We established AlmaLinks two years ago after recognizing a certain need or void in the Jewish community. Young Jewish professionals (ages 25-35) are busy building their career and often become disconnected from their Jewish identity and the State of Israel. AlmaLinks is a private global community that unites young professionals and executives from all over the world. Our young professionals are those that have demonstrated exceptional professional skills, while our executives are experienced business leaders willing to share their experience with talented young professionals.  AlmaLinks’ vision is to develop and impact future business leadership reinforcing their connection to the state of Israel and the Jewish people. AlmaLinks strengthens connections between its members and the Israeli business sector through unique programs and activities.

In each of our satellite chapters, we host a monthly, intimate business session in which one of AlmaLinks' executives leads a discussion about a specific professional topic. AlmaLinks members will communicate through our own online platform (to be launched in the coming months), allowing us to stay connected globally while sharing opportunities and knowledge.

We keep the community small, in order to ensure intimacy and exclusivity of the organization. The beauty of AlmaLinks is that we strive to be homogeneous in quality, but in heterogeneous fields. Our members hold high positions in leading firms and fields, including finance, technology, consulting, fashion, science and more.

The ROI grant was a great help in the development of the organization. In the initial stages of a venture, relatively small amounts of money can go a very long way and if leveraged properly really make a difference. The funds were used to hold events, create various marketing materials, develop a web site and the fact that we were backed by ROI also made it easier to raise additional funds.   

Having said that, it hasn’t always been a “stroll in the park”. Aside from the various challenges faced by every new non for profit venture (branding, positioning, initial fund raising, bureaucracy etc.) one challenge that we were and are still facing is developing a scalable international “franchise model” that will allow us to easily (relatively speaking of course) establish new chapters around the world. Every community has its intricacies and we have found that in some cases certain adaptations must be made. The “franchise model” was developed with the assistance of leading executives who are also affiliated with AlmaLinks.    

Since launching international operations in July 2010, we have developed chapters in Tel Aviv, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and NYC. We have recruited leading executives and have solidified partnerships with MASA, IDC Herzlia, Taglit Birthright Israel, Baker Tilly Accounting and other leading firms.  We are now in the process of building chapters in London, Montreal as well as several additional locations around the world. AlmaLinks strives to be a truly global, multilateral organization and in the coming years we intend to expand and diversify our reach.

For additional info, please visit us at: www.almalinks.org

AlmaLinks received an ROI Innovation Grant last year.