Sivan Yaari(born June 23, 1978) is an Israeli businessperson who founded Innovation: Africa and serves as its Founder & CEO.

Sivan Yaari
סיון יערי
Sivan Yaari in 2016
BornJune 23, 1978
Education
TitleFounder and CEO of Innovation: Africa

Early life and education

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Yaari was born in Israel, raised in France[1][2] and educated in the United States. She received a bachelor's degree in finance from Pace University[3][4] and a master's degree in international Energy management and policy from Columbia University.[5]

Innovation: Africa

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In 2008, Yaari founded Innovation: Africa[6] a nonprofit organization that brings innovative Israeli solar, water and agricultural technologies to rural villages throughout Africa.[7] The organization has completed over 1000[8] projects in remote villages,[9] providing electricity and clean water to more than 5 million people[10] across 10 African countries.[11][8][12]

Innovation: Africa maintains headquarters in both New York and Herzliya Pituah.[13]

Recognition

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Sivan and her organization, Innovation: Africa, have received multiple awards for their work.

Since 2012, Innovation: Africa has had a special consultative status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).[14] Thanks to Innovation: Africa's transparent and live monitoring of its projects, it was granted the United Nations Innovation Award.[15][16]

Yaari received the "Light of Israel Award" from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs[17] and has been recognized as one of the most "Inspiring Israeli this Decade" by Grapevine;[7] one of the “50 Most Influential Women in Israel” by Forbes;[18] one of the "Top 10 Most Influential Israelis in International Business, science, and Culture” by NoCamels[13] and one of the “Top 100 People Positively Influencing Jewish Life” by Algemeiner Journal;[19]

She was selected to light a torch at the celebration of Israel's 75th Independence Day.[20]

Personal life

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Yaari resides in Herzliya with her husband David Yaari (Borowich) and their three children.[18][21]

References

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  1. ^ לן, שלומית (May 17, 2010). "באנרגיות חיוביות". Globes (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2020-06-01.
  2. ^ "Sivan Borowich-Yaari". Jewish Women's Archive. Retrieved 2020-06-01.
  3. ^ "New Perspectives | Influencing circumstances through human connection | Spotlight: Sivan Yaari '02". Pace University Alumni Network. Winter 2020. Retrieved 2020-06-01.
  4. ^ שני, איילת (September 20, 2018). "ראיתי אנשים שדוקרים את הפרות בשביל לשתות את הדם". הארץ (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2020-06-01.
  5. ^ "Israel70 | Innovation: Africa". Fathom Journal. July 2018. Retrieved 2020-06-01.
  6. ^ Shoenthal, Amy (25 April 2023). "These Founders Are Optimistic About Tackling The Climate Crisis". Forbes. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  7. ^ a b Fraze, Jaime (November 26, 2019). "Inspiring Israelis we met this decade". From the Grapevine. Retrieved 2020-06-01.
  8. ^ a b "How One Woman Is Changing The Way Africa Gets Water And Ways You Can Get Involved". issuu. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  9. ^ Klein Leichman, Abigail (April 7, 2020). "Israeli tech helps African villages protect against corona". ISRAEL21c. Retrieved 2020-06-01.
  10. ^ Surkes, Sue. "Three clean water startups win contest to pilot their technology in Africa". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  11. ^ Mhone, Macmillan (11 January 2023). "Solar power ends long walks in search of water for villagers in Mangochi". malawi24. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  12. ^ "Innovation: Africa marks milestone of impacting 5 million lives". June 17, 2024.
  13. ^ a b Shemer, Simona (December 28, 2017). "Meet The Top 10 Most Influential Israelis In International Business, Science, and Culture in 2017". NoCamels. Retrieved 2020-06-01.
  14. ^ Udasin, Sharon (August 5, 2012). "Jewish Heart for Africa receives UN recognition". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 2020-06-01.
  15. ^ Shamah, David (December 2, 2013). "Lighting up Africa with Israeli technology". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2020-06-01.
  16. ^ Appiah, Sandra (November 7, 2013). "Innovation: Africa Recieves [sic] UN Award for Using Israeli technologies". Face2face Africa. Retrieved 2020-06-01.
  17. ^ "Light of Israel ceremony held at the MFA". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Israel). 1 December 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  18. ^ a b Heilman, Uriel (September 4, 2019). "Sivan Yaari on Bringing Israeli Innovation to Rural Africa". Hadassah Magazine. Retrieved 2020-06-01.
  19. ^ "The Top 100 People Positively Influencing Jewish Life, 2019". The Algemeiner. September 26, 2019. Retrieved 2020-06-01.
  20. ^ "Basketball coach Blatt, ex-general Kahalani tapped to light Independence Day torches". The Times of Israel. 17 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  21. ^ Herling, Tzufit (September 7, 2017). "The entrepreneur that brought electricity and water to Africa". Forbes Israel. Retrieved 2020-06-01.