Executive,
Facilitator &
Strategic Partner

Work isn't just a job; it is a calling. As a strategist operating at the intersection of peacebuilding and Jewish communal life, I am driven by an immense sense of responsibility—not just to the projects I manage, but to the history I carry.

From the UN to local communities, I bring bi-cultural insight, crisis-tested leadership, and data-driven approaches to organizations seeking nuanced dialogue and real transformation.

Let's start a conversation
Hela Lahar - Executive Facilitator

Driven by Legacy,
Defined by Impact

Named after a Holocaust survivor and raised by a father born in a refugee camp, I view myself as an active link in the chain of Jewish Peoplehood. This legacy instills in me a profound accountability to do good, to see the humanity in every person, and to ensure that "Never Again" is translated into actionable, bridge-building work.

I lead with radical authenticity, believing that true passion is infectious—harnessing that energy to drive strategic, measurable impact that strengthens communities and builds a better future.

Read my full story
Hela Lahar Portrait

Recognized Globally

Hela receiving award at UN event

United Nations
Alliance of Civilizations

Hela speaking at European Parliament

European Union
Parliament

Hela speaking at the Knesset

Israeli
Knesset

How I Work with
Organizations

Strategic Consulting &
Organizational Advisory

I partner with organizations navigating complex challenges—from polarization and crisis to strategic growth and transformation. With experience leading organizations through 5x budget growth, scaling programs from 1 to 10 initiatives, and maintaining strategic objectives during the October 7th war, I bring both vision and execution.

My approach is data-driven and nuanced, grounded in bi-cultural perspective and proven crisis leadership. Whether you're restructuring, scaling impact, or navigating difficult conversations within your community, I help you build resilient strategies that work.

Strategic Consulting
Speaking Engagements

Speaking Engagements

I speak at conferences, universities, and community gatherings—bringing nuance to complex topics and making difficult subjects accessible without oversimplifying. From the United Nations to synagogue communities, I've articulated the challenges of polarization, Israeli-Palestinian dialogue, and antisemitism with both depth and clarity.

Recent engagements: UN panel on Women in Peacebuilding • EU Parliament presentation on Pathways to Peace • Keynotes at major Jewish community conferences across the United States and Israel

Workshops &
Educational Programs

I design and deliver workshops tailored to your organization's needs—from two-hour sessions to multi-day programs. Working in collaboration with you, I develop content that addresses your specific challenges and goals.

Sample Topics

● Navigating the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict with Nuance
● Bridge-Building Across Political Divides
● Responding to Antisemitism in Complex Times
● Facilitating Difficult Conversations

Dialogue Facilitation

As a certified facilitator with Resetting The Table, I create space for conversations across differences—ensuring all voices are heard and participants feel seen. I've facilitated dialogues in diverse communities, from college campuses to congregations, helping groups navigate polarization and build understanding without sacrificing complexity or nuance.

Dialogue Facilitation

Proven Track Record

5×

Budget growth through strategic vision and donor cultivation

70%

Long-term engagement rate—data-driven programs that create lasting impact

$4M+

Budget management experience leading international organizations

What Leaders Say

Hela is a top-notch leader, educator, and innovator! In multiple settings, I've seen her inspire, engage, solve problems, manage conflicts, and draw on her endless energy and creativity to get great outcomes. Any organization would be fortunate to have her in a leadership role.

Daniel B. Shapiro

Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel

Hela has stood out as a leader with remarkable strategic insight, phenomenal work ethic, and that rare combination of big picture vision and attention to detail. At Tech2Peace she led the institutionalisation and professionalisation of an excellent org in 'start-up' mode, leaving behind an entity that is many times the size and reach of the one she found.

John Lyndon

Executive Director, Alliance for Middle East Peace (ALLMEP)

It was inspiring not only to hear her vision but especially to see her translate it into action and results. All of which was even easier to appreciate with the data-driven approaches she implemented. She models and lives collaboration, always looking for opportunities to make the whole greater than the sum of its parts.

Avi Meyerstein

Founder/President, ALLMEP

Recent Writing & Insights

Forbes • December 2024

Can Innovation Unify Across Divides: Three Israeli-Palestinian Initiatives Say Peace is Possible

Times of Israel

The Importance of Multitudes

Times of Israel

Applying the Hippocratic Oath to Social Media

Times of Israel

What Would Plato Say Today?

Times of Israel

Has Nothing Changed?

Ready to Navigate
Complexity Together?

Whether you're seeking strategic guidance, a speaker for your event, or facilitation for difficult conversations, I'd welcome the opportunity to explore how we can work together.

Get in touch