Adv. Erika Solomon Vasser, LL.M.

Having worked in large scale public organizations since the outset of my career, I believe inthe ability to influence and drive real change and outcomes within the publicsector. As early as my first significant role interning in the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) I learned that any and every action in the public sphere meaningfully and deeply affects a large number of people. Currently, as senior manager in a significant public organization – the Israel Bar Association – I am privileged to shape policies and strategies which have broad-ranging and in-depth impact on the sector of lawyers in particular, and the Israeli publicin general.

Working in the public sector

The publicsector presents its own unique and numerous challenges. It requires finding theoptimal balance between realizing public goals on one hand, and efficiency, developmentand adjustment to a world of innovation and change, on the other. Finding thisbalance is my professional life a long challenge. I believe that Inventivemanagement in the public sector can enable all public or social organizationsto grow and develop better ways of achieving their objectives.

Leading by example

I believe that for women, the public sector constitutes fertile ground for advancement and self-realization. As a daughter of two successful doctors, I’ve been thought to believe that women and man are equal, and I have conducted my professional roles accordingly. However, I believe that every woman encounters challenges at some point in her career; for me that challenge presented itself when I became a mother. At that point I had to learn a whole new set of tools regarding how to balance work and motherhood. For me, the advantage of the public sector is that it allows implementing a balance between work and home life without compromising on the high standards I set for myself as both a CEO and a mother.

Both in my personal life and in my professional life I believe that reality can be changed first and foremost by personal example: to my employees, to the women working with me, and to my children. This is also the basis for my wish to speak at the “Women in Law” Conference.

What’s your professional background?

I hold a BA in Law and English Literature from Tel Aviv University, and a Master’s Degree in Law from Tel Aviv University and Northwestern University.

Since 2016, I am the CEO at the Tel Aviv District of the Israel Bar Association and since 2018 I’m also the CEO at Extra Members Club, the Consumer Club of the Israel Bar Association, the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Israel, and the Institute of Tax Consultants in Israel.