## Meet the team

Get to know the leaders driving innovation at C4IR Israel, connecting global expertise with local impact

[Get in touch](mailto:C4IRISRAEL_Mailbox@innovationisrael.org.il)


## Shlomi Kofman

Vice-President and Head of International Collaborations Division, Israel Innovation Authority. As the Vice President & Head of the International Collaborations Division Shlomi is responsible to promote the Innovation Authority’s collaborations with international entities including, research facilities, hospitals, and universities, as well as multinational corporations interested in conducting joint R&D ventures and pilots with Israeli companies, while promoting and assisting the international reach of the Israeli tech industry.Furthermore, Shlomi will also head the European Research and Innovation Directorate (ISERD), which operates the Horizon Europe program out of the Innovation Authority in partnership with the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, the Council for Higher Education, and the Israel Innovation Authority.Shlomi is 52, married with two children, and has enjoyed a successful career in diplomacy spanning 25 years.He has worked in various positions in the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including as the Deputy Chief of Mission at Israel’s Consulate General in Shanghai, China, as Chief of Staff to Israel’s Ambassador to the US in Washington DC, as Deputy Consul General at the Consulate General of Israel in New York, and Consul General to the Pacific Northwest in San Francisco. Prior to that, Shlomi was also the Director of International Affairs in the Ministry of National Infrastructure and Foreign Affairs and advisor to the Speaker of the Israeli Parliament. Previously, he has also worked for a number of Israeli high-tech companies such as ECI and Orbot.Shlomi holds a BA in International Relations and Asian Studies from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and an MBA in Management from Webster University.

[View Linkedin](linkedin.com/in/shlomi-kofman)


## Lior Yafe

Senior Director, Head of International Organizations, Israel Innovation AuthorityLior Yafe is a former economic diplomat and policy strategist who now serves as Senior Director, Head of International Organizations at the Israel Innovation Authority. In this role, he leads Israel’s strategic engagement with multilateral bodies, shapes global partnerships in science, technology, and innovation, and promotes Israel’s leadership in the international innovation ecosystem. Lior oversees collaborations with key global institutions, advances regulatory and strategic alignment with international innovation frameworks, and develops cross-border initiatives that strengthen Israel’s competitiveness and global impact.Before joining the Innovation Authority, Lior served as Economic Consul and Head of the Economy and Trade Mission at the Embassy of Israel in Mexico, where he designed and executed Israel’s foreign trade strategy in the Mexican market, strengthened bilateral economic ties, and led a team of six Trade Officers. Previously, Lior served as Deputy Director at the World Trade Organization Department in the Ministry of Economy and Industry, where he facilitated Israel’s accession to the WTO Electronic Trade Agreement, led technical negotiations on trade barriers and tariff-rate quotas, represented Israel in international discussions, and contributed to national policy reports on market access and regulatory reform.Earlier in his career, he held strategic and legal positions including Director of Strategy at Invest in Israel, Chief Legal Assistant at both the Prime Minister Office and the Ministry of Defence, and served as a legal clerk at the State Attorney’s Office, representing government agencies before the Supreme Court.Lior also founded Noknok, an innovative caller-ID application that provided advanced identification capabilities for incoming calls.Lior holds an M.P.A. from Harvard Kennedy School, an M.A. in Political Science and international relations (magna cum laude) from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a dual bachelor degree in law (LL.B.) and Political Science from Tel Aviv University. He has completed a number of executive programs and professional training in diplomacy, public service delivery, and economic strategy.

[View Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lioryafe/)


## Shani Dayan

Head, C4IR Israel, Israel innovation authorityShani Dayan leads C4IR Israel at the Israel Innovation Authority, driving partnerships and innovation programs that connect Israeli technologies with global opportunities. Her work spans bio-convergence, alternative proteins, and frontier technologies, with a strong emphasis on community-building, cross-sector collaboration, and public value creation. Shani’s mission is to elevate Israel’s innovation strengths on the global stage and foster impactful collaborations for shared societal benefit.Shani holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Education and a Master’s degree in Public Policy, with a thesis examining inter-organizational networks in the public sector.

[View Linkedin](linkedin.com/in/shanidayan)


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