It is our pleasure to announce Gidi Mark, CEO of Taglit Birthright Israel, as a speaker at the MK2025 Summit. Mark will share his experience in connecting with the Israeli diaspora and will reflect on how the Macedonian diaspora can help drive economic development in their homeland.

Under Mr Mark’s leadership Taglit Birthright Israel has not only become a successful bridge between Israel and its diaspora but also into one of the most successful Jewish organizations in the world. Recently Taglit Birthright began the ‘Birthright Excel Ventures’ program where budding Jewish-American entrepreneurs can come to Israel and create a start-up company with Israeli peers and mentorship from prominent Israeli companies. Under the original Birthright program, 500,000 young Jewish people from 66 countries have received the gift of a free trip to Israel. Since its inception, Birthright Israel trips have contributed an astounding $1 billion to Israel’s economy.

Gidi Mark began his career in 1983 as a diplomat for Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He served Israeli embassies and consulates around the world – as Spokesperson and Consul for Communications and Public Affairs in New York City, as First Secretary for Information in Bonn, Germany, and as Consul and Deputy Consul General in Istanbul, Turkey.

In 1998, he became the first employee of Birthright Israel and served as International Director of Marketing and Community Relations. In this capacity, he produced the Taglit-Birthright Israel brand and spearheaded the organization’s international outreach, which today encompasses 62 countries. In 2008, Mr Mark was promoted to CEO of Taglit Birthright Israel.