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The Good Food Institute Israel (GFI Israel) is a science-based nonprofit, aimed at accelerating groundbreaking alternative protein research and innovation in Israel. We collaborate with partners in the scientific, governmental, and business sectors, in order to build a sustainable, healthy, and just global food system.
GFI Israel was established in 2019 to leverage Israeli innovation and scientific expertise, in order to support the Good Food Institute’s (GFI) global ambitions. As a part of GFI’s family, we work alongside over 100 team members based in the United States, Brazil, India, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, to promote a better global food system.
Nir leads The Good Food Institute’s stellar team in Israel. We are focusing our work on groundbreaking innovation and research, working with Israel’s government, universities, companies, startups and investors. We aim to promote Israel’s status as a global leader in alternative protein research, development and manufacturing.
Nir has vast experience in promoting strategic plans in the food and agri fields. Prior to GFI, he worked as a consultant to startups, investors, government agencies, food manufacturers and NGOs at TASC and LEC, focusing on the Agrifood sector. Nir is a Fellow at the Heschel Center for Sustainability and a member of the Israeli Bar, previously worked at the Ministry of Justice and practiced intellectual property law at S. Horowitz. He holds an LLB law degree and an MBA from The Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Tom is a Senior Scientist at GFI Israel. He conducts cultivated meat lectures, provides scientific counseling to companies, entrepreneurs, researchers and students, and hosts a course on alternative proteins at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv University and Ben-Gurion University.
He holds a B.Sc in molecular biochemistry (Summa Cum Laude) from the Technion University, a Masters degree in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology from the Levenberg lab for stem cells and tissue engineering in the Technion University, and a Ph.D. on Bovine Skeletal Muscle Tissue Engineering from the Levenberg lab, where he initiated and led a cultivated meat project which developed with his aid into a cultivated meat company called Aleph Farms and was recently published in Nature Food. Alongside his studies, he volunteered in nonprofit organizations advancing alternative protein technologies.
Michal is GFI Israel’s Academic Engagement Manager, working with Israel’s leading academic institutions, researchers and students, to promote alternative protein research and innovation. Michal holds a B.Sc.in Biochemistry and Food Science, an M.Sc at Biotechnology (Both from the Hebrew University), a Ph.D in Biology (Technion), and a postdoc in the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology (Hebrew University).
Michal led innovative projects from academia to industry in the pharma and food sectors. She has experience in the production process development of recombinant proteins from the cloning step to high cell density expression in fermenters, scalable purification procedures, and development of analytical tests.
Alla is handling strategic relationships, working with government and strategic partners to maximize funding support towards Alt protein R&D, making Alt protein a national priority and positioning Israel as a leader in this field.
Alla brings over 7 years of experience leading large-scale, long term engagements with companies in the US, India & Europe. Specialized in the international retail & consumer goods industry. Prior to joining GFI Alla served as a project director with Goldratt Consulting Ltd. where she led execution of innovative cross-functional programs, with startups, corporates and governments for constructing and executing national plans.
Alla holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry from Tel Aviv University and an M.Sc. in Material Science from the Weizmann Institute of science.
Aviv is leading the business engagement in Israel, managing the interface with the industry and the activities with start-ups, investors, incubators, and corporates.
Aviv brings over 15 years of international experience in the Pharma and Medtech sectors, growing startups to global success, and taking disruptive innovative technologies to the market. Aviv has vast experience in fundraising, investments, business strategy, G2M plans & partnerships. Prior to joining GFI, Aviv served as a VP of Business Development & Sales at Syqe Medical. Prior to that, he held several commercial management roles at Syneron Candela Medical (NASDAQ: ELOS), where he led the launch of new technologies worldwide. Aviv holds an E.MBA from Tel Aviv University and a B.Sc. in Biotechnology from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Ari is GFI Israel’s Associate Director, responsible for developing and maintaining strategic plans, project management and prioritization, alignment with GFI’s global affiliate teams, and supporting the execution of initiatives in all of GFI’s activity areas – policy, corporate engagement, SciTech and communications.
Prior to joining GFI, Ari served as legal counsel in the Israeli Ministry of Finance, where he led the legislation drafting and governmental policy integration of several large-scale reforms, including the mega-project “Tel-Aviv Metropolitan Area Metro” estimated at over $45 billion. Previously, Ari also served as law clerk in the Supreme Court of Israel, as Editor in Chief of Israel’s leading Law Review (“Mishpatim”), and as a researcher in the Department of Policy Planning and Strategy at the Israeli Ministry of Justice.
Ari holds a law degree (LL.B) and an M.B.A. majoring in strategy and innovation from The Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Hadas leads GFI Israel’s marketing and communication efforts, working to build its brand and positioning the organization as the local and global expert in alternative protein.
Prior to joining GFI, Hadas served as a Milken Research Fellow at the Israeli Ministry of Economy, where she was involved in the formulation of Israel’s nascent International Development Policy and in planning several multilateral global health initiatives with international institutions. Previously, Hadas worked as a training development consultant for the public and private sectors.
Hadas holds an M.Sc. in International Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a B.A. in Sociology and Arts from Ben Gurion University.
Hila is GFI Israel’s International Collaborations Manager, working to facilitate impactful partnerships for the ecosystem and unlock global opportunities involving stakeholders from both government and business sectors.
Hila’s background combines experience in investment banking and business experience in the food and biotech industries. Prior to joining GFI, she held an executive position at Brightfood Inc, the Chinese company which acquired Tnuva, where she managed the company’s post-acquisition integration focusing on corporate development, growth strategy, and innovation. For the past 13 years, Hila has led international, cross-cultural strategic collaborations in various sectors focusing mainly on Asia and Europe. She holds a BA in Business and East Asian studies from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Yael leads GFI Israel’s community engagement initiative, working to build connections in the local ecosystem and strengthening the bond between academia and industry’s local alternative protein experts.
Prior to joining GFI, Yael served as a Partnerships and Business Development Director at the Israeli Economic Mission to the West Coast, where she facilitated connections between Israeli startups to US investors and corporations. Yael made valuable connections to both ecosystems and helped Israeli startups raise more than $200M in both direct investments and business collaborations. Yael holds a B.A. in Business and Economics from the Interdisciplinary Institute in Herzliya.
Miriam is GFI Israel’s business analyst, recognizing trends and opportunities for all stakeholders in the industry from start-ups to corporations, and working to bring those opportunities to fruition.
Prior to joining GFI, Miriam served as an Analyst in the financial division of consulting agency Adkit, where she conducted market research and provided key insights for central financial players, including major banks and insurance providers. Miriam holds a B.A in Psychology and Philosophy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
