Dr. Yael Israel-Cohen

Director of Planning and Strategy, UJA-Federation of New York

Dr. Yael Israel-Cohen is Director of Planning and Strategy in the Israel Office of UJA-Federation of New York, where, since October 7, she has played a key role in guiding emergency response efforts. Prior to joining UJA, she was a senior lecturer in both the School of Social Sciences and the Business School at the College of Management Academic Studies, where she also served as Director of the International Unit.

Israel-Cohen completed her PhD in Sociology at Tel Aviv University (2012) and a postdoctoral fellowship at Northwestern University (2014-2016). Her research has focused on social change, civil society, and trauma in Israeli society. She is the author of two books and several academic articles.

In 2024, Israel-Cohen was recognized by Forbes Israel as one of its “Power Women” for her contribution to the recovery of Israeli society.