.svg){kind=small}
Management
All members of Leket Israel’s management can be contacted at [email protected].
Gidi Kroch
CEO
Gidi has served as CEO of Leket Israel since 2009.
He played a vital role in establishing Leket Israel after the merger of Israel’s two leading non-profit food organizations “Table to Table” and “Leket Food Bank” to form one leading institution. Gidi is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of Leket Israel and for reporting to the board. During Gidi’s tenure, Leket Israel has grown to become the largest food rescue organization in Israel and was recognized as the Israeli representative of the Global FoodBanking Network (GFN).
Prior to serving as Leket Israel’s CEO, Gidi served in senior management positions for logistics and high-tech companies in the United States.
He is a graduate of Ben Gurion University in Beer Sheva with a degree in industrial engineering and also holds an MBA.
Gidi is married to Naomi and has three children.
Solly Laniado
VP of Resource Development, Israel
Solly brings extensive management experience in resource development, partnership building, and organizational leadership.
Most recently, he served as CEO of the Nova Tribe Community Association, where he led the establishment of the organization and its work supporting survivors of the October 7 music festivals in southern Israel and the families of those murdered. Previously, he held senior management positions at the Yachin Group.
Solly holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree and has extensive experience working across the business, public, and nonprofit sectors, with a strong background in fundraising and developing long-term partnerships to advance social causes.
In his role at Leket Israel, the National Food Bank, Solly is responsible for leading resource development efforts in Israel, expanding the organization’s network of partners, and strengthening relationships with donors and partners from the private, corporate, and public sectors.
Solly is married and a father of two. An Ironman triathlete living with type 1 diabetes, he has spent years combining his passion for sports with social initiatives and volunteer work supporting people with disabilities.
Yehuda Hei
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Yehuda Hei serves as Chief Operating Officer at Leket Israel, overseeing all operational aspects of the organization with a strategic and hands-on approach. He holds an MBA from Peres Academic Center and a BA in Logistics and Economics from Sapir College.
With over 25 years of distinguished service in the Israel Defense Forces, Yehuda concluded his military career as Head of Logistics for the Ground Forces, holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His extensive background includes leadership of complex operational systems, management of large-scale Logistics Centers, nationwide shipping and distribution, infrastructure development, and end-to-end supply chain execution.
Yehuda brings a unique blend of strategic vision and operational expertise, specializing in process optimization, efficiency improvement, and performance excellence in high-pressure, rapidly changing environments. His deep operational insight and proven ability to align logistics with dynamic field needs are key assets in advancing Leket Israel’s mission.
He is married to Gitit and is the proud father of three. In his free time, Yehuda enjoys water, and motor sports and has a passion for cooking.
Adv. Ravit Dinmez Yehezkel
VP of Legal and Corporate affairs
Ravit Dinmez Yehezkel joined Leket Israel in 2018 and serves as VP of Legal Affairs, Government Relations and Human Resources. She leads the organization’s legal strategy, government relations, volunteer department and human resources department, helping advance Leket Israel’s mission through strategic partnerships and public policy initiatives.
Ravit holds LL.B. and LL.M. degrees from Tel Aviv University and an Executive MBA from Bar-Ilan University. She has been a member of the Israel Bar Association since 2003.
Before joining Leket Israel, Ravit completed her legal internship with the Tel Aviv District Attorney’s Office and held senior legal and advisory positions at the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, and the law firm Amit, Pollak, Matalon & Co.
She brings extensive expertise in legal affairs, legislative processes, government relations, and strategic initiatives, with years of experience working alongside the Knesset and Israeli government ministries to advance complex public sector initiatives.
Ravit is married to Lior, and they have three children.
Deena Fiedler
VP of Overseas PR & Development
As Leket Israel’s VP of Overseas PR & Development, Deena oversees the organization’s overseas fundraising efforts. Based at Leket Israel’s Ra’anana offices, she leads the overseas team and works closely with partners and supporters around the world to advance the organization’s mission.
Deena has been at Leket Israel for more than 16 years after first becoming involved as a volunteer. Passionate about the organization’s mission from the very beginning, she has played a key role in expanding Leket Israel’s international reach and strengthening relationships with supporters across the globe.
She holds a BA in History from Stern College and an MA in Art History from Hunter College.
Originally from New York, Deena made Aliyah in 2003 and lives in Ra’anana with her husband and their four children.
Efrat Braounstein
VP Marketing
Efrat joined Leket Israel in 2018 as part of the Human Resources Department and as the Executive Assistant to the CEO. After about a year, she also began serving as the Project Manager of Organizational Projects under the CEO, and in her most recent role, she served as the Director of Innovation and Advisor to the CEO.
In her current role as VP of Marketing, Efrat manages the Leket Israel Marketing Department. Her responsibilities include developing marketing strategies, overseeing long-term internal and cross-organizational processes, and increasing public awareness of Leket Israel’s activities to enhance the organization’s impact in the field of food rescue and food security.
Her diverse career path within the organization reflects her multidisciplinary skills and deep understanding of Leket Israel’s operations in all its aspects. Efrat believes that effective marketing is key to expanding Leket’s circle of supporters and partners, thereby increasing the level of assistance to those in need throughout Israel.
Her motto in her role: “The best marketing doesn’t feel like marketing at all” – Tom Fishburne.
Efrat holds a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Sciences with a specialization in Human Resources from the Peres Academic Center.
Ezra Haim
CFO
Ezra is a CPA (Israel) and earned an MBA from the College of Management Academic Studies. He has over 23 years of professional experience.
Ezra joined Leket Israel in 2019 following a professional career that has included positions with Ernst & Young, CFO for Akim Israel, Games & Sports Ltd. and the Israel Tennis Center. During his career, Ezra has also served on boards of directors and has taken an active role in determining the strategic directions of the organizations for which he has worked.
In his position as CFO of Leket Israel, Ezra is also responsible for IT and purchasing.
Ezra is married and the father of three children.
Smadar Hod-Ovadia
VP The Cheri Fox Nutrition and Quality Department
Smadar Hod-Ovadia is a registered nutritionist with 20 years’ experience in her field.
Prior to joining Leket Israel, Smadar worked as a senior dietitian – weight management specialist at Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust in London and was responsible for developing weight management services. She has extensive experience in group facilitation, clinical nutritional counselling and education and has a proven track record of successfully promoting healthy eating habits.
As Director of Nutrition and Food Safety at Leket Israel, Smadar is responsible to ensure that all of Leket Israel’s programs and activities incorporate sound nutrition, food safety and meet the highest professional standards.
Smadar is married and has three children.