New York, NY: January 10, 2023 —Jewish National Fund-USA’s leadership team is pleased to announce the appointment of seasoned executive, Ira Green, to the role of Chief Executive Officer of the World Zionist Village.
The World Zionist Village will be located on a 20-acre campus and represents the largest philanthropic capital project currently under creation in Israel. The Village will serve as the second home for the Alexander Muss High School in Israel; provide an Innovation Center for post-graduates interning in Be'er Sheva-based hi-tech companies; and include a Zionist Adult Education Center.
Previously, Green served as Deputy CEO and CFO of the Arava Power Company, the first solar energy company in Israel. He also co-founded GG Energy Holdings and Gigawatt Global, companies that focused on developing renewable energy projects in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America with both commercial and utility customers.
Prior to these efforts, Ira served as Executive VP of Marketing and Corporate Finance at ZAG Industries, leading the company to sales growth of over 300% to $120MM, the Public IPO of the company on the Nasdaq stock exchange, and the eventual sale of ZAG to Stanley Works for over $125MM. Before making Aliya from the USA, Ira was an EVP for Consumer Finance at First Fidelity bank and a VP in the credit card business of Citibank USA.
“I see the World Zionist Village as Jewish National Fund-USA’s ‘Living Lab’ for the future of Zionism and Israel,” explained Green. “I am seeking to develop the World Zionist Village to give expression to all the great technical and cultural developments in Israel and provide an opportunity for global engagement in all the exciting innovations in high-tech, ag-tech, food-tech, and education that the organization has been philanthropically supporting.”
This World Zionist Village is part of Jewish National Fund-USA's vision to ensure a strong, secure, and prosperous future for Israel by connecting the next generation to the land and people of Israel.
For more information, visit zionistvillage.jnf.org.