Tel Aviv University (TAU) officially introduced its new Global Young Leadership Community on Wednesday, an initiative designed to connect emerging leaders from Israel and abroad through academic, professional, and philanthropic activities. The launch took place at the Tel Aviv residence of British businessman and philanthropist Jeremy Coller. Attendees included TAU President Prof. Ariel Porat, Board of Governors Chairwoman Dafna Meitar-Nechmad, and former IDF Spokesperson Rear Adm. (res.) Daniel Hagari, a TAU alumnus.
The community is a collaborative effort by the TAU Alumni Organization, the TAU Aurion community, and the Israeli Friends of Tel Aviv University. The university states that the program aims to develop lasting relationships among young professionals, entrepreneurs, and alumni dedicated to leadership and societal impact. Prof. Porat highlighted the importance of fostering a new generation of leaders with a global perspective and strong ties to Israel and its academic institutions. A key segment of the event was an interview with Hagari, conducted by Yifat Oron, president of the Israeli Friends of TAU and an alumna of the Coller School of Management.
Hagari, who served as IDF spokesperson during the Swords of Iron war, addressed the challenges of public communication during times of crisis. “The core missions of the IDF Spokesperson are to strengthen public trust in the IDF and to build international legitimacy for the IDF’s use of force,” Hagari said. “On October 7, that trust was damaged, and it had to be rebuilt and restored.
An army without public trust during wartime cannot navigate such a crisis.” He added that the current IDF spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin and the Spokesperson’s Unit continue to work toward restoring and maintaining that trust. The program also included a panel discussion featuring three TAU students who recently served in the IDF reserves.
The panel, moderated by Prof. Drorit Neumann, TAU’s dean of students, focused on the challenges of balancing academic life with reserve duty. The event drew a wide range of business leaders, entrepreneurs, and public figures from Israel’s philanthropic and high-tech communities. TAU officials said the Global Young Leadership Community is expected to expand internationally, creating a network of young leaders connected to the university and to one another through shared initiatives and values.
In collaboration with Tel Aviv University.