Rakefet Russak-Aminoach is a Managing Partner at Team8, where she builds and supports cutting-edge fintech startups poised to redefine the financial services landscape.
Rakefet served as President and CEO of Bank Leumi between 2012-2019. Under her leadership, Leumi established itself as Israel’s leading bank in profits, market cap, and innovation. Rakefet led this turnaround through digital transformation, enhanced efficiency, and a culture change. She also established LeumiTech, the Group’s Hi-Tech arm, and launched PEPPER – Israel’s first neobank.
During her tenure, Rakefet led key initiatives to improve the Bank’s capital adequacy. While serving as the bank’s Chief Credit Officer, Leumi attained a credit portfolio with minimal credit loss expenses, one of the best of its kind.
Her transformative work and leadership philosophy at Leumi resulted in a Harvard Business School case study, “Leading Bank Leumi into the Future” (October 2019).
Rakefet serves as the Chairwoman of Hailo and holds board memberships at BNY, 40Seas, april, and Bluespine.
Rakefet is also the Honorary Consul of Norway in Israel and holds board memberships in several NGOs and programs, including the Fulbright Association, Jewish Federations of North America, and Meta’s SHESHE Women’s Mentorship Program.
Rakefet has received widespread recognition in the financial industry. In 2024, she was named one of American Banker’s ’20 Most Influential Women in Fintech.’ Forbes recognized her as one of the ’50 Most Influential Women in Middle East Finance’ in 2019. She has been listed three times by Fortune Magazine among the ‘100 Most Powerful Women.’ Additionally, she was named one of the ’10 Most Innovative CEOs in Banking’ by Bank Innovation in both 2015 and 2016, and was included in the BBC’s ‘100 Most Inspirational and Influential Women’ list in 2016.
Rakefet holds a BA in Accounting and Economics (summa cum laude), as well as an LLB and an MBA in Finance & Insurance (cum laude) from Tel Aviv University. She is also a certified CPA.
