Thursday Lunch Club – Eitan Drori

Eitan Drori OAM was born in Jerusalem and lives in Melbourne, Australia since 1998.
He has been the Executive Director of the Australian Friends of the Hebrew University – Victoria Division (2006 -2018).
Since April 2018, Eitan is managing his own consultancy company focusing on promoting Israeli innovations in Asia Pacific and Europe.
After completing his service with the IDF, Eitan served the State of Israel in Europe for three years.
He is a graduate in hotel management and administration studies from Michigan State University, specializing in sales, marketing and resort development.
After 17 years (1975-1991) holding general management positions with international hotel chains in Europe, Israel and Africa, Eitan joined the State of Israel’s fund-raising effort, directing the campaigns of the United Israel Appeal in Germany and Australia for 13 years (1992-2005).
With his vast experience in networking, combined with his tourism expertise, he was involved in planning and executing The State of Israel and United Israel Appeal’s 50th Anniversary major events in 1998, as well as major conferences, seminars and workshops in Israel and worldwide.
He has also been a scholar-in-residence for delegations and overseas missions to Israel for major organizations, including Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and World Presidents Organization (WPO).
During the last few years, Eitan has been instrumental in directing negotiations for business initiatives between Australian based companies and Yissum, the Technology Transfer company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, specializing in innovations and modern technology
Eitan is the President and Founder of the roof body of the Israeli Community in Australia, Association of Israelis in Australia (AIA) established in 2011, as well as Founder and Board member of the IBC-Australia (The Israeli Business Club in Australia).
He was also a member of the Executive of the Zionist Council of Victoria, Australia (ZCV) holding the Hebrew Language and Israel Culture Portfolio between 2008 and 2014.
In 2010, the Jewish Community Council of Victoria honored Eitan with the Award of Excellence for his voluntary contribution and leadership for the Zionist movement and the Jewish community.
Since November 2013, Eitan initiated and established together with Israeli Worldwide Community leaders, the Global Israeli Leadership (GIL) and since January 2018 is a Co-Chairman of the organization.
The GIL, the roof body for the Israeli communities outside the United States main task is to develop and maintain a strong affiliation between the Israeli Diaspora and the State of Israel, in the areas of Identity, Hebrew culture and Jewish Education, Business networking and advocacy.
On Australia Day 2019, Eitan was awarded The Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his service to the Jewish Community of Australia
Eitan is married to Ronit, a High School and University of Melbourne senior educator in Hebrew language and literature and is a father of two.