As CEO, Aviva leads the organization’s overall strategy, operations, and executive decision-making. Aviva sets strategic priorities, drives cross-organizational alignment, and leads planning and impact measurement processes to advance the organization’s mission. Since joining Startup Nation Central in 2021, Aviva has played a central role in shaping the organization’s strategic direction and was a founding member of the Innovation Diplomacy team, fostering partnerships with U.S. stakeholders to advance collaboration in the MENA region. A native of New York, Aviva moved to Israel in 1996 to study International Relations at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In 2001, she returned to New York, serving as Senior Director of World Trade Center Business Recovery and Industry Development at New York State’s economic development office, leading post-9/11 recovery efforts. There she managed $800 million in aid for more than 14,000 businesses. In 2009, Aviva returned to Israel and served as Director of Global Planning at JDC, leading strategic planning for its global operations.