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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.
Maya Azoulay
VP of Resource Development in Israel
While serving as the Director of Communications for the Ministry of Defense at the Israeli Mission to the US in New York, Maya received her Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing Advertising and Communications from FIT. Upon her return to Israel, she continued her studies and received her Master’s Degree in Organizational Consulting. After completing her Master’s Degree, she earned a senior management position in sales and marketing in a leading communications company in the Israeli high tech sector.
Maya joined Leket Israel in 2015 as Director of Resource Development in Israel and is responsible for constructing a money raising strategy and its implementation in Israel.
In parallel to her work at Leket, Maya continued her studies and completed certification in Mediation from Gome and in Strategic Consulting from the Technion.
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 earned BA and MA degrees in law from Tel Aviv University in addition to an EMBA from Bar Ilan University. She has been a member of the Israeli bar since 2003. Ravit interned for the Attorney General of Israel (Tel Aviv office) following which she worked as a lawyer in the Ministry of Defense and as a senior advisor to the general manager of the Ministry of Environmental Protection. Prior to joining Leket Israel in 2018, Ravit was an associate with the Amit, Pollak, Matalon & Co. law firm.
Ravit is responsible for managing Leket Israel’s legal affairs and its strategic initiatives with the Knesset and various governmental offices. In this position, she draws on her wide-ranging legal background and her extensive experience in legislative matters.
Ravit is married to Lior and they have three children.
Deena Fiedler
VP of PR and Resource Development
As Leket Israel’s Director of PR and Resource Development, Deena is responsible for fundraising in Europe and the Midwest region of the US. She manages all English marketing and public relations activities as well as the overseas development staff at Leket’s Ra’anana offices.
Deena has been on staff for more than ten years but initially got involved with the organization as a volunteer – she has been incredibly passionate about the cause from day one. She earned a BA in history from Stern College and an MA in art history from Hunter College.
A native New Yorker, Deena lives with her husband and four children in Ra’anana since her Aliyah in 2003.
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.