The Russell Berrie Foundation is pleased to announce that Program Officers Naomi Feiner and Amit Granek have been appointed Co-Directors of our Israel office, effective upon the retirement of longtime Director Binny Shalev at the end of 2024. Together, they draw upon deep experience in municipal leadership, regional economic development, social entrepreneurship, and business development in leading our Israel grantmaking.
Respected for their vision and dedication, Naomi and Amit have been instrumental in furthering the Foundation’s mission. Grantees, Trustees, and colleagues have valued their steadfast partnership and strategic guidance, particularly through the profound challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising polarization and, most recently, the October 7th war.
Naomi has been with the Foundation since 2015, spearheading initiatives to integrate the Haredim into Israel’s society and economy and strengthen Jerusalem’s social cohesion and economic development. In earlier work, she championed youth-led initiatives for social change as U.S. Northeast Director of the Youth Venture initiative at Ashoka, a global organization that invests in transformative ideas and the people that power them. She also co-founded Pets ‘N People, a leading manufacturer of innovative pet products sold across the United States and Europe. Naomi began her professional journey as a corporate attorney and holds an MBA from UCLA and law degree from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Amit, who joined formally in 2017, leads efforts to boost economic development and municipal governance in the North and secure Israel’s future as a Jewish democratic state. He honed his expertise through roles as director of development at the Tel Aviv Foundation, senior advisor to the mayor of Safed, and regional development analyst with the Reut Institute. He is passionate about driving catalytic change at the intersection of municipal leadership, data, and grassroots community organizing. A 2007 recipient of the Chevening Scholarship, conferred by the British government, Amit earned a MSc. in International Public Policy from University College London.
We celebrate their new leadership roles and look forward to working together to advance the Foundation’s grantmaking in Israel at this critical juncture in its history.