Yael Mazuz Harpaz, Vice President and Head of the Policy Division, is responsible for shaping and implementing the Israel Innovation Authority’s policies to promote and accelerate Israel’s high-tech industry. Her role includes developing a research-based economic knowledge infrastructure on the high-tech sector, leading research and evaluation processes related to the Authority’s activities, and managing the Authority’s budget.
Yael brings extensive experience from both the private and public sectors in policy and strategy development and management across a range of fields, including biotechnology, digital transformation, and employment. Prior to joining the Israel Innovation Authority, Yael served as VP Operations at Ukko, an Israeli-American biotech startup developing therapies for food allergies. In this role, she led the company’s key projects and operational processes supporting the execution of human clinical trials. She previously served as Deputy Director of Digital Israel, where she was responsible for building and managing a budget of approximately NIS 500 million and leading digital transformation initiatives across government services in areas including healthcare, finance, law, and more.
Yael also served as Chief of Staff to the Director General of the Ministry of Labor, a role that included responsibility for leading reforms and cross-ministerial processes, as well as budget planning and management. She also coordinated the Public Committee for Advancing Employment Policy toward 2030. In addition, Yael has led several groundbreaking initiatives aimed at addressing the shortage of engineering talent in Israel’s high-tech industry and developing ways to enable broader segments of the population to participate in and contribute to its success.
Yael holds a Master’s degree with honors in Public Policy, completed as part of the Civil Service Cadet Program, and a Bachelor’s degree with highest honors in Law and Economics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She completed her legal clerkship with Supreme Court Justice and former President of the Supreme Court Esther Hayut.