Itamar Assaf Elected to the Board of the Rhode Island-Israel Collaborative (RIIC)
Itamar Assaf Elected to the Board of the Rhode Island-Israel Collaborative (RIIC)
Providence, Rhode Island – September 28, 2026 – The Rhode Island-Israel Collaborative (RIIC) is pleased to announce that at its Board of Directors meeting on September 24, 2026, Itamar Assaf was unanimously elected to join the RIIC Board of Directors.
Assaf, an Israeli entrepreneur, community builder, and business development professional, becomes the third RIIC Board member based in Israel, further strengthening RIIC’s presence and network in Israel.
His appointment will help RIIC expand connections and create new opportunities that benefit businesses, entrepreneurs, academic institutions, researchers, and communities in both Rhode Island and Israel. With his extensive network throughout Israel’s business and innovation ecosystem, Assaf will help connect Rhode Island organizations with potential partners, technologies, expertise, and opportunities in Israel while also helping Israeli companies, entrepreneurs, researchers, and institutions connect with Rhode Island.
Assaf has worked with RIIC for several years on initiatives designed to strengthen business, innovation, academic, and entrepreneurial connections between Rhode Island and Israel.
The relationship between RIIC and Assaf dates back several years and has included collaboration between Rhode Island and the innovation ecosystem in Ashdod, Israel. In July 2021, Assaf visited Rhode Island, where he met with representatives of Rhode Island’s business, technology, government, and innovation communities and participated in an event at RIHub focused on Ashdod’s growing technology and maritime innovation ecosystem.
Assaf and AshdodTech also played an important role in RIIC’s Rhode Island-Israel BlueTech Startup Competition, helping connect entrepreneurs and innovation organizations in Rhode Island with HUB Ashdod and Israel’s maritime and technology ecosystem.
“We have known Itamar for many years, and I have had the opportunity to observe his amazing progress and the network he has built throughout Israel,” said Avi Nevel, Founder and CEO of the Rhode Island-Israel Collaborative (RIIC). “I am confident that he will help us expand and strengthen the connections between Rhode Island and the Israeli ecosystem, especially in academia, business, innovation, and research. Most importantly, these connections are about creating real opportunities and mutual benefits for people and organizations in both Rhode Island and Israel. Our past experience working together, including the projects he helped initiate with AshdodTech and other collaborations, demonstrates what can be accomplished when we bring Rhode Island and Israel together. We congratulate Itamar and look forward to working with him as a member of our Board.”
Assaf is a serial entrepreneur and strategic growth leader who has co-founded and advised multiple ventures across sectors such as logistics, security, healthcare, and media. Throughout his career, he has built and scaled global marketing and business development operations, driving significant market expansion for companies across diverse industries, from retail and agtech to cloud infrastructure.
A dedicated ecosystem builder and super-connector, Assaf has spearheaded several prominent professional communities in Israel, including Ashdod.tech and Lost in Y. Through these platforms and his extensive network, he has facilitated countless high-value, cross-border business collaborations and guided numerous senior executives through strategic career transitions.
Furthermore, Assaf brings deep public-sector expertise. He has worked closely with government ministries and local municipalities, both in Israel and abroad, to navigate complex regulatory landscapes and advance strategic initiatives.
Commenting on his election to the RIIC Board, Assaf said:
“I am truly honored to join the Board of Directors of the Rhode Island-Israel Collaborative. Seven years ago, as an entrepreneur, I was first introduced to the remarkable work of the RIIC, led by Avi and his exceptional team. Since then, we have collaborated continuously to advance premier business and academic initiatives, including driving port innovation between the city of Ashdod and Rhode Island. I am thrilled to officially join the board and am confident that together, we will continue to foster innovation, champion entrepreneurship, and deliver meaningful mutual value. I extend my sincere gratitude to Avi and my fellow board members for their trust and this incredible opportunity.”
Assaf’s election further strengthens RIIC’s ability to serve as a bridge between Rhode Island and Israel. His presence on the Board provides another direct connection to Israel’s business, technology, entrepreneurial, academic, and innovation communities, helping Rhode Island organizations identify potential partners and opportunities in Israel while opening doors in Rhode Island for Israeli businesses, entrepreneurs, academic institutions, and researchers.
About the Rhode Island-Israel Collaborative (RIIC)
The Rhode Island-Israel Collaborative (RIIC) is a nonprofit chamber of commerce dedicated to strengthening business, trade, academic exchange, innovation, and research between Rhode Island and Israel. RIIC connects businesses, entrepreneurs, investors, academic institutions, researchers, government organizations, and innovation communities to create opportunities and mutual benefits for Rhode Island and Israel.
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