I have had the opportunity to share my thoughts on creativity with a group of 34 extremely talented and motivated young people from IDC Herzliya.

In a day or two, 24 will be make the final cut and become Zell students. I wish they all could!

Ornella Siso is a third year student in Business Administration at the Raphael Recanati International School at IDC Herzliya, majoring in Entrepreneurship. She was born and raised in Antwerp, Belgium, and moved to Israel at the age of 18. Ornella volunteered at the Student Union, TEDxIDC and represented IDC at her Belgian High School. In the past three years, Ornella worked in marketing for multiple companies and finally decided to open her own digital marketing agency.

Yotam Cohen is a fourth year student in the joint program of Law and Business Administration at the Radzyner School of Law at IDC Herzliya, majoring in finance. In the IDF, Yotam served for five years in the Naval Commando, in operational and instructional duties (sergeant major). He worked as a marketing project leader at “BoatBook” – a startup that develops a unique application in the marine field, where he led and managed global projects. Yotam volunteers in the “Atalef” foundation, a non-profit helping the naval commando active duty soldiers and veterans, where he recruits funds, and in the Zahal Disabled Veterans Fund, where he recruits funds for the injured veterans’ welfare, and works with them on self-empowerment through maritime activities.

Ruth Artzi is a third year student of economics & business at the Tiomkin School of Economics and Arison School of Business at IDC Herzliya. She is taking part in two B.A Honors Programs for outstanding students. In addition, she worked for the last year as a research assistant and as a tutor at IDC. In the last 2 years Ruth worked as a training development manager in a software company. Previously, she worked for 3 years in the defense industry in Israel, France and Brazil. Ruth served as a combat aircraft simulator trainer for air crews in the IDF Air-Force. As a high school student, she took part for 3 years in the Unistream program (NGO for business & social leadership).

Mendy Berrebi is a third year Business Administration Student at the Raphael Recanati International School at IDC Herzliya, majoring in Finance. He was born and raised in Montreal, Canada, moved to Las Vegas when he was 12 years old and finally moved to Israel after high school. He has built an online business, a varsity clothing line, websites and is currently writing in a co-authored blog on self-help and leadership. Mendy speaks French, English and Hebrew, and is working on his Spanish.

Dror Spindel is a third year student in the Honors Track in Strategy and Decision Making at the Lauder School of Government at IDC Herzliya. Dror is on the the IDC Dean’s List and has recently received the Cramer Scholarship for Excellence. He represented the IDC in the ‘Global Village’ leadership program at the Lee Lacocca’s institute, Pennsylvania. In the IDF, Dror served for five years as an Intelligence officer in an elite operations unit of the Intelligence Corps, ranked Lieutenant. During his studies, Dror has been working as an analyst at the National Cyber Bureau of the Prime Minister’s Office and volunteering at “Paamonim”.

Shai Neiger is a second year Computer Science student in the Efi Arazi School of Computer Science at IDC Herzliya, and was accepted to the IDC on the Presidential Scholarship for academic merit. He was born and raised in the United States and completed a BA in Economics at New York University. In 2011, he made Aliya and enlisted in the IDF, serving in the 101st Battalion of the Paratrooper brigade. Shai is the president of the IDC RRIS Debate Society and has competed in international tournaments in Austria and Greece. He currently works at IBM, teaching robots to debate using computational argumentation. Shai also enjoys fitness and martial arts.

Neta Osman is a second-year student in Business Administration and Economics at the Arison School of Business at IDC Herzliya. In the IDF, Neta served for almost five years as a Team Leader in Maglan- Special Forces Unit. Over the past year, Neta worked in Cropx Ltd., an ag-analytics Start-Up in the finance team. He currently volunteers in the “Maglan” Foundation – a non-profit organization that supports soldiers and veterans of the Maglan unit as the Coordinator of the Mentoring Program. Neta is an adventurer – he likes to climb, and to drive old jeeps.

Ron Kimhi is a third year economics and business administration student at IDC Herzliya. In the IDF, Ron served as an executive company commander in the paratroopers’ brigade. Following his military service, Ron was the COO of OGS – a leadership program and a social enterprise incubator based at Brandeis University. Ron was the director of IDC’s Pitch Night, interned at Docady through IDC’s CO-OP program and took part in the Birthright Excel program. For the last two years, he has been volunteering at the Hashomer Hachadash organization. He is an avid photographer and loves sports.

Gal Dalal is a second year Computer Science student at the Efi Arazi School of Computer Science at IDC Herzliya. Gal is a certified practical electronics and computer engineer, who finished his studies with honors. During Gal’s practical electronic studies he got accepted into a program for the IAF called “Project-Tantim”. Throughout his army service, he served in the development department of the IAF. His work focused on the field of electronic warfare, managing and developing hardware and software projects. In Gal’s free time he enjoys doing sports. He also has a deep passion for technological developments occurring in the world.

Eran Helft is a second year business administration student at the Arison School of Business at IDC Herzliya, majoring in entrepreneurship. He is a part of the honors program and on the dean’s list. In the IDF, Eran served as a company commander and operations officer in battalion 906, ranked Lieutenant. Before starting at the IDC, he founded his own venture, a marketplace for connecting travelers and locals around the world. For the past year, Eran is head of product at StoreSmarts, a startup company offering retail analytic solutions. Outside of work, Eran is an avid squash player and practices meditation on a daily basis.

Nadav Sela is a second year student in business administration, majoring in entrepreneurship at the Arison school of business at IDC Herzliya. He is part of the Momentum program management team, an extra-curricular program operating within the IDC Entrepreneurship Club. Nadav is also part of the business administration honors program and was on the dean’s list last year. In the IDF, Nadav served as a combat soldier in Meitar unit. He founded his first venture, YogaPlace at age 23 and today works as a digital marketing specialist at KPMG Israel.

Aviv Luria is a third year Computer Science student at the Efi Arazi School of Computer Science at IDC Herzliya, with a technological scholarship. In the Ministry of Defense, Aviv served as a software engineer in a special technology unit. During his studies, he participated in the “Start-Up Class IDC” program, and alongside being a professional gamer, he developed a challenge-based mobile game as part of the “In-Game” program. Aviv manages a coding mentorship program called “Roosters and Chicks” – a program that connects excellence scholarship students with first year students programming for their first time.

Shay Eyal is a third year interactive communication student at the Sami Ofer school of Communications at IDC Herzliya. She is the founder of “The M Club”, the first students’ club in the field of marketing and PR. In the IDF, Shay served as a human-resources officer. After, she continued in the role of a team leader as well as a company commander in the officer’s course. During the last three years she has been working for the Mako website at the marketing department as a marketing account director and AdTech project manager.

Roy Meirom is a fourth year student in the joint degree program for Law and Business Administration at the Radzyner School of Law and the Arison School of Business (with a merit scholarship). Roy grew up both in Israel and abroad, and has served as a commander in the IDF’s Combat Reconnaissance Force. Throughout his studies, he founded “ISCA” – an academic advocacy program; he took part in various social-tech ventures and was a coordinator for both IDC’s “Legal Clinic for Start-Ups” and the “Executive Education” unit. Roy was a yearlong counselor at the “Raphael Recanati International School” and is a research assistant at the “Zvi Meitar Institute for Emerging Technologies”. He is an avid swimmer and outdoor enthusiast.

Nir Barzilay is a third year Computer Science student at the Efi Arazi School of Computer Science at IDC Herzliya. In the IDF, Nir served as a software developer in the technical intelligence 8200 unit. A software developer with strong technical background and over 8 years of working experience, Nir worked at ICQ, Inneractive and Seeking Alpha as Senior Android Developer, participating in hackathons and making self-projects. Nir plays guitar, is a Manchester United fan, love sports, math and physics.

Tomer Weiss is a fourth year law and business student at the Radzyner School of Law and the Arison School of Business, majoring in marketing. In the IDF, Tomer served in the Intelligence Corps as an analyst. Over the past year, he volunteered with the Nova project, an organization that provides businesses and strategy consultation for nonprofit organizations. Tomer is enthusiastic about utilizing technology for learning needs, and earlier this year founded “Monkeyboard” – a mobile language-learning startup. Tomer has participated in the IEC Momentum program, IDC Pitch Night, and the Samurai House startup competition. Tomer enjoys cooking; red tuna steak is his specialty.

Nadav Olmert completed his degree in Business Administration at the Raphael Recanati International School at IDC Herzliya, majoring in Marketing. He has also finished his first degree in Business Administration and MIS at Florida International University. Nadav currently works as the Director of Business Development and Marketing for DiscoverCloud, an Israeli startup. He is a member of the “Start-Up Class IDC” program, and a proud graduate of IDC’s CO-OP Program and Young Entrepreneurs program. Nadav’s favourite hobbies are photography and watching documentaries.

Ran Alter  is a second year Computer Science student at the Efi Arazi School of Computer Science at IDC Herzliya. He is a developer with 10 years of experience, and is an entrepreneur who loves to create, build and turn ideas into reality. Ran is the founder of Tasko, DoggyFinder.co and Director of HackIDC16. Ran served in the IDF in a special technology unit in the Prime Minister’s Office. He is also a divemaster with experience in marine conservation.

Maayan Bachar is a second year Computer Science student at the Efi Arazi School of Computer Science at IDC Herzliya and is on the Dean’s List for her academic achievements. She represented IDC in a student exchange program at Washington University. In addition, she participated in the debate club, and was a staff member in the Artemis program. Before IDC, she worked in a digital marketing company, Maple, where she founded and led the company’s YouTube department. In the IDF, Maayan served in the Air Force for three years as a flight simulator.

Raz Nussbaum is a third year Psychology student at the Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology at IDC Herzliya. Raz was a research assistant at the Decision Making Research Center (DICE lab) and he is on the dean’s list. In the IDF, Raz served as a combat officer in the Artillery Corps special unit “Rochev Shamayim” that operates drones for the ground forces. He worked at the IAI Company as a drone operating consultant and project manager assistant in Multi-rotor drones developing projects. He participated in the IEC’s Startup class, IDC investment club and volunteered at “Perach Tutorial Project” as a personal tutor. He was a professional basketball player as a teenager and loves scuba diving.

Omer Ben Shach completed his degree in Business Administration at the Raphael Recanati International School at IDC Herzliya, majoring in Entrepreneurship. He ended his five-year military service as deputy commander of “Palchan Tzanchanim”- paratroopers special sabotage unit. He interned at the Herzliya Accelerator Center through IDC’s CO-OP Program and was a mentor in the Young Entrepreneurs Program. Omer co-founded PhotosArk, a media conversion business in Miami, Florida, and Holistico, a guesthouse and workshop center in Palomino, Colombia.

Aviya Sela completed her degree in Computer Science with a minor in Psychology at the Efi Arazi School of Computer Science at IDC Herzliya. In the IDF, Aviya served in the elite intelligence unit 8200. Before that, she spent a year in the Auckland International College in New Zealand as part of the International Baccalaureate Program. During her studies, Aviya participated in the Media Innovation Lab (miLAB) Human-Computer Interaction Program and was part of IDC Debate Club, alongside tutoring in Pisgah to promote the agenda of technology and cyber education to children from all groups of society. Aviya is a director of HackIDC 2015 and 2016 – Israel’s leading annual student Hackathon.

Daniel Cohen is a second year Business Management student at the Arison School of Business at IDC Herzliya, majoring in Entrepreneurial Management with experience in Computer Science. In the IDF, he served in the Search & Rescue battalions as a Company Commander. Over the past two years Daniel founded and ran multiple ventures and volunteers in the Momentum Mentorship Program. He loves being part of positive & beneficial influences in as many fields as possible.

Zlil Simchon is a third year student in Economics & Business Administration at the Arison school of Business at IDC Herzliya. Zlil served as an education officer at the IDF School of Infantry, followed by the role of commander in the officers’ training course, ranked Lieutenant. Prior to commencing her bachelor degree Zlil worked for two years as an emissary to the greater L.A. area, managing fundraising campaigns, coordinating events and advocating Israel at local events. Zlil is a member of the IDC debating society, competing in various international competitions. Zlil leads the foreign affairs branch of the IDC student union.

Almog Avivi is a second year Computer Science student at the Efi Arazi School of Computer Science at IDC Herzliya, majoring in entrepreneurship. Almog received a president’s scholarship for academic excellence. In the IDF, she served as an intelligence researcher as part of the elite program “Sh’hakim”, and later as a commander in the intelligence corps. During operation “Protective Edge”, Almog was one of the founders and managers of “Tzav Shmone Ezrahi”, a social voluntarily organization that raised more than one million shekels for the benefit of border and home front soldiers. During her studies, Almog took part in the “she codes” program at IDC, and in her free time she loves dancing and traveling.

AJ Neuhar is a second year Computer Science student at the Efi Arazi School of Computer Science at IDC Herzliya. AJ was born in Los Angeles, California and moved to Israel with his family at age 9.  AJ served as an officer in an elite combat unit in the Intelligence Corps for 5 years, and was released at a rank of Captain. AJ was one of the directors of HackIDC 2016, the annual national student hackathon of Israel. He participated in the InGame workshop. AJ speaks English, Hebrew and Spanish, enjoys basketball, photography and snowboarding.

Kyla Blumenfeld has completed her BA in Communications at the Sammy Ofer School of Communications and majored in Entrepreneurship. She was born in Vancouver, Canada and came to Israel when she was 14. She did her national service at a blind- deaf theatre where she became a sign language interpreter. Kyla also speaks English, French, Spanish and Hebrew. She worked at Wix.com in addition to running her own affiliate business online and being the co-owner of a catering company called Al Shams Kitchen. She loves to program her pet robot Bobby and reads science fiction novels.

Tamir Sher is a third year Psychology student at the Raphael Recanati International School at the IDC, Herzliya. He is a part of the Brain & Mind Program as well as a recipient of the Dean’s List Award. In the IDF, Tamir was an Administration Office Commander under the Soldiers’ Complaint Commissioner. For the past few years, Tamir has been working as a manager at his family’s business, which provides and services industrial kitchen equipment to food establishments all over Israel. Working as an entrepreneur, he has built marketing plans and provided PR for several entertainment venues in Tel‐Aviv where he managed a team of 15 promoters. Since last year, Tamir has volunteered at Migvanim, learning and teaching Hebrew Sign Language.

Natalie Shaposhnik is a second year student in the Marketing and Political Communications program at the IDC in Herzeliya where she is also captain of the swim team. During her service in the IDF, she served as a Canine Handler for search and attack dogs and now lives with her army dog in Israel. At the age of 23 she opened a babysitting business called NanniesUnited where she currently works as the CEO and Founder. She enjoys writing, dancing, and traveling and is fluent in Hebrew, English, and proficient in Spanish.

Liron Shalev is a second year Computer Science student at the Efi Arazi School of Computer Science at IDC Herzliya. In the IDF, Liron served as a project manager in an elite intelligence unit and received the Presidential Excellence award. Liron worked at several startups, as a project manager as well as a developer, and is currently a member of Siemens PLM’s innovation team. During her studies, Liron participated in the IDC Media Innovation Lab and developed a prototype communication device tailored for ALS patients. For the past year, she has been volunteering as lead designer and frontend developer for a key project at The Knowledge Workshop.

Alon Tetro is a second year Computer Science student at the Efi Arazi School at IDC Herzliya, he is part of the “Keren Or” scholarship. In the IDF, Alon served in the General Medicine Unit. Alon represented Israel in the Israeli national basketball team. During his studies, Alon worked as a computer software examiner in the field of cyberwarfare. Alon also works as an entrepreneur in the entertainment field, providing and implementing business solutions. Alon speaks Georgian, Hebrew and English.

Andrey Kastelmacher holds a Bsc. (Hons) in Audio Engineering from SAE London, Currently a BA. Economics & web science minor student attending the Honors class at the Tiomkin School of Economics at IDC Herzliya. Born in Moscow, he grew up in Shoham and came back to Israel in 2014. Andrey can program back-end, copy-write and use most digital editing software, he has good quantitative skills and a creative approach. Andrey is currently working in finance as a programing analyst and as head of digital content at the Tiomkin School of Economics. He speaks English, Hebrew and Russian.