Management under Crisis

Management under Crisis
26th November 2024 Moriah Aharon

HU alumnus Shaul Meridor, currently Chief Financial Officer at Lightricks and former head of the budget department at the Ministry of Finance during the pandemic, met with Hebrew University alumni in the United Kingdom where he delivered a lecture on crisis management at the Lightricks offices.

Crises have become an integral part of our lives, both nationally and internationally, but it seems that in recent years they have become more numerous and frequent. While the COVID-19 crisis was a global pandemic, countries that made swift decisions in the initial stages – such as Israel, which quickly closed its airspace when the pandemic broke out – managed to handle the outbreak far more effectively than other nations.

The global economy was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with many companies facing substantial challenges, including the successful high-tech company Lightricks. This is compounded by the national and security crises we currently face, which also affect Jews and Israelis beyond the country’s borders.

During a working visit to London, Shaul Meridor, currently Chief Financial Officer at Lightricks and former head of the budget department at the Ministry of Finance during the pandemic, met with Hebrew University alumni in the United Kingdom. He delivered a lecture on crisis management at the Lightricks offices, where we learned about crisis navigation, managing the COVID-19 pandemic, seizing opportunities and Lightricks’ efforts to support employees during the conflict.

Crisis management is invariably complex and challenging, but Shaul, with wit, humour and openness, shared profound insights that enriched all participants. In discussions with attendees, he explored his transition from the public to the private sector, the necessity of making rapid decisions despite complex consequences, the importance of maintaining optimism, and managerial perspectives that might help the country navigate its current challenges.

The event was initiated by London based Iris Altman, a HU graduate in electrical engineering and computer science who serves as Director of Software Engineering at Lightricks. The significant attendance and the event’s success reflect the enduring relationship between the University and its alumni, including Lightricks’ entrepreneurs.

We thank Lightricks for their warm hospitality and meticulous event planning! We look forward to future gatherings.

Watch the photo album (photos by Tammy Shefler – Mart Photography)