I care about people.

I believe in leadership that grows from the bottom up, I believe in taking initiative and responsibility to shape our life and work.

Ever since I remember, I took a stance for what I cared about, even when it felt uncomfortable and unpopular.

I’ve spoken, I’ve written, and I’ve dialogued on social issues and environmental impact with everyone who listened, and that road led me to become a journalist in one of the biggest daily newspapers in Israel. In my roles there, as a news editor, the opinion section editor, and the deputy of the Chief Editor, I had the freedom to highlight important social issues – but at some point, it wasn’t enough anymore. I wanted to do what I wrote about; I realized that actions speak louder than words.

While moving for a year to Sweden with my husband and young kids, I enrolled in the Masters’ program Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability. When I came back, my life and work couldn’t be the same as they were before – there was no turning back from who I chose to be now.

I founded Be the Change and teamed up with different leaders and changemakers to bring about social change, by guiding people in cultivating their leadership capacities for mobilizing change. I was (and still am) privileged to work with a diverse group of people: CEOs, activists, educators, entrepreneurs and students – all committed people with wonderful initiatives. Together, we made their vision into reality.

Then one day, I had a routine, day-to-day conversation with a colleague. We spoke about our friends from the social change sphere, who care about everyone and everything else – but themselves. Sustainability practitioners who forget to sustain themselves and get burnt out.

I was curious to know why, and if there’s a way to prevent burnout that seems so common among changemakers and leaders. I’ve interviewed leaders from all over the world, coming from different sectors and backgrounds.

Realization #1: Burnout is everywhere.

Realization #2: Burnout is preventable.

This journey yielded my first book, Burning Out Won’t Get You There, and our organization Enkindle Global, which is dedicated to the mission of tackling the global epidemic of burnout.

Since I’m trained in the Participatory Leadership approach, this methodology is embedded in everything that I do. When people ask me for a fixed formula to prevent burnout, I refuse to give it.

I will help you, but we will do it together – if you want it to have a lasting impact.

Lastly, what you should know about me and you’re good to go:

I never say “no” to coffee and a good conversation.