The Jewish women’s group Momentum, which empowers mothers around the world to connect to Israel and their Jewish heritage, has named Orit Mizner as its new chief operating officer.
For more than 20 years, Mizner has demonstrated her expertise in organizational growth, strategic planning, leadership cultivation, creative innovation, community and partnership building, and systems management. Some of her previous roles include chief program officer of Itrek; head of national programs of the Israeli-American Council (IAC); and chief project officer of the Israeli Innovation Institute.
Mizner is also a former Jewish Agency for Israel shlicha (“emissary”) and a Schusterman Family Foundation Fellow. Through her extensive experience, she has gained a deep understanding of Jewish community history, current trends and opportunities for the future, while using different methods and a unique approach.
Mizner will oversee the day-to-day operations, strategic growth, impact programs and the marketing of the organization. As Momentum is revamping its outreach and operational strategies in light of the events of Oct. 7, the organization is looking forward to Mizner’s leadership, which will help create meaningful ways to tap into the Jewish Diaspora so they can internalize the lessons of that tragic day and find constructive ways to strengthen communities.
One way the organization is implementing its new approach to grassroots mobilization is the Momentum Action Network, a consistently updated collection of initiatives to aid Israel since the Oct. 7 attacks. This global network of Jewish mothers, fathers, leaders, influencers, change-makers and partner organizations has created and participated in over 600 grassroots initiatives in 24 different countries.
“We are delighted to welcome Orit Mizner to the Momentum family,” Momentum founding director Lori Palatnik said. “We’re looking forward to working alongside Orit, who brings the experience to help our team plan and achieve the strategic growth that is so critical to our mission.”
Momentum CEO Ben Pery added, “We are thrilled that Orit Mizner has joined our team and I’m confident she will leverage her skills to develop long-lasting partnerships that will enhance the Momentum network around the world.”
Mizner is excited to join an international women’s organization whose mission is to impact individuals and give them the tools to impact their communities and the Jewish world.
“Today more than ever, it’s clear we need more people to feel connected, a sense of belonging and purpose in order to create real change, and I am proud to bring my skills, knowledge and mainly my passion to Momentum,” she said.
Mizner has dedicated her professional life to doing good in different fields and acquired best practices and tools that will help her build a collaborative work environment that will serve Momentum’s growth and scalability.
“I am excited for the opportunity to work with a committed group of people from the Momentum board and staff,” she added.
Mizner received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Haifa, where she studied political science and sociology and holds a diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility Management and completed the Hybrid Cohort of the Board Members Institute for Nonprofits from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Momentum is a global movement focused on the greatest influencer: the Jewish mother. Through transformational journeys to Israel, leadership fellowships, a robust multimedia platform and expansive resources for Jewish learning, Momentum inspires Jewish mothers to live their most meaningful lives and transform themselves, their families and their communities. Since Momentum’s founding in 2008, more than 23,000 individuals from 35 countries have experienced its flagship program, the Momentum Yearlong Journey. In 2023, Momentum was awarded the Jerusalem Unity Prize for its dedication to promoting unity without uniformity in Israel and across the Jewish world.