Menomadin Peres Initiative
Background
Senior executives across the public, business, and social sectors have the potential to influence organizations, systems, and communities on a broad scale. Beyond their professional experience, they need opportunities to broaden their perspectives, learn from peers and proven models, build cross-sector connections, and collaborate on shared challenges facing Israeli society. The Menomadin–Peres Initiative was designed as a multi-year program that combines senior leadership development with building a network of executives committed to turning knowledge and connections into meaningful action.
The Challenge
Senior executives typically operate within established professional and institutional frameworks, while many of Israeli society’s key challenges cut across organizational and sectoral boundaries. The challenge is to create a space where experienced leaders can step beyond their day-to-day professional environments, gain new perspectives, and develop the ability to collaborate with peers from different sectors and systems.
The Opportunity
A diverse group of senior executives can become a powerful network for change when learning is combined with meaningful relationships and collaborative action. International exposure, including the program at Harvard Kennedy School, allows participants to explore leadership and decision-making models beyond the Israeli context, while working on challenges in Israel helps translate these insights into practical solutions for local needs.
Objectives
To strengthen the leadership capabilities of senior executives across Israeli society, broaden their perspectives and equip them with tools to address complex challenges, build a cross-sector leadership network, and encourage initiatives that translate learning and connections into meaningful social impact.
Course of Action
The initiative operates through successive cohorts, combining leadership development and learning in Israel with international exposure and work on social challenges. The second cohort brought together 49 senior executives and culminated in an international leadership program at Harvard Kennedy School, followed by a closing event at the President’s Residence. Alongside their studies, participants developed initiatives addressing key challenges facing Israeli society, connecting personal and professional growth with practical action. The third cohort started November 2026.
Impact
The second cohort concluded with 49 senior executives from diverse sectors of Israeli society completing a program combining local and international learning. Throughout the program, participants developed initiatives addressing key social challenges, connecting leadership development with action that has the potential to create impact beyond the program itself. The launch of a third cohort establishes the initiative as a long-term leadership development platform. In the coming months, the focus will be on launching the new cohort and strengthening the implementation and visibility of participant-led initiatives.
What We’ve Learned
Effective leadership development goes beyond knowledge sharing. It encourages senior executives to rethink their approaches, gain new perspectives, and build connections across sectors. Lasting impact depends on sustaining these relationships and advancing joint initiatives beyond the program. The key lesson is that combining personal growth, cross-sector collaboration, and action on real-world challenges can drive meaningful social change.