Our Team

Lital Leshem is a seasoned entrepreneur, corporate advisor, and expert in defense and security, with extensive experience in strategic investments and scaling high-impact startups. She co-founded Carbyne, a cutting-edge emergency communications technology company, which was sold to Axon for $625 million in November 2025. Following her work at Carbyne, Lital became a Partner at Frontier Resource Group, where she focused on investments in defense, aviation, and cybersecurity. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Lital is also a founding member of the UAE-Israel Business Council. With 11 years of service in the military and intelligence field as a Major (Res.) in the IDF’s Southern Command, she continues to serve in the reserves, where she specializes in intelligence and security operations. She was called to duty on October 7th, 2023.

Lee Moser is Co-Founder and General Partner of Protego Ventures, a $125M fund investing in Israeli defense technology. Protego backs companies whose technology was developed and proven in Israel's defense ecosystem (IDF, MAFAT, and Israeli defense industries) and helps them expand into US and allied markets. Portfolio highlights include XTEND, now publicly listed, plus High Lander, Two Delta , backed by international LPs. Across AnD, Protego, and ProFound, Lee has built a track record at the intersection of company building, venture investing, and global market expansion. Her work spans strategy, fundraising, talent, business development, and building the infrastructure required to support founders from day zero through scale. Prior to venture capital, Lee served as Chief of Staff to Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren in Washington, DC, and played a key role in expanding BlackRock’s presence in Israel. Lee holds a BA from Tel Aviv University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Ziv Avtalion is a strategic leader and expert in defense technology, logistics, and digital transformation, with extensive experience in modernizing military operations. As a Brigadier General (Res.) in the IDF, he led the Digital Transformation Directorate and Technology Division, spearheading multi-billion-dollar projects that enhanced operational efficiency and military superiority. Following his distinguished military career, Ziv founded 55 AIM Ltd., a strategic consulting firm specializing in digital transformation and advanced technology solutions. At Protego Ventures, he brings his deep expertise in defense innovation, cybersecurity, and operational strategy to support the next generation of breakthrough defense technologies and oversee our technological due diligence as CTO. Ziv also recently completed his PhD in Data Systems, focusing on digital climates in organizations that accelerate digital transformation.

A seasoned finance and business executive and tech industry consultant, and international business knowledge and expertise. Having served as CFO of multiple tech comsnris, VCs and PE funds and was instrumental in their formation, investments to their dissolution. Yoel holds a BA in Economics from Tel Aviv University and an MBA from the Bradford University. A sports enthusiast, Yoel spends his free time snowboarding and on the padel court.

Tal Kelman brings over 30 years of leadership and technical expertise to Protego Ventures as the Head of Strategy and Defense. He formerly served as head of strategy and the Iran Directorate at the IDF’s Strategic Planning and Cooperation Directorate (J5), head of the Strategic Division, and Air Force Chief of Staff. During his distinguished military career, he commanded elite air bases, established the F-16I squadron, and led the IAF Flight Academy. An accomplished F-35I pilot with over 5,500 flight hours, he shaped the IDF’s long-term strategy and strengthened international defense partnerships. Tal is also a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), a Washington, D.C.-based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy. His operational expertise and strategic vision make him a key asset in advancing next-generation defense innovations.

Ben brings over a decade of experience at the intersection of communications, government strategy, and international relations. Most recently he served as Partnerships Manager at Meta, and prior to that as Director of International Outreach & Strategy at Israel's Prime Minister’s Office Ministry of Diaspora Affairs. Prior to that he was the spokesperson to the international media at Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Earlier in his career, Ben held senior roles in PR and communications at international PR firms Finn Partners and Lonestar Communications. He brings a rare combination of government, media, and private sector experience to Protego's partnerships and growth initiatives.

​​Danielle's background is grounded in diverse experiences. With a B.A. in Hospitality and Tourism Management and a history of event planning, she deeply appreciates the value of creating memorable experiences and is passionate about forging connections and building collaborations. Her time serving in the IDF's foreign relations unit honed her logistical skills, equipping her to navigate the world of venture capital and seek mutually beneficial partnerships. In her current role as Investor Relations Manager, Danielle manages day-to-day communications and relationships with the fund’s existing Limited Partners (LPs). In addition, Danielle’s passion for building connections, meeting new people, and nurturing collaborations within the entrepreneurial ecosystem shines in her work through quarterly events both locally and globally.

Nir Gilbert is an accomplished investor who brings a rare blend of venture capital expertise, product leadership, and operational experience to Protego Ventures. Previously a principal at JAL Ventures, he has a strong track record of partnering with early-stage founders across deep tech. Nir also served as a Product Manager at Atera and held commanding officer roles in the Israeli Air Force. He holds a BSc in Information Systems Management from Ben-Gurion University and an MBA from Reichman University.

Dalit Krainer is an independent executive consultant with over 30 years of experience in executive management across startups and global corporations. She advises companies on organizational strategy, building the foundations and capabilities for growth, leadership development, and organizational culture. Previously, Dalit served as CHRO of Checkmarx and as VP HR at Amdocs, where she led the HR organization for a global services business group of more than 11,000 employees across over 100 countries. Throughout her career, she has led complex organizational transformations and supported due diligence and post-merger integration processes.

Paz serves as the Chief of Staff at Protego, where she spearheads strategic initiatives, manages cross-functional projects, and optimizes operational processes. She brings significant expertise in financial strategy and startup growth; in her former role as Head of FP&A, she managed the financial operations for more than 60 startups, spanning from Pre-Seed to Series A stages. Her capacity for navigating complex, high-stakes environments and executing data-backed decisions was developed through her tenure in a classified role within the Prime Minister’s Office. Additionally, she served as a Special Operations Officer (Captain, Res.) in the IDF, overseeing large-scale operational planning and stakeholder coordination. Paz is a graduate of the prestigious PPE (Philosophy, Economics, Political Science, and Law) Honors Program at Tel Aviv University.

Maya brings an international perspective to the Protego team, with roots in New York, professional experience in Paris, and a competitive athletic career that brought her to Israel as a professional soccer player. She holds a BA in Psychology from Amherst College and an MBA from Reichman University. Fluent in English, French, and Spanish, with Hebrew on the way, Maya combines sharp business instincts with a natural curiosity for people and new environments.