Darca’s Executive – Team
Dr. Gil Pereg – Darca Schools' CEO
Dr. Gil Pereg is the founding CEO of Darca Schools and has served in this role since 2011. Prior to this position, he was the principal of Blich High School from 2004 to 2011, where he was recognized by the City of Ramat Gan as an outstanding principal. Earlier in his career, he served as principal of Amit High School at Bar-Ilan University.
Dr. Pereg holds a doctorate from Northeastern University, where his dissertation examined effective practices of successful principals in Israeli high schools. He also earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University, as well as a Master’s degree (with honors) in Jewish Philosophy and a law degree from Bar-Ilan University.
Dr. Pereg is a graduate of the Wexner and Eisenhower leadership programs and currently serves as co-chair of the Eisenhower Program Alumni Association in Israel. He previously chaired the Wexner Alumni Council in Israel and served on the board of Avney Rosha, the Israeli Institute for School Leadership. He is the author of Nine Readings in the Month of Av: Israeli Thinkers Discuss Society, Destruction and Repair (Ktav Publishing House, New York, 2024).
Dr. Noam Seri – VP, Social Education
Dr. Seri was the educational administrator at the Department of Identity Programs at Beit Morasha in Jerusalem. He was the principal at the Amit Gush Dan High School, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan and was an advisor and mentor for principals in the area of improving school climates. Dr. Seri has both a PhD and a master’s degree (with honors) from the interdisciplinary Department for Culture and Interpretation at Bar-Ilan University, Faculty of Social Sciences, School of Education-a part time lecturer.
Dr. Shosh Nahum Landesman - VP, Pedagogy
Senior Deputy Director General and Director Pedagogical Administration, Ministry of Education, Head of Education Department, Municipality of Rishon Le-Zion, a board member of the Association of Principals in the Educational Department, Director of Post-Primary Education in Petach Tikva and the former Principal of Ramon High School in Hod Hasharon as well as the Begin High School in Rosh HaAyin. She holds a PhD and master's degree with honors in history from Bar-Ilan University and has a teaching certificate in the upper elementary track. She is a graduate of the biennial academic program for the Training of Principals from Beit Berl College and of the Local Authorities’ Education Management course.
Dalia Cohen – VP, Development
Mrs. Cohen was the CEO of the Hadassah youth village and of the Mevo’ot Eiron Educational Institute. Mrs. Cohen was in charge of the youth mission program at the Jewish Agency and was CEO of the “Games and Sports” company. She has a Master’s degree (with honors) in financing and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Sciences from the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Mrs. Cohen is also a graduate of the Mandel School for Educational Leadership.
Mohamad Khalailah – CFO
Mr. Khalailah is a financial economist with expertise in Education Economics and Public Policy. Previously served in various roles in the government, mainly in National Budget Department at Israeli Ministry of Finance as education budget coordinator and head of water, climate, and GCA team. He took part in making many government decisions and national reforms and programs in national education system. Mr. Khalailah holds a Master's degree in Financial Economics, and a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Business Administration, with honors, both from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Shahar Ami Mizrahi - CTO
Mr. Mizrahi is an expert in the fields of pedagogical innovation and the integration of technological tools in education. He has a great deal of experience and knowledge in project management, planning and the integration of IT infrastructure with a specialization in the education system. He planned and developed an election simulation system at Blich High School. Mr. Mizrahi served in an elite technological intelligence unit and won the prestigious Air Force Commander Award. He has an advanced education degree from Apple and is a graduate of the senior management course for Chief Information Officers at the Technion.
Yehuda Hirschberg - VP, Operations
Yehuda was previously VP of Finance and VP of Development at Veresta. He served as a senior officer in a number of senior positions and elite units in the IDF’s Intelligence Corps for two decades, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was responsible for overseeing and managing strategic projects for large corporations in the global business sector. He holds a master's degree in Business Administration from Reichman University and a bachelor’s degree in Laws from the Academic Center for Law.
Itay Zaidenberg - Director of Partnerships
Mr. Zaidenberg worked in Ernst & Young’s Financial Services Office in New York before making Aaliyah and entering into the not-for-profit field. In Israel, he worked in Yad Vashem’s International Relations office, and now manages Partnerships and International Communications at Darca Schools. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Economics (with honors) and Master’s degree in Accounting from Vanderbilt University, and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Ronen Avraham - VP Accounting
A senior manager in the accounting firm of Anchin, Block & Anchin LLP, in New York, USA, he managed several task teams and supervised clients' portfolios in various industries, dealing with auditing, consolidation of statements, accountancy, financial management, mergers, acquisitions and risk managements.
Mr. Avraham served as a senior manager in an Israeli accounting firm with the Baker Tilly International Network. He also supervised auditing files of public companies, including issues, tax statements and internal audits.
Mr. Avraham is a licensed accountant-auditor.
Nurit Ciuraru – Head of Human Capital and Payroll
A seasoned executive, organizational consultant, and mentor with over 25 years of experience in human resources, leadership development, and organizational transformation.
Specializes in leading cross-organizational projects, streamlining processes to improve performance, cultivating leadership capabilities, enhancing resilience at both individual and organizational levels, and driving employee engagement.
Holds a master’s degree in Labor Studies from Tel-Aviv University and is a certified mentor, NLP, and group facilitation.
Meirav Lustig - Legal Adviser
Meirav is a lawyer specializing in civil and commercial law. She provides legal advice in areas of employment, accompanying of engagements, procurement, contracts and enforcement of procedures. Meirav holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law and Government from Reichman University and has been a member of the Bar Association since 2010.
Deborah Sharabi - Executive Projects Officer
Deborah has over a decade of experience in the field of International Partnerships Development. Prior to joining Darca, she founded and headed the International Office at the Holon Institute of Technology (HIT). In her more distant past, she headed the International Office at the College of Management, Rishon LeZion, and worked in the field of donor relations at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot.
Deborah grew up in Paris, France, where she studied International Trade in a private school. In 2005, she moved to Israel where she graduated in Government, Diplomacy & Strategy from the Reichman University, Herzeliya.
Yaara Guy - Resource Development Manager
Yaara has occupied a number of positions such as Chief Development Officer at the Vibe Israel Association, Director of Resource Development at the Israel Tennis & Education Centers, and
Director of Resource Development & Board Member (Yedid) at the Association for Community Empowermen. Director of Marketing and Sales - "Mofa" Theater for Children and Youth Supervisor - Mor Koren Advertising Agency.
Yaara graduated from the Haifa University with an MBA, specializing in Non-Profit Organizations and from the Hebrew University where she did her BA in Social Work.
