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ALUMNI

Patrizia Duda is a PhD candidate at Tel Aviv University writing about European perceptions and policies vis-a-vis the Middle East. She obtained her MSc in International and European Relations/Politics from the University of Edinburgh, in Scotland, and has studied previously in the USA, Germany and New Zealand, where she obtained a BA HONS in Business Management and European Studies. Patrizia is interested in International Security and Relations, and has considerable experience in the business arena particularly related to Business Strategy. Among others, she has worked for IBM, Booz Allen Hamilton and the German Chamber of Commerce.

Born and raised in London. Alex graduated from Kings College London in 2009 with a degree in History, having focused on the motivations and experiences of religious fanatics during and after the upheavals of the Reformation. A graduate student in Systematic and Philosophical Theology at the University of Nottingham, Alex is primarily concerned about how ideologies and pre-conceptions affect political judgments and popular opinions. Placed at the Jerusalem Centre for Public Affairs, Alex is preparing a monograph analysing British policies towards Israel as they reflect his own, original, understanding of British doctrine abroad. Alex previously interned for the British Parliamentary Committee against anti-Semitism and in media relations. Ordained as a Rabbi in 2011 he has taught Talmud and Jewish Philosophy to Yeshiva students and post-graduates.

Elka Looks worked as a journalist at the Haaretz news desk and served as the editor of the 'Jewish World' section on Haaretz.com. She launched several successful blogs for Haaretz, including The Jewish Thinker and the Rabbis' Round Table.

Yinnon Persiko is a Major in the Israeli Air Force where he serves as a pilot, and has received a special award for his outstanding performance. Most recently, he was head of the Israeli Air-Force Infrastructure Branch. Prior to his service in the Air Force, Yinnon served as a Captain in the 'Egoz' Reconnaissance Unit of the Israeli Defense Forces. He has been sent to Sweden as a 'young ambassador' as part of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs delegation. Yinnon studied for his BA in Government, Diplomacy and Strategy at Interdisciplinary Center, Herzliya, where he was chosen as an Argov Fellow.

Federico Petrelli holds a B.A. (Magna Cum Laude) in Government, Diplomacy and Strategy from IDC, Herzliya, and an M.Sc. in Foreign Service (with honors) from Georgetown University. He has worked as a Goldman Fellow at the American Jewish Committee in Jordan and the United States, where he prepared and coordinated the organization's consultations with over seventy Heads of State and Foreign Ministers, and at MergerMarket, where he reported to investors worldwide about financial opportunities in Israel. Federico speaks Italian, English, Hebrew, French, Arabic and Spanish.

Yael Phillips graduated from Cambridge University with an MA Cantab in Social and Political Sciences. Following her degree she volunteered and traveled in Africa and Asia, before returning to London to start the Graduate Scheme of Diageo, one of the largest beverage companies in the world. Yael worked in Diageo's Marketing department where she worked on campaigns for international brands such as Baileys, Captain Morgan and Jose Cuervo, where she managed digital, experiential and relationship marketing campaigns, and was responsible for their strategic planning, budgets and performance reporting. Yael joined JustIsrael- an online Israel Advocacy platform - on the Career Israel Program and continued to work there after making Aliyah.

Born in Haifa and currently residing in Tel Aviv, Shir Shampanier graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bar-Ilan University with an M.A. in Political Science, with an emphasis on Strategy and National Security Studies. She earned her B.A. in Government, Diplomacy and Strategy (Summa Cum Laude) from the Lauder School of Government, at the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya. While studying at the IDC, Shir was awarded the Sprintzak Scholarship at the 2004 Annual Herzliya Conference, for excellence in the fields of Diplomacy and Strategy. The following year, she was awarded Tutor of the Year in the district of Tel Aviv for her work with a child with social and learning disabilities. During her military service at the IDF, Shir served as an officer in the Naval Commando.

Gidon Shaviv is a doctoral candidate in International Law at Bar-Ilan University. He is a member of the Israeli Bar Association, holds a Masters Degree in Law (Hon), and has practiced as a litigator both in the private and public sector, having previously completing his Articles at the State Prosecutor's Office.Shaviv moved to Israel in 1998 from Montreal, Canada, and served in the IDF in the Paratroopers Brigade.

Margot comes from a professional background in management, international communications, and new media. She has worked within the global Jewish community and communications realm for the last five years and is an international speaker on leadership, Israel advocacy, and social networking. Since moving to Israel Margot has been Systems Operation Manager at IDT, in transcription with NPR, and more recently was the Marketing Director of the Jewish Media Hub, Leadel - a project of the European Jewish Congress, which spotlights Jewish identity and activity in the 21st century using digital media to both reflect upon, and inspire, innovation and creativity. Margot has an academic background in music and business and made Aliyah in 2007 from South Florida.

Dutch-born and raised in a range of different countries, Jonathan Valk is a rootless cosmopolitan adept at making sense of the world around him. He holds a First Class BA from the University of Oxford in Oriental Studies and an MA from the University of Chicago in Middle Eastern Studies, where he wrote his thesis on the British suppression of the Arab Rebellion in Palestine between 1936-39. Jonathan has served in the IDF as a researcher and translator with the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories and studies Assyriology in his free time.