Having grown up in Colombia, a society marked by inequality, poverty and violence, I am a deep believer in the power of opportunities to ensure that prosperity is not a privilege for the few, but a right for all. I see my work at MFI as a living proof of the Israeli dream—a dream where everyone can participate and thrive in this country filled with potential and opportunities.
Nicole is an experienced leader in international development, social impact, and venture philanthropy, with two decades of global experience across the U.S., Latin America, and Israel. Since 2019, she has served as Executive Director of the Merage Foundation Israel, advancing strategic initiatives in Negev development, Aliyah, and social resilience.
Her accomplishments include founding Synergy7, Beer Sheva’s leading innovation hub; launching the DeserTech Initiative to position the Negev as a climate innovation hub; and creating the Negev Desert Wine Program, now home to over 53 vineyards and wineries.
Nicole began her career at the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) in New York, later advancing international development initiatives in Bogotá, Colombia. After moving to Israel in 2009, she served as Strategic Development Manager for the Bedouin women’s organization Sidreh, and subsequently as Deputy Director of ANU–Making Change.
A systems thinker, she is passionate about leveraging innovation, private-sector engagement, and cross-sector collaboration to drive scalable, sustainable change.
As someone who immigrated to Israel at an early age, and faced challenges that shaped my abilities and skills, I have the honor and privilege of giving back to Israeli society and helping teens, young people, adults, and women get the opportunity to become more productive citizens – for themselves and for society, touching the lives of many citizens and fulfill my great dream to build the strength of Israeli society
Hailing from Ashdod, Sigal holds B.A in political science and communications and M.A. in political science and international relations. She has a strong background in municipal management as well as managing volunteer and scholarship programs. She was born in Shiraz, Iran, and made Aliya as a child.
“The connection between my personal -family story and the vision and work of the Merage Family in Israel served to guide me during my work in the Foundation. As a daughter in the family that immigrated from Iran, to a father who served as a lone soldier and as someone born in the Negev, it is a tremendous privilege for me to take part in the Foundation’s activities. The right to help others, to affect the lives of people and to pave new paths to march on are what give my work and my life meaning every day.”
Hila began working with the Foundation as a volunteer in our women’s clubs. As someone who grew up in a household of new immigrants from Iran, she found herself giving back and empowering the community in which she was raised, speaking Farsi, a language she spoke since childhood. At the end of the year of volunteering, Hila decided to join the Merage Family as an employee.
In 2013, she joined the Foundation’s professional staff as manager of assistance to immigrants from Iran. As part of her job, Hila helped facilitate the successful integration of Iranian immigrants in Israeli society, in a range of areas: education, recruitment to the IDF and National Service, higher education, employment and entrepreneurship.
In 2015, Hila joined the staff at Wings for lone immigrant soldiers as manager of marketing and community relations, alongside managing the activity of the forum for organizations for lone soldiers that was set up in 2016. Since 2022, Hila has been managing the Wings for lone immigrant soldiers for the Merage Foundation Israel, in addition to managing the forum of organizations for lone soldiers.
Her social vision, coupled with a belief in the human spirit, helped her execute numerous social projects that significantly impacted Israel’s civil society while still a young girl and as an involved student.
Hila holds a MA in family studies (certification for family counseling) from the academic track in the College of Management. This in addition to a BA in Social Sciences (specialty in human resources management) and a BA in Jewish Studies (specialty in Jewish History) from Bar-Ilan University. Hila is a certified mediator (specialty in family mediation) from the Unit for Professional Development at Bar-Ilan University and a group moderator from Gishot College.
Sinai Gohar Barak is the DeserTech & Climate Cluster Manager, a collaborative initiative by the Merage Foundation Israel and the National Program for Growth by the Ministry of Economy. Previously, Sinai led International Ecosystem Development within the DeserTech Community, where she established strategic partnerships and global open innovation initiatives. She worked with international business and public sector organizations to advance desert technologies globally.
Before DeserTech, Sinai served as the Director of the Social Innovation Unit at SIT. There, she worked with government and non-profit organizations to create organizational innovation processes aligned with their strategies. An experienced SIT Innovation facilitator, Sinai holds a BA in Sociology and lives in a southern Kibbutz.
Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist
Pablo Picasso
Irene Benjamin is a culinary expert and consultant in the field of alcohol and hospitality, with 12 years of experience in the industry. Holding a master’s degree in Culinary Arts and Gastronomic sciences from the University of Food Sciences in Pollenzo, Italy – the home of the “Slow Food” movement – Irene has led creative and innovative projects in Israel, including consulting for leading hotels, restaurants, and bars, as well as developing thriving alcohol communities.
Her vision includes promoting desert culinary tourism in the Negev, transforming the region’s wines into an international brand, and creating a unique synergy between agriculture, tourism, and local gastronomy. Irene lives and breathes the culinary world, dedicating her work to enhancing hospitality and alcohol experiences in Israel.
“The work at the Foundation is less work and more a magnificent and fun enjoyment to make a dream into a reality – in the fullest sense of the word. The Merage Foundation for me is a deep connection to the place that does good and to amazing people. Zionism 2020”
Throughout various stages of his life, Ariel has been in key positions while making decisions that advance those around him. As a commander serving in active reserve duty, Ariel faces a complex challenge. Through a holistic and social vision that combines innovation and proactive leadership, he conceived the Pakal program as part of his participation in the Foundation’s leadership program in 2017. Ariel has been managing Pakal since its inception but only joined the Foundation staff in 2020.
Ariel has a BA in Economics and History from The Hebrew University and a MA in History.
