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Shira Greenberg is a leading economist and distinguished public servant. From 2019 to 2023, she served as Chief Economist and Director of State Revenues at Israel's Ministry of Finance, where she was recognized for her leadership and pivotal role in shaping Israel's economic policies and international economic relations. In this position, Shira played a crucial role in influencing economic policies, forecasting Israel's GDP growth, analyzing associated risks, promoting tax policy, and formulating state revenue projections. Her in-depth research as Chief Economist received broad public attention and influenced critical economic policy decisions. Her research covered various areas, including real estate, labor markets, finance, and high-tech industries, addressing key issues such as gender wage gaps and the economic impact of strategic infrastructure projects. Shira oversaw the Ministry's international economic ties and led the negotiation and signing of economic agreements under the historic ‘Abraham Accords,’ promoting regional cooperation. Moreover, Shira played a crucial role in shaping Israel’s economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout her tenure, Shira excelled as a leading figure in her field. She was recognized among Israel's 100 most influential people and 50 most influential women from 2020 to 2023, known for her professional expertise, substantial contributions to economic policy, and her exceptional courage and professional integrity in standing against attempts to undermine democratic principles. Prior to her role as Chief Economist, Shira accumulated ten years of experience in the Ministry’s Budget Department. As Deputy Director, she managed budget planning and economic reforms across diverse sectors, including industry, trade, communication, high-tech, and the labor force. She also supervised the education, health, water, and agriculture sectors in earlier positions. Throughout her career, Shira chaired and served on numerous high-level committees and boards. She was a founding board member of the distinguished Israel Innovation Authority from 2016 to 2019. She was Chair of the team established to assist self-employed individuals in pension and unemployment situations and Chair of the Compensation Fund for Road Accident Victims. Shira holds a Master’s Degree in Economics from Tel Aviv University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Economics from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. As an M-RCBG Senior Fellow, Shira focuses on tackling AI-induced labor market risks. Her faculty mentor is Dan Levy, Senior Lecturer in Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School. Email: shiragreenberg@hks.harvard.edu

 Merav Shaviv's professional career began at the Budget Division of the Israeli Treasury, where she held the position of Head of the Labor and Social Affairs Budgets. In this capacity, she played a pivotal role in implementing extensive structural reforms within the labor market. Her efforts focused on introducing new regulations designed to facilitate the reintegration of unemployed individuals into the workforce and reducing the reliance on foreign workers. From 2003 to 2019, Merav held significant roles within the Council for Higher Education in Israel, initially as Deputy Director General for Budgeting and later as Deputy Director General for Planning and Policy. Her tenure was marked by shaping policies and driving reforms across various critical domains within the Israeli higher education system, including formulating multi-year strategic plans for the Israeli HE system, planning the opening of new degree programs of public academic institutions, a holistic reform to increase access to higher education for the Arab minority, a program to increase research infrastructure and more. Through her work, Merav participated in numerous professional committees and forums and contributed to strategic discussions and initiatives. During 2019-2020, Merav was a Senior Fellow at M-RCBG, where she focused on Gap Year programs for career development of Israeli Arab youth, in cooperation with the Israel Democracy Institute. This research culminated in practical outcomes when the Israeli government allocated substantial funding and established a dedicated entity to implement these programs. Since 2020 Merav has worked as a strategic consultant for various organizations on public and social policy issues. During 2024-2025, her second year as a Senior Fellow at M-RCBG, Merav will focus on a new initiative aimed at implementing the paradigm of "Partnership - Based Peace," emphasizing economic and social aspects. This initiative stems from the need for alternative perspectives to promote a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly following the events of October 7th and the subsequent war. Her faculty sponsor is Prof. Tarek Masoud, the Ford Foundation Professor of Democracy and Governance at Harvard Kennedy School. Merav holds a BA in Economics and Statistics from the Hebrew University and an MBA in Business Administration from Bar-Ilan University. Merav's faculty sponsor is Tarek Masoud, the Ford Foundation Professor of Democracy and Governance at Harvard Kennedy School. Email: mshaviv@hks.harvard.edu