Shirley Ben-Dak
Shirley Ben-Dak, Head of Global Initiatives, SUiTS - Smart Urban & IT Strategies
Shirley leads global initiatives, business development and international project management for SUiTS, an Israeli based urban-tech integrator founded to promote smart urbanism around the globe – municipal strategy, governance and the development of human and cultural capital. Instead of tech-led generic solutions, SUiTS proposes to recognize & leverage the uniqueness of each city to address their urban challenges.
Shirley comes from an interdisciplinary background in international relations, sustainability management and international development. She holds a B.A. degree in Government and International Relations from IDC Herzliya as well as an MSc. degree in Sustainability Management from Columbia University in the City of New York. Prior to joining SUiTS, Shirley served as the Head of International Programs at the Weitz Center for Sustainable Development, where she led the professional content aspects of the yearly MASHAV (Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation)- sponsored training programs for environmental professionals from across Africa, Asia and South America. Additionally, she worked on advancing training and capacity building programs across developing & transition countries. Shirley previously worked at an international development consultancy firm focused on linking NGOs, local beneficiaries and stakeholders in developing and emerging economies.
Shirley is very familiar with the Israeli environmental and startup ecosystem and believes in the power of entrepreneurship & innovation to contribute to sustainable development.
