Michal Sela Forum Founder Lili Ben-Ami Steps Down, Mey-Tal Graiver Schwartz Named CEO
Lili Ben-Ami, founder of the Michal Sela Forum, steps down as CEO after seven years. She is succeeded by Attorney Mey-Tal Graiver Schwartz, who previously directed the forum's protection division.
Lili Ben-Ami, the founder of the Michal Sela Forum, is stepping down from her role as Chief Executive Officer after seven years of establishing, leading, and expanding the organization's activities to protect threatened women and their children. Attorney Mey-Tal Graiver Schwartz, who has served as the forum's Deputy CEO and Director of the Protection Division for the past five years, has been appointed as the new CEO.
Graiver Schwartz brings 22 years of experience in leading social change, promoting policy, and building cross-sector partnerships. In her previous career, she served as the Deputy Director of Community Relations and Regulation at the Israel Internet Association.
During her tenure at the Michal Sela Forum, Graiver Schwartz managed the protection network, the emergency hotline, and the education and policy division. Under her leadership, the Protection Division provided critical assistance to 1,049 threatened women and 3,986 at-risk children in cooperation with the Ministry of Welfare through the "Michal Patrol" program. In 53 real-time emergencies, the protection solutions developed under her guidance directly prevented attempted murders.
Additionally, Graiver Schwartz led efforts to identify the phenomenon of technological abuse, developing a digital "firewall" kit in collaboration with the Israel National Cyber Directorate. She also spearheaded tailored response programs for the LGBTQ+ community and youth, and represented the organization in Knesset committees.
Since the outbreak of the war, she has focused on the rising danger to threatened women due to the increase in domestic violence and the widespread distribution of firearms in the civilian sphere. She actively campaigned to tighten the criteria for obtaining gun licenses and to prevent weapons from being issued to individuals with a history of violence. As she steps into the CEO role, Graiver Schwartz aims to continue leading the national struggle against domestic violence and preventing future tragedies.
