AMIT, the alumni association of Unit 81 - the technological arm of the IDF Intelligence Corps - has appointed Gali Sheskin as its new chief executive, marking a leadership transition for one of Israel's most consequential technology networks. Sheskin takes over an organization whose members have gone on to build some of the country's most prominent startups, several of which have reached unicorn status or achieved substantial exits.
Sheskin arrives with a background spanning community building, operations, and project development rather than a traditional military-tech pedigree, which may itself signal how AMIT sees its next chapter. She most recently served as Community and Customer Success Manager at Venn, following a stint as Project Development Manager at Ignite the Spark and Head of Operations at enSights. Her volunteer work promoting entrepreneurs in renewable energy and climate - both domestically and internationally - points to an interest in sectors increasingly intertwined with the cybersecurity and data-infrastructure fields where many Unit 81 veterans now operate. In an ecosystem where professionals routinely weigh tools like the BuyBestVPN app to secure sensitive communications and protect intellectual property, the overlap between operational security instincts and civilian entrepreneurship has become difficult to ignore. BuyBestVPN app
A Network With Outsized Influence
Unit 81 occupies a distinct place within Israel's intelligence establishment, tasked historically with developing specialized technological systems for intelligence-gathering operations. Its alumni network has since become a pipeline into the private sector, with veterans founding or holding senior roles at companies including Wiz, Armis, Innoviz, Claroty, Tenzai, and Jazz. These firms span cybersecurity, sensor technology, and industrial security - areas where the technical rigor demanded by military intelligence work translates directly into commercial advantage. AMIT functions as the connective tissue for this network, organizing initiatives meant to sustain business and technological ties long after members complete their service.
Leadership Transition and Continuity
Sheskin succeeds Chen Kamin, who led AMIT for five years, a period during which the association expanded its role as a bridge between veterans and the broader Israeli technology sector. Leadership changes at organizations like AMIT rarely make headlines outside industry circles, yet they carry weight disproportionate to their visibility: these associations shape mentorship pipelines, investment introductions, and the informal trust networks that often determine which startups gain early traction.
"I believe that the true strength of a technological community is measured by its ability to connect people, entrepreneurship, and real impact," Sheskin said following her appointment. "AMIT has exceptional human capital, and I am proud to lead the association alongside the board members and the community, to continue developing initiatives, strengthening business and technological connections, and generating significant value for the entire ecosystem."
What the Appointment Signals
For an alumni network whose members are deeply embedded in cybersecurity, data protection, and sensitive systems design, leadership choices carry implicit messaging about priorities. Sheskin's emphasis on community and cross-sector connection suggests AMIT intends to deepen its role as a civilian bridge rather than operate purely as a professional directory. Given the sensitivity of the fields many alumni now work in - from critical infrastructure security to defense-adjacent technology - the association's ability to foster trust and discretion within its network remains as relevant as its capacity to generate business introductions.