTech community, forming new strategic partnerships, and leading open innovation processes with organizations who are interested in exploring and implementing desert technologies. Prior to joining the Israel Innovation Institute, Sinai was the director of the social innovation unit at SIT, working closely with non-profit organizations such as municipalities, government offices, academia, and NGO’s. Sinai is an experienced Innovation facilitator; she holds a BA in Sociology and lives in a southern Kibbutz.
Head of Israeli Ecosystem
Sharon Goldberg
As the Head of the Israeli Ecosystem, Sharon is responsible for creating opportunities, connections, and collaborations for the community members, by staying in touch with startups and building relationships with the various stakeholders in the world of desert technologies. Also, she is responsible for the project management of the community. Sharon is a graduate of the PPE program at the Hebrew University, and has experience both from the private sector, having held several positions in JVP VC, and from the public sector, after working as an economist in the Accountant General's Division of the Ministry of Finance. Sharon is currently studying for a Master’s degree in Economics from Tel Aviv University and lives in Be'er Sheva.
Head of Business Development
Israel Ben Shitrit
Israel Ben Shitrit is the business development manager of DeserTech. In his role, he promotes the connections and collaborations made between the different players dealing with desertification, into concrete deals.
Israel Ben Shitrit lives in Yeruham, he breathes business development, entrepreneurship, and mentoring. Israel has rich experience in these fields, after being a business development manager at SMBIT and managing accelerators from the design phase to product development. In addition, Israel is deeply familiar with the ecosystem in the Negev and is connected to local venture capital funds, associations, development and innovation bodies, government officials, and representatives of civil society. Israel is a man of the people.
CEO Merage Foundation
Nicole Hod Stroh
