The AKIM Team
Our exceptional staff
Over 1,000 dedicated professionals, an equal number of devoted volunteers, and a skilled and compassionate legal advocacy department are what makes AKIM truly special. Meet our movers and shakers and ultimately AKIM’s dream makers.
They don’t simply work for AKIM – they work for inclusion – one person at a time.
Sigal Peretz Yahalomi
CEO
Sigal has been passionately leading AKIM since 2009. She graduated from The National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities (NLCDD) at the University of Delaware and holds a Masters in Political Science, as well as a BA in Criminology and Education from Bar Ilan University. Sigal also earned a certificate in Journalism and Communications, in which she has extensive experience. She previously served as Deputy Director of Education & Social Services in the city of Bat Yam.
Sigal volunteers on the board of directors of ‘Yeholot’ (Abilities), a Rashi Foundation NPO dedicated to increasing matriculation rates among students in Israel’s periphery. She also volunteers as chairman of Yad Izhak Ben-Zvi, devoted to research and education about Jewish communities in the East, the study of Jerusalem and making knowledge accessible to the public.
From 2013 to 2020, she served as chairman of the audit committee on the board of the Israel Association of Community Centers (IACC) – a government organization that builds communities and infrastructure to ensure equal opportunity for all members of society.
During Sigal’s tenure, AKIM transitioned to being a person-centered organization with a robust self-advocacy movement. She has lobbied for the transition from institution to community living and participated in formulating and passing legislation to make it a reality.
Sigal has guided AKIM in the development of critical infrastructure in Israel’s periphery in order to provide people with IDD services from within the local community.
Noa Ben Zvi
COO
Noa Ben Zvi began her tenure at AKIM in 2004 joining the legal department as an attorney specializing in the field of legal advocacy and promoting the rights of people with intellectual disabilities. She became director of the legal department and, in May 2019, was appointed Chief Operating Officer having gained understanding of all AKIM’s diverse operations.
In her role as COO, Noa oversees Community Housing, Employment & Leisure, as well as AKIM’s Legal Department.
Noa received a Bachelor of Law degree (LLB) from Tel Aviv University and is a certified mediator. She completed her army service as a captain in the Education Corps. Noa lives with her husband and three children in Hod Hasharon.
Guy Sasson
CFO
A CPA with 27 years of experience, Guy Sasson has served in managerial positions within non-profit organizations for the past 15 years.
Guy joined AKIM in 2017 as Chief Financial Officer and in this role, has provided stalwart guidance as the organization grew. Guy assumed new capital-intensive projects in order to serve people with disabilities in Israel’s periphery. Guy earned a Business Administration degree with a specialization in Finance. He and his family live in Tel Aviv.
Anat Hason
Chief Administrative Officer
Anat is a challenge-seeker always up to any task. Her creative talents and managerial capabilities orchestrate a dynamic staff of 55 head office employees.
For over two decades Anat worked at ACUM – a non-profit that administers the copyrights of Authors, Composers and Music Publishers in Israel. In her role, she developed personal relationships with leading artists, recruited and managed staff and created department-wide and individual objectives while fostering a culture of success and positivity.
Anat has a BA in Communication and Theatre from Sapir College and completed the Executive Training Program at the The Israeli Center for Management where she studied Management of Customer Service and Experience.
Dotan Segal
Director of Supported Employment and Leisure Programs
For more than ten years, Dotan Segal has been a dedicated Manager of Services for persons with disabilities and their families. He previously directed AKIM’s Assisted Living Division for Tel Aviv-Jaffa. Dotan obtained his degree in Social Work from Sapir College as well as a Master’s Degree in Social Work with a specialization in the Management of Welfare Organizations and Social Policy from Hebrew University.
Dotan is involved in social activism, and served as an educational and community emissary abroad. He is married, has two children and lives in Kibbutz Tzora in the Emek ha`Ela region.
Gery David
Director of the Community Advocacy Division
Gery David is responsible for all AKIM’s parent and volunteer leadership, including 74 parent committees in the housing department and the 67 AKIM branches throughout Israel. Gery has rich experience developing and managing programs for children and at-risk youth and is gifted in training and inspiring staff.
Gery has a BA in Education Systems Management from Bar Ilan University, an MA in Public Administration from Haifa University and a Teaching Certificate from the Kibbutzim Seminary College. Gery is a resident of Petah Tikva, father of three and a proud grandfather.
Irit Gazit
Director of Legal Department, Advocacy and Promotion of Rights
Irit has a Master’s degree (LLM) and a Bachelor of Law (LLB) from COLMAN- College of Management Academic Studies and has certification as a member of the Bar Association.
She has vast experience representing victims of crime, promoting legal guardianship and drafting legislation to aid those lacking representation in Israeli society. Irit served as a Legal Aid lawyer and later served as Director of Legal Aid at the Advancement of the Status of Women at WIZO.
Irit has key experience drafting position papers, participating in Knesset committees, initiating bills, lobbying, advising the media, and lecturing on various issues.
Jack (Yaakov) Frohlich
Director of International Relations
Throughout his career, Jack has applied his extensive marketing and communications background towards social impact. Since making aliyah from Canada in 1989, he has focused on advancing social and educational initiatives to improve Israeli society.
Jack has worked closely with new Olim (immigrants) from around the globe and most recently served as Director of Resource Development at Fidel, supporting the Ethiopian community in Israel.
He holds a B. Commerce (Honours) Degree and an M.A. in Judaic Studies as well as a Resource Development Management diploma from Magid. He and his wife and family live in Tzofim.
Shirlee Peleg
Communications Director
Shirlee has been serving as AKIM’s director of PR for the past 5 years after acquiring key experience in the field of communications and PR for two decades.
She previously served as PR director for the Israel Women’s Network- a feminist non-partisan organization whose mission is to advance the status of women in Israel, and as spokesperson for ELEM-Youth In Distress- an NPO that helps vulnerable and at-risk youth.
Shirlee is a graduate of film and television studies at Tel Aviv University and communications studies at the Open University.
Ariel Tene
Director of Building Division
Ariel is an accredited civil engineer who has been working in the field of construction as a project manager and supervisor for 35 years. He has been leading AKIM’s construction department since 2010.
Ariel is responsible for building, renovating and equipping new and existing facilities that serve as community housing, day and vocational training centers, hostels and other frameworks.
During the past several years, AKIM had been investing in building critical infrastructure in Israel’s periphery in order to provide people with services from within the local community. The organization has relied heavily on Ariel’s professionalism and project management skills.
Adva Brand
Human Resources Director
Adva joined AKIM in 2022 after acquiring two decades of experience in various organizations, both in the private and public sectors.
In the past decade, she has served in managerial roles and gained expertise in the realms of compensation and terms of employment and at leading key organizational development initiatives. Adva views the professional orchestration of an HR department as being critical to the success of the organization.
Adva has a BA and a human resource management Certificate from Bar Ilan University. She is married, the proud mother of two sons and lives in Kiryat Ono in central Israel.
Hila Bar Netzer
Director of Community Living
Hila began her journey with AKIM in 1999 as a volunteer at a community living hostel in Tel Aviv.
She went on to supervize a community living apartment and then manage the Bat Yam Hostel for many years, eventually advancing to become manager of central district housing. In the year 2000, Hila was promoted to lead the housing division after years of key experience and successes.
Hila has a BA in behavioral sciences and an MA in public policy. She is also a certified coach with expertise in personal development.
Hila is an avid sports enthusiast who especially enjoys swimming and cycling. The Bar-Netzer family live in Kfar Sava.
Orit Vitri-Zukerman
Director of Resource Development
Orit has been managing AKIM’s resource development department for the past 8 years. She has forged strong ties with both the private and public sectors to secure key support for AKIM’s programs.
Orit built up a vibrant Friends of AKIM operation and maintains relationships with key supporters. She directs professional fundraising initiatives including a high-profile annual campaign that includes the mobilization of day schools across the country.
Orit has a Business Administration and Communications degree. She and her family live in Nes Ziona.
Dr. Israel Strul
Director of Dental Program
Dr. Strul has been practising dentistry since 1999. He began serving people with disabilities over two decades ago through the Ministry of Welfare & Social Services, AKIM’s partner in providing dental care. Dr. Strul first managed the Talalim Clinic in Dimona and then the Kfar Nachman Clinic in Ra’anana.
Since 2007, Dr. Strul has led the national dental program serving as the chief dentist practitioner and program director.