Zach Leverenz provides executive leadership in all aspects of MEET’s program design and implementation. Zach is responsible for developing and executing programmatic, operational, and financial strategies that achieve MEET’s mission and vision. Formerly, Zach worked for PeacePlayers International, where he served as a founding director and managing director for the organization’s programs in Cyprus, New Orleans, Northern Ireland, and South Africa. He holds a B.A. from Dickinson College and an Ed.M from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where he was awarded a Reynolds Fellowship in Social Entrepreneurship by Harvard’s Center for Public Leadership.

Mustafa Hussein leads MEET’s highly selective recruitment process. Under his leadership, MEET consistently recruits a deeply diverse and talented applicant pool comprised of the region’s top students and young leaders. Mustafa is also a key contributor in the development and implementation of MEET’s Deeper Understanding curricula. Mustafa is qualified as a Computer Graphics Engineer, and previously worked for the Children Cancer Unit at Hadassah, Ein Karem Hostipal. Beyond MEET, Mustafa’s interests include photography and graphic design.

Talya Schwartz leads a diverse range of MEET’s programmatic and administrative initiatives, including the management of MEET’s summer and year-long programs, the coordination of MIT instructors and support staff, and ensuring maximum impact through ongoing program measurement and evaluation. Previously, Talya spent 10 years as a Program Director for a youth education program in New York and as a researcher in international education policy and reform. She received a B.A. in Comparative History from Rutgers University and an M.A. in Education Policy and Management from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Outside of MEET, Talya enjoys health food, riding her bike, and adventures abroad.

Philip Weiser is responsible for identifying, developing and stewarding MEET’s partnerships with individual, foundation, corporate and government donors. He also contributes to the organization’s PR and Web communications. Prior to joining MEET, Philip worked for Oxfam America. Philip has lived in Switzerland, Australia, Japan, France and the U.S. He holds a B.A. in Government from Clark University and a C.E.P. in Political Science from Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris.

Moran Chen develops and coordinates MEET’s alumni programs, events and communications. Prior to joining MEET, Moran worked as a facilitator in a joint project of Keren Dorot and the Academy-Community Partnership at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Moran holds a B.A. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, an M.A. in Gender Studies from Central European University (Budapest, Hungary) and an M.A. from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Outside of MEET, Moran is active with a women’s group that advocates for social change in Jerusalem.

Inna Belkin leads the management of MEET’s financial bookkeeping and audit processes. In addition, Inna manages process-level organizational policy and procedure and is responsible for ensuring that MEET’s labs are an effective operational hub for students and staff. Inna holds a B.A. in Sociology, Anthropology and International Relations from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and is currently pursuing a MBA from Open University of Israel. Inna enjoys exploring new cultures and is an avid cook.