Sivan Yaari
Israeli social entrepreneur
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sivan Yaari (Hebrew: סיון יערי; 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 | |
| Born | June 23, 1978 |
| Education | |
| Title | Founder and CEO of Innovation: Africa |
Early life and education
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
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 1400[8] projects in remote villages,[9] providing electricity and clean water to more than 6 million people[8] across 10 African countries.[10][11][12]
Innovation: Africa maintains headquarters in both New York and Herzliya Pituah.[13]
Recognition
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 in 2023.[20]
In 2023, Yaari was listed as one of the world's top 50 most influential Jews by the Jerusalem Post.[21]
In recognition of her work across rural Africa, in 2024 Sivan was awarded the Bertie Lubner Humanitarian Award by the South Africa Jewish Report magazine.[22]
Yaari was named a YPO Global Impact Award Honoree by Young Presidents' Organization (YPO) in recognition of her leadership and impact across more than 1,400 villages and 6 million people in Africa.[23]
Personal life
Yaari resides in Herzliya with her husband David Yaari (Borowich) and their three children.[18][24]