From Tel Aviv to tech boardrooms, my entrepreneurial journey has taken me through building businesses, navigating painful failures, celebrating meaningful exits and eventually investing in other founders' visions. I'm an Israeli immigrant who came to the U.S. with little more than ambition and a belief that hard work could move mountains. Over time, I've seen firsthand how startups are born from nothing but grit and vision — but as those companies grow, they begin to touch more than just market share. They influence culture. They inspire communities. And they bear the responsibility to give back.

In recent years, my focus has shifted from just building companies to helping others build theirs and, just as importantly, encouraging them to align their success with meaningful causes. After joining the Israeli-American Council (IAC) as a council member, I realized that beyond the business pitch decks and M&A spreadsheets lies something even more impactful: service. Through our initiatives supporting Jewish solidarity, educational programs and bridging relationships between American and Israeli entrepreneurs, I found that philanthropy isn't just a "feel-good" endeavor — it's a strategic advantage. It grounds founders, strengthens brand identity, builds community and invites purpose into what can sometimes feel like a grind.

So, here's my call to fellow founders, startup CEOs and emerging entrepreneurs: Integrate charitable alignment into your DNA. Not for press. Not for optics. For impact.

Related: 5 Entrepreneurial Reasons to Embrace Philanthropy

Mission: Make-A-Wish........

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