The Israel Conference Co-Chair

Yossi Vardi is one of Israel’s early entrepreneurs and has co-founded, lead, and participated in building over 70 high-tech companies. Yossi Vardi co-pioneered instant messaging (IM) as the founding investor of Mirabilis, the creator of highly popular IM program ICQ sold to AOL in 1998. A number of Yossi’s investments have resulted in an IPO such as Answers.com, Scopus, Granite, and International Lasers Technology and some have been acquired by Microsoft, Cisco, Yahoo!, IAC, and Sierra Wireless. Yossi is twice the recipient of the Israel Prime Minister High Tech Award for Life Achievements. Yossi is the co-chair of The Israel Conference.

Betting on Disruption

Nikesh oversees all revenue and customer operations, as well as marketing and partnerships. Since joining Google in 2004, he has held several positions with the company. Most recently, he led Google’s global direct sales operations. He also developed and managed Google’s operations in the European, Middle Eastern and African markets and was responsible for creating and expanding strategic partnerships in those regions for the benefit of Google’s growing number of users and advertisers. Prior, he was Chief Marketing Officer at T-Mobile where he spearheaded product development, terminals, brand, and marketing activities of T-Mobile Europe.

Making Digital Stars!

Ynon Kreiz was formerly the CEO of Endemol, and joined Maker as an investor and chairman last year. Prior to joining Endemol, Kreiz was a General Partner at Balderton Capital and Chairman and CEO of Fox Kids Europe N.V. which he co-founded with Haim Saban.

Israel's Economic Outlook & State of Israel

Jacob Dayan is the Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles. He is the senior representative of the
State of Israel in the Southwestern United States. He prepared a strategic plan on the feasibility
of opening negotiations with Syria. He served as Chief of Staff to Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni and to former Minister of Foreign Affairs Silvan Shalom.

The Lion's Gate

Steven Pressfield is the author of Gates of Fire, Tides of War, Last of the Amazons, Virtues of War, The Afghan Campaign, Killing Rommel, The Profession, The Lion’s Gate, The War of Art, Turning Pro, The Authentic Swing, Do the Work and The Warrior Ethos. His current book, The Lions Gate, focuses on the Israeli Six Day War. His debut novel, The Legend of Bagger Vance, was adapted for screen in 2000, directed by Robert Redford and starring Matt Damon, Will Smith and Charlize Theron.

State of Israel

Sigal Admony-Ravid is the Israel Consul for Economic Affairs to the West Coast with the responsibility to enhance bi-national trade relations between the local and Israeli business communities. Sigal began her career at the Ministry of Industry and Trade as the Deputy Director of the North American Department.

Flying High and Seeing Far with Innovations in Defense and Security

Raanan Horowitz has been Chief Executive Officer and President of Elbit Systems Of America (ESA), a subsidiary of Elbit Systems since October 2007. Mr. Horowitz serves as a Consultant on the U.S. Army Science Board. Elbit Systems is an international defense electronics company engaged in a wide range of programs throughout the world. They focus on the upgrading of existing military platforms, developing new technologies for defense, homeland security and commercial aviation applications and providing a range of support services.

The Biz of Music and Entertainment Content

David Renzer, Former Chairman and CEO, Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), was responsible for overseeing the activities of UMPG’s 57 offices in 47 countries. David led UMPG’s exponential growth through direct signings and catalogue acquisitions. Renzer began his career at Zomba Music Publishing, where he rose to SVP and GM.

Profiting from the ‘Real’ Social Network

With over 20 years of experience as a broadcast journalist for top-tier outlets like CNBC, TechTV, and ABC News, Jim Goldman has been called one of the most influential tech journalists and has won several industry awards. He was previously CNBC’s Silicon Valley Bureau Chief, coordinating and managing all technology and local coverage for the world’s top business cable news network.

The Name of the Game is Digital News

Jon Miller is Chief Digital Officer, and Chairman and CEO, Digital Media Group for
News Corp. He drives the overall digital strategy with various operational heads, while
also overseeing all of News Corp.’s standalone digital businesses. Jon was previously a
founding partner of Velocity Interactive Group, an investment firm focusing on digital
media and the consumer Internet space. Previously, Jon was Chairman and CEO of AOL.

Israel's Economic Outlook & State of Israel

Glenn Yago Senior Fellow/Founder Financial Innovations Lab Milken Institute. He heads the Milken Innovation Center at the Jerusalem Institute of Israel Studies and directs Fellows Program which places graduates in internships related to financial reform and economic development project.

Fun and Creativity from Israel

Yossi Vardi co-pioneered instant messaging (IM) as the founding investor of Mirabilis, the creator of highly popular IM program ICQ sold to AOL in 1998. Many of Yossi’s investments have resulted in an IPO such as Answers.com, Scopus, Granite, and Lasers with many being acquired. Yossi sits on the advisory board of Amdocs.

A Maze in Video

Yoni is a successful Israeli musician, performer, and technology entrepreneur. As an early adopter of the Internet, Yoni released in 2003 his first album over the Internet. Since then, he has successfully launch various creative online initiatives through innovative means.

Supernatural Entertainment

Lior Suchard can delve into your innermost thoughts and knows what you are going to say even before you do. His outstanding performances of mind reading, thought influencing, predicting, and telekinesis have earned him international acclaim as a supernatural entertainer and mentalist from members of the public, to CEOs and Hollywood celebrities.

Amazing Answers About Anything - Answers.com

Bob Rosenschein is the chairman and CEO of Answers Corporation (ANSW). Bob founded
Accent Software in 1988 and Answers Corporation in 1998. Bob is a recipient of the Israeli Prime Minister’s Award for Software Achievement.
Answers.com and WikiAnswers.com provide users with the best online answers about anything.

Media in Motion - Animation and Content to Light up your Experience

Erel Margalit is the founder and managing partner of JVP and created a new model that
combined a hands-on management approach with international market creation strategies.
Erel focuses on media technologies with projects in animation and gaming.

The Secret Sauce of Israeli Creativity and Innovation

Yossi Vardi co-pioneered instant messaging (IM) as the founding investor of Mirabilis, the creator of highly popular IM program ICQ sold to AOL in 1998. Many of Yossi’s investments have resulted in an IPO such as Answers.com, Scopus, Granite, and Lasers with many being acquired. Yossi sits on the advisory board of Amdocs.

Speaker Day 1

Bill Gross started Idealab in 1996 to create, build and operate companies that challenge the status quo.

Culture Shift-The Motivations of Success

Shirley Politzer is a master connector and is always looking for ways to make the most of every encounter. She is passionate about learning, culture, interaction, & sharing knowledge.

Speaker Day 1

Alan Boehme provides leadership and oversight for several key areas within the Coca-Cola Companys Global IT organization.

Lasting Impressions

Ori Eisen is an expert in fighting online crime, founding Trusona, 41st Paramater acquired by Experian, and previously the Worldwide Fraud Director for American Express.

Hold the Salt!

Peter MacLaggan has spent over 40 years in the water desalination and reclamation industry.

Speaker Day 2

Mitch Garber is the CEO of Caesars Acquisition Company, a Caesars Nasdaq (CACQ) spinoff which controls Caesars Interactive Entertainment, Planet Hollywood, Bally’s Las Vegas, The Cromwell Las Vegas, The Quad Las Vegas, Harrah’s New Orleans, and the future Horseshoe casino in Baltimore. He is also CEO of Caesars Interactive Entertainment (CIE). CIE owns the World Series of Poker and the rights to all interactive businesses worldwide for the Caesars casino brands which include Harrah’s, Caesars Palace, WSOP, and others.

Live Life Now!

Jeff is an Internet Pioneer who is known for helping to accelerate the worldwide acceptance of VoIP. He is also an early-stage investor in Israeli startups.

Speaker Day 2

Raanan Horowitz has been Chief Executive Officer and President of Elbit Systems Of America (ESA), a subsidiary of Elbit Systems since October 2007. Mr. Horowitz serves as a Consultant on the U.S. Army Science Board. Elbit Systems is an international defense electronics company engaged in a wide range of programs throughout the world. They focus on the upgrading of existing military platforms, developing new technologies for defense, homeland security and commercial aviation applications and providing a range of support services.

State of Israel

David Siegel assumed the post of Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles in August 2011, where he serves as the senior representative of the State of Israel to the Southwestern United States.
Most recently, Mr. Siegel served as Chief of Staff to Israel s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. In this role, he was involved in policy formulation and decision-making at the senior levels of Israel s foreign policy establishment.

Innnnnnnnovation!

Dov Moran is known as the inventor of the USB flash drive, founder & CEO of M-Systems (which was acquired by SanDisk for $1.6B in 2006) and the founder & CEO of modu, which developed the concept of a modular cellular phone (its patents were acquired by Google).

A Global State of Mind

Rob LaCasio founded LivePerson in 1997 and has led the company from its infancy into what it is today, a thriving company with global presence in New York, San Francisco, Santa Monica, Atlanta, London, Melbourne and Tel Aviv. Prior to LivePerson, Robert was the Founder and CEO of IKON (Sybarite Media, Inc.), a developer of interactive public kiosks.

State of Israel

David Schlacht is Senior Director for Multimedia at DIRECTV. David works with the CTO to evaluate companies and technologies for future products. David was previously with NDS where he was VP of ITV and headed the NY office.

Innovative Imagination - Thinking Outside the Windows

Yoram is responsible for all technological activities in Israel, including the R&D sites in Haifa and Herzeliya, new core R&D projects, partnering with the local venture-capital and start-up communities, and collaborating with Israeli academic institutions. Yoram previously headed the Amdocs Product Development Organization and later was COO of the Amdocs Products Group.

Business Activism

Yochai Rozenblat has served as President of the Americas for NICE Systems since September 2009. Yochai was previously President of the Enterprise Group in the Americas. Under his leadership, NICE dramatically grew its business in the Americas. From 2004 until 2008,
Yochai Rozenblat served as NICE’s Vice President of Sales, responsible for NICE’s Enterprise sales in the Americas. Before joining NICE, Yochai led the Enterprise Sales Team at Clarify,
the CRM division of Amdocs.

Advertising on Fire

David’s career in advertising began at Young & Rubicam (Y&R) in 1976. Later, he went on to Wells Rich Greene, then co-founded the award-winning Israeli agency Mimsar-Arielly. David then spent time at PR giant Burson-Marsteller and Cohn & Wolfe, both parts of Young & Rubicam Brands. David was vice chairman and COO of Wunderman, responsible for managing the agencys global marketing services network. In 2011, David returned to Y&R, Young & Rubicam Brands’ largest division.

Empowering Business Worldwide

Safra A. Catz has been President of Oracle Corporation since January 2004 and a member of the Board of Directors since October 2001. She served as Oracle’s Chief Financial Officer from November 2005 to September 2008, as Executive Vice President from November 1999 to January 2004, and as Senior Vice President from April 1999 to October 1999. In May 2008, Ms. Catz was also appointed to a three-year term as member of the board of directors for HSBC Holdings plc, one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organizations.

Building Israel’s Crown Jewels

Moshe Lichtman is corporate vice president and head of Israel R&D for Microsoft, responsible for all technology activities in Israel, including the R&D centers in Haifa and Tel Aviv, new core projects, and partnering with local venture-capital community and academic institutions. He is a key leader driving strategy development for Microsoft entertainment-related projects in Europe.

Israel in a Flash

Eli Harari is the Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of SanDisk. Eli Harari has served as CEO of SanDisk since the company’s founding in 1988, and has built SanDisk into the global leader in flash memory cards, with revenues of $3.57 billion in 2009. A pioneering leader in both technology and business, Eli Harari holds more than 100 U.S. and international patents in non-volatile semiconductor devices.

Global Innovation - Made in Israel

MKS Instruments (MKSI) where he lead the Control and Information Technology product group (CIT) which combined six multinational MKS acquisitions.

Israel's Economic Outlook & State of Israel

Shahar Azani is the Consul for Culture, Media and Public Diplomacy in Los Angeles, previously serving as Deputy Ambassador of Israel to Kenya and Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Headquarter in Nairobi. Shahar was part of the Legal and Middle Eastern Divisions of the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem and previously practiced law at Haim Zadok & Co., a leading law firm in Israel.