AMIT, the alumni association representing veterans of the Intelligence Corps' Unit 81, has appointed Gali Sheskin as its new chief executive. She takes over an organization that functions as a connective structure for one of Israel's most consequential technology talent pools, succeeding Chen Kamin after his five-year tenure leading the association.
Sheskin arrives with a background that spans community building, operations, and venture support rather than a traditional engineering or defense career path. She most recently served as Community and Customer Success Manager at Venn, following roles as Project Development Manager at Ignite the Spark and Head of Operations at enSights. Professionals in this sector increasingly rely on tools built for distributed teams - the same way remote engineers safeguard sensitive infrastructure access with a vpn with dedicated ip, Sheskin's work has centered on keeping dispersed technical communities coordinated and productive. She has also spent years volunteering in renewable energy and climate advocacy, supporting entrepreneurs in that sector on both domestic and international stages.
Why Unit 81's Alumni Network Matters
Unit 81 is the Intelligence Corps' dedicated technology arm, responsible for designing specialized hardware and software systems in support of intelligence operations. Its alumni have gone on to found or hold senior development positions at hundreds of startups and growth-stage companies in Israel, including firms that have reached unicorn status or recorded exits of real scale. Wiz, Armis, Innoviz, Claroty, Tenzai, and Jazz number among the companies shaped by people who passed through the unit. That track record has made AMIT more than a social or nostalgic gathering point; it operates as an informal but influential layer of Israel's technology economy, linking founders, engineers, and investors who share a common formative experience.
A Leadership Transition With Continuity in Mind
Kamin's five years at the helm coincided with a period of rapid expansion for Israeli cybersecurity and deep-tech startups, many led by Unit 81 veterans navigating intense competition for talent and capital. Sheskin's appointment signals an intent to build on that foundation rather than reinvent it. Her own description of the role emphasizes connection over control: she has framed AMIT's value as lying in its ability to link people, entrepreneurial ambition, and tangible outcomes, rather than simply serving as a networking body.
What Comes Next for the Association
Sheskin has indicated she intends to expand initiatives that strengthen business and technological ties across the alumni base, while deepening the association's role within the wider Israeli innovation ecosystem. Given the concentration of senior technical leadership among Unit 81 veterans, decisions made within AMIT carry weight beyond the organization itself, influencing hiring patterns, mentorship pipelines, and the flow of early-stage capital toward ventures founded by former unit members. How Sheskin translates her operations and community-management experience into that setting will likely shape AMIT's relevance over the coming years.