BRIG. GENERAL (RES.)
NOAM SHAAR
(Ex J-6, 8200, Team8)
Noam is a founder and the former Head of the Cyber Defense Division of the IDF, which grew under his leadership from a team of 150 to 1,500. In his role, Noam was responsible for the IDF's cyber defense - from strategy to large scale implementation. Prior to that, Noam was the Commander of the Cyber and Crypto Center at Unit 8200, building and leading the unit's deep
cyber operations. Noam is a recipient of the prestigious Israel National Defense Award, granted for extraordinary contributions and advanced technological development.
Upon his retirement from service, Noam was a General Partner at Team8 and a co-founder of Wing Security.
Noam brings proven multidisciplinary technological experience in cyber, software, AI, cryptography, and complex hardware systems. Noam holds a BSc in Electrical Engineering with honors from Technion and an MBA from Tel Aviv University.
Yaniv is the former Director of Defense R&D at The Directorate of Defense, Research, & Development (DDR&D or MAFAT) under the Israeli Ministry of Defense. In his role at MAFAT, Yaniv led the R&D roadmaps of 10 divisions from a variety of fields including: RF, optics, comms, weapons, robotics, energy weapons, and digital. Yaniv directly oversaw more than 300 engineers and an annual budget of NIS 1bn, as well as engagement with military forces and defense agencies, industries, research centers, and foreign RD relationships.
One of his remarkable achievements in this position was the development of High Power Laser weapons from initiation to operational LRIP (low rate initial production). Prior to that, Yaniv was the Head of the Lower Tier Division holding full responsibility for the development and deployment of Iron Dome and David’s Sling. Before joining MAFAT, Yaniv held senior technological positions in the Israeli Air Force.
Since his retirement from service, Yaniv has been working closely with the largest defense companies in Israel as well as acting as a senior adviser and mentor to several defense tech startups. Yaniv holds an MSc in Electrical Engineering and an MBA from Tel Aviv University;
Yaniv also holds a Master’s degree in National Security Studies from the University of Haifa.
BRIG. GENERAL (RES.)
YANIV ROTEM
(Ex MAFAT, Israeli Air Force)
SENDER COHEN
(Ex Schusterman, Ex Soros,
Ex Duquesne)
Sender was most recently the Chief Investment Officer of Schusterman Interests LLC, the investment office for the Schusterman family as well as for the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies.
Previously, Sender served as President of Soros Capital, and before that, he was Director of Research and Head of External Allocations at Soros Fund Management, where he co-managed the firm’s tech venture portfolio. He also held the position of Managing Director at Stanley Druckenmiller’s Duquesne Capital Management.
Sender currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Fulbright Israel and a member of the board of the Harlem Children’s Zone. Sender is a trustee emeritus of Yeshiva University and a former board member of the Birthright Israel Foundation.