A few months ago, Revital Poleg, Wikimedia Israel ED, informed the board
that she had decided to retire. Revital joined Wikimedia Israel after long
and extensive career years in the private, public, political and social
sectors. She held a number of positions as a diplomat, as Chief of Staff
for the Knesset Speaker, as one of the founders of the Peres Peace Center,
and in her previous position as the Head of the Jewish Agency Mission to
Brazil. It was a great privilege that she decided that her last position
would be at Wikimedia Israel.
Revital joined Wikimedia Israel just a month before Covid-19 changed
everything that we knew about our operations, our employees, our
volunteers, and our fundraising. With a very short transition, she managed
to stabilize the organization, adopt many of our programs and activities
into the "new" digital way, accomplish our annual plan and targets, and
more. And in two years of economic uncertainty and changes in the policy
and focus of many of the philanthropic funds and private donors - she
succeeded in meeting the fundraising goals and ensuring the ongoing
activities of the organization.
Revital’s role in WMIL was beyond that of an employee, but a true leader
and belief in Wikimedia’s values and mission. Her round-the-clock
investment and great love for the movement, organization, its employees,
and volunteers, serve proof.
The Board, and I personally, would like to thank Revital for her great
contribution that brought us! May this retirement be the best part of your
life.
While Revital is leaving, On behalf of our board, I am delighted to
announce that *Michal Wander Schwarz*, will be the new Executive Director
of Wikimedia Israel (yes, also our first ED before Revital was named
Michal!).
Michal has nearly twenty years of experience in non-profit organizations -
she founded and managed the Interdisciplinary Center for At-Risk Children
and Youth Studies at Tel Aviv University. She was later the director of the
cultural services department in her hometown, where she implemented a new
vision and strategic plan for the city’s culture that was executed by
forming community teams of volunteers and consultants and initiating
partnerships with the business sector. In her last position, Michal served
as the developer and founder of community centers while serving as the
director of operations and fundraising.
Michal will officially enter her new role on Jan 25th.
Good luck Michal!
*Itzik Edri*
Chairperson (volunteer)
itzik(a)wikimedia.org.il
+972-54-5878078