itrek Receives a $7 Million Matching Gift Opportunity From Entrepreneur, Philantropist and Shoe Designer Stuart Weitzman

itrek is proud to announce the launch of a transformational endowment challenge initiated by a $2 million gift from the Weitzman Family Foundation. If itrek, a leading provider of Israel experiences for tomorrow’s leaders, can raise $3 million then Stuart Weitzman will double his gift for a total of $4 million. This endowment will help ensure that itrek’s mission of the past 10 years shall continue into its second decade.

“Anyone who’s been to Israel knows that itrek’s goals are unique and extremely successful”, said Weitzman. “I’m proud to support their innovative model for bringing the Israel experience to tomorrow’s leaders. My hope is that this gift will help itrek solidify their future as they move into their second decade of opening the eyes, hearts and minds of thousands of young men and women who might not have ever had that opportunity”.

This endowment gift officially kicks off itrek’s endowment campaign as they expand their work and bring the richness and complexity of Israel to life for the next generation. Since their founding in 2011, over 19,000 graduate students from the world’s top business, law, policy, and STEM programs have visited Israel on eye-opening peer-led treks that combine education, culture, and fun.

“We are not only grateful for this gift — we are incredibly inspired by it”, said Gil Galanos, itrek’s Co-Founder and CEO. “It’s never been more important to make sure tomorrow’s leaders have a comprehensive, authentic understanding of Israel. This generous incentive could not have come at a better time. We are deeply thankful for his support as we kick off our campaign.”

ABOUT STUART WEITZMAN

Stuart Weitzman has been a luxury shoe designer and corporate leader, having launched his namesake brand in 1986. In 2018, Mr. Weitzman retired after nearly 5 decades of successfully leading one of the most recognizable brands in the footwear industry. He is a graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Since his retirement, he has devoted a good part of his time to lecturing at Penn and other universities, passing along his knowledge and experiences from his career. In recognition of his support to the University of Pennsylvania, their School of Design was renamed the Stuart Weitzman School of Design.