Meet the team

Creating a Community of Curiosity

We are a group of data enthusiasts from different companies who assemble the organizing team. hayaData conference, created out of our love for data from all sources, and our desire to gather the Israeli data community in one place, to share insights, learn about new tools, and exchange best practices for big data.

Hen Ben-Hemo

Data Platform Architect, Riskified

Hen is a Data Platform Architect and Spark Advocate at Riskified, where he is leading the next-generation data platform architecture. With a career rich in experience tackling scale and data challenges over the last decade, Hen has skillfully embedded data technologies into the fabric of Riskified’s innovative data solutions. His passion for leveraging cutting-edge technologies is matched by his commitment to the community, where he is dedicated to sharing knowledge and fostering creative problem-solving. Outside of his professional endeavors, Hen is a flight simulator amateur and a food enthusiast, reveling in the joy of traveling with his family.

Hen is a Data Platform Architect and Spark Advocate at Riskified, where he is leading the next-generation data platform architecture. With a career rich in experience tackling scale and data challenges over the last decade, Hen has skillfully embedded data technologies into the fabric of Riskified’s innovative data solutions. His passion for leveraging cutting-edge technologies is matched by his commitment to the community, where he is dedicated to sharing knowledge and fostering creative problem-solving. Outside of his professional endeavors, Hen is a flight simulator amateur and a food enthusiast, reveling in the joy of traveling with his family.

Dafna Frank Szarfman

Director of Data Engineering, Outbrain

Dafna received her B.Sc and M.Sc in Computer Science from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. She has 20 years of experience in software development and product management, including 10 years at Microsoft, among other companies. She currently manages the Data engineering group, consisting of software developers and Devops people. Responsible for Outbrain's data platform including the Data Pipeline, Data Processing and Data Stores, supporting data ingestion and processing of TBs of raw data a day, storing PBs of data, and serving billions requests a month. Developing and operating in house as well as a large variety of third party data systems. Dafna is committed to supporting youth, and particularly young women, to enter into successful careers in the hi-tech ecosystem.

Dafna received her B.Sc and M.Sc in Computer Science from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. She has 20 years of experience in software development and product management, including 10 years at Microsoft, among other companies. She currently manages the Data engineering group, consisting of software developers and Devops people. Responsible for Outbrain's data platform including the Data Pipeline, Data Processing and Data Stores, supporting data ingestion and processing of TBs of raw data a day, storing PBs of data, and serving billions requests a month. Developing and operating in house as well as a large variety of third party data systems. Dafna is committed to supporting youth, and particularly young women, to enter into successful careers in the hi-tech ecosystem.

Doron Porat

Co-founder and CPO, Lakeway

Doron Porat is the Co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Lakeway, a venture she embarked on after nearly 8 years at Yotpo, where she most recently served as the Director of Infrastructure. With over 13 years of experience in practicing and leading Data teams, Doron brings a wealth of expertise to her current role. In addition to her professional endeavors, Doron co-hosts the popular Hebrew podcast "The Data Swamp" alongside her friend, fellow data expert, and Lakeway co-founder, Liran Yogev. The podcast explores various aspects of the data world, offering insights and sparking discussions within the community. When she's not wrangling data or decoding the mysterious language of her two daughters, Doron can be found whispering sweet nothings to her houseplants or convincing herself that the next park run won't be as grueling as the last. Spoiler alert: it always is.

Doron Porat is the Co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Lakeway, a venture she embarked on after nearly 8 years at Yotpo, where she most recently served as the Director of Infrastructure. With over 13 years of experience in practicing and leading Data teams, Doron brings a wealth of expertise to her current role. In addition to her professional endeavors, Doron co-hosts the popular Hebrew podcast "The Data Swamp" alongside her friend, fellow data expert, and Lakeway co-founder, Liran Yogev. The podcast explores various aspects of the data world, offering insights and sparking discussions within the community. When she's not wrangling data or decoding the mysterious language of her two daughters, Doron can be found whispering sweet nothings to her houseplants or convincing herself that the next park run won't be as grueling as the last. Spoiler alert: it always is.

Erez Filosof Timnat

Principal Data Scientist, Shield FC

Erez started his career as a software engineer, working at IDF unit 8200, then Microsoft and Google. Erez then moved to AppsFlyer, where he co-founded and co-led the Data Science group, and transferred the company's business to rely heavily on ML. Erez enjoys providing practical straight-forward solutions to complex problems - in either algorithms, math, data science, or software engineering.

Erez started his career as a software engineer, working at IDF unit 8200, then Microsoft and Google. Erez then moved to AppsFlyer, where he co-founded and co-led the Data Science group, and transferred the company's business to rely heavily on ML. Erez enjoys providing practical straight-forward solutions to complex problems - in either algorithms, math, data science, or software engineering.

Inna Weiner

Data and Engineering Leader, Google

Inna Weiner is a senior technical leader with 20+ years of global experience. A big data expert, specializing in data processing, storage, access, insider risk, privacy and policy compliance. During her time at Google, Inna led engineering teams for consumer and enterprise products. Inna spent 6 years in Mountain View where she led the Google Search Analytics Data Warehouse, growing her organization 10x from 5 to 50. Recently, Inna relocated back to Israel where she leads engineering for Google Cloud Database Migration Service (DMS), distributed across Israel, US and India. Inna enjoys building diverse engineering organizations, with common vision, growth strategy and inclusive culture.

Inna Weiner is a senior technical leader with 20+ years of global experience. A big data expert, specializing in data processing, storage, access, insider risk, privacy and policy compliance. During her time at Google, Inna led engineering teams for consumer and enterprise products. Inna spent 6 years in Mountain View where she led the Google Search Analytics Data Warehouse, growing her organization 10x from 5 to 50. Recently, Inna relocated back to Israel where she leads engineering for Google Cloud Database Migration Service (DMS), distributed across Israel, US and India. Inna enjoys building diverse engineering organizations, with common vision, growth strategy and inclusive culture.

Orit Mansur

Data Engineering Team Lead Riskified

Orit is a Data Engineering Team Lead at Riskified, leading the Finance domain, and has over 10 years of experience in the data industry. As a data specialist, she is passionate about data, technology, business, and people. Her main expertise is in data modeling, analytics, and data visualization. She sees a big part in her role in mentoring and out-of-the-box thinking. Her favorite place in the world is India, and as they say there, Orit truly believes "everything is possible".

Orit is a Data Engineering Team Lead at Riskified, leading the Finance domain, and has over 10 years of experience in the data industry. As a data specialist, she is passionate about data, technology, business, and people. Her main expertise is in data modeling, analytics, and data visualization. She sees a big part in her role in mentoring and out-of-the-box thinking. Her favorite place in the world is India, and as they say there, Orit truly believes "everything is possible".

David Ostrovsky

Software Engineer, Meta

David is a software engineer with over 25 years of industry experience, speaker, trainer, and co-author of “Pro Couchbase Server”. He specializes in big data systems and large-scale distributed architecture.

David is a software engineer with over 25 years of industry experience, speaker, trainer, and co-author of “Pro Couchbase Server”. He specializes in big data systems and large-scale distributed architecture.

Liran Yogev

Co-founder and CTO, Lakeway

Liran Yogev has been a member of the big data community for over 8 years. Before working on a new startup in the data infra domain, he spent several years at Yotpo and Ziprecruiter developing innovative data platforms, ML products, and complex data-driven backend applications. Liran is passionate about solving complex problems and creating impactful infrastructure that increases the velocity of the organizations he works for. In addition to his work, Liran co-hosts a popular podcast in Hebrew called “The Data Swamp”, which explores all aspects of data alongside his good friend and fellow data expert, Doron Porat.

Liran Yogev has been a member of the big data community for over 8 years. Before working on a new startup in the data infra domain, he spent several years at Yotpo and Ziprecruiter developing innovative data platforms, ML products, and complex data-driven backend applications. Liran is passionate about solving complex problems and creating impactful infrastructure that increases the velocity of the organizations he works for. In addition to his work, Liran co-hosts a popular podcast in Hebrew called “The Data Swamp”, which explores all aspects of data alongside his good friend and fellow data expert, Doron Porat.

Tal Laron

Data Science Team Lead, Riskified

Tal Laron is a Data Science Team Lead at Riskified, responsible for Riskified’s models and DS components. Tal has extensive data science experience across multiple fields, and, before Riskified, she worked in several startups. Tal holds a B.Sc in statistics and economics from the Tel Aviv University and a master’s degree in financial economics, a global program from the Reichman University. As a former gymnast she enjoys sports and sporting events, beside her great love for data and sports, she is a mother of two, Assaf & Noa.

Tal Laron is a Data Science Team Lead at Riskified, responsible for Riskified’s models and DS components. Tal has extensive data science experience across multiple fields, and, before Riskified, she worked in several startups. Tal holds a B.Sc in statistics and economics from the Tel Aviv University and a master’s degree in financial economics, a global program from the Reichman University. As a former gymnast she enjoys sports and sporting events, beside her great love for data and sports, she is a mother of two, Assaf & Noa.

Hilla Peled

SVP Data Science, Riskified

In the last couple of years, Hilla has held leading roles in partnering with business stakeholders across large enterprises such as Ahold-Delhaize and Citi, to aspire these to leverage technology, AI, data science and machine learning to drive company's commercial success. Layered by M.Sc in distributed algorithms and reinforcement learning, years of leading teams consisting of data scientists and engineers, and technology driven lecturer experience, Hilla is known for her ability to transform business needs/opportunities into advanced data products that demonstrate large scale impact, supported by the innovative ML technology. Her visionary perspective has earned her the opportunity to work for multinational companies, building long-term data strategy and driving game-changing data science projects.

In the last couple of years, Hilla has held leading roles in partnering with business stakeholders across large enterprises such as Ahold-Delhaize and Citi, to aspire these to leverage technology, AI, data science and machine learning to drive company's commercial success. Layered by M.Sc in distributed algorithms and reinforcement learning, years of leading teams consisting of data scientists and engineers, and technology driven lecturer experience, Hilla is known for her ability to transform business needs/opportunities into advanced data products that demonstrate large scale impact, supported by the innovative ML technology. Her visionary perspective has earned her the opportunity to work for multinational companies, building long-term data strategy and driving game-changing data science projects.

Tal N. Mizrachi

Data Academic Lead, Master School

Hey! I’m Tal Mizrachi, AKA Analysis Paralysis. I’m a Data scientist, Educator and Mentor trying to make data science, analytical methods and programming accessible and fun to learn about. I’m married to Adi, we have 2 daughters and a big black dog.

Hey! I’m Tal Mizrachi, AKA Analysis Paralysis. I’m a Data scientist, Educator and Mentor trying to make data science, analytical methods and programming accessible and fun to learn about. I’m married to Adi, we have 2 daughters and a big black dog.

Yulia Stolin

AI/DataScience Group Architect, Outbrain

Yulia is a seasoned industry professional with over 20 years of hands-on experience, specializing in building high-volume, scalable, high-performance distributed data services. Her deep expertise lies in Big Data, NoSQL products, Data Modeling, Analytics Flows, and a strong focus on AI. With a passion for developing AutoML and Data Science in production systems, she adeptly bridges production scalability with research requirements, pivotal in driving the core engine of the company's business. Her favorite quote, by Mark Twain, is: "Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life."

Yulia is a seasoned industry professional with over 20 years of hands-on experience, specializing in building high-volume, scalable, high-performance distributed data services. Her deep expertise lies in Big Data, NoSQL products, Data Modeling, Analytics Flows, and a strong focus on AI. With a passion for developing AutoML and Data Science in production systems, she adeptly bridges production scalability with research requirements, pivotal in driving the core engine of the company's business. Her favorite quote, by Mark Twain, is: "Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life."

Shai Peretz

SVP Engineering, Riskified

Seasoned technology executive, focused on building great technology teams, emphasis on the culture of excellence, ownership, transparency, and trust driving business impact with social responsibility.

Seasoned technology executive, focused on building great technology teams, emphasis on the culture of excellence, ownership, transparency, and trust driving business impact with social responsibility.

Shlomit Goldenberg

Data Engineering Team Lead, Riskified

Shlomit is a Data Engineering Team Lead at Riskified. With a decade of experience in business intelligence and the data industry, Shlomit has honed her expertise in designing and implementing tailored data solutions to optimize business decision-making and analysis. Her comprehensive understanding of data modeling, ETL processes, and data warehousing principles has positioned her as a formidable force in delivering impactful projects across diverse sectors. As a leader, she cultivates a collaborative environment, empowering her team to drive innovation and deliver solutions of significant impact.

Shlomit is a Data Engineering Team Lead at Riskified. With a decade of experience in business intelligence and the data industry, Shlomit has honed her expertise in designing and implementing tailored data solutions to optimize business decision-making and analysis. Her comprehensive understanding of data modeling, ETL processes, and data warehousing principles has positioned her as a formidable force in delivering impactful projects across diverse sectors. As a leader, she cultivates a collaborative environment, empowering her team to drive innovation and deliver solutions of significant impact.

Dor Polovincik

ML Engineer, Riskified

Dor is an experienced ML Engineer at Riskified. He has a strong background in statistics, data science, and engineering and has applied his knowledge and skills in various data-related roles at different sizes of companies. Dor holds a bachelor's degree in statistics and operational research from Tel Aviv University, and currently pursuing his master's degree in the same field. In his current role, Dor is a lead ML Engineer at Riskified, specializing in the field of MLOps, where he applies his expertise to develop and maintain machine learning systems and processes.

Dor is an experienced ML Engineer at Riskified. He has a strong background in statistics, data science, and engineering and has applied his knowledge and skills in various data-related roles at different sizes of companies. Dor holds a bachelor's degree in statistics and operational research from Tel Aviv University, and currently pursuing his master's degree in the same field. In his current role, Dor is a lead ML Engineer at Riskified, specializing in the field of MLOps, where he applies his expertise to develop and maintain machine learning systems and processes.

Shani Fachler

Data Analyst, Upstream Security

Shani Fachler is an Industrial Engineer from Ben-Gurion University with an MBA (major in Big Data) from Tel Aviv University. She has been working as an Analyst and Team Lead in the last 7 years in technology companies

Shani Fachler is an Industrial Engineer from Ben-Gurion University with an MBA (major in Big Data) from Tel Aviv University. She has been working as an Analyst and Team Lead in the last 7 years in technology companies

Lior Winner

Data Engineering Team Lead & Head of Data Guild, Riskified

Lior is the Head of Riskified’s Data Guild and leading the Data Streams team. He took a significant part in creating Riskified’s modern data architecture. Today, his team focuses on building the company Streaming Platform that is responsible for enabling Riskified’s event streaming architecture and real-time streaming applications.

Lior is the Head of Riskified’s Data Guild and leading the Data Streams team. He took a significant part in creating Riskified’s modern data architecture. Today, his team focuses on building the company Streaming Platform that is responsible for enabling Riskified’s event streaming architecture and real-time streaming applications.

Shahar Caspi

Data Engineer, Riskified

Shahar is a Data Engineer with 7 years of expertise in the data field. Throughout her career, she has gained expertise in designing and implementing data solutions to support business decision-making and analysis. She has a strong understanding of data modeling, ETL, and data warehousing principles and has a track record of delivering successful projects for clients in various industries. She is passionate about innovation, exploring new features, and efficiency. Outside of work, she finds joy in hiking, embracing the belief, “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars”.

Shahar is a Data Engineer with 7 years of expertise in the data field. Throughout her career, she has gained expertise in designing and implementing data solutions to support business decision-making and analysis. She has a strong understanding of data modeling, ETL, and data warehousing principles and has a track record of delivering successful projects for clients in various industries. She is passionate about innovation, exploring new features, and efficiency. Outside of work, she finds joy in hiking, embracing the belief, “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars”.

Ori Tal

Developer Relations Manager, Riskified

Ori is the Dev Relation Manager at Riskified. As part of her role, Ori owns the Riskified Tech brand, helps the R&D employees to share their professional knowledge with the tech community, and build their personal brand. She is also responsible for brand content creation and managing internal and external projects, like the hayaData conference. Ori is also a big Harry Potter fan and a professional photographer.

Ori is the Dev Relation Manager at Riskified. As part of her role, Ori owns the Riskified Tech brand, helps the R&D employees to share their professional knowledge with the tech community, and build their personal brand. She is also responsible for brand content creation and managing internal and external projects, like the hayaData conference. Ori is also a big Harry Potter fan and a professional photographer.

Tal Levinger

Agile Program Manager, Riskified

Tal is an Agile Program Manager at Riskified. She is an experienced senior project manager in the agile world, specializing in project execution, transparency, efficiency, and clarity for R&D teams. Tal collaborates with the product team, defines roadmaps, analyzes risks, and works with the CTO on org. KPIs. She is a Certified Scrum Master and SAFe practitioner with strong communication skills. Tal is also passionate about traveling.

Tal is an Agile Program Manager at Riskified. She is an experienced senior project manager in the agile world, specializing in project execution, transparency, efficiency, and clarity for R&D teams. Tal collaborates with the product team, defines roadmaps, analyzes risks, and works with the CTO on org. KPIs. She is a Certified Scrum Master and SAFe practitioner with strong communication skills. Tal is also passionate about traveling.

Patrissia Leibovich

Brand Designer, Riskified

For the past five years, Patrissia has been using the power of design to create visual identities for emerging brands in Israel. Currently, she serves as a Brand Designer at Riskified. This year, Patrissia is the principal designer for hayaData, responsible for developing the conference theme and shaping the experience. Outside of work, you can find her hanging out at coffee shops in South Tel Aviv with her dog, Mortadella.

For the past five years, Patrissia has been using the power of design to create visual identities for emerging brands in Israel. Currently, she serves as a Brand Designer at Riskified. This year, Patrissia is the principal designer for hayaData, responsible for developing the conference theme and shaping the experience. Outside of work, you can find her hanging out at coffee shops in South Tel Aviv with her dog, Mortadella.

Nir Alal

Lead Web Developer, Riskified

Nir is Lead Web Developer at Riskified. With over a decade of experience, he spearheads projects from inception to completion, ensuring they align with the company’s objectives and exceed client expectations. Nir’s leadership fosters innovation and maintains the highest standards of quality across all our web development endeavors.

Nir is Lead Web Developer at Riskified. With over a decade of experience, he spearheads projects from inception to completion, ensuring they align with the company’s objectives and exceed client expectations. Nir’s leadership fosters innovation and maintains the highest standards of quality across all our web development endeavors.