Our Professional Team
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Our Professional Team
Our team consists of certified and experienced mental health first aid instructors who have undergone comprehensive training at an international level. A significant portion of our instructors are war survivors who experienced the difficult events firsthand and bring with them resilience, wisdom, and unique experience in dealing with trauma and emergency situations.
Training and Management Staff
Stuart Katz
CEO
A quiet and efficient leader, Stuart specializes in executing tasks with dedication and reliability. He leads the organization with integrity and unwavering commitment to excellence.
With rich experience in business and the non-profit sector, Stuart brings experienced management and clear vision to his role. He has an exceptional ability to achieve results while maintaining organizational values and creating a supportive and professional environment.
Avi Tenenbaum
Curriculum Manager
Expert in disaster behavioral health and psychological first aid. Avi provides international training and consulting to organizations in the field of mental health and resilience.
Avi is a guest lecturer at several academic institutions and leads the development of advanced curricula adapted to Israeli reality. He combines academic research with rich practical field experience, and advises government bodies and international organizations on mental health emergency response and community resilience.
Omer Vahav
Strategy & Operations Director
From Kibbutz Nir Oz, Omer is responsible for strategy and operations of the MHFA ISRAEL project. He brings unique experience from the community affected on October 7th.
Omer experienced the trauma firsthand and continues to lead with resilience and determination. He believes in the power of community to recover and strengthen itself, and leads the organization's operational activities with a deep understanding of needs on the ground.
Tiki Yeres
Instructor
A Tel Aviv resident of Canadian origin, Tiki copes with loss and dreams of eradicating the stigma surrounding mental health. She provides warm and professional support to training participants.
Tiki connects deep personal experience with top-level professional training. She brings authenticity, empathy, and a unique ability to create a safe space for participants to every training session. Tiki is an inspiring figure who proves that personal pain can be turned into a healing force for others.
Hadas Calderon
Instructor
October 7th survivor from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Hadas brings exceptional resilience and deep personal experience that allows her to connect with participants in an authentic and healing way.
Hadas turned her personal trauma into a mission. She delivers training with a deep understanding of what it means to cope with difficult events, providing participants with practical tools along with a sense of hope and empowerment.
Shani Goren
Instructor
From Kibbutz Nir Oz, hostage survivor released after 55 days. Shani brings a moving personal story of survival, hope, and extraordinary human resilience.
Shani returned from captivity with immense strength and desire to help others. She uses her personal experience to teach others how to identify distress, support and heal. Her story is a testament to human strength and the ability to rise above the most difficult circumstances.
Board of Directors
Adina Hagege
Board Member
Senior PM Manager at Microsoft and veteran of the Israeli high-tech arena. Adina has served as a board member in various organizations.
Adina brings rich management experience and strategic thinking to the organization. She specializes in managing complex projects on an international scale and leading large teams. Adina is committed to promoting mental health in the workplace and believes in the power of technology and innovation to improve accessibility to mental health services.
Tamir Goodman
Board Member
"The Jewish Jordan" - former basketball star who captivated public attention with a unique combination of strong religious faith and impressive athletic achievements.
Tamir used his platform to motivate and empower others. In his role as a board member, he brings a unique perspective on mental resilience, perseverance and coping with pressure. Tamir is committed to helping young people develop healthy coping tools and build self-confidence.
Efrat Machikawa
Board Member
Experienced expert in international relations and cross-cultural leadership with extensive experience in diplomacy, education and global collaborations.
Efrat brings rich international experience and a unique ability to build bridges between cultures. She has led significant projects in the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe. Efrat is committed to promoting open dialogue about mental health at the global level and making MHFA programs accessible to diverse communities.
Dr. Zvika Orr
Board Member
Faculty member at the Selma Jelink School of Nursing, Jerusalem College of Technology. Dr. Orr co-founded with colleagues the Institute for Advancing Unity in Academia.
Dr. Orr is a leading researcher in the field of spirituality and health, with numerous studies published in leading academic journals. He specializes in the connection between spirituality, meaning and mental resilience. Dr. Orr brings theoretical depth and a comprehensive vision of holistic mental health to the organization.
Want to Join Our Team?
We are always looking for certified and experienced mental health first aid instructors. If you have the skills and passion to help others, we would love to hear from you.
Contact Us