Our Story
The Palestinian Internship Program (PIP), Inc. is a professional development non-profit that aims to empower Palestinian professionals in developing and building their careers, and establishing themselves as business leaders, thereby stimulating innovation, investment, and opportunity in the Palestinian tech ecosystem.
Founded in 2014 by venture capitalist Yadin Kaufmann, PIP Inc. provides young Palestinian professionals with work experience placements at leading Israel-based companies. In the summer of 2020, PIP Inc. launched its sister program, the Palestinian Mentorship Program (PMP). Through PMP, Palestinian entrepreneurs are matched with Global Experts, especially in the fields of tech, business, and finance for hands-on mentoring.
To date, PIP has matched 100+ Palestinian Interns with 60+ Multinational, Israeli, and Palestinian companies. PMP has had nearly 90 Mentees come through our Mentorships. Through PIP and PMP engagement, we are working to build long-lasting professional and personal relationships between Palestinian tech leaders and Israelis.
What We Offer
Meet Some of Our Alumni
Alumni
Nadine
Interned at: Intel "When I first graduated I had many ideas for projects and startups. My PIP experience helped me focus on the more viable options and fine tune these ideas."
Alumni
Morad
Interned at: Colabo "My overall experience in PIP was fascinating. It gave me the opportunity to step forward in my career by interning at a hi-tech host company and acquiring experience in the software development field. The PIP organization is very helpful for Palestinian graduates, and for the Palestinian economy in general."
Alumni
Mohammad
Interned at: Lool Ventures ""I completed my internship with PIP at Lool VC in 2015. There, I was lucky to enter a very sophisticated industry and learn, from the inside, how it works. This internship experience was another building block to my career."
Alumni
Enas
Interned at: Colabo "On one of my lucky days, I was exploring my Facebook and I saw ads about an internship with PIP. I opened the website and I read some of the success stories. It inspired me and I found myself sending my application to what would become the greatest opportunity of my life."
Alumni
Rozan
With PMP founded: Rozza Designs "This program was not just a normal program, unlike any training I had previously attended. But with the passage of time and getting to know my colleagues and mentors, I found that I have a new family."
Alumni
Sari
Interned at: Takwin "Doing my PIP Internship at a venture capital firm helped me a lot when I then went on to found my own startup"
Our Board
Founder & Chairman of the Board
Yadin Kaufmann
Yadin Kaufmann founded the Palestinian Internship Program in 2014. Yadin has been involved in venture capital in Israel since 1987. He co-founded Sadara Ventures, the first fund investing in early-stage Palestinian technology companies, in 2011. Yadin founded and is Chairman of Tmura, a leading non-profit organization in the Israel high-tech sector. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). He is a native of New York and a member of both the New York and Israel bars. Yadin received his B.A. from Princeton University, M.A. from Harvard University, and J.D. from Harvard Law School, where he was an editor of the Law Review.
Board Member
Abed Nashef
Abed is the Managing Partner of NAS & Co. law firm and has 15 years of experience as a corporate attorney providing legal counseling to local and foreign companies in a wide range of industries in cross-border transactions, joint ventures, M&As, financing, commercialization of technologies and other general corporate work. Mr. Nashef has specific expertise in the areas of tech and venture capital. Abed was previously a partner at the Hi-Tech Group of the law firm of Pearl Cohen, and before that a Senior Associate in the Venture & International Practice Group of GKH law firm. In 2013, he was as Senior Legal Advisor for the UNCTAD, and earlier, an in-house counsel at a multi-disciplinary investment company which operates in countries across the MENA region. Abed is active in several non-profit organizations in the areas of entrepreneurship and technology and often mentors and advises entrepreneurs and startups in the region in various forums. He also lectures before various audiences on entrepreneurship, venture capital financing and the legal aspects of tech ventures.
Board Member
Hani Alami
Hani Alami, CEO of Coolnet, has more than twenty years of national and regional experience in telecommunications and business development. He is attuned to all aspects of technology and entrepreneurship and supports a wide range of endeavors. Since 2009, with Hani at the helm, Coolnet Group has become one of the largest telco companies in Palestine and a leading telecom solutions provider in the field of broadband and communication technologies. An experienced enthusiast, Hani excels at creating blue oceans and the kind of added value that triggers markets. With multiple acquisitions and mergers in the telecom sector, he leverages his experience and network to mentor and support emerging entrepreneurs and promising ideas. Hani also routinely contributes his time and experience as a philanthropist and mentor to multiple initiatives across the region. He recently established JEST (Jerusalem Entrepreneurs for Society and Technology), the first entrepreneurship center and hub for startups in East Jerusalem. JEST promotes and supports technology and the culture of innovation, with special emphasis on programs for women and youth.
Board Member
Tally Zingher
Tally, an attorney and technology consultant, is CEO of Dawsat, a weight loss and wellness solution based on the traditional Middle Eastern diet. Prior to co-founding Dawsat, Tally was Managing Director at Blue Laurel and the co-founding managing director of the MENA Investment Network. She also practiced corporate law in the New York office of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, including a secondment with Istithmar, the sovereign wealth fund of Dubai. Tally started her career as a technology investment banker for BroadviewInternational (now part of Jefferies LLC). With expertise in Middle East economic development, Zingher is a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a formerfellow at the Belfer Center for Science & International Affairs. Zingher also was a clerk forLuis Moreno Ocampo, the former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. AFulbright scholar, she holds an A.B. in economics and Middle Eastern studies from HarvardCollege, an M.P.A. in development economics from the Harvard Kennedy School and a J.D.from Harvard Law School.
Board Member
Maysa Baransi
Maysa, a human rights and a peace activist, co-founded of All for Peace radio, the first Palestinian Israeli Peace radio station and served as its Executive Director for over ten years. She is currently a board member, as well as serving on the board of a number of other organizations, including JEST Hub in Jerusalem, ALLMEP (Alliance for Middle East Peace), The Palestinian Israeli Peace NGO Forum, and Kids 4 Peace. Maysa since worked in the fields of CSR, PR and entrepreneurship at BCI Group, a leading telecommunication company in Palestine, Jordan and UAE.
Board Member
Jesse Divon
Jesse is an independent consultant on projects relating to economic development and international cooperation in the Middle East. Born and bred in the UK, Jesse holds a B.A. from Cambridge University, where he studied Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies with Arabic, and is soon to complete his Master's in Business Administration at Tel Aviv University. Jesse served as the Palestinian Internship Program's Program Director until January 2018.
Board Member
Ron Aviv
Ron is a multidisciplinary manager with particular focus on impact, diversity and inclusion. As Managing Director of Hybrid, an Israel-based accelerator for Arab-led startups, Ron advised dozens of early-stage entrepreneurs who went on to raise $5M to date. Prior to that, he served as CEO of Robus, a marketing and consulting firm focused primarily on law firms. Ron holds an MBA from INSEAD, as well as an LLB an BA in Law and Government from Reichman University. He is fluent in Hebrew, English and Arabic.
Our Team
Executive Director
Devon Spitzer
Devon Spitzer is the Executive Director for the Palestinian Internship Program and Palestinian Mentorship Program, responsible for the day-to-day running of PIP, Inc, including working with companies for internship matching, overseeing our Palestinian Mentorship Program (PMP), and donor relations. Devon previously worked in marketing, community building, and finance at This is Not an Ulpan, a language cooperative dedicated to using Hebrew and Arabic education to reshape society to expand rights and opportunities for everyone. Devon is a UNITAR certified Mediator, with an MA in Conflict, Resolution, and Mediation from Tel Aviv University. Devon’s favorite things to do outside of work include drinking coffee, listening to Americana music, and hiking.
Deputy Director
Mohammed Atira
Mohammed is the Deputy Director for the Palestinian Internship Program and Palestinian Mentorship Program, Mohammed oversees the organization’s programs and day-to-day operations, working closely with the Executive Director to implement PIP’s strategy and advance its mission of expanding professional and economic opportunities for Palestinian young professionals. His role includes overseeing PIP’s internship, mentorship, career development, and alumni programs; supervising staff and coordinating program implementation; developing partnerships with companies, mentors, and institutional partners; and supporting fundraising, donor relations, grant management, and reporting. Mohammed also leads participant recruitment and professional development initiatives, contributes to organizational policies and planning, and helps develop new programs and partnerships that strengthen PIP’s impact and long-term sustainability. Mohammed received his B.S. in Energy and Environment Engineering from An-Najah University, during which he helped found the first chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers in Palestine. Mohammed has 14 years of experience working and participating in international affairs programs and is also a certified dialogue and conflict transformation facilitator. Mohammed enjoys Working out, reading, and playing Basketball and Soccer in his free time.
Business Partnership Manager
Boyanna Grubeshich
Boyanna G Grubeshich is the Business Partnership Manager for Palestinian Internship Program (PIP), responsible for developing strategic partnerships with high tech companies and venture capital funds in Israel, building and implementing recruitment strategies, and intern candidates matching and life cycle. For the past 15 years, Boyanna has worked in the social and civic sector in North America, Europe and Israel. During this period she initiated and implemented numerous programs addressing issues of identity, peoplehood, belonging, while creating a strong knowledge of building alliances across and for nonprofit sectors. Boyanna holds degrees from the humanities field from Tel Aviv and Haifa University and a certificate from Six-Figures Hi Tech Inside Sales Course.
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Communications Associate
Ahmed Nawafla
Ahmed Nawfla is the new Intern for the Palestinian Internship Program (PIP), responsible for or content creation for LinkedIn, Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, developing a digital media strategy with the PIP team, collecting data from PIP/ PMP finalists from the past ten years, and creating visual and narrative depictions of ten years of data driven storytelling is a creative and detail-oriented professional with expertise in digital marketing, content strategy, and communications. Ahmed has a proven track record in developing engaging campaigns, managing brand awareness, and executing innovative marketing strategies. Ahmed has collaborated with organizations in the Middle East and beyond, contributing to projects that foster understanding and community building. With a Bachelor’s degree in Media Studies and a minor in Human Rights & International Law from Bard College, Ahmed has also participated in an Erasmus+ exchange program in Finland, focusing on business & marketing. Over the years, he has honed his skills in research, public relations, and social media management, demonstrating adaptability and leadership in various professional environments. In his free time, Ahmed enjoys playing and watching football, working out to stay active, and exploring new places through travel, which fuels his creativity and broadens his perspective.
Our Volunteers
Volunteer
Dori Sella
Dori is an international business speaker & facilitator (60 countries, 5 continents), and author. Her book, Business Meetings that Work: 6 Steps to Increase Productivity, is a result of facilitating and participating in thousands of meetings around the world. Over the last 30+ years, she has helped coach & educate thousands of students to focus and achieve the business goals they desire. In addition to holding positions in both Sales & Marketing, Dori has formal education in Business, Social Work, NLP Trainer, Coaching, SPIN, TAS, and TOC. Recently Dori has qualified as a Certified Lifeline Practitioner and is devoting her time to helping people lead a balanced and satisfied life.
Volunteer
Caren Weinberg
Dr. Weinberg is recognized in both industry and academia as an outstanding educator and researcher based on distinguished achievements throughout an extensive executive management career focused on innovation and entrepreneurship in global environments. Currently holding a fulltime position as a Senior Lecturer of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Ruppin Academic Center in Israel, she serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Bologna as well. During her tenure in industry, Caren developed processes for the creation and introduction of organizational initiatives to maintain and enhance innovation within both start-up and corporate entities. She designed business and marketing plans to benefit from cultural differences and increase collaborative value for partnerships. While continuing to work with many of the worlds Fortune 100 Companies, she now lectures, develops curriculum and takes part in research in major higher educational institutions worldwide.
Volunteer
Adam Kleinbaum
Adam is a professor at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. He teaches leadership and organizational behavior, social networks, and an international learning expedition to Israel. He also consults to organizations about issues of the design of formal and informal organization. His research has been published in leading journals from Nature Communications to the Harvard Business Review and has been covered by media outlets ranging from the New York Times and Wall Street Journal to Teen Vogue and Cosmo. He enjoys commuting to campus on his vintage 3-speed bicycle.
Volunteer
Avigail Gilad
Avigail is an interdisciplinary researcher and architectural designer. She currently works for Machado Silvetti Architects in Boston, having recently completed her BA in Architecture, Urban Studies, and Entrepreneurship from Princeton University. Originally from Israel, she is interested in the intersection of landscape, public access, and participatory initiatives, as inspired by communities living in the Negev desert, where she often traveled as a child. In her entrepreneurial ventures, she combines that with an interest in the circular economy, co-living models, and issues of Democracy. Avigail will resume her academic journey this fall at MIT's Masters of Architecture program.
Volunteer
Zev Kleinhaus
Zev is an entrepreneur with broad experience in multiple industries. Early in his career, he practiced corporate law with a focus on VC, startups and public companies. Following his graduation from Kellogg School of Management, he worked for Dell Services in operational and strategic roles, consulted for the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel and then worked as director of portfolio management at OurCrowd, an equity crowd funding VC. He co-founded a startup in the mental health space and has been responsible for US business development for a startup in the fitness and wellness industry. Zev is currently involved in the establishment of a new accelerator for women-led startups in the MENA region.
Volunteer
Mary Abu Ghattas
Mary is the Talent Acquisition Specialist at Freightos where she's been hiring locally and internationally for a couple of years. Mary has facilitated several sessions for PIP Finalists on job search skills, including CV writing and interview preparation.