Looking Ahead, Continuing to Impact

The Annual Gathering of the Responsible Business Community in Israel

Date

28.12.2025

Time

09:00

 – 

15:00

Location

The Eretz Israel Museum (Muza), 2 Haim Levanon St.

Maala Conference 2025

Summary

The Maala Conference is the annual gathering of Israel’s corporate responsibility community. The 2025 conference explored how businesses can create positive impact amid today’s challenges. Key themes included business and social initiatives for recovery and rebuilding, the role of business in strengthening social cohesion amid rising polarization in Israeli society, new approaches to tackle climate change and reduce environmental impact, reconnecting with global markets, human rights in business and expectations from foreign investors and partners, what’s new in AI and responsible business, and more. Approximately 470 participants from the business sector, government, and civil society attended, including CEOs, executives, corporate responsibility managers, and social leaders.

Agenda

Spotlight on Social Initiatives

Showcasing the Work of Social Organizations

9:00 | Reception & Networking

Challenges and Opportunities for Positive Business Impact: Social Cohesion, AI, and Beyond

Momo Mahadav, CEO, Maala

Looking Ahead, Continuing to Drive Impact

Yair Hamburger, Chairman, Harel Insurance, Investments and Finance in conversation with Tamar Yassur, Chairperson of Maala and Isracard

Rebuilding the Tkuma Region: Vision and Progress

Aviad Friedman, Head of the Tkuma Region Directorate

Driving Value Creation Through ESG

One-on-one with Yuval Cohen, Founder and managing partner, Fortissimo Capital Fund 

Leading the Way: Cutting-Edge Actions in Corporate Responsibility

Riki Mor, Customer Relations and Corporate Responsibility Manager, Mekorot

Mariana Muallem, Director of Diversity and Accessibility, Bank Hapoalim

Strengthing Social Cohesion and Unity: What Businesses Can Do

Sarit Zussman, Founding Partner, The Dibur Initiative which promotes constructive, respectful, and inclusive public discourse in Israel.

10:00-11:30 | Opening Plenary

11:30 | Coffee & Networking

The Added Value of Business Moving Forward: Initiatives for Recovery and Rebuilding

In light of the ongoing commitment of companies over the past two years answering immediate needs arising from the state of emergency, there is now a need to focus on and examine the added value of business initiatives and actions in addressing social issues and needs. This session presented business and social initiatives that demonstrate the unique added value of businesses in employment, economic development in rural Israel, resilience, strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises, supporting populations affected by the war, and more. The aim is to understand the existing challenges in social action during this time, see how companies have adapted their social activities to the contemporary challenges, and how possible social outcomes were defined.

Moderator: Naomi Re’em Tarshish, Head of Multi Sectional Partnerships, TKUMA Directorate

Speakers: 

Liraz Sofrin, Marketing Director of Strauss Dairies, Strauss Group

Tamir Amar, COO, Azrieli Group

Iris Holzken, Senior Manager Human Resources and Head of Diversity & Inclusionת Rafael 

Yarden Abarbanel, Senior Director Program Lead – ‘Metaplim Banefesh’, Teva Pharmaceuticals 

Pnina Springer, Director of Community Relations, Mizrahi Tefahot Bank

We’re living through intense and draining times. Tensions are running high everywhere: at home, on the road, in everyday interactions, online, and even at work. In response, companies are recognizing that fostering connection, meaning, and mutual respect isn’t just good for people, it’s essential for business. To maintain productivity, reduce burnout and retain talent, workplaces are implementing innovative interventions that build belonging, trust, and genuine understanding across differences. The session showcased how leading companies are tackling this challenge and discussed the critical role that CSR/ESG professionals play in bridging divides. The session was held as part of as part Maala’s collaboration with the Office of The President of Israel in “Time to Talk – The President’s Initiative for Dialogue.” 

Moderator: Sigal Kanotopsky, Head of Strategy Division at the Office of the President of Israel

Speakers: 

Prof. Yossi Weiss, Secretary of the Board & Corporate Responsibility Officer, Assuta Medical Centers​ 

Limor Ben Avi, People Engagement & Growth Lead, HP Indigo

Hagar kostianovsky, , Netafim 

liron shapira, Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Relations Manager, Elbit Systems

Shady Haddad, CEO of Co-Impact, Partnership for a Breakthrough in Arab Employment

As climate instability intensifies and environmental regulations evolve, companies across sectors are integrating climate and environmental considerations into their core operations and business strategy. This session will explore how organizations are turning environmental challenges into action – from risk management processes and their practical implementation, to internal organizational changes and the development of new products and services. Participants will gain insight into current priorities for advancing environmental management in light of the rapid changes happening both in Israel and globally.

Moderator: Galit Cohen, Israel Director, Jewish Climate Trust. Former Director-General of the Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection 

Speakers: 

Ariela Ashuri, Head of Corporate ESG, ZIM

Yasmin Ashkenazi, Chief Risk Officer, Compliance & ESG, Israel Railways

Roei Mashiach, Special Fertilizers Marketing Manager, ICL Group

Asi Haber, Credit Portfolio Risk Manager, Discount Bank

After two years in which corporate responsibility efforts focused inward on Israel and responding to needs arising during an ongoing state of emergency, it’s time to re-engage with the international arena. How can Israeli companies effectively respond to inquiries from foreign partners and investors? Where can Israeli corporate responsibility stand out? And what opportunities are emerging? This session brings explores current global trends, language, and priorities in corporate responsibility. The discussion will examine how to build the relevant infrastructure within organizations and identify strategies that will help companies distinguish themselves and reconnect with the global marketplace.

Moderator: Yair Cohen, Head of Shibolet ESG

Speakers: 

Meni Neeman, Deputy CEO & Chief Legal Counsel, The Phoenix Group

Eli Mordoch, Corporate Secretary, Bazan Group

Marc Lesnick, Partner, Fortissimo Capital

Julia Vol, Strategic Advisor on sustainability, public affairs, and innovation (Denmark)

Itai Nixon, Senior Director Economic Affairs, Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs

AI is rewriting the rules of business and management, presenting organizations with new and complex challenges to their corporate responsibility. This session aimed to cut through the noise and provide clarity: examining how AI integration is already impacting organizations today and in the year ahead, diving into critical questions around developing employee and supplier capabilities, navigating ethical issues with customers, managing climate risks, and enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of corporate responsibility work itself. The session will serve as a launchpad for a dedicated working group on the topic.

Moderator: Revital Bitan, Manager External Relations and Corporate Responsibility, Intel Israel

Speakers: 
Limor Shako, VP Human Resources, Isracard

Gali Lev, Chief Marketing Officer, Israel

Hezi Benzaken, AI & Innovation Lead, ADAMA

Lihie Iuclea, Partner, Head of ESG, BDO Israel

Nissim Titan, Founder & CEO, 4Cast

12:00-13:30 | Breakout Sessions

Hands-On Workshop: Climate Risk Management Based on TCFD

Everyone seems to be talking about climate risk management. Driven by investor and regulator expectations, more and more organizations and financial institutions are asking themselves how to identify, manage, and integrate climate risks into decision-making processes. So what is TCFD and how do you actually implement it? 

In this workshop, the team at Good Vision from Grant Thornton Israel provided practical tools for implementing the TCFD framework and managing climate risks within your organization.

Led by: Ivri Verbin and Alexandra Segall

Following the discussion of social cohesion and the dedicated session on the topic, this workshop offers a methodology for implementing and embedding the topic within your organization.

The workshop was led by the “Zionism 2000” team, based on the functional cohesion model and the language of practices. The workshop is hands-on, providing opportunities to work through real scenarios from organizational life and the diverse teams operating within it.

A garden within the city, featuring ancient wine presses, an ecological pond, winding paths alongside bike trails, and more. This special tour gives a firsthand experience of the intriguing combinations embodied in the “MUZA Garden” project.

Tour led by: Dr. Eli Cohen Sasson, Curator of Ethnography and Curator of Ethnography and the “Man and his Work” Center at MUZA

14:00-15:00 | Tour & Workshops

15:00 | Conclusion

Partners & Sponsors

bank-hapoalim-logo
zim-logo
mizrahi-tefahot-logo
elal.webp
azrieli-logo
isracard
adama-logo
shibolet-logo
goodvision-logo
netafim-logo